Day 2.

Today I donated this item from my closet

Today I learned that I was correct about Ash Wednesday marking the start of Lent. I thought lent was 40 days, but it is actually 46 because Sundays do not count. I was also correct that the ashes symbolize human mortality as well as our repentance to God. The ashes are put on the foreheads of believers until they wear off. I learned that the ashes are from palm branches from the previous years Palm Sunday service. When the ashes are placed on a believer's forehead, a priest will say, "Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return" from Genesis 3:19 or "Repent, and believe the Gospel" from Mark 1:15. So, I learned some new knowledge today about Lent, but more importantly, I learned how to give thanks for what I have. 

Earlier this afternoon I went to get my hair cut. My hair stylist just returned from a missions project in Guatemala. She said to me, "What was so humbling and amazing was that the Guatemalans have so little, but have so much more joy in the items they do have. They are just way more thankful for what they have, which is very little compared to us." I thought about her statement a long time because I knew it was specifically relating to what I am doing during Lent. I am trying to simplify and still be thankful. I realized that I take the clothes in my closet for granted. I often complain that I have nothing to wear, but in reality, I have too much to wear! Enough to share with those in need. When was the last time I thanked God for the abundance of clothing in my closets? Never....How sad! How can a person in a third world country find so much joy in just a few possessions, but I get caught up in wanting more?

I need to be more thankful everyday. I need to express my gratitude to God more, rather than just always complaining and asking. I need to be finding my joy in the love that God shows to me everyday and not just in how much I like my new jean jacket. I need to simplify and find joy in the more important parts in life like family and friends. I need to GiveItUp! so I can give more thanks to God.