Life Updates of a Larger Magnitude

Cuz I got to meet (a life-sized cutout of) THE POPE! Amazing, right?!  Yesterday somebody put a green hat on him for St. Patrick's day, which was pretty fantastic. I'm not 100% certain where this guy came from, but I'm guessing my pastor thought it would be entertaining, and he was right.  LOVE!  I'm contemplating buying one for my front porch.  As for going to Mass, the score is now 6-1.  I'm impressed with myself (totally not the spirit of the season, BTW.)  I don't think I've been this diligent in maybe ever.  I also bring those 2 little rugrats with me.  Having 2 little girls in Mass makes all the old people swoon , so I guess an unintended side effect of my Lenten journey is bringing joy to others.  Neat. (Well, except for the crotchety ones, but I just pretend not to see their scowls as Eve loudly bangs the kneeler down repeatedly.) And even though my business is still actually making me WORK (and not get money ...

I read a good article yesterday that pretty much sums up my past few years of thinking on the Lenten season.  I saw too many people "giving up" things for the wrong reasons, I grew weary of the emptiness of the idea, so I decided to "add" something instead.  Only I failed at the adding part and at the end of the season probably wasn't much better off than the guy who gave up sweets so he could use Lent as an excuse to diet.  (The article is much more well written than that and definitely worth a read.)  And the honest truth is that I've been too weak and/or exhausted to do anything really spirit enhancing.  Last night I made my Lenten resolve and I'm happy with it.  It strikes the right mix of sacrificing (my time) while helping me deepen my relationship (with God and with the people around me).  I hope.  It also fits well into this new non 9 to 5 lifestyle and will (hopefully) help me put my priorities in the right place.  (Are you ready fo...

Hey peoples!  It's Lent again! I almost didn't make it to Mass today.  In the past 10 years I've probably made it to Ash Wednesday Mass about 4 times, so it would have been par for the course, but I sure didn't have a good reason not to go. (Last year I was in frosty Michigan at a customer kick-off meeting which went from really early to really late, but I did *want* to go.) Today I wasn't sure if I could squeeze it in between my house hunting and my bike ride. Definitely not a good reason. The readings were all about renewal and repentance, and one of the prayers was to be followers of Pope Francis's life of simplicity and service.  Thinking about that made me reflect on all the good things that have happened in the past year: following a dream, having sweet baby Lillian, all the good memories of close friends and family, Pope Francis, Florida sunshine.  The list is endless. Anyway, I'm not in an uber-reflective mode tonight, I just wanted to ...