Quick Takes: Lenten Edition

So much life happening right now, so I thought this the perfect time for 7 Quick Takes:  Lenten Edition.  Let’s get to it!

~1~

20 Year Reunion

I meant to get on top of my life and write a post about our reunion, but with out of town visitors and all the catching up on life — it will have to wait until next week.

There’s a takeaway for everybody about friendships and faith and how twenty years can go by and you can literally pick up from where you left off — I was expecting it to be fun, but I think the deep stuff surprised all of us.

What a great reminder that we need friendships to keep us going in life.  We weren’t made to do this life alone.  Sure, we can try to do it alone, but how much more enjoyable is life with good friends to laugh and encourage us along the way.

Honestly, good friendships can propel us forward and even bring us closer to Christ — sometimes we underestimate their importance in our lives. I’m so grateful that I could reconnect with amazing women that I knew so long ago and reignite friendships that were 20 years in the making.

It really was an unexpectedly blessed weekend.  Next week, I’ll try to do it all justice.

~2~

The Desert

I have to say, seeing the desert was a great meditation for Lent.  I mean, we had the modern conveniences of bathrooms and running water, but it was easy to imagine the struggles of going out into the desert without water or shelter or any of the things we had at our fingertips.

Honestly, a soul could lose hope out in all that dryness and wilderness.  Lent is about digging deep and finding that Spring that will never run dry, and being in the desert served as a great meditation on that.

~3~

Kind of Obsessed with Cactus

Cactus, Cacti, Cactuses — whatever you want to call them, I’m kind of obsessed.  I kept taking pictures of every Cactus I came across in Scottsdale.  Why am I so fascinated?  I don’t know, but it probably has something to do with the fact that I was raised in the Midwest and it’s just so different from what I have known.

I have to say I really can’t wait to see all the amazing flora and fauna of Heaven.  No doubt, God is saving the best for last.

He has so much beauty He’s just waiting to share with us.   One more reason to live your life for Him.

~4~

Battle of the Beans

Okay, I have to admit that John and I are big coffee snobs.  We love ourselves a good cup of Jo.  This Lent, we decided that we were going to search out a coffee company that we could be proud to give our money to.

No offense to Starbucks, but I’d rather know that my money was going to build up a monastery, rather than to line the pockets of rich CEO’s who aren’t necessarily doing anything good with it.

So the standard was Starbucks — find an espresso bean better than Starbucks.  We decided to try out two different companies, both of which were doing great things with the profits.

Both were good, but I think we found a winner:  Abbey Roast.  Oh my goodness, you guys, their Espresso beans come from a small Brazilian family owned farm and a New York big wig coffee expert taught them his secret recipe to amazing espresso.

It is so smooth and delicious.  Better than Starbucks!  I highly recommend.  Plus, your money is going to build their new Abbey.  It’s a win/win if you ask me.

~5~

Going to Ireland

Did I mention we were going to Ireland this summer?  Not only are we bringing our kids, but my 80 plus year old parents are joining us as well.  I know, we’re crazy like that.

My parents were recently visiting us and when they heard about our upcoming trip,  they said, “Can we come?”.  Well, that was unexpected.

The challenge was that we needed a 10 passenger van — but you can’t rent one in Ireland without a commercial Irish driving license — which we obviously don’t have.  My parents exceed the age to rent a car in Ireland, and the thought of me driving a car was pretty terrifying.

I mean, I know grace perfects nature, but I also know that I won’t likely to do well with driving on the other side of the road, with very little sleep, screaming children and a mother who’s a serious back-seat driver — sorry mom, you kind of are. But hey, we all have our issues. 🙂

Anyway, we had pretty much given up the idea of bringing my parents because of the driving situation — until, later that night when my 12 year old declared her intention of the Rosary was “that grandma and grandpa can come to Ireland with us”.

Oh my goodness.  That prayer convinced me to find a way, despite the challenges.  The next morning I found a wonderful company to drive my parents all around Ireland, I booked their flights and hotels and we are gonna do this thing.

Little does this company know that a 9 passenger van full of screaming kids (and likely screaming adults, too) will be following them all around Ireland.  We figure best not to tell them now and let them figure it out when we show up.  I’ll let you know how that works out for us.

Honestly, as crazy as it’s going to be, I’m really looking forward to the adventure!  I just know we’ll have lots of laughs from this trip.

~6~

Anne of Green Gables

One of my Lenten resolutions was to get outside for the 40+ days of Lent. It’s been really good on so many levels, but one of the unexpected positives was finding quaint little spots closeby and just appreciating the simple beauty surrounding me.

During one walk, I came upon this sweet little train station.  It was exactly the way I had envisioned the train station where Anne Shirley meets Matthew Cuthbert for the first time.  I mean, look at this place — can’t you just see Anne waiting for Matthew at this bench?

As a redhead, I have always related to Anne Shirely.  She was a big part of my young life and seeing this scene brought back all those fond memories.  I even like to think I found my own Gilbert Blythe when I met John — what a nice reminder of all of that when I was just trying to be faithful to a Lenten resolution.

So yay for Lenten resolutions and yay for getting outdoors and enjoying the beauty in the little things.

~7~

Take Up and Read

I have really been enjoying the Take Up and Read Lenten Journal.  I purchased the Advent Journal, and that was good — but this one has really gone way beyond my expectations. I’m so happy that I decided to use it for Lent.

For me, knowing other women are journeying through the same scripture gives me a sense of connection and solidarity that I don’t always feel in a regular Lent.

So kudos to Elizabeth Foss and her team.   I’m not getting paid to say that, I really just appreciate women getting out there and putting these journals together.  Keep ’em coming!

As an aside, I purchased a prayer candle to accompany my morning prayer time, and wouldn’t you know it, the day after taking the above picture, my two year old absolutely destroyed it.

How very “Lenty” of him. 🙁

Oh well.  Why is it that the little inconveniences are the ones that I find most irksome in life? Dying to self ain’t easy, is it?

Well, that’s all I got.   Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Sharing over at Kelly’s.