GTKY: Ash Wednesday & Lent

labby18 · March 2017

For all Catholics and those of Christian faith who follow the Lenten season, Pregnant and Nursing mothers are exempt from fasting and abstaining from meat on the holy days and Fridays. I meant to post this earlier.

GTKY: What are you giving up for Lent?

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Eta bold and GTKY question

GracefulStar · March 2017

I'm not sure! I'm still trying to do no meat, just not fasting. I'm trying to do a few behavior changes, stay calmer, use better language. This pregnancy has me a tad more short fused than normal. Normally I give up a food I love, fries, chocolate, etc. but being pregnancy I love one thing one day and hate it the next. Also trying to do more spiritual reading (bible and books on religious people). How about you?

labby18 · March 2017

I am giving up negative thoughts - or at least trying to. I am going to try to focus on all the positives and try to seriously reduce all negativity in my life. Let's see how this goes!!

labby18 · March 2017

@GracefulStar i usually give up food items too, but I dont want to risk it with pregnancy and the ups and downs of different aversions. I tend to think of negative things before positive things in any situation, and I want to work on that and really try to strengthen my marriage and faith in God even more. I'm considering journaling.

kelseyrayay · March 2017

Alcohol

lol just kidding. I'm not catholic but I do like lent. Last year I gave up cursing. not sure about this year.

GracefulStar · March 2017

Journaling might be a good start. I used to but haven't in a while. Maybe before you over think what's wrong you could "require" that you come up with two positive thoughts first? I think you are making a good start with recognizing a weakness you want to address. It's hard taking a deep look inside yourself, sometimes I try too hard to justify my behavior or reasoning but it's an excuse. I heard that praying together helps a lot in a marriage. We try but his schedule doesn't always lend to it.

labby18 · March 2017

@GracefulStar
My DH is active duty military and with his current assignment he travels A LOT and his schedule changes frequently. We got a 31 day devotional book to strengthen marriage and to serve one another that we are going to do once he gets back next week. I'm excited for Lent actually lol.

DPandMB · March 2017

I've tried tried to fast as much as I can but it's hard with the nausea. I know we don't have to, but catholic guilt. I'm trying to give up yelling and be a better mom. (Judge Away. It's hard with a 16 and 11 yo)

wyomama0427 · March 2017

DPandMB said:

I've tried tried to fast as much as I can but it's hard with the nausea. I know we don't have to, but catholic guilt. I'm trying to give up yelling and be a better mom. (Judge Away. It's hard with a 16 and 11 yo)

CATHOLIC GUILT IS SO REAL

GracefulStar · March 2017

@DPandMB I need to work on the yelling too. No judgement here. My MIL says she yelled at one of her sons once and she thinks that's why he has a short temper. Lol I feel she would faint if she heard me yell.

mrs_tacos · March 2017

Don't worry Catholics, you're not alone- the Baptists have also successfully guilted their children for generations!

I'm adding a daily Lenten devotional, and performing a daily act of charity. You guys and DH are the only ones I've told I'm doing it, because I feel very strongly that they should be done in secret, an act of love just between me and God.

Kimby883 · March 2017

I am still going to give up the meat but I love me the lent fish fries every Friday in my area also crawfish boils! I wasn't prepared for today and had no protein other than meat so I ate coleslaw and a Popeyes biscuit for lunch. But crawfish casserole for dinner.

I am giving up my phone while my daughter is awake. I am a sahm mom so I am trying to be more present when she's awake with me. (She's in the bath with daddy right now)

ashley2824 · March 2017

amandarene112 said:

I'm adding a daily Lenten devotional, and performing a daily act of charity. You guys and DH are the only ones I've told I'm doing it, because I feel very strongly that they should be done in secret, an act of love just between me and God.

Completely agree with you! My MIL is famous for this! She has a heart of gold, but then will brag about her acts to everyone and anyone. One of my biggest pet peeves about her! Also good for you!

labby18 · March 2017

Kimby883 said:

I am still going to give up the meat but I love me the lent fish fries every Friday in my area also crawfish boils! I wasn't prepared for today and had no protein other than meat so I ate coleslaw and a Popeyes biscuit for lunch. But crawfish casserole for dinner.

