Last night we had a Mardi Gras celebration with some new friends from church. On the menu were pancakes with butter and maple syrup, bacon, sausage, strawberries and milk. After everyone hit their sugar high, they ran around like lunatics, and James showed off his tummy to anyone who would look even though there were no beads. The other mom and I sat and chatted about faith, homeschooling, cancer, marriage, and kids with hardly any interruptions.
Ash Wednesday brought us back to our baseline existence to give us an opportunity to focus our minds on Christ as we prepare for Easter. As a family we turn off the TV, don't have desserts, eat no meat on Fridays or Ash Wednesday, and spend more time in prayer together. Each of the over 7 crowd chooses a personal penance, but for a family activity, the kids and I made a salt and flour crown of thorns. While it was cooking, I reviewed the corporal and spiritual works of mercy with them, and we talked about how we could practice them in our home. Each work of mercy pulls one thorn from the crown. The kids are enthusiastic to earn a thorn, and often ask what they can do. Around here, giving drink to the thirsty or food to the hungry would take care of about half in one day.
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