Thursday, March 02, 2006
Oh how I love spring break.
Break commenced with a family party. It was my mom's birthday, and nearly everyone was at our house. Rusty came, too, because of the conference. Now he understands why I'm crazy. ;) We had a wonderful time, complete with Pictionary competitions! Of course, my team won both times. Hurrah for us.
Then we went to the Here I Am, Lord Conference in St. Charles on Saturday and Sunday. It was quite a time. I was a little uncomfortable at first because we didn't really know anyone there. Then I ran into Sister Mary Michael! That was fun. Rusty and Mary and I wandered around the booths that were there, talking to all kinds of communities. I was pretty impressed with some of them, especially the ones I never knew existed! We met some pretty sweet Carmelites, Franciscans, Mercedarians, and of course, Fathers of Mercy. Hoorah for the Fathers of Mercy. :) It was quite a time hanging out with all those tremendously cool religious. Yay.
Then Rusty and I went to Annie's and hung out with her a bit. It was quite fun. I miss seeing Annie every day, but being a missionary is pretty dang sweet too! Yay Annie! We got to hang out with some of the students, and her team, and a little bit of chapel time with the Lord, so it was a nice visit.
And yesterday was Ash Wednesday. I think I am pretty proud of myself, considering I am apt to not really *complain* but to *mention* things that are bothering me (any sort of ache or pain, really). But not once did I say anything about anything all day, and when the day was nearly over and we went to the 5:30 Mass and I heard the Gospel, I was pretty excited that I had not been like the hypocrites, but had rather been quite jovial all day. There truly is something much different when you don't tell anyone about your fasting or whatever. I don't know what it is, but it's great. And on that note, I am pretty excited for Lent, although the whole Friday no meat thing is no big deal, as I normally do not eat meat on Fridays. So...I'm thinking of sacrificing something that will truly be a sacrifice, rather than something I'm quite used to. Hmm...ideas are still forming.
And I gave up pop (soda or Coke to all of you readers elsewhere) for Lent. I don't drink a whole lot of it, but when I do drink it I really enjoy it, so I figure that's a good sacrifice. And I'm going to be adding things to my "to do" list, such as the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Don't you just love Lent?
I am currently sitting in Mary's Market downing coffee and trying to come up with an activity to do with young children with special needs. I can't find a single page that has good ideas. What do special ed teachers do?? Dear. I think I might have to resort to books. Barnes & Nobles, here I come.
And on an interesting note: everyone in here seems to be discussing faith in some way, shape or form. The guys behind me were discussing their sermons for the weekend (the woman at the well), and the girls in front of me are reading a pamphlet called "Our 16 Doctrines", which apparently is an Assembly of God production. Curious. I kind of feel like giving them a Catechism. If they're interested in doctrine...I believe I've got just the thing. ;)
Well, I must get to this special ed activity - it needs to be done by next week.
Caritas et veritas.
Break commenced with a family party. It was my mom's birthday, and nearly everyone was at our house. Rusty came, too, because of the conference. Now he understands why I'm crazy. ;) We had a wonderful time, complete with Pictionary competitions! Of course, my team won both times. Hurrah for us.
Then we went to the Here I Am, Lord Conference in St. Charles on Saturday and Sunday. It was quite a time. I was a little uncomfortable at first because we didn't really know anyone there. Then I ran into Sister Mary Michael! That was fun. Rusty and Mary and I wandered around the booths that were there, talking to all kinds of communities. I was pretty impressed with some of them, especially the ones I never knew existed! We met some pretty sweet Carmelites, Franciscans, Mercedarians, and of course, Fathers of Mercy. Hoorah for the Fathers of Mercy. :) It was quite a time hanging out with all those tremendously cool religious. Yay.
Then Rusty and I went to Annie's and hung out with her a bit. It was quite fun. I miss seeing Annie every day, but being a missionary is pretty dang sweet too! Yay Annie! We got to hang out with some of the students, and her team, and a little bit of chapel time with the Lord, so it was a nice visit.
And yesterday was Ash Wednesday. I think I am pretty proud of myself, considering I am apt to not really *complain* but to *mention* things that are bothering me (any sort of ache or pain, really). But not once did I say anything about anything all day, and when the day was nearly over and we went to the 5:30 Mass and I heard the Gospel, I was pretty excited that I had not been like the hypocrites, but had rather been quite jovial all day. There truly is something much different when you don't tell anyone about your fasting or whatever. I don't know what it is, but it's great. And on that note, I am pretty excited for Lent, although the whole Friday no meat thing is no big deal, as I normally do not eat meat on Fridays. So...I'm thinking of sacrificing something that will truly be a sacrifice, rather than something I'm quite used to. Hmm...ideas are still forming.
And I gave up pop (soda or Coke to all of you readers elsewhere) for Lent. I don't drink a whole lot of it, but when I do drink it I really enjoy it, so I figure that's a good sacrifice. And I'm going to be adding things to my "to do" list, such as the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Don't you just love Lent?
I am currently sitting in Mary's Market downing coffee and trying to come up with an activity to do with young children with special needs. I can't find a single page that has good ideas. What do special ed teachers do?? Dear. I think I might have to resort to books. Barnes & Nobles, here I come.
And on an interesting note: everyone in here seems to be discussing faith in some way, shape or form. The guys behind me were discussing their sermons for the weekend (the woman at the well), and the girls in front of me are reading a pamphlet called "Our 16 Doctrines", which apparently is an Assembly of God production. Curious. I kind of feel like giving them a Catechism. If they're interested in doctrine...I believe I've got just the thing. ;)
Well, I must get to this special ed activity - it needs to be done by next week.
Caritas et veritas.
