Aloha Friday #4

Ok...this week's question is about Lent. A lot of people give up a bad habit (smoking, cursing). Some give up the same thing that they have tried to give up for years (sweets--believe 40 days/nights without ANY chocolate-nary a hershey kiss is E-X-T-R-E-M-E-L-Y difficult and shouldn't be undertaken by those in ill health *) Others decided to become more charitable and instead of what NOT to do--they choose to DO more...give more to the poor and hungry (almsgiving) Perhaps work at the soupkitchen on Easter Sunday distributing food for the hungry. Still others, withdraw even deeper within themselves and decide to offer more time with God (reading Scripture, praying the rosary and novenas). These are just SOME of the examples of things that people do for their Lenten Pentance. If you are a Christian and are participating in Lent, what are you planning on doing this season? If you are not planning on doing anything, just notate that as well...I want to hear from everyone. DON'T be SHY!! (If you have questions about Lent, just check out my website, and it will have some FAST, FUN FACTS for you.

For me...I plan on reading more scripture and praying more....Ok...Now it's YOUR turn...

Update: Thanks SO much for everyone who played last week during the Theme Song Question. Here are the results:

Unwritten-Natasha Bedingfield
The Remedy-Jason Mraz
Diamond in the Rough-Shawn Colvin
Lost-ColdPlay
Fly Away-Lenny Kravitz
Who Needs Sleep-Bare Naked Ladies
These Islands-Danny Couch
Friends Theme-The Rembrandts

So, don't forget to check out THIS week's question...don't be shy...ok!! And as always, I appreciate all who stop by and I do try to return all visit and answer YOUR question!!







Have a great Weekend. Be Kind to One Another. Smile at a stranger :) and Hang in there....

Until Next Time....
Gentle hugs,

Shelley

What do Plato Helen Keller and George Washington have in Common?

Q:What do Plato, Helen Keller, and George Washington have in common??

A: Sounds like a joke right?? Well, right now, they are contributing a great quote to my February 2009 quotes page. I try (keyword here is TRY to update it monthly so check it out and also take a look at the archives if you are a quotation lover as I am!!)

Also, it is almost FAT Tuesday...so you know what that means, right...Lent is right around the corner.

If you haven't already done so, take my poll at my site. Who is your favorite Saint? St. Therese or Saint Bernadette? St. Jude? None of the Above? Make Your Choice and see the Results.

That's it for now. As always, smile at a stranger. Be kind to one another. Be the change you want to see in the world!!

Until next time...

Gentle hugs,
Shelley

Feb 2003 Fish Stick Fridays

Lent is just around the corner. What are your memories of Lent? Growing up and attending Catholic School (especially after Vatican II), I didn't really fully appreciate the meaning of Lent or the wonderful traditions that can be celebrated throughout the season. For instance, when I was growing up, the big question was "What are you giving up for Lent??" Sort of like a delayed New Year's resolution or something. As kids, we normally would give up gum or treats (some kids had bigger goals but the kids I knew stuck with the "old" routine) Of course, we had Fish on Friday. Yum...FISH STICKS! Always Fish sticks...unless it was payday for my dad and then we might get Filet O Fish from McD's. (And soon the no treats resolution for Lent gave way to the complete rationalization/justification (ha ha) that a Shamrock Shake from McD's is NOT a treat but rather a wholesome milk product. Yeah right!Now though I think of Lent not so much as something that I have to give up...but more of what do I have to give?? What is harder...giving up that piece of cheesecake OR actually doing performing an act of kindness and goodness....JUST BECAUSE (and doing it in the name of the Lord for Lent....of course, that part should just remain between one performing the good deed and the Lord because the one thing God doesn't like is someone tooting his/her own horn.Also, the past few years, I have REALLY thought about the Lord's Passion and especially the time he spent on the cross. I ached with him when Peter denied him, I cried when I thought of the disciples falling asleep..(he just asked for ONE hour!!!) Think of that...just ONE hour God asks of us....how many of us give him that ONE hour a week by going to church and hearing the word of the Lord?I hope that someone reading this will find it his/her heart to return to church this Lenten season and to be there on Easter to celebrate the Risen Lord!Lastly, I suppose I should give a health update. First of all, thanks to all of you for your prayers. The power of prayer is just AWESOME!! I had a worrisome Chest xray back in October and had to wait for three months to get another one to see if I was going to need further treatment. When I had the xray, the spot was gone! So, that is wonderful news. I still have to have oxygen though as my lungs are scarred and I have pulmonary hypertension from the lupus and myastenia gravis.I am getting around really good with my new hip...now I have a "matched" set. I haven't set off any detectors yet. LOL! I am no longer in the wheelchair, no longer using the walker, and use the cane for short distances out in public. I still need the wheelchair for longer times out in public due to the oxygen problem but still this is a pretty major deal for me.Tom thanks all of your for prayers that you have said for him. It is so hard to be a caretaker for a loved one. I have so much respect for those of you out there who are taking care of a family member. Please say a special prayer for all caretakers out there!!

March 2001 Hey...Why are YOU smiling at me??

Today is the first day of Lent and I am trying to decide what I can do for Lent to show Jesus how much I appreciate his dying on the cross for me. I am still pondering. I do know that I want to try to be kinder to those I meet...even if it just means to make eye contact more and smile at those I meet...I really want to try. Of course, in this day and age, people are always a bit shocked when you take the time to smile at them..have you noticed that? LOL! Sort of sad in a way that we have become such an isolated world. Anyway, my health...I have managed to stay out of the hospital so I am VERY happy! However, the Myastenia gravis is progressing. I hope to be able to start some new medication in mid March that will help with the Myastenia Gravis so please continue to keep me and my husband too in your prayers. Your prayers and letters of support truly keep me going :) As someone told me, just think of it as Jesus squeezing you a bit too tightly right now. If I imagine that, then I feel better because I know that I am save in Christ's arms. Thank you for sharing that with me..and I hope someone else will also get comfort from that image. Until next month...may God grace your lives and comfort you...Gentle hugs, Shelley