Ash Wednesday

The kids did a coloring page for Ash Wednesday, Luke read scripture and then we put ashes from our many winter fires on our foreheads.  

I made pretzels again, signifying arms folded in prayer.  The kids helped this year, so that was fun (mostly).  

This is how one of them turned out.

This is how the rest of them turned out.  Did I mention that the kids helped this year?  =)  I also didn't put enough flour in so they were kinda globby.  But they still tasted great.

I also made a simple cheese sauce to dip them in.  

We're going low key on Lent this year.  The kids have both decided to try to give up complaining and try to pursue gratefulness (so far we've had a couple of break throughs).  

Luke is giving up sports radio and pursuing more of God's Word.

I'm praying for patience and going on a computer diet.  (Luke set up the "parental controls" on our computer so that I *only* get 3 hours a day.  That's a little embarrassing to admit... both that I'm as mature as a child in limiting my computer use and that 3 hours is a "diet" for me.  But it's where I'm at so grace on me.)    

More Lenten activities to come...

The last few days, Leah has literally begged to help me clean in the kitchen.  She loves to rinse and wash the dishes, sweep and vacuum, and I took this picture of her scrubbing the stove.  

I think she's one of "those people" who actually enjoys the process of taking something dirty and making it clean.  I say "those people" because though I was born to one, roomed with one and have even acquired one as an in-law, I have never even begun to understand that way of life.  

On the other hand, I have a gift for making things surprisingly messy in the midst of my creative process and the thought of cleaning it overwhelms me.  Now once I get going and arrive at the final state of a clean kitchen, I am grateful and appreciative.  And I believe in the values of working with your hands and cleaning up after yourself.  But getting over that hump of motivating myself to start is the tough part.  

Needless to say, the apple has fallen far from the tree on this one.

So everybody play along and pretend that cleaning is fun, okay?  This is one instance where I have no problem shielding her from the truth.  I'm milking this for all it's worth...  =)

Happy 35th Birthday, Luke!

Luke wanted to take the family to the ESPN Zone for his birthday and they had a blast!  It was like Disneyland for John because "there were so many spoits (sports)!"

We all dressed in sports uniforms that Luke likes (hence the Cowboys shirt in Redskins country), including Noelle who wore the "Future Surfer Girl" shirt that Uncle Jason and Auntie Heather gave her.

And Luke got lots of fun in as well.  Here is his Winter Olympics inspired snowboarding run.

And I made a fun dessert based on this Coconut Macaroon Tart recipe.  I added real whipped cream and made a fruit puree out of Trader Joe's frozen cherries and fruit spread.  It was delish!

And a bunch of Luke's friends and family sent special birthday emails to me which I put together into a document that he woke up to this morning.  He'll have the encouragement of getting to read them throughout the day today.  Thanks to all for making his birthday so special!  

We love you, Luke!

Snowpocalypse 2010

True to it's nature, the normally mild-wintered Washington DC is collectively FREAKING OUT about the blizzard that has hit us with a one-two punch.  We got 30 inches of snow last weekend and Luke waited in an hour long line at the grocery store the other day because the local weather folks were predicting another 10 - 20 inches today (complete with "suspense thriller movie" background music).  As I type, the snow is coming down and the wind is whipping it around like a real blizzard.  

People are referring to it as Snowpocalypse and/or Snowmageddon 2010. (Although after reading how the Ingalls almost died multiple times because they couldn't see their hand in front of their face, let alone their house 3 feet away, I'm thinking we're gonna make it.)

Anyhoo, we're safe inside and would like to give a shout of gratefulness out for modern electricity and shelter in general.  It actually hasn't been so bad since Luke and Leah have gotten to stay home from school and we've been able to get outside and play or go for a walk in between the craziness.  Also, living in a walkable community rocks because we've had all sorts of friends stop by and run into friends on the way to the local market.  I don't think those in the 'burbs are fairing as well.  They've gotten even more snow than us, have lost some electricity, and a few areas were still waiting for their streets to get plowed.  

This is a picture down East Capitol Street.  The people to cars on the road ratio is pretty accurate.  Makes for a peaceful walk not hearing all the cars whizzing by.

This is the front of our house that Luke has spent many hours and muscles digging out.  

This is our street complete with buried cars and the narrow path that you have to walk down.  

Trees are even pretty in the winter.

I was curious what our community garden looked like...

Luke, the kids and our neighbor friends made a castle-type fort...

complete with window.

When getting ready to go play outside, John came to me like this and asked me to zip him up.  That's a little frog on his underwear.

Here are Leah's 4 inches too short snow pants.  

