Lent – Page 12

{pretty, happy, funny, real} Lenten Edition

March 15, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: {phfr}, Lent 5 Comments

{pretty}

My littles have become an assembly line for Empty Tomb Gardens every since they I introduced the craft for a Little Flowers meeting. They’ve been creating gardens as gifts for family and neighbors.

I managed to veer them away from wheat grass long enough to help me with a different type of Easter Garden. This garden was inspired by Ann @ A Holy Experience.

I love to turn off all the lights and let the candle light of this garden illuminate my living room.

It’s a beautiful reminder that through the suffering and crosses comes beauty – beauty that only He can provide.

{happy}

Dragonfly initiated his move from closet crib to big boy bed in brother’s room. He couldn’t be happier.

He has slept for the past 13 days in his big boy without a fuss – dad and I couldn’t be happier.

{funny}

I could classify this picture under all the categories but it gives me a chuckle every time I see it.

We’ve been praying a hour at the local clinic every Monday for 40 Days for Life. Papi hold’s a sign when he want’s to and prays from his ~~stroller~~ prime spot when he’s not walking the sidewalk in prayer.

He used to hold a sign that read “I vote PROLIFE first.” Papi refused to show the reverse of the sign that read, “I am the PROLIFE generation.”

Here’s from a prolife voter who is only 4 years old, your baby loves you!

{real}

There is no picture to reflect the reality of my soul. There is an emptiness that only His grace can fill.

I entered into Lent meditating on the following words of St. Chrysostom, "What folly to leave our goods where we cannot stay, instead of sending them before us where we are going — to heaven!” This meditation has taken on a whole new meaning for me this Lent as I face the possibility that I have one more treasure going to heaving. I pray that I accept His grace and truly surrender. I desire to see Him and all my treasures.

I pray…

Hail Mary…

As for my part here below, I wish for no other than that which was thine, to believe sincerely without spiritual pleasures, to suffer joyfully without human consolation, to die continually to myself without respite, and to work zealously and unselfishly for thee until death, as the humblest of thy servants.

The only grace I beg thee, for me, is that every moment of the day, and every moment of my life, I may say “Amen, so be it, to all that thou art doing in heaven. Amen, so be it, to all thou did do while on earth. Amen, so be it, to all thou art doing in my soul,” so that thou alone may fully glorify Jesus in me for time and eternity. Amen.

~ Excerpt from St. Louis De Montfort’s Prayer to Mary

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{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

Empty Tomb ~ Easter Garden

March 14, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Crafts, Easter, Lent 11 Comments

Almighty and ever living God, whose Son Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in a garden and called her to be the first witness of his Resurrection: we beseech thee to bless this humble garden wherein we have a remembrance of the mighty acts by which we have been saved; grant that all those who see it may ponder and adore the glory of the Cross and the mystery of his Resurrection and may sing with joy the victory hymn; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen ~Station at an Easter Garden

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This a wonderful Lenten/Easter project for the entire family. All ages will enjoy it. I recently used this as a craft for my Little Flowers’ study on the virtue of fortitude.

The Empty Tomb Garden provides a visual reminder of what we are preparing for during Lent, Christ’s Resurrection.

An Easter garden has three essential features: a mound with at least one cross to represent Calvary; a stone or stone structure to suggest the empty tomb; and lots of live greenery/flowers.

The children will have an opportunity to tend and nurture their gardens during Lent and beyond. They can meditate on Christ’s passion and offer an ejaculation while tending to their garden.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.

The grass will grow within days. It is wheat grass and can be eaten. It symbolizes new life.

The children will remove the stone on Easter morning and rejoice.

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I found my inspiration throughout the internet and Pinterest. House of Joyful Noise provided a great tutorial.

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Supplies:

Garden

Seed Starting Jiffy Mix ($3.80/bag – 1 bag made 14 mini gardens)
Decorative rocks ($5.59/large bag of Mountain Granite from HomeDepot – 80+mini gardens. $1/small bag of decorative rocks from the Dollar Store – 2-3 mini gardens)
Gravel (this is used as a bottom layer, not much is needed. I took my rock from my home garden)
Wheat Berry ($.77/lb – 2lbs – 40 mini gardens. I found my wheat berries at Winco in the bulk bin foods.)
Dessert Plastic Plates or shallow pots ($9.89/100 plates. I used plastic plates because they were the most economical choice for a large group. I found my plates at Smart-n-Final)
Mini Terracotta Pots ($.24/ea at WalMart)

Crosses

Popsicle sticks ($1/150 sticks at the Dollar Store)
Brown Paint
Hot Glue Gun

Misc.

