Lent and Fasting

Why do we fast? I wonder how many other religions fast during lent? I once conducted a survey on this topic but failed to save the documentation and unfortunately do not remember the findings. When we receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, the priest or ministers says "Repent and believe in the Good News" as he makes the sign of the cross on our forehead with ashes. This in itself tells us that lent is about repentance and faith. Fasting is a form of prayer. It teaches us self-discipline, self-control (desperately needed in this day and age) and strengthens our faith. Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:1-3; Luke 4:1-2) in preparation for his ministry/spiritual battle with the devil. Lent is a time to take an honest look at our spiritual lives and pray for a change of heart and peace in our souls. So what do we do? Try reflection, reevaluation, sacrifice (fasting), prayer, etc. to assist in spiritual growth during this holy season. Our church is praying this prayer during the Lenten season.

Anima Christi Prayer
Soul of Christ, sanctify me; Body of Christ, save me; Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water from the side of Christ, wash me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me; O good Jesus, hear me; Within your wounds hide me; Separated from you, let me never be; From the evil one protect me; At the hour of my death, call me; And close to you bid me; That with your saints, I may be, praising you forever and ever. Amen

The Gran Cru

I have been waiting to post a picture of the Gran Cru in full bloom but the second flower stalk seems to be taking its sweet time and I fear the first stalk will soon wither before the second opens so here is the first stalk in bloom. The second will be open in a few days...I think. The other picture is of Giant Calla Lilies that I purchased before Christmas. I gave each of my sisters a set of 3 bulbs along with pot and soil. These giant Calla Lilies are the variety my mom had in her bridal bouquet. We all (us girls) love these flowers so I thought it would be enjoyable to try our hand at growing them. I have tried growing calla's in pots before but have been unsuccessful at getting them to bloom after the first year. So last year I took all my bulbs and planted them in the garden and they blooms beautifully. In New York you have to lift the for the winter so I dug them up in the fall to find some very healthy extra large bulbs. I have them stored in the basement and check on them occasionally to be sure they are okay...and they are doing just fine. They are also white. They were supposed to be white and purple but over the years of just growing leaves I must have lost the purple ones. :(. Any one have some they would like to trade for some white ones. At any rate I am hoping to have luck with the Large Calla's. If they don't bloom in the pot, I'll be putting them in the ground come summer time. Actually, I may just do that anyway since I've seen what a difference it makes in the bulb and bloom.

Gran Cru

I don't remember how long it has been. It is either week 3 or 4 for this Amaryllis. Here it is about to bloom.

My Greeter

My greeter up close and personal :).

Thought for the day

"Words that do not give the light of Christ,

increase the darkness."

Mother Teresa

New Room Update

REMEMBER, TO CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE. Okay, I know it has taken me a while to get this posted but . . . don't you just hate it when things are out of your control? Mother Nature, Family Responsibilities, Cooking, Cleaning, Life :)! How much is actually in our control? Anyway here are a few pictures so far. Of course this new room is a long term project but the basics (painting and furniture in place) are done. I love this dresser with the marble top and there is my greeter next to the dresser. On the other side is a my hibiscus (purchased in Myrtle Beach) that I just brought up from the basement. It is not looking too good right now. I forgot to water it while it was down there so hopefully as it comes out of dormancy it will come back. Well....that is IF it comes out of dormancy.

Here are before and after pictures with two different bedding sets. I am debating which I like better but (I like to complicate things I guess) cuz I found a bedspread in the Penney's catalogue that I really like too. They didn't have it when I looked months ago. All I wanted was a bedspread. I didn't want to have a zillion pillows to deal with or a bed skirt. That all looks great but I didn't want the expense or the fuss of having to move them all when I have a guest. I still have pictures and other items to hang. There is a wind chime on the floor next to the TV Cart that I am considering hanging in the corner and the Dream Catcher over the bed is one that Andrew made in school ( I love that dream catcher so it is staying) and the screw it's hanging on is one of two that I left in the wall before painting so it is hanging there for now but I think I will hang it near the wind chimes. Here is the light fixture I have right now so I want to find something I like and install that too. I did find some switch plates that I like. They are a brushed brass. You can see them in the picture with the marble topped dresser. I need a headboard and as I said in a previous posting, I have to finish the little table which means buying Formby's refinishing...whatever for the legs and lower shelf and then trying to match the stain on the table top as closely as possible though I am getting used to the blond table top. Then there is the metal desk which is huge and great for sewing but doesn't look very nice. I have a small TV on a cart that I brought in from the deck. Not really what I want but it works for now. Well that's it for now. The room is at least usable now and I can add slowly, whenever I happen upon something that appeals to me.

Thought for the Day

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."

Mother Teresa

Update on the New Room

Okay, yesterday when I went up to take a look at my paint job I was very happy to see that it looked much nicer than I expected. When I started painting, I thought the color was too dark and thought I should lighten it up with some white. I got myself all flustered and wondered what to do. So I thought. . . I have gotten opinions from many people and this is what I have chosen after much thought and so this is what I'm using. There will be no modifications until it is all done. Then if I don't like it, I'll change it. I was soooo worried it would look terrible. The color is sort of unidentifiable :). That doesn't really sound good does it? Could be tan, brown or green. Depends on the lighting. Today I'm headed out to find some new switch plates. Hope I find something I like. I'll be putting on a second coat of paint today or tomorrow. Either way all painting will be done before the Superbowl. Then I'll post some pictures.

Week 2 of Gran Cru

I know I said I wouldn’t bore you with the day to day growth of any more Amaryllis bulbs and I won’t but I do have to post the growth of this one so I can keep track and make sure it is consistent with the Red Lion growth. I have several I want to bring up for Easter and need to know approximately when they should be brought up. I’m thinking 6 weeks to bloom time since that is how long the Red Lion took. That means I should be bringing them up at the end of February. So here it is. It is a giant amaryllis called ‘Gran Cur’. This is a bulb I bought in December. I brought it up about a week ago so we are going on week two.

Thought for the Day

Last Sundays first reading (the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1:4-5, 17-19) Jeremiah is called by God. If we read 1:6-9 we read of Jeremiah's response, he is hesitant and says he knows not how to speak but God says to him "To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth" (vs 8-9).
In this Sunday's first reading (Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8) Isaiah speaks of a vision where he sees the Lord and feels he is doomed "Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!"(vs 5). Then one of the seraphim flew to him, holding an ember with tongs from the altar and touched his mouth saying "See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged."
In the second reading (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) Paul states that Christ appeared to him (after his death and resurrection) [For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me.] (vs 9-10).

In the Gospel reading (Luke 5:1-11) Jesus tells Simon (Peter) to take his fishing boat our into deep water and lower the nets. Peter says "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They called to their partners to come and help. Their boats were so full they were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."

Jeremiah, Isaiah, Paul, and Simon Peter all feel unworthy but yet are made worthy (as Paul proclaims) by the grace of God. How many of us feel the same?

B E L I E V E

Painting

I am still working on my room. I painted all day yesterday. I thought I checked everything over days before and yet during my final preparations I still found things that were unacceptable. At some point you have to say OH WELL ! Which I did do. The largest repair being the corner came out okay but some of the other areas I repaired are noticeable even though I primed first. I am not happy with that. Guess I need more training on drywall repairs. I have not been up there yet this morning. I'm enjoying my morning coffee and Orange Scones.