But who cares when you're having SNOW MUCH FUN!

The Prayer Passage (Long but worth it)

This January, our women's ministry team planned a prayer passage for the women at church as a time of meditation and renewal for the new year ahead.  It was such a wonderful and intimate time that I wanted to record it here.  

We first entered into the church which had been so beautifully decorated.  

Then we were greeted at this table and picked up a guided booklet made with the following introduction and instructions for the seven stations.

The Prayer Passage

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests..." Ephesians 6:18a

What is a “prayer passage?” Prayer passages were a feature of many medieval cathedrals. People walk a path on a prayer journey of spiritual reflection, connecting with the Living God through experiential methods. Using a variety of intentional, multi-sensory approaches, this encounter is designed to facilitate a holistic worship experience with God our Father, who knows us and loves us.

We invite you to come, enter in, and meet with our God here. Please remain silent for your own benefit (experiencing God) and for the benefit of those around you (and their experience with God).

Action: Take a moment to examine your heart, is there something preventing you from experiencing the fullness of Christ? Ask the Lord to reveal it to you. As things start to well up, fill your bag, thinking about the burdens of your day. Use your hands and feel the weight of the stones. Carry the bag of your burdens up the stairs with you.

Release and Repent

The Lord wants you to release your burdens. Your shoulders are not meant to bear the weight – that is for his shoulders alone. Pray a release through this verse of Isaiah and lay your burdens.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in a waste land. Isaiah 43: 18

Examine your heart now and ask the Lord to show you where there may be sin within. Where have you gone astray and forsaken what you knew to be right? Repent, as you pray through the verse below.

Search me O God and know my heart, test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Isaiah 43:19

Action: Use the water provided to wash your hands, allowing the basin to catch the water. Let this symbolize your repentance and cleansing.  

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

Renew and Restore

You are cleansed, washed pure from your sin. So now, may the Lord give you strength and steadfastness in your spirit! He wants to meet you and give you more of himself – that your feet may be grounded, firm, secure.

Create in me a pure heart; O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51: 10-12

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 2 Peter 1:10

God invites us to come to Him to be renewed by His unending grace.

Action: As a sign of this grace, anoint yourself with oil (this can be on your forehead or on the back of your hand). Carry this scent with you, knowing that his grace will restore your joy and renew a steadfast spirit within you!

Remain and Rest

Come, enter this space and simply rest in the Lord our God. You are invited to use the pillows, blankets and be comfortable. Sit on the chairs, lie on the floor - whatever is best for you.  

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:1-7

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

We have limitations, when we continue to do things in our own strength. We get burned out, discouraged and we despair - these are the not the fruits of living on the vine. Jesus commands us to remain in him. If we desire to be grafted into the vine of Christ, it requires a conscious effort to align our lives with the character of Christ. As a result Christ gives us the amazing promises that he will remain in us! And we will bear the good fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Action: Simply remain – knowing also, that Jesus remains in us.

Revere and Rejoice

Worship the Lord, for he loves us tenderly! Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah: 3:14, 17

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16

Action: You, precious daughter, you are lovely to Him. With pen in hand, allow the Lord to sing a love sonnet over you. What is it that he says to you? Write it down – allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Listen for his words of love. Start with “Dear Daughter, my precious beloved one...”

Remember and Reflect

Reflect on past experiences where God has met you in a tangible way.

The God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an alter there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.” So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go to Bethel, where I will build an alter to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone. Genesis 35:1-3

Action: Pick up a stone and kneel at the alter. Remember. Praise God for how he has met you and answered you.

Take your stone and lay it on the alter of remembrance.

Redeem and Receive

You are redeemed and Christ offers himself to be received by you.  

But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43: 1-3a

Action: Receive Christ by taking communion. Take the bread, this is his body which is broken for us. Receive him. The fruit of the vine, which is his blood of the covenant, poured out for us. Receive him. 

You are redeemed!

As you leave, take with you a small wooden cross to remember and receive his love.

Please join use downstairs in the fellowship hall for a simple meal of soup and bread.  

Prayer Passage 2010

Christ Our Shepherd Church

Women's Ministry

Be blessed!

Lakers vs. Wizards

Luke's favorite brother-in-law, Jeff, got him some SWEET 4th row behind the bench tickets to the Lakers vs. Wizards game for Christmas.   He and his good friend Matthew had a great time and here are the pictures to prove it.  (FYI, I have no idea who these players are, so you are on your own with the captions...)

Luke's reaction:  "We had a GREAT time.  It was fun to be that close to see Sheldon Brown dunk and watch Kobe interact with his teammates. "  Thanks, Jeff!