Water
Bucket
Spray Bottle
Hand Shovel

Directions:

Garden

mix the seed starter with water

position tomb/terracotta pot in desired location on plate/pot

lay down the gravel on the plate, securing the pot into place.slightly build up the gravel for your hill.

top the gravel with soil

cover the entire soil with the wheat berries. press the wheat berries into the soil.

add a layer of soil on top of the wheat berries. press down firmly. (this step is optional. it will slow the growth of the wheat grass.)

clean the plate. remove the wheat berries from areas that you do not want grass to grow.

create a path from the tomb with decorative rocks. this represents how the disciples ran to the tomb on Easter morning.

add decorative rocks as desired

insert the crosses

The grass grows faster with less top soil. The garden in the left of both pictures had a thick top soil packed tightly over the wheat berries.

Crosses

Paint the popsicle sticks your desired shade of brown or create crosses from sticks and twine.

I chose popsicle sticks since I had to make over 100 crosses. I did not hand paint each stick. Instead, I created a paint wash.

add water to brown paint in a plastic pin.

run popsicle sticks through the paint wash.

bake at 350 for 5-8 min for a quick set of paint

break off the tips of the popsicle sticks for the small cross section. break the stick in thirds.

break off the tip of the popsicle stick for the vertical piece. the round part will go into the soil

hot glue the cross together

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We made larger Easter Gardens for the home.

inspired by Ann @ A Holy Experience

This garden sits on our front porch. It will serve as a reminder to all who enter that we are preparing for Christ’s resurrection.

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Empty Tomb/Easter Gardens:

Lenten Link Up ~ Catholic Icing

Lenten Program Update

February 25, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Health, Lent, Total Consecration 1 Comment

Here is brief update on my Family Lenten Program.

Spiritual Lenten Program

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Health & Fitness Lenten Program

Getting the Kids on Board

February 25, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Clean Eating, Education, Kids in the Kitchen, Lent, Resources

I knew that my family needed another push in the way of healthy eating so I used a gift card to purchase Paleo Pals: Jimmy and the Carrot Rocket Ship. The book was intended to excite children about a healthy lifestyle of eating fresh, whole, unprocessed foods.

Piper, Phoenix and Parker are not ordinary children, they are super heroes that travel the land helping other children learn about living the healthiest, most exciting, most super lives possible. They are known as The Paleo Pals, and this is a story about how they help out Jimmy, a little boy who is not sure if eating paleo food is even one tiny bit exciting or super. Climb into the carrot rocket ship, travel to brilliant green farms, and live Jimmy’s exciting adventure with Piper, Phoenix and Parker, The Paleo Pals!

It’s always my goal to teach my kids why we do what we do, whether it be our faith, dress, daily diet, or etc… It’s important to me that their hearts and minds be cultivated to discern what is good and pleasing in all areas of their lives.

I had managed to educate them the best I could since the start of our clean eating. I would simplify what I was learning to guide them in our journey to a restoration of health and optimal nourishment. They began to question the food that was being offered to them by friends and family, politely declining when needed. They even became pro-active and would pack their food for outings. My kids truly desire to eat what is good for them. Still, I find it necessary to step up their nutrition education.

My husband and I found it fitting to incorporate nutrition into our Lenten Plan – Health & Fitness. Dad began reading Paleo Pals to the kids during afternoon snack on Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. He will continue to read it throughout the first part of Lent since it is rather lengthy for the littles to get through in one sitting.

I have enjoyed listening to the reading sessions and seeing my kids excitement. They are thrilled to see other children eat the way they do. The boys are especially tuned in to the superheroes. There are challenging words and concepts, none of which are foreign to my children. I did find the book to be a bit on the propaganda side, at times. Dad and I take the time to discuss the images and story line.

the littles snacked on their carrot rocket ships – organic carrots fresh from the farm.

There has also been an opportunity to discuss other issues such as attitude, obedience to your parents, giving thanks for what you have, table manners, and other things of the like. Dad and I have woven in our faith so that the littles can better appreciate why we are choosing to eat the way we are – to glorify God with all that we have, given the means that we have! ALL FOR!

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my littlest guy has been making some great improvements. he is slowly venturing away from his pureed squeezies. wednesday it was carrots and friday it was fish mixed up in shredded cheese, of course. we’re taking baby steps!