Lent activities

Titus 2 has long been a mantra in my heart.  I so wish the Body saw what an important mandate it is for us all to be mentored and to mentor.  When I happened on to this site and saw "Titus 2s Days" I was so excited at the possibility of hearing about and from other women who have this same desire.  So, I will be trying to add this activity to my list on Tuesdays.
During this season of Lent, I will humbly offer things that our family is doing to enrich and prepare our hearts for Easter.  I hope this will be helpful to others.

Every morning, during breakfast, we read through a couple of devotions.

The first one is called 

"How Many- A Book of Daily Lenten Devotions for Children and Their Families" by Arden W. Mead

There is a "How many" question and scripture reference that leads to a part of the redemptive story.

We have also been doing
Ann Voskamp's "Trail to the Tree" Easter Devotion .
You can download it from here .
Finally, we have been memorizing
"The Catechism for Young Children with Cartoons" by Vic Lockman
His website is www.viclockman.com
May God bless your Tuesday.
Make it a great day!

Multitudes on Monday!

Turning the Ugly to Beautiful through perspective.

188. lessons in patience-stopping at every stoplight, road work, etc

189. seeing life and love instead of the mess

190. restlessness that forces a perspective change

191.siblings constant struggles forcing creative discipline

192. first time grace for dog's mess

202..disability embraced and accepted

204.  losing Saturday to gain service

Freedom Facts for Friday!

God doesn't love us because we are good,

but

God will make us good because he loves us.

                                                                                                     C.S.Lewis

 Our revelation of our cynicism [in and about the Church]

will be our revival

                                                                                                     Beth Moore

The Joy of God's Presence

A few thoughts from one of my Lenten Devotions by Henri Nouwen.

Verse: Is. 49:13

Joy and laughter 

are the gifts 

of living in the presence of God

and

trusting

that tomorrow is not worth worrying about.

Where there is much time 

life can be celebrated.

...the problem is

the absence of free, 

open

time

when God can be encountered in the present

and

life can be lifted up in its simple beauty and goodness.

AMEN?!

Blogiversary Give Away!

My friend over at victoryrd.blogspot.com is doing a giveaway to celebrate 4 yrs. of blogging.  She is a gifted writer and an encouragement to read.  Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday for March

The Hunt!

 I've said this to a few people lately, "If I wasn't looking for it, I would've missed it".  That is how I feel about this pursuit of 1,000 thanks.  There are days when the "hunt" really isn't that difficult.  All I need do is open my eyes and they're all around me.
This last week my friend and I took the kids (all 4) to Monterey Bay Aquarium.  All you have to do is have eyes to see and the blessings abound.  I also was fortunate to attend a Beth Moore conference Friday night and Saturday morning.  Being with 6500 other women learning about and praising God can really get the thankful juices flowing. 
There are other days when I have to consciously direct my attention to the hunt.  This Sunday, I awoke to the flu.  Let me tell you, I'm not a very good sick person.  I tend to feel sorry for myself, angry at what is NOT getting done, frustrated at the lost time and expectations I had for the day, well you get the picture.  However, this time was slightly different.  Because of "the hunt", blessings were everywhere. 
Just a little insight into where my "list" originated this week.

153. a friend's distraction and then deferment of frustration at missed turn

 154. warm sun cool ocean breeze

156. life-size images that strike awe in child gazes

160. child-like frivolity of sea otters

162. a "misplaced" child, reminder of my not-from-the-sea treasure

165. silky sensation of ray swimming by

169. toddler at the end of himself, reminders that I'm not "home" yet

170. April Fool's joke leading to time savored not wasted

172. voices of 6500 women lifted up to Him

175. the awesome, incredible, heart-felt beauty of the Lord in this place

177-179. get- well love-notes, banners, bouquets, and son helping to bring order out of chaos

180. a wonderful man who "runs" things so I can stop