Returning home after a night of work - Maria was bustling to get her kids off to Ash Wednesday services. She was meeting Ruth with her kids there, and I wished that I could be a part of it all, but for me it was off to sleep for the day and get my ashes tonight with my husband. Life is turned upside down by the working in the dark and sleeping in the daylight. After one more night - I can join the "real world" and the one I prefer - working in the daylight. Today reading over the mass/service for Ash Wednesday...
"Come back to the Lord with all your heart;
leave the past in ashes,
and turn to the Lord with tears and fasting,
for he is slow to anger and ready to forgive." Jl 2: 13
This was taken a year ago at The Stations of the Cross, which will begin on Fridays throughout Lent... It is very powerful to follow the way that Christ followed to His death on the Cross and through the Cross to His resurrection! 
While working - I jotted down some of the things that I want to give up or do better this Lent. It used to be most all things to give up, but I know myself and that I am not the best at doing for others and serving, so I tried to focus more on those things. One way that would be starting right here at home would be to offer and willingly go out and help Pat with his work outside. After I recover from these 4 nights of working at the nursing home... I hope and pray to have the strength to do that, but most of all to do it with a true smile on my face and to find the beauty and joy of working side by side with my wonderful husband, and his cows and calves! 
If the weather starts to warm up like it is supposed to now... it could be enjoyable out there, but I am sure that I will lose my boots out in the MUD. It will be very deep this year with all the snow melting! 
Jesus, we are filled with a deep sense of gratitude at this season - where you call us to come closer to you, and to leave the past in the ashes... we are weak, and sinful, and selfish, and need you to forgive us, and show us how to serve each other, and to see your face in all those that we live and work with - especially those in our domestic Church - our families! May we take time to share You in our midst in prayer, song, and service. Jesus, we trust in you! Amen and Halleluia!
Bless-bless, Barb
"Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." Mk 1: 15
"Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return." Gn 3: 19
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