Lenten Soup Supper

During the Lenten Season our parish organizes Friday Soup Suppers. For the last few years we have attended the Family Soup Supper. Monsignor makes yummy soup for the families, meets with the kids to discuss the importance and reason behind Lent, and then we all meet in the Church for a kid-friendly version of the Stations of the Cross. It is one of my favorite traditions.

This year, Boogie spoke up and answered questions.  When Monsignor asked what Boogie was doing for Lent he said, "I gave up tv and video games. And my mommy is making baby blankets for the pregnancy center."  I looked up startled and my husband and I smiled at each other.  #1 Boogie knew that this was a time for us to give up something and #2, he noticed that I was making something for the pregnancy centers and thought to mention it. I was really touched and humbled by my little man.

Buggy answered questions, too. Gathering her courage after seeing her brother stand up and share what she was doing during Lent. Even the littlest in the trio sat on the outskirts of the group and raised his hand.  Even though he couldn't articulate anything about Lent, he was there ready to participate.

I am truly humbled by my children.  They have given up their favorite pastime of watching television without complaint. And they have obviously been paying attention. Whenever Buggy asks me to whom I am giving my latest blanket project, I always reply, "To a baby who needs it."

While I love making blankets for the many friends who are having or have had babies recently, I am woefully behind. I dedicated Lent to a time of making for those who need it more and hope to catch up with my friends soon.  In the meantime I will pray for the baby who receive my latest creation and learn from my children. I am humbled.

Matthew 19:14

But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

My littlest man raising his hand to share his Lenten promises with Monsignor. Buggy is 3rd from the end with Boogie, in all orange, is on her right. They are listening to Monsignor

Lent

It's the Lenten season once again and this year we are having the kids participate more in the Lenten practices than in years past. Boogs is finally at the age where he starting to understand what it's all about.  Buggy goes with the flow, and well, Mr. Bananas, he's just along for the ride.

On Ash Wednesday you are supposed to fast. Though a Catholic fast is two small meals and one regular sized meal (usually dinner). I grew up with Protestant fasting which is no food (but I think you can have water).  You would think that I should be able to fast, but no. I'm a wimp. I'm an absolute bear when it comes to fasting and in our almost 11 years of marriage I think my husband cringes when he thinks about me fasting because it's certainly no picnic for him when I'm cranky.  Also, for the last 6-7 years I have either been pregnant or nursing a baby and I just didn't think fasting was going to go over well for me or the baby.  This year, however, I gritted my teeth and prepared myself for it.

I found fasting this year much easier, but I think it's because I was already accustomed to taking in fewer calories in order to lose the baby weight. And I made it a priority to stick with it.  So hurrah! Fasting was easier. I was a little cranky at lunch time, but managed to hang in there.

This year as a family we decided to give up television.  Even the kids are on board with this. It took Buggy a few days to understand that we weren't going to watch t.v. at all. But it's day 3 and she hasn't asked about it today.  Boogs tried to convince me that learning shows were okay, but nope, no t.v. And on his own he decided to give up video games. He doesn't play them all that often, but I'm touched that he realizes it's a luxury. When I told him that also meant no Leapster games, he said, "That's okay, Mommy. I can handle it."  I was really, really proud of him.

 I'm really looking forward to this time. I wonder how much more productive I'll be without the distraction of t.v. I'm looking forward to accomplishing more and spending more time as a family playing games, listening to audiobooks, and having more quality time together.

I've also decided to do a spending fast. I'm finding that I have been looking through catalogs, online ads, and Facebook ads and thinking about what I want. Not what I need, but what I want.  I realize that I'm finding it all too easy to say, "Oh, look, that's a great price, I should get that." "Or that's really cute, I'd like that."  Whether or not I actually need those items. So, here's to throwing out my catalogs and deleting advertisements from inbox. Again, I wonder how much more productive I'll be if I'm not lusting after the newest thing or greatest sale.

One of my goals this Lent is also to crochet at least one baby blanket to donate to our Respect Life committee at church or pregnancy center. I hope that with all this extra time away from the t.v., I'll have time to make something for someone else. It will help me to reflect about what is important in our lives right now and to be grateful for what I have. I hope also to spend this time in mediation and prayer.

So, for the first time, I'm looking forward to this time of preparation for Easter. Instead of looking at it with dread and as an obligation, I'm looking at it as an opportunity. An opportunity to better myself, 'cause Lord knows I'm not perfect! An opportunity to share with my children our faith and to help them better understand what we believe and why we believe. An opportunity to give to others. An opportunity to spend more time with husband that doesn't include being couch potatoes in front of the television.

