to Lent or not to Lent

I've been thinking a ton lately about how I use my time. It seems to be going faster and faster. I look at the clock and twenty minutes has ticked away without me noticing or doing anything productive let alone for the glory of God.  So, today being Lent, which I confess until now I haven't known much about, it's time to look how I use the precious gift of time. Of all the places I most uselessly waste my time facebook is at the top of the list. Fb in defensive is a great way to pass along info, connect with people that once graced my days, or simply a platform to ministry. However, it has become a place time escapes me. I can boldly snoop through peoples lives, misinterpret "friends" as life giving friends and put off important tasks competing for my attention. I've been entertaining the idea of a blog for a while. And well...

I am beyond convicted I am not using my time, a resource God has given me, wiesely or intentionally. 

I'm challenging myself to spend the next 40 days off facebook and have this be the platform for my journey. A place to share prayer and devotion as I try to grasp the amazing life of Jesus and His Resurrection. A desert of sorts away from the comfort and temptation of being in the know of facebook. 

Because truthfully is that what God wants for me? I've never observed Lent before and it's not something our home Church formally observes either. While looking for resources on Lent this morning I found this

http://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2011/03/journey-to-easter-with-new-bible-gateway-lent-reading-plans-and-devotions/ and a friend sent me this article http://www.crivoice.org/cylent.html. I started reading Matthew 4:1-2 'Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became hungry.' (NLT) I am definitely led by the Holy Spirit to take a look at how I use my time. I pray it creates a hunger in me like none other. To seek His face. Repent. Turn. Run. To Him. For what He desires for my life.

Is there something tempting you? Taking you away from knowing Him? What will you do about it? How do you use your time? Have you given up something for Lent? Share.

O Lord, begin with me. Here. Now.

Mel

Just a sample

Here is the first look at what I've been up to.  Learning to make pillowcase dresses and scarves!  Between the french seam and bias tape, I'm getting the hang of it.  Super fun to make and have four to go in the next week. Will update as I complete.

Birthday Gift for Ms. Katie Colombo. Hope she likes it!

Matching bow

Bitty Baby had to get in on the action too!

The first thing I made. A Proverbs 31 scarf. To remind me when I'm sewing in the unfinished part of the basement my priorities: God, fam then hobbies!

Fancy Nancy Birthday Soriee

My first blog. How exciting! Eeek! Where do I begin. First of all I have no idea how to blog, the dos, don't, yeses, nos, have not a clue. So it will reflect me. And the love of Christ in me. And the woman He's created me to be. That's all. A daughter, wife and mommy. Living the dream.

My mom came to visit from Cali for Maddy's fourth birthday. Her official birthday was December 29th but the celebrations lasted til January 9th, as we anticipated Gama's arrival.  We'd rented a party house at a park in town but it was locked, closed and a huge mess the morning we showed up. Holy moly is right!! So I ran over to the zoo and they graciously hosted our Fancy Nancy party in a warm, cozy room right next to the hippos, elephants and giraffes. Yes a dream come true for the Richerts!  Needless to say it ended up being an awesome party.

Some of the set up, hey we had to make due and flex to the change of location... menu consisted of all Maddy's favs: heart and cupcake shaped pb & j sandwiches, vanilla yogurt fruity cheerio and strawberry parfaits and Topsy's popcorn, complete with raspberry lemonade.

Basket on the end of the table was home to the favors. Books for the boys and fancy bags for the girls with a headband, bracelet, and necklace, all in which I made, and a Fancy Nancy book.

Enjoying the deliciousness.

Waiting to see the elephants.

Opening packages. Shout out to my sweet friend Roberta who made the bag Maddy is opening!

All Madison's friends who made the party extra fancy!

The chiefs were actually playing in a playoff game while the party was going on. note the chiefs gear in the background. Thanks to all the dads would came out to support and endured watching the game on Jared's iphone.

Life is good and we are blessed. Live for Him.

Mel