Today is the first day of Lent - Ash Wednesday. Today is a day when I miss the rhythm's of home. I am not sure if it is the Protestantism of America, or the secularism of Seattle but either way (or neither way) Ash Wednesday is different. Maybe it is because religion is tightly wound around personal identity in Belfast and not so much here? At home, Ash Wednesday is a day people mark and remember more often. A day when you can spot the practicing Catholics by the Ash on their forehead...part of me misses this rhythm, it kinda like how Sunday in Seattle is no different to Saturday...I miss the excitement around yesterday - Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day - how many can you eat? (none of that maple syrup nonsense here - butter, sugar, lemon juice or if you want jam/honey)
Anyway, today Malia and I have begun to mark lent with prayer and fasting, not a strict food fast but fasting off different things...in this we would ask that you join us in reaching our most immediate goal for this Lent - to raise $2,000 for water purification in the Dominican Republic...In a time of preparation and sacrifice we ask that you consider giving a financial gift for this project. What better way to mark Lent than to give the gift of water to a community!
Shoot me a message/comment on here if you are interested.
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