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CandaceC
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| Posted: Feb 23 2009 at 3:11pm | IP Logged
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I, too, am giving up (most) of the internet. I am on here way too much! I do have a few obligations (a review group I'm committed to, sending out prayer requests for our church prayer chain) but for the most part I am giving up: reading other blogs, facebook, message boards...)
It will be hard...but it will be sooooo worth it!
My husband and I have decided to do Love Dare as well! Thanks for that suggestion! :)
I also have a new prayer journal and devotional that I want to be faithful with as well as prayer and scripture readings.
I'm excited about this season...a bit nervous, I've never done anything like this before! But I really sensed the Lord asking me to give up the internet and dedicate this season to Him. I'm excited to see all that He teaches me, shows me and does in me.
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
His Mercy Is New
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isjalu0826
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| Posted: Feb 23 2009 at 4:25pm | IP Logged
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Suzanne at Gladdest Hours posted a link to a Personal Lenten Program (Catholic Culture)---thank you! There is a point there about spiritual reading:
"Maria Von Trapp suggests three categories in our Lenten reading program:
Something for the mind. We should do some research, study the papal encyclicals, read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, delve into Church history, study Catholic philosophy.
Something for the soul. This should be deeper spiritual reading that gives a program, guidance, and spiritual direction, including writings of the saints like St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thérèse of Lisieux or St. Francis de Sales.
Something for the heart. We need inspiration. The best way is to read biographies of Christ, Mary, saints or people who put their spiritual life into action. Bishop Fulton Sheen's Life of Christ is excellent Lenten reading."
Had I read this before? I don't know...but I have to tell you a funny story. After replying on this thread earlier that I was giving up blog-reading for Lent, it occurred to me that structuring my 'new-found' time in a spiritual way would be helpful for me. Later that day, my eyes fell upon a bookcase full of books, most not read, and I thought to myself, hmm....
I ended up pulling off a bunch of books (I am a quick reader when I have the time) and put them into groups of three (THREE!) and I ended up with enough groups of three for all the weeks of Lent...
...here's the funny part: I had bought a roll of purple gift wrap at the Christmas Tree Shop last week (intending to wrap my SON'S books in them) and decided to wrap MINE too! So on my spare room bed are 5 neat square purple packages, with beautiful books inside, to cherish and ponder over the next weeks... I am so excited about it.
Between that, my Bible, my Divine Office (I have the separate volume for Lent only), rosary, Mass... I will, say, though, that I have been feverishly going thru blogs looking for St. Patrick's Day and Easter crafts because I know the clock is ticking...!!!!!
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doris
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| Posted: Feb 24 2009 at 6:15pm | IP Logged
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Ouch.... I'm. Going. To. Give. Up. Blogs. And. Boards (except on Sundays, maybe!)
It's gone midnight here  so I wish everyone a wonderful and holy Lent!
Tearing myself away...
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Home educating in London, UK with dd (2000) ds (2002), dd (2004), ds (2008) and dd (2011).
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 24 2009 at 6:23pm | IP Logged
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One thing I'm going to try to give us are my ugly reactions - more details here.
For those who will be away from 4Real, have a blessed Lent!
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Feb 24 2009 at 7:01pm | IP Logged
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I haven't thought much of giving up anything.
The only refrain that has gone through my head the past month is something a good friend told me last Lent...she wasn't giving up anything. She was just letting go...letting go of even giving up.
She simply wasn't going to try to "do" anything. In reality, she said her family needed to do less and if she "gave up" anything that would be just one more thing to remember to have to "do".
As busy wives/mothers/hsing Catholics I think we can all relate to that.
Still...
Our living room television has been going black the past two months. It came and went. Then it would work if we beat it on the side each time.
Today it bit the dust.
So that's a no-brainer. Though I never watch television, it'll be an unquestionable sacrifice for the children.
We try to do Stations of the Cross every Friday at church or at home.
The only craft activity I've prepared for is this one.
