Having married a man from New Orleans, I have been introduced to a whole new season. Mardi Gras. When I first thought of Mardi Gras, I thought of the Bourbon Street, women flashing to get beads and lots and lots of craziness!!
However, my freshmen year of college I had a roommate from South Louisiana and I went with her that year. Yes, that stuff does go on, but you can go to places that are families with kids, and people just having fun. I loved it!! Growing up in small town Arkansas It was so fascinating to see all the floats costumes and all the fun that is celebrated. For the most part a lot of the "craziness" takes place in the French Quarter. There are places that you can go and not have to see "that stuff." I have been 3 times now and Love to go!! We haven't been able to go the past two years, with having Audrey and now being huge and pregnant. I can't wait to take our kids and put them on ladders and let them catch their own beads!!
Here is a picture taken 2 years ago ( was was pregnant with Audrey and didn't even know it)
Back to my original thought....
Since Jonathan and I have been married we have celebrated Mardi Gras. I have decorated the house, made Cajun food, and even learned how to make a king cake. (lets just say the king cakes have gotten better each year :) ) Also with this celebration, I have also joined Jonathan in giving up something for lent. I never did that growing up and have really enjoyed the process of giving something up to focus more on Christ and why we celebrate Easter. I do have to say that it is hard to choose something that you will miss, but then something that you can actually go without for 40 days. I gave up sweets last year and lets just say I won't do it again :)
This year our church did an Ash Wednesday service. I had never been to one and Jonathan mentioned that we should go. Can I just say it was such a moving service and really helped prepare my heart for what this season really means, and why we go through lent. The prayers, music, and liturgy ( a new word I learned last night) was so moving. I hope that they continue doing the Ash Wednesday service, because I would really like to make this a tradition.
On a side note, we took Audrey with us to the service. When we walked in it was quiet, with a slide that said enter quietly. Can I just say that is a mother's nightmare when you are entering with a 16 month old. There were a couple of times during the service that there would be silence for reflection or prayer. It is hard not to just pray that Audrey will stay quiet until the music starts again!! She did very very well considering her age and that it was close to her bedtime. Jonathan did have to go stand in the back with her, but only so her random laughing out loud and cow sounds wouldn't disturb the people sitting beside us.
I am very excited what the next 40 days has in store for me. I really pray that I become more like Christ and do better about letting him have COMPLETE control over my life.
Psalm 51 (was read at the service)
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is
a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
