Fruitful So Far

Our Lent has gotten off to a good start. Although, I have had some serious detox from blogger, pintrest and most Internet perusing, it has been good. Naptime hasn't been as productive as I thought it would be, but I have been having more conversations with my IRL friends. And, I redid my mantel!

The corncobs in the big jar are from our yard. The fields around our home are all corn and were cut down recently. We have a plethora of corn cobs and husks in our yard. So I thought, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" LOL!

I have also been reading the Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur. It is so good. Her humility and faith are very inspiring. Basically, she was married to a atheist and she chose just to live her faith in charity. She offered up her emotional, spiritual and physical sufferings for the conversion of her husband. After she died, he converted and became a priest. Powerful. I have many family members that are either not Catholic nor practicing their faith and Elisabeth's message and approach are very inspiring to me. She aspires to devote herself to her duties in life with her eyes on heaven. My days would be so different if I was like her!

On a more practical and day to day note, we have had some more time for art. I borrowed some books from the library on preschool art and am learning the important of it for young minds. Most recently, we created a collage. It was fun and stopped Little E's incessant chattering for a little while. She really enjoys doing any art. And, has to show everyone that comes over her art! So fun.

Without incessantly checking my google reader and pintrest, I have had some time for reflection. I use the computer as a distraction from the pain and sorrow in my life. At times I want to forget our infertility and just concentrate on another activity to do with Little E or whatever. But the Lord has allowed this great sorrow and suffering for me and I need to let it sanctify me. Its hard, but I have a lot of work to do to get to heaven. So, I am going to take some lessons from Servant of God, Elisabeth Leseur and devote myself to my duties with charity and love.

Lent 2013

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. DH and I have spent the last couple weeks discussing and deciding what we are doing for Lent. Our hearts need to grow closer to Him, so we have tried to pick some things that will bring us there.

Morning Prayer: We plan to get up early (since we tend to sleep in...) everyday around 6:15 AM and pray a Morning Office, probably the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Morning Prayer from Shorter Christian Prayer. At different times during the day and week, DH and I will say prayers, but we feel we need to be more united in daily prayer together.

Breakfast: Each morning we tend to make eggs and/or bacon during the week. DH needs lots of protein so we have gotten into a habit of having a warm and yummy breakfast. So we are going to have something cold for breakfast, probably cold soaked oatmeal or hard boiled eggs or cold cereal. Also, DH would like to say the Litany of the Sacred Heart before breakfast (he said it was short, but I'm not sure about that) but nonetheless, it is a good devotion for our little family.

Daytime Screen Time: This one is for me. I can spend Little E's entire nap on the couch reading blogs, pintrest, and/or FB for hours. I need to give it up. Its not healthy and I can spend that time doing better things like the Office of Readings, daily spiritual reading, organizing the house, and any number of craft projects I have been putting off. I am hoping this fast will help me not distract myself with online time and become more engaged in my home life.

Acts of Service: Little E and I will donate items to one charity a week. I have a list of local charities and we will pick up the goods and deliver them together, probably on Thursdays. I am hoping this habit will catch on for us and will show her how we are grateful for all the gifts from the Lord and that we need to share them with  others.

I wish you all a Holy Lenten Season. (If you would like to contact me, please email me!)

Detachment

In the Traditional Liturgy, this is the time of Septuagesima. This is a time in preparation for Lent, a time of penance. The vestments are purple and the chant is somber. The Alleluia has been buried.

I have been reading/praying the Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. for over a year now. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reflection and prayer on the spiritual life. During this time of Septuagesima, the author has been speaking about detachment and poverty. He says, "detachment practiced with perfection leads effectively to its goal: union with God." This is where the passage comes alive in Mark 10: 21, "Go sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven."

In striving towards union with God, I have found that I have many, many attachments. Attachments to my own opinion, my possessions, what I think others should be doing, and to even what I think God's Will is for me. I have a far, far, far way to go in detaching from these things. My first instinct is to try and give up many things for Lent and add much prayer to my life. Our wise seminarian this Sunday in his sermon, cautioned us against this. He stated that our human condition cannot sustain a lot of change. He suggested concentrating on one vice this Lent and work on eliminating them one at a time. I will continue to pray about what I will concentrate on this Lent. It's hard, where to start?

The past two seasons of Lent, my sacrifice has found me. Two years ago my heart was ripped in two in an issue with my family of origin. This trial was extremely painful, but had great fruit. Last year, I was still mourning the two losses I had in the last year. So, I do trust the Lord in his Infinite Wisdom to provide exactly what my heart needs. However, I would like to be prepared in finding the best sacrifice for Him in prayer, fasting, and alms giving. I'm glad I still have a week!