My Lenten Resolve

Another snowy, cold day. It is beautiful here, I'll add a picture later, as it is on the other computer, which is turned off to keep the children on track with the house cleaning today. Notice, I am on the computer, and the children are cleaning. Trained 'em right, darn it.

But, this is also indicative of a trend, that I am on the computer, while the kiddos are doing life, and it has gotten away from me once again. Thankfully, The Great Fast is starting Sunday. For us Easterners, last Sunday was Meat-fare Sunday, meaning after that day, no more meat. This Sunday is Cheese-fare Sunday, meaning after this day, no more cheese. Then Forgiveness Vespers, so the slate is clean, and we are off to the purification and reality of Lent.

One of my Lenten disciplines will be only blogging on Sundays during Lent. Blogging is a hiding spot for me, and I need to not hide from my life just now. I will keep St. Paraskeva's site updated. Which by the way, my class was canceled last night due to the snowy weather, so there are no updates this week. If I do a post in between, I'll put the heads up over here. Now, I may have Lenten reflections and what not from time to time, other than Sunday, but I will turn off the comments to keep me from obsessively checking for feedback. I am a comment junkie, totally.

So to recap, posts on Sunday (comments on), any random posts or updates during the week will be minimal, with comments off. My other disciplines will be to follow Jennifer at Et-tu's example to do Liturgy of the Hours (for her plan, which I will follow read here), and on my spiritual directors suggestion, to slowly and carefully read through the Gospel of Mark. I am also giving up wine, beer, and even the beloved Maker's Mark for Lent. And that should do it. We will be following the Fast best as we can, with particular care given to Wednesdays and Fridays, with simplicity the rule the rest of the week. I will check e-mail daily, but only in the evening, after we say our Evening Prayer.

And what about you? What plans do you have for Lent this year? I am praying for healing for my wounded, disorganized and frightened little soul. Healing, which will begin tonight with Great Vespers and an anointing for the feast of the Encounter with Simeon (presentation of Our Lord in the Temple). What spiritual imperatives will you be using during Lent? What action do you desire the Divine Healer to have on your self this Lent? (Indulge me, this is one of my last chances to obsessively check for comments. Think of it as Mardi Gras for me).

This photo is from a recent Sunday, at church, with my littlest sitting in the windowsill during Liturgy. Winter Wonderland photo to follow later