Ash Wednesday - Bring on Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Well even that depends on if you are under the Western or Eastern Christian religious affiliation. I am not sure which I am. I’m Mormon, so I don’t know if either really counts. All I know is that when I looked at my calendar on Monday and it said “Lent begins” I thought to myself “oh crap I didn’t know it was Lent today.” Lucky for me I can start today, Ash Wednesday, the second recognized start date of Lent.
I have never participated in Lent before. Something just sounded appealing about it this year. Maybe I didn’t have enough goals and thought I should squeak another one out. Maybe I just like cruel and unusual punishment. So instead of heaping this on top of my other goals, I am going to use this to accomplish one of my 27 goals. Goal # 19 “Develop a Christ-like Characteristic.” You don’t mind that Lent ends after my birthday do you?
The purpose of Lent is to make sacrifices allowing you to grow closer to God. Christ fasted 40 days in the wilderness before he began his ministry. I am sure he used that time to pray and converse with his Heavenly Father. To learn from him, to understand his mission and to prepare himself for his ministry. Today I embark on my own 40 days of Lent (technically it is 46, but Sundays aren’t suppose to be counted).
Now to decide what to give up?. I asked everyone I came in contact with over the last 2 days. People at work, friends I ran into at the coffee shop and people in my photo class. I even searched the internet for ideas. Finally, I found something that would be worthwhile and challenging. SNOOZE!

Yes, that is right. For the next 46 days I will be giving up my snooze button. That doesn’t mean I can’t sleep in. I just can’t use the snooze button to give me 8 extra minutes of blissful sleep. This will be extra challenging because I have two alarm clocks. I will have to use only one, thus reducing the desire to have one as the back up and ultimately acting as the snooze for the first alarm. I will also have to go to bed earlier making sure I am rested when that alarm goes off. Ever turn off the alarm before you even realize it? That is me far too often. So there you go. I am putting it out in the blogging world. I am giving up my snooze button as my sacrifice to Lent.
But wait! That’s not all. Ultimately, I want to participate in Lent for its true purpose. I want to draw closer to God. I want to learn from Him, understand His mission and prepare myself for my personal ministry (ok that is a little weird to say, but I am sure there is something/someone of which I am supposed to minister). I have never read the entire Bible cover from cover, so that is exactly what I will do, sort of. I have the next 46 days to read the entire New Testament (so that is half of the Bible). There are 403 number of pages in the copy I have. That will be 8.76 per day. Wow! This will be a challenge. Wish me luck.

Here are some links I enjoyed about Lent and ideas for Lent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent

http://www.ehow.com/how_2172166_pick-what-give-up-lent.html

http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2003/03/05/7507/

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Lent/What-Im-Giving-Up-For-Lent.aspx

Birthday Goal Report

Yesterday marked the one month count down to my 28th birthday. So I am just catching up on what is left on my list. I'll say this right now, this year has been a tough on the list. I'm going to have to rethink my approach to the list next year.

1. Learn a new “mommy” skill
   - A perfect example of what I am trying to learn.  My great friend Brooke taught me how to make individual microwave cakes.  I now know a practical skill for snacks without spending the money on the store brand stuff.
   - I made home-made Mariana sauce to freeze.
   - I had a awesome sleep-over with my nephew Scott
2. Take a class in a subject that interests me- I took an InDesign and Design class this last semester from SLCC.  Loved it.  See some of my projects here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here (whoa that was a lot).
3. Develop a relationship with the library- Although my level of book check out isn't high mostly based on my lack of time to read and a one month time frame doesn't always fit my schedule my record continues, a full year without buying a book. 
4. Design a personal scripture study program and use it
   - My plan is to do an hour of study every Sunday morning and 15 minutes daily.  Not so great at keeping up with it.
5. Learn about nature
   - I would like to learn more about geology.  Nothing done yet unless you count the little booklet I picked up in Bryce earlier last year. Does the desire to get a dog and name him Geo count?
6. Learn about my family -
   - Did you know I am so much like my Grandma Berger? I talk to complete strangers in the grocery line, I snatch food off other people's plates and ask people where they got their red hair. She wrote her life story which is amazing if I do say so myself. She is my hero and example of a strong woman.  I am working on transferring it to the computer. It is taking a lot of time so we will be adding this to next year's list.
7. Gain a personal testimony of the temple & temple work - - I went to the temple in July to receive my personal endowment. It was an amazing experience and I am so happy. 
   - Reading "The Holy Temple"
   - Was a little bad in Nov. and Feb., but otherwise I have been going to the temple at least twice a month.
8. Experience a different culture- I joined my family last July for a trip to Germany.
9. Teach someone a skill- Taught Talena how to set up a slackline for her family reunion.
10. Pick up a new outdoor skill - My friend Marne is a master at orienteering. I am joining her and her family for a little mountain biking trip to Moab in 2 weeks. This should be a great opportunity to learn her skills.
11. Understand the body and how it functions - I have been collecting articles about nutrition and exercise science.
12. Expand a passion - Signed up for a photography class and you can see my first 2 assignments here and here.
13. Research a topic that confuses me til I understand- Computers!  Purchased my first computer and I spent a lot of time talking with my computer smart friends about the components and hardware.  
14. Be creative-  This seems hard to explain, but I feel life this is an entire state of mind change and I can see how my vision has changed. (Design classes, craft night, seasonal crafts and more have been completed this year.)
15. Improve grammar and spelling
    - I have been keeping a spelling list and practicing just like the old elementary days.
    - Talena loaned me a grammar book, still to be read.  
16. Acquire a new resume skill- My InDesign class has really been a huge skill boaster.  
17. Expand a talent
    - Learn 10 new songs on the piano and/or guitar. Due to my crazy schedule I had to stop guitar lessons and sadly I haven't played either the piano or guitar.
18. Learn from the past - Change is difficult and it takes a long time for some habits and weaknesses to be changed, but this is going well. Vague I know.
19. Develop a Christ like characteristic - The person I am and the person I want to become are not one in the same. I am sure that many of us can express that same sentiment. I hope to build a relationship with my Savior and become more like Him. A lifelong goal.
20. Explore my surroundings - A recent photo day got me running around the Salt Lake valley exploring places I have never visited and seeing old things from a different perspective. It was a really fun day. It will have to be repeated. 
21. Challenge myself physically - I start training for another tri next week. It won't be completed before my birthday, so I hope you will forgive me for checking off the list despite the timeline.
22. Participate in my community- Talena and I attended a neighborhood meeting in January. It was really nice to hear what was going on and to meet some of our neighbors. We meet Laura who lives just a few houses down from us.
    - I have been reading the newspaper almost daily and I am very excited about knowing more about what is going on in our legislator. I am even following a few bills as they are debated.
23. Share the gospel- Gave out 2 Book of Mormons this year.
24. Record my experiences, thoughts and feelings
    - I am horrible at keeping a journal.  I have started and stopped many times in my life and even after setting this goal I have been struggling.  This is a work in progress.  But the goal is to write at least once a month. And yes I know the blog could count, but I am not satisfied.
25. Discover an old friend- Somewhat monthly lunches with my old roommates, Marne & Lindsey.
    - Pen-pal Melina. We have been friends since we were 5, but we live far away. The pen-paling has been much more fun then Gmail or Facebook.  
26. Serve in secret - If I told you it wouldn't be a secret.
27. Develop a healthy habit- This one goal has had two habit forming benefits. The goal to eat out less and prepare more meals at home. The result, more money in my bank account and maintaining a healthy diet.

