Ash Wednesday

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned....it has been a VERY long time since my last confession.

I'm going to confess right now. I haven't actually given up anything for Lent in years. YEARS I TELL YOU!!! I'm not sure why I feel so moved to start (or re-start) now.....but I do. Probably because my cousin tweeted (or Facebooked? I can't remember) something powerful. And I don't remember what it was....but something about everything you want that thing, you think of Jesus, and choose him instead.

Bah. Or something like that. Unfortunately I can't go and check what he said, because taht would mean I would have to check Facebook, and I've decided to give up Facebook for Lent.

Yes, the Junkie of all Facebook Junkies, is going cold turkey.

That doesn't mean I'm cutting myself off from the world. For instance, this blog post will automatically load in FB at some point, as will my Flickr 365 posts and tweets (if I tweeted, anyway). But it is tough. My life is so intertwined with FB. In fact, as I'm writing this post I'm remembering that some organizations require my attention on the FB page....and I'll have to make arrangments to deal with that....hmmm....interesting.

Give me strength!!!!

Sin-B-Gone

I'm not sure why, but that phrase is in my head. I suppose that is what baptism is.......washing away original sin, right? We had Liam's ceremony today, and it went really well, despite the super craptastic weather. Everyone made it into town safely - before the ceremony we went to breakfast brunch at the Fireside - it was very yummy!

It wasn't an official Mass - they do baptisms the first Sunday of every month. There was only one other little baby - little Madeline. Her grandmother brought water from the River Jordan, which was poured into the font and used for both babies - I thought that was a pretty cool touch!

Here are a couple pics from the day, courtesy of Karli - our photographer :) I took the one of just him in his gown. Just a note about Liam's baptism gown (I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before). He's number 47 in his family to be christened in it....including his daddy & his grandma.....It was made in 1917 by hand by Salomea Mach Luczak Neimcal, who is Liam's great-great-great-grandmother. Its comprised of two cotton petticoats, and one embroidered linen overlay, which is lined in either pink or blue ribbon, depending on the sex of the baby. Its pretty fragile now, but still very pretty! It was an honor to have him wear it!

DECEMBER 12

Happy Birthday to me! At around 7:00AM on the morning of December 12, 1977, I was born unto this earth a naked child, helpless and unable to care for myself. Now, 29 years later, I am still naked in some senses (aren't we all naked underneath our clothes?), but I am no longer a helpless little child. I have been very fortunate to keep within my heart and soul a child-like wonder; an ability to to find joy in seemingly insignificant things and events; and an ability to love with all my heart. Now I am strong....and not only able to care for myself but also able to use my determination to chase my dreams, and achieve them - regardless of obstacles thrown, or grown, in my way.

For that - I am proud. Proud of myself now, proud of where I've come from and what I have accomplished - and oh so proud of where I am taking myself in the future. And that, my friends, is a very good place to be! Good job Karin!

Also important for me this day, is El Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe. Its kind of cool, because at Midnight, every church in the Republic (practically) sets off oodles of fireworks at midnight (as they are doing right now). That might not seem like a lot of noise, but when there is a church every couple blocks it adds up! I figured I would stay up at least that late, because I remember last year I was woken up by all the hullaballo anyway. I know the fireworks are for her, but I like to pretend they are for me too. After all, us having the same day and everything, I've always had a special connection to her.......so its OK if I take some credit, right?

Here's a quick morning prayer for this very special day:

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Heart of my Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, I unite to thy purity, thy sanctity, thy zeal and thy love, all my thoughts, words, acts, and sufferings this day, that there may be nothing in me that does not become through thee, a pleasure to Jesus, a gain to souls, and an act of reparation for the offenses against thy Heart.

AMEN!!!