Spring time seems to be approaching just as the groundhog said it would. It was a big chilly this morning, which is actually fine with me. I wouldn’t mind another snow before the leaves and flowers start to appear. Though I am looking forward getting back into the routine of walking, I miss that a lot in the cold.

Tomorrow will been a week into lent. It hasn’t been the longest week, but it hasn’t been the shortest ether. Interesting process I’m already seeing how lent has effected me. I didn’t think it would hit this soon I was giving up something. But then again, if I gave up something that didn’t effect much then what would really be the point, right?

I’ve been thinking about youth ministry and my role in it. Not how I was this time a year ago, doubting my place in it. The community that I have found myself in that really “Came in without notice and settle all around my heart. Took up residence in all the places
That were vacant and dark.” We’ve been talking about ashes (in relation to lent) with the idea of God bringing beauty from ashes. I love watching the kids heads spin as they keep thinking dead people when they see ashes to the amazing thing God has really done in their life. I was asked to “share my story” with the kids soon, so I will be working on that up to the Sunday I will have to speak. I cant think of a group of kids Id rather share my story with.

Quarter till 2am is the perfect time to drive though downtown. Its that time where the clubs and bars are calling last drink. People are pouring out into the street. Did you know that at almost two in the morning you can get a hot dog? Feels just a little bit like New York (says the girl whos never been to New York) with hot dog stands on street corners. I just like knowing that if I wanted a hot dog at two in the morning, I am able to get one. Just one of reasons why I love living downtown.

Today we talked about ashes and how Ash Wednesday is right around the corner. I didn’t grow up practicing lent, but I did know about it. Its not as though the churches my family attended through the years didn’t teach or celebrate lent, but I don’t remember giving anything up. I thought about taking part of Lent last year but didn’t commit to it past a mere thought. This year its more in the for front of my mind and have been thinking about what to give up for my first year of Lent. I know its traditionally a Catholic practice, but I wanted to reread one of my favorite books, Muddhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner this year. Nevermind its about what she misses about Judaism, I think it will be a good Lent book (though it will be hard for me to space it for 40 days). I know 40 days shows up a handful of times in the bible, but I always think of Noah when I hear 40 days. Maybe I should read and study Noah’s story again during lent as well. I’m looking forward to celebrating my first year of real Lent.

A lot of people are tired of winter. I guess the winter Alabama and I shared wasn’t too bad because I don’t remember wanting it go away. And of course, sunny southern California winters are not too shabby. Heck, they are even really winters after almost going through my first North Carolina winter. But I am in no hurry for winter to come to an end. Maybe I feel robbed after all these years of not having a real winter. One of the things I love and dislike, depends on the time of the day is the trees. The skeletons trees is more like it, which are kind of depressing at this point in winter. Though when the sunrises (which I’ve seen a lot lately) or sets, those amazing colors that’s created between the dark shadows of the tree branches. Alissa mentioned that holidays help winter pass by for her. Having something to look forward, even days like Valentines Day. Ive never been a big Valentines Day person, but I love it for the fact how cheesey it really is. I do like the idea of holidays helping get through winter, even if it as bad to me as it to others.

I was tagged by Alissa to share with you all, Six Weird Things About Me.

1. Apparently until this year, I didn’t know what a silo was.

2. I hate wearing socks to bed. Winter in NC is really not too bad to me, until it gets too cold and I have to wear socks to bed. Hate that.

3. Only time I make my bed is if I know people are coming over or right after I wash my bedding.

4. I really like infomercials.

5. I still have a baby tooth in my mouth. One of my teeth didn’t have a permit underneath it and the baby one didn’t wiggle like the rest. Hopefully it wont cause too much trouble down the road.

6. Probably know by many of you, I have some what of a hippo fetish (Jace hates when I say that because he doesn’t think fetish is the right word). I have a small (but sizeable) collection of hippos. Most recent a pink one with a bow around her head from Soozies.

Also part of this is to tag six people and the lucky people are: Kari, Laura, Scott, Brian, Brandi and Jace.