I hope to do with a willing and happy heart. Not always easy. I hope to do this day by day and step by step.

Wishing all of you a peaceful Lenten season.  Peace.

---

"“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Matthew 6:16-18 ESV

St. Paul

We have always told our children they can be whatever they want to be when they grow up.  My five year old has a wide variety of interests and some days he wants to go to Africa and save the Cheetahs and other days he wants to clean other people's homes, and still other days he wants to teach music at night while working as a vet during the day.  I sigh every time my son says a long list of things he would like to be or do when he grows up and my husband throws in, "You can also be a priest." Now don't get me wrong. I have a lot of respect for our clergy and for the men and women who choose to be priests, brothers, or nuns. But every time my husband says, "You can also be a priest" my mind fast forwards 20 years and I see my son serving the church without a wife or family of his own. I just don't want my son to miss out on the joys of having a family. But whether or not he has a family is not my choice, but his own. And who am I to disagree with God's calling?

Just the other day my son had the following conversation with my husband:
 B: "When I grow up I want to be a priest, but I don't want to be a priest like Monsignor Paul" (our current priest at our parish).
Hubby: "Why's that?"
B: "I want to be a priest like St. Paul. I want to travel around the world and tell people about God."

Again, who am I to disagree with God's calling?  I am often in awe of the things my son says. For him to   distinguish the difference between a parish priest and a missionary priest is just amazing to me. And then to determine which one he would like to emulate. Oh, and not to mention that he is even aware of St. Paul? It.Blows.My.Mind!

I think my dear Boogie Monster is a sensitive soul and a bit of a philosopher and soon to be theologian.  He loves the Narnia series and has finally listened to the last of the books on CD. His response to the last book? "I think that Earth is a shadow of what Heaven is like."

I look forward to hearing the other ideas that Boogie has to share with us. I must remember to still my own thoughts and to truly listen to this great little philosopher. He has so much to share and I'll miss it if I move too fast.

As a dear friend said to me the other day as I shared Boogie's thoughts of being a missionary priest, "The World will be his Church." Amen.

The Most Important Day of the Year

"Mommy, tomorrow is the most important day of the year," my 5 year old told me on Saturday night as Hubby and I were moving around the house cleaning and preparing for Sunday. "Why's that, Honey?" I asked distractedly as I continued to work on whatever chore had been on my list. "Because tomorrow is when Mr. Bananas will be baptized and become a Christian." Wow, isn't that enough to make you stop what you are doing and fully comprehend what Boogie just said?

I did just that. I stopped and I listened and we talked about the importance of Sunday's big event.  We had been planing Mr. Bananas' (aka known as Bam Bam...but Mr. Bananas is what I've been calling him) baptism for some time. Our faith doesn't perform baptisms during the Lenten season, so we waited until after Lent and after our nephew's first communion to celebrate Mr. Bananas baptism.

I was a little bit in awe that my five year old understood how important this step was in our faith. It is more than a party and a step in our faith. It is a time that Hubby and I promise to raise our children in the faith and to promise to be his first teachers and to guide him on his path.  We chose Hubby's sister L. and her husband J. to become Mr. Bananas' godparents. L. was there when Mr. B. entered the world now she and her husband will be there to guide him through life.  I was touched that Boogs seemed to understand how important this day is to us and that it was more than the party we would have back at the house.  Truth be told I told Hubby that I was more nervous about the Mass than I was about having the house ready when we got home.

It was Memorial Day weekend and while many of our friends could not make it to the celebration, I was touched by the promises of prayer that would be said for Mr. Bananas on Sunday. I was also touched by those who were able to celebrate with us in person. Many coming from at least an hour away or further (thanks, C! I think you came from the greatest distance).  All of my husband's siblings joined us and Mr. Bananas was supported by his aunts and uncles and all 16 of his cousins.  My parents joined us too.

My father-in-law being a deacon in the Catholic Church, was able to perform the baptism. He has now baptized all 19 of his grandchildren. What an honor and blessing to have Deacon Grandpa perform this sacrament.  During the introductions we are asked what we ask of God and of the Church for our son.  At this time, my dear Husband choked up and I could see the intense emotion that he held for this important time in our son's life. My father-in-law was quite emotional too and it was so beautiful to see their emotions plainly on this day. Both my husband and his father can be on the reserved side. To see their emotions, is to know how greatly they held this day in their hearts.

After the baptism we were able to come home and celebrate with our family and friends. What a beautiful day and what an honor it was to celebrate this important event with those we love. Thank you!

Welcome to your faith, Mr. Bananas. We promise to guide you and to be there for you as you begin your journey. We love you!