See You in 40 Days

Do you typically "give something up" for Lent?  I've been a Christian for a long time now and for whatever reason, I have never done it.

This year, I'm giving it a try.  I figure, if I want to hear that "still, small voice" that often gets drowned out by busyness (or laziness), it might be good to remove at least one of the things that gets in the way of me hearing it. 

It wasn't too hard to figure out what that thing should be.  See, I have a nightly pattern.  After my kids are finally all asleep and Steve settles into his night-time study-mode, I go straight to my computer.  I check my email, check my blogger dashboard, and even check Steve's facebook - gotta know what everyone's up to out there in the world.

Ah, the goodness of reading a new blog post.  I love to laugh at Nyquist New Branch, get inspired by the Livesays in Haiti, glean wisdom from Linda, learn about Todd's progress, view current events from the perspective of Eugene Cho, celebrate the Good but Hard life of a dear family, read ministry-related discussions Out of Ur, discover new Signs of Life, look at all those pictures of my friends' cute-as-buttons kiddos, and even get neighborhood updates on the Natomas Buzz.  The list could go on and on.  I follow quite a few blogs!

While I love my blog reading, and occasional writing, it can be quite a time-suck.  I wonder what would happen if I spent at least a portion of that time each night praying. 
 
So, I'm giving it a try.  For the 40 days of Lent, I'm going to refrain from reading or writing blogs (or any social networking for that matter).  I'm replacing that computer time, with this Lenten prayer guide:

 
It's not going to be easy!  I'm going to be tempted to do a quick peek here and there at my blogger dashboard to see what my friends are up to.  I'm hoping this post will serve as a little bit of accountability for me. 

See you in 40 days!

Breakdancing Buddies

Last week Jonah and Brayan did some breakdancing together for about an hour at The GreenHouse.  So adorable.  It made my heart smile big.

A Year of Changes

At The GreenHouse, we recently bid farewell to our Director of Youth Programs.  After faithfully serving our teens for five years, Tim has moved on to a full-time pastoring position at a church in Roseville - a wonderful opportunity for him and his family, but a big transition for our youth (and for me).  On his last day at The GreenHouse, we had a special time of celebrating him and the great work he's done with our youth, before sending him off with words of encouragement and gratitude.


teens, volunteers, and staff on Tim's last day at The GreenHouse

This year is also bringing big changes to our family.  In just two months, Steve will graduate from law school and say good-bye to the people that he's spent the majority of his time with for the past three years.  Two months after that, he'll take the Bar exam and then, God-willing, he will start a new career.  

Change can be a little unnerving.  It's hard to say good-bye to people that have been in your life for a long time.  And it's strange to not know who will be behind the new hellos that are on their way.  (Who will be our next Youth Director?  Who will be Steve's new co-workers?). 

But change can also be exciting.  Change is an opportunity.  It's a time for evaluation, prioritizing, and visioning.  So I'm trying to embrace these changes, and the myriad of other planned and unplanned changes that will come our way this year, with open arms.  I'm looking for opportunities, praying for direction, and trusting that the Creator of the universe has got it all under control.