Lent

The season of Lent has begun!!!

It is a time to once again shed your life of things that are distracting you from God and face your temptations head on. Ryan got the honor of preaching at our church on Ash Wednesday and he based his message on the following scripture. Take the time to read it, pray about it, and then decide what you are going to do this Lenten season and beyond to bring yourself into a close relationship with God.

Matthew 4

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[b]”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[c]”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[d]”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’^[e]”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Valentines Day

We are not a family who usually goes all out for Valentine's day... but this year, the "holiday" kinda snuck up on us and we were not very prepared. We did not really have any gifts to give each other or the kids, but we thought fast and made due with what we had. Ryan went out and bought flowers and champagne-- which we made into mimosa with a little OJ and red food coloring--this made mama happy!!

For the kids, we we made pink pancake, cut them into hearts, wrote each kids initials in them in red frosting and viola!! Instant Valentines Day celebration!!! We even put candles in the pancakes, lit them up, and sang Happy Valentines day to you, because what kid does not like blowing out a candle!

It was a very fun evening. I think we have started a new Valentines Day tradition.