I am giving up my phone while my daughter is awake. I am a sahm mom so I am trying to be more present when she's awake with me. (She's in the bath with daddy right now)

Yes! Craw daddies and fish fries!!! The Knights of Columbus are doing a fish fry at church every Friday! And I love a good craw boil!!

Becky012016 · March 2017

DH tells me every Lent he loves that he married a Catholic because I know where's all the best fish fry places are! Lol

labby18 · March 2017

Guilty pleasure...the only time of year I eat McDonalds is Lent for their fish sandwich...but Wendy's sandwiches are better.

mercury94 · March 2017

I'm not Catholic. Methodist. I did get my ashes today. Instead of giving anything up, I'm doing a challenge my old pastor suggested. I did it last year too. I will only listen to Christian music on the radio until Easter. No more rock music on the way to work.

toshandbabies · March 2017

Some years you pick the penance, other years it picks you! I've been having a complicated pregnancy and have been under alot of stress. It has really opened my eyes because I know the doctors can do nothing at this point (14w) and my baby is in God's hands. I have offered up all of my suffering to our Lord.

I also have started to pray to St. Gerard (patron of expectant mothers) and my sweet parents had a medal blessed and gave it to me before my ultrasound yesterday (healthy, growing baby)!

St. Gerard met a young girl and gave her a handkerchief stating that someday she may need it. Years later the girl married and became pregnant. She went into labor and had complications. She asked for the handkerchief and laid it upon her. Miraculously, baby was born healthy and momma was healthy too (very uncommon in the 1800s)! I have some other mom friends who wear a St. Gerard medal when giving birth.

Breath_Easy92 · March 2017

Lol i am a terrible person and decided I gave up a whole lot lately but then I felt guilty and decided that instead I'm going to try to make a daily effort to be more positive and worry less.

LaceyC1020 · March 2017

That's such a great idea @amandarene112! Love it!

Sugargirl1019 · March 2017

I have been sleeping in on Sundays because I'm so so so tired and my work schedule has me working most Saturdays. I'm going to make an effort to get back to going! I do miss it!

labby18 · March 2017

@Toshandbaby i am going to look into St Gerard. I have all sorts of Saint stuff for different things, but hadn't heard of him. Thanks for the info!

toshandbabies · March 2017

@lahearn18

I just got the results back from my ultrasound and doctor says the previous problem has resolved! My parents gave me the blessed medal just before the exam! However we did find out that my placenta is partially covering my cervix, but that is a much better diagnosis than I got two weeks ago!

livelovelucas · March 2017

I wondered about that. I haven't been able to eat much meat anyway, but I wasn't able to fast on Wednesday. Good to know that I didn't have to anyway! I like adding things that I should be doing for Lent to bring me closer to God. This year, since I know my outlook hasn't always been the best with feeling so sick, I am writing what I am thankful for every day. It keeps me in check!

CynOkwu · March 2017

Too nauseous to think but for now, staying positive. Trying to pray more

stephy_p · March 2017

@amandarene112 I was raised Baptist, and I concur...Baptists adequately guilt their children as well, lol!!!

Something I've never understood about Lent....Why does fish not count as meat?

labby18 · March 2017

@stephy_p
Because it's not from land I do believe.

labby18 · March 2017

At church this past sunday a thought came to me...soonish I won't be able to use the kneelers because my belly will too big to lean up against the next pew. Lol.

hatrats · March 2017

Alcohol. And thanks for the good ideas... I'm also going to try to be more patient with my 2yo. Really has proven to be difficult lately. Not sure if it's me or her, but she will *not* listen when I tell her "no" or "stop doing that" lately. Definitely missing the alcohol about now...

Kimby883 · March 2017

@hatrats right there with you on a 2yo who won't listen. It seems to have gotten worse this month but she is great for DH. She's such a dad's girl. I have a niece who is 6 months older so I see 6 months in my future and she had a phase too of not listening and then she was great. Now she is gearing up for the 3 year old stage!

@stephy_p I think fish doesn't count for the same reason vegetarians can eat seafood.

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