From UMC.org: Lent is a time of preparation for the initiation of people into the Christian life in baptism. It is also a time for the church to journey together toward Easter and the reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant. Lent is not about being miserable, sad, and funereal in anticipation of Good Friday. The Sundays of Lent are not part of the forty days of Lent and so remain "little Easters," as are all Sundays. Fasting and giving up something can be part of Lenten disciplines, but so can taking on some things.






I usually give up desserts for Lent (specifically chocolate). Sometimes that can be tough because my birthday is in April. One of the ladies at church always bakes me a chocolate pound cake (it's pure A W E S O M E N E S S). When my birthday falls before Easter, she's kind enough to wrap the cake so I can freeze it. She is so great! I know that I don't have to abstain on Sundays, but I really try to go the whole 40 days.

That last sentence in the info from UMC.org really caught my attention: "Fasting and giving up something can be part of Lenten disciplines, but so can taking on some things." This year I've also ADDED daily push-ups, squats and lunges. My goal is to add at least 10 to my total count each day. For example, yesterday I did a total of 175 of all 3 exercises combined. Today, my goal is a combined total of at least 180 of all 3 exercises.

By Easter, I should look like a Marine!!!

I also gave up computer games (that includes Spark Trivia!) and I'm really trying to stay focused at work. No reading Spark blogs or message boards when I log my lunch!!!