Update on THE LIST

Seeing as my half birthday is only a couple weeks away I thought it would be good to give an update on my progress thus far in my yearly list. 
Here is THE LIST

1. Learn a new “mommy” skill -  I asked my sisters, sister-in-laws and my mom for their help with this goal.  Some of them said it was one the job training, others offered to teach me things we shall not share here, but mostly I haven't done much.  My sister Kelly has been sharing fast reciepes I can cook for myself or a family.
2. Take a class in a subject that interests me - I want to take an interior design class, but with limited time to take classes just for fun now that I am actually in school for real I am counting my design classes because I am interested in all of them.
3. Develop a relationship with the library - Not too shabby.  I have checked out a few books, but I am also using friends as a library.  I haven't purchased new books (besides my textbooks) since April.
4. Design a personal scripture study program and use it - My plan is to do an hour of study every Sunday morning and 15 minutes daily.  Not so great at keeping up with it, but as all things it is a work in progress.
5. Learn about nature - I would like to learn more about geology.  Nothing done yet unless you count the little booklet I picked up in Bryce earlier this year.
6. Learn about my family - I just bought my first ever computer and one of my first plans is to finish typing my Grandma Berger's life story.
7. Gain a personal testimony of the temple & temple work - I made the decision in July to attend the temple to receive ordainces for myself.  It was an amazing experience and I am so happy.  I am currently finishing "The Holy Temple" as part of my church study and I have been attending the temple at least twice a month.
8. Experience a different culture - Any ideas?
9. Teach someone a skill - I taught Talena how to set up a slackline for her family reunion. 
10. Pick up a new outdoor skill - Marne is going to teach me how to use a map and compass.  I'm old school
11. Understand the body and how it functions - Want to learn more about nutrition
12. Expand a passion - I have a photography project planned, but waiting to purchase a new camera.
13. Research a topic that confuses me til I understand - Computers!  I just purchased my computer and I spent a lot of time talking with my computer smart friends about the components and hardware.  I still think I need some additional study, but I think I get it.
14. Be creative - I am doing more crafts.  I made a easter door decoration, created a necklace frame (still needs to be completed) and I attemped to make cork covered containers.
15. Improve grammar and spelling - I am creating a spelling list.  I follow a grammer blog. Talena loaned me a grammer book.  And Lindsey (see #25) is going to be my teacher.
16. Acquire a new resume skill - I think I have this covered.  I am taking 2 classes at SLCC; Design & InDesign.  I love them both and I'm learning a lot.
17. Expand a talent - Learn 10 new songs on the piano and/or guitar
18. Learn from the past - Improve my communication skills
19. Develop a Christ like characteristic - Oh I have a list of charachteristics of who I want to become.  Now to narrow down the list and get to work.
20. Explore my surroundings - Explore downtown SLC.
21. Challenge myself physically - Maybe a marathon since last year's didn't work out.
22. Participate in my community - Not sure what to do yet.
23. Share the gospel - I don't shy away from sharing my testimony as much as I used to and I have given the BofM to 2 people I work with.  I hope they have read it and felt the Spirit.
24. Record my experiences, thoughts and feelings - I am horrible at keeping a journal.  I have started and stopped many times in my life and even after setting this goal I have been struggling.  This is a work in progress.  But the goal is to write at least once a month. (And yes I know the blog could count, but I want a little more detail).
25. Discover an old friend - I have been going to lunch with my old roommates, Marne & Lindsey once a month.  And I recently started a penpal with my friend Melina. (we have been friends since we were 5).  I have great friends and getting to spend time with these ladies again is so fun.
26. Serve in secret - I can't tell you then it wouldn't be a secret.
27. Develop a healthy habit - Not sure what habit I should start