A Prayer for Ash Wednesday

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, the all-holy one, who gives us life and all things. As we go about our lives, the press of our duties and activities often leads us to forget your presence and your love. We fall into sin and fail to live out the responsibilities that you have entrusted to those who were baptized into your Son.

In this holy season, help us to turn our minds and hearts back to you. Lead us into sincere repentance and renew our lives with your grace. Help us to remember that we are sinners, but even more, help us to remember your loving mercy.

As we live through this Ash Wednesday, may the crosses of ashes that mark our foreheads be a reminder to us and to those we meet that we belong to your Son. May our worship and prayer and penitence this day be sustained throughout these 40 days of Lent. Bring us refreshed and renewed to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.

We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

life

Father M. today in church said something along the lines of: "Live simply so that others may simply live."

That really struck a chord with me. I must remember that.

I think I know what I'll be doing for Lent this year...

*yea*!!!

My obachan is coming from Japan to see me graduate!!!!!

=D

Best Valentine's Day EVER!

Yesterday was an a-okay Valentine's Day. No dressing up, no big fancy dinner. I was way too exhausted to leave the house and had way too much to do and prepare for student teaching. So Damy came over, we picked up some food before the corner chicken place closed and picked up some supplies, brought 'em back home and had dinner over some posterboard and glue. Damy was incredible -- after his long hard day at work he spent a few hours (until 11:30 to be exact) helping me piece together some posters I was using for my lesson today.

Romance wasn't all lost, however -- he surprised me with a dozen beautiful red roses and the sweetest letter I've ever read. <3 :)

I feel bad that our V-Day couldn't be more, and especially because I had to have him WORK with me, of all things....but as my friend said, "How much more LOVE could you possibly have than his love and help for you?"

So true.... :)

Mixed Moments

This weekend was a little bad, a little good.

The Bad:
1. The RICA Exam
- I haven't felt that unpreprared for a test since junior year of high school when I took the AP Chemistry exam. Hooooly crap.
- The test was FOUR friggin' hours.
- It started at 1:30....
- which meant basically no Saturday for me. :P BLAH.
2. No TIME
- I had absolutely no time to do what I wanted to do this weekend, which means that I...
- still haven't cleaned my room
- REALLY need to wash my car
- am a bad mother to Charlie who now really needs a bath.
- am behind in my organizing and prepping for teaching.
- haven't even thought about doing stuff for class.

The Good:
1. After the RICA
- I met up with a few of the other girls from the program and had some good food and good laughs.
- Spent another couple of hours with K at Starbucks where we "discussed"
- I realized how many good friends I have in this whole ordeal :)
2. Spent time with DAMY
- we went to the Reagan Library for Valentine's Day, and it was REALLY fun!
3. Spent time with HOHO and JAY
- Korean food. OHHH SOOOO GOOOD!!
4. It's a holiday for elementary schools today so I DON'T HAVE STUDENT TEACHING.
- I slept in until 8!!!
- I have time to do homework! =D

Amazing

I had an amazing weekend. I didn't do anything, really, but it was stil amazing.

Saturday morning, Damon went with me and Charlie to Legg Lake for a run/jog. He's supportive of my health endeavors, lately. :)

Later that afternoon, Damy helped me wash Charlie!

That night, Damy let me come over and read and study while he watched a movie and didn't complain that I couldn't give him my undivided attention.

Sunday afternoon, Damy patiently waited for me while I cranked out a lesson plan. He just sat there and read the papers while I typed away. Actually, he did more than that -- he gave me an idea for an OUTSTANDING motivation!

Then he spent a good half hour to an hour fixing our wireless internet -- without me asking!

And when I had to cut our day short to meet with J to go over our science lesson plans, he was so great about hurrying up our dinner and getting me there on time.


Honestly, I am so amazed by how great Damon has been about this whole student teaching thing. He is constantly doing everything in his power to help me plan and prepare for lessons -- drawing pictures, doing research, and just listening to me talk. I'm so lucky!!!