lenten update

I told you about our Lenten season goals. Now on week 2, we've done pretty well.

Give $5 away
Week 1: Shea gave his first $5 to a homeless man who was helping a woman with a flat tire at the gas station. He asked for a tire gauge so Shea helped him out, and when the man asked for a $1, Shea gave him $5.

Week 2: Shea donated $5 to boy's basketball team raising money for uniforms. As a reward he fills out a bracket. I'd argue if he wins any of the small pool money he has to give that away, too.

I combined Week 1 and Week 2 monies and donated them to the Red Cross for Japanese disaster relief. Want to donate, too? Click here.

Pray together every night
We missed a few nights at the beginning but now we're in a rhythm. On our prayer lists:

- The baby boy. That he is growing healthy and strong. That God is working in his little heart so that he'll come to to know his heavenly father is the one that will always loves him the most.

- Gratefulness for the wonderfully kind and loving people we've met in Kansas City. It's only been a year since we've moved here but we have some pretty awesome friends who are there when we need them.

- Preparation for being parents. That although we cannot keep our apartment clean or our plants alive that we can not only keep another human being alive but teach him morals, faith and baseball.

- Other people. A friend who needs rest. A little sis who needs direction. Other soon-to-be parents that need preparation.

-Thankfulness for spring weather. 78 degrees tomorrow, people. That's worth a thousand prayers.

giving it up

Usually I give up something consumable for Lent. Chocolate, desserts, caffeine, candy, junk food. Being pregnant this year, I've already given up caffeine, alcohol, sushi, cold deli meat, most junk food, my beloved migraine drugs and my weekly portion of shark meat. If I give up more food (or drugs), I'll surely die.

We're not Catholic (yay meat on Fridays!) but I still love the tradition of remembering the Lenten season. We thought about giving up eating out but we're going on a 10-day vacation where cooking isn't an option. And really, how much am I growing in my faith when I mindlessly give up brownies or chicken fingers?

So here's our plan:
1. Add to our schedule the act of praying together every night. We do it sometimes when things are bad. Or one of us is six inches from the ledge or our tenants are smoking/jumping on the oven/refusing to pay rent. But unless it's meal time, it can be awkward. We tell each other everything but somehow laying it all out before God with the other person listening makes me squirm.

2. Sacrifice a portion of our monthly eating out budget for something better than high-sodium meals. We'll each have $5 week to either give away to someone who needs it or buy something for someone else that they need. I'll give you a report every Friday on how we've done. Teaser: Shea already gave his $5 away this morning. Overachiever. I don't even have cash.