Any plans I had planned for today were crushed w/ a sickening headache.  I did go grocery shopping and (because headaches leave my mind dull) let Annie talk me into a bucket of ice cream and popsickles. I was only thinking of Fat Tuesday indulgence while forgetting that we'd have lots of ice cream and popsickles left in the freezer tomorrow through Lent. 
I searched for a King Cake and the tables that are usually stocked full during Carnival time, were bare. The store wasn't baking any more.  And I was feeling too poorly to make one. 
Sometimes your body reminds you just how much work it is trying to keep up with everything. Does that make sense?
I was able to get supper then went to bed for awhile.
Hubby took the children to the local parade. I hate not being with them but when you feel this bad you think...
...sometimes it's enough just to give-up giving up.
I'll quit whining now...
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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St. Ann
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I am reducing my internet time and concentrating on prayer and fasting this year. We are saving the Blue Bell ice cream for Sundays.... 
I plan to do some intense spiritual reading. First on my list is "The Gift of Faith". The girls and I have a plan of prayer and fasting that we are looking forward to , and my oldest is also taking on some light spiritual reading instead of the Nancy Drew kick she has been on lately.
I would still like to purchase a small notebook to keep notes during lent this year. I'd think it would be helpful to hold me more accountable.
I am also putting a hold on all purchases not absolutely necessary...like Amazon. So today I placed a last minute order...
A blessed and spirit filled Lent everyone!
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Stephanie
Wife and mother to Hannah '96, Maria '99, Dorothea '01, Helena '03
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CandaceC
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| Posted: Feb 24 2009 at 8:27pm | IP Logged
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Ladies, I'm adding one more post to this thread as I didn't want to start another one for this. But, thank you ALL for sharing your ideas with me. I am very excited to see all that God does in the next few weeks.
Tonight I put together a Lent notebook, I just printed off a cover with lent Journal 2009 and Psalm 51:10 on it. Then inside I have some prayers printed off, ideas to do with the kids, and blank pages for me to write prayer requests, scriptures, etc in it. I'm excited about this!!
I also printed off a lamb for each child and we'll glue on 1 cotton ball each day. At the top of the page it says "Jesus is the LAMB of God."
Again, thank you for sharing of yourselves. I have books to read, lesson ideas, craft ideas and am excited to share this season with my family!
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
His Mercy Is New
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Willa
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| Posted: Feb 24 2009 at 9:32pm | IP Logged
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Cay Gibson wrote:
Any plans I had planned for today were crushed w/ a sickening headache. I did go grocery shopping and (because headaches leave my mind dull) let Annie talk me into a bucket of ice cream and popsickles. I was only thinking of Fat Tuesday indulgence while forgetting that we'd have lots of ice cream and popsickles left in the freezer tomorrow through Lent. |
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You can save them for Sundays. We like Sundays as breaks in Lent around this house. ... .mini-Easters.
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: Feb 24 2009 at 10:34pm | IP Logged
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Reducing internet time--shooting for 1 hour a week (OUCH!)
Stepping up my spiritual reading--hoping to get in on the suggested Bible study at our parish and pull out all those wonderful volumes I've started but never finished: de Sales, Story of a Soul, Confessions, etc., really like the idea of dividing them up and wrapping them!
Focus more on my kiddos and on the newest one coming right about the end of Lent
Help prepare the eldest for First Communion (weekend after Easter)
Work on establishing a set bedtime and waking time for myself
Work on gentleness, especially in my responses to my family
I'm going to need all the help I can get!, so will attempt daily Mass once a week and Stations as a family on Fridays
It all sounds like a lot, but honestly just by cutting back on computer time I'm going to gain soooo much time for the other things!!!
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Wife to wonderful DH, mom to SIX beautiful gifts from God!
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Kristin
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Not sure yet, but I'm thinking about giving up chocolate! Better decide soon, eh?
Also, I think I'm going to work actively to become more detached from the things in my life. I'm a bit of a packrat and it's time for that to change.
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Bunch 'o Honey to my Honey Bunch and Mama to five - Noah 10y  , Rose 8y  , Dominic 2.5 y  , Oliver 16m 
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hereinantwerp
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amazon.com
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Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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ladybugs
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Negativity....
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: What are you giving up for Lent?
