The start of LENT is coming up ...

Over the years I have abstained from certain sweets or made promises that would help me to grow closer to God.  Some of the ideas were very juvenile and just a bit too easy  ... not much of a sacrifice.  Last year was a wonderful year where I was able to walk alongside my husband's journey in becoming a Catholic.  Up until that point in my life, I never felt more connected to my faith.  Suddenly I am one of those crazy Catholics who has filled her home with countless books on the faith, a few statues, and a lot more PRAYER.  My life is different, but in a really GREAT way.  I'm learning all the time and I just love it! 

So I sit here this morning and ponder over what I would like to do or abstain from this LENT.

Hmmmmmmm ...

I spend way too much time sitting on this chair typing away on a keyboard.  My life could certainly use a little more time AWAY from this computer screen.  Where I once looked at my mommy board (from '01), played around with my photos,  and did email; I now shop, surf the net, blog, and facebook ... YIKES!  I told my husband that I would maybe give up facebook for Lent.  He laughed.

Like Christine I have found myself taking control over the radio in my car. My favorite station is The Catholic Channel on Sirius/XM.  Because I spend so much time in my car, I can often listen to Gus Lloyd's "Seize the Day", Greg and Jennifer's "The Catholics Next Door", Leno Rulli's "The Catholic Guy", and "Busted Halo" with Fr. Dave Dwyer.  Now I have listened to Greg and Jennifer for quite some time with their old podcast called "The Rosary Army" (my husband actually got me listening to their show), so I feel like I KNOW them.  A few weeks back I even told the husband how Greg and Jennifer had their baby.  He was like, "Who"?  Yes, these people have suddenly become new friends that I have never met ... LOL!

I still listen occasionally to morning radio or The Pulse on XM, but my NEED to listen to The Catholic Channel has bordered on obsessive.  My oldest (who is 13) doesn't seem to mind, but then she really has a great amount of Catholic knowledge.  She's one of those who really listens and feels a great connection to her faith.  Gosh, I really do hope that continues.  The middle girls often complain.  They would rather watch a movie or listen to MUSIC in the car.  The ride to swim team is often met with complaints like "I don't want to listen to THAT CATHOLIC GUY" ... that would be Leno Rulli ;)

So thinking about all my recent (in the last few years) little addictions, I wonder if it is really in my best interest to give them up.  Is it reasonable to think I could give up using my computer in this day and age?  Maybe I really am expanding my mind and learning a lot from The Catholic Channel.

Hmmmmm ...

What to do?

While sitting here and thinking while I type, I realized how much my faith has grown in the last 2-3 years.  There have been some key people who have been very influential in this growth.  Maybe giving back of my time would be the best idea I can think of.

This may be one of my my better ideas yet.  In just one week, I will be having my jaw surgery.  This has caused me a lot of worrying and I've been praying a lot over this.  Our country is not in great shape ... in more ways than I can count.  I don't always feel like what I do really matters, but if I PRAY, then I feel like I have done something.  

Maybe that is the best thing I can do this LENTEN season.