How We Celebrate A Baptismal Birthday

This weekend we celebrated our two daughters' baptismal birthdays. [To read up on what Lutherans believe about baptism, click  here and here --its a .pdf, don't be surprised.] Both our girls (ages 6 and 2), coincidentally, were baptized on the same Sunday of the Church year (Christ the King Sunday), albeit four years apart. 

I found these foam crown shapes and stickers at the Dollar Tree.  Given the Sunday's theme, the crowns seemed appropriate.  We talked about what it means when someone has a crown (They have power, control.  they are in charge.)   We discussed how God is the King and they were made daughter's of the king (effectively princesses and I love to couch that term in this framework versus Disney's definition). I asked what does a king do for his family?  Our eldest responded:  He takes care of them.  He protects them.  He gives them duties in the kingdom.  So we talked about what her duties were:  To be faithful to God, to love her neighbor ( in her "Kingdom" of daughter, sister, friend, etc.).  I was so thankful for the opportunity to begin discussing vocation with her.

When we started dinner, I brought out the baptismal candles (one was from the day our oldest was baptized and our other daughter was baptized at a church that didn't use candles in their rite, so we improvised.  We may purchase a baptismal candle that looks like her big sister's for next year.) and our Christ Candle we made at Easter.  We lit them all and sang "God's Own Child I Gladly Say It" instead of singing something akin to "Happy Birthday".  After we sang, I asked the girls to look at the candles and tell me what happened when I turned off the lights.  Our oldest replied: "Nothing!  It's still lit. Try turning off more lights."  And so I did until our entire downstairs was dark except for the candles.  I talked with our girls about how we have "dark times" in life, when we feel afraid, lonely, sad...when our hearts hurt.  But the candle didn't go out when it got dark, it stayed lit.  And God is faithful, even in the dark times.  He does not change.  The promises He gave us at our Baptism don't change.  I pray that these words linger in their ears their entire lives. 

   We served shells and cheese and we recalled how a shell is used to pour the water in our baptisms (although our daughter was quick to point out that you don't have to use the shell). 

For their actual baptismal birth date, I made a special breakfast.  I've heard this referred to several different ways:  bird's nest, toad-in-the-hole, etc.  But it's essentially a shape cut out of the middle of a slice of bread, with a fried egg in the middle.  I heat butter in a skillet and put the bread in first, then the egg.  Cook the egg as you normally would, flip and finish.  It's imperative that you cook the little cut out bit of bread as well (in the skillet) because dipping it in the runny egg yolk is SO delicious.  This morning I made a  cross cut out shape and we talked about how she received the sign of the cross both upon her forehead and heart, marking her as the Lord's.  

We try, each year, to give our children a  gift that affirms and celebrates their baptism.  This year, I created a t-shirt for each of them with their date and the first half of the hymn we sang.  If you'd like one, I'm selling them in my Etsy store. Our daughter declared that t-shirts are for her pajamas, so we haven't been able to get a picture of her in it yet. 

We try our best, as parents, to instill the importance of Baptism in our children, in hopes that they find their identity in the font, where they were put to death with Christ and raised to new, eternal life with Him. (Romans 6:3-5)  I used to have a professor who ended each class telling us, "Remember who you are and Whose you are."  I pray for our children that they find confidence and security in their Creator and the promises and work He's given and accomplished in their Baptisms.  And that's why we really whoop it up for their Baptismal birthday!

Songs for Autumn

I've all but disappeared with regards to this blog.  It wasn't intentional, but when I started this, I had hoped to only write when I felt I had something worthy to offer.  Lots of ideas have floated in and out these past few months, but nothing really formed into something substantive.  So, I'm here today offering something fairly light, but hopefully lovely.

Music has always been a big part of my life.  I used to sing atop my sliding board, as a kid, and the neighbors would call asking my parents to get me down.  I'm a loud singer :)
As time went on, I started taking singing lessons, singing in church, joining choirs, auditioning and being parts of elite choirs, singing in college, doing karaoke with friends, and singing in cars.  Now that I'm a mother, singing has been reformed in my life and now my days are filled with made up songs and whatever hymns I can recall by memory from my choir days.  I so miss being able to sing like I used to, but the definition of who I am is being refined and evolving. This vocation of motherhood is blessed and I chuckle at thinking that all of those years of vocal training weren't to take a big stage but rather to prepare me to soothe, teach, or entertain my children.

Here are my littles, creating quite the cacophony,  and this momma's heart couldn't be happier.

Music continues provide a soundtrack for my life.  I've made different playlists for each of my children's births: a way of distinctively marking that time in our family's life.  Some of my music has been listened to less intentionally, but even now, when I listen to Over the Rhine's Ohio, I'm instantly back in St. Louis, sitting in Kaldi's coffee shop, writing in my journal and people watching.
I just finished making this year's autumn playlist (is it weird my lists are so specific?).  I picked music that was either new to me in this season or songs that seemed to suit these gray cooler days.
 
1. Miracle by Sara Groves
A song to get quiet and to reconcile
2. Breaking you by Audrey Assad
About 3 minutes into the song, when she says to "Lift up your head, Help is on the way", I have yet to NOT cry when I hear that.  What sweet words of Gospel and hope!
3. Carry the Fire by Andrew Peterson
Reminds me Narnia: "And we dream in the night Of a king and a kingdom Where joy writes the songs And the innocent sing them"
4. New Song by Audrey Assad
 "And all I am is breath and vapor and shadows And all I have is what I need, this I know That I need a new song"  I can't tell you how often I sing these lyrics or the offertory of our liturgy [Psalm 51] during the day.  The song of confession and repentance is a central part of a Christian's life.
5. The Magic Hour by Andrew Peterson
This song makes me think of my parent's home in Virginia, tucked away in the woods, the long winding driveway and the sunset among the trees. To me, a drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains to observe the leaves changing is the essence of autumn.
6. Lament by Audrey Assad
"I am the picture of contentment and still I'm dissatisfied"  That is me.  All the time.  I often call my "look" the "fake it 'til I make it", trying to look pulled together until I feel together.  That season of feeling like I've got my act together seems long in coming, though.
7. Beautiful Things by Gungor
What better soundtrack for the season when the hills seem to catch fire as the leaves change colors...

8. Rest Easy by Andrew Peterson
"You don’t have to work so hard  You can rest easy  You don’t have to prove yourself  You’re already mine You don’t have to hide your heart  I already love you  I hold it in mine  So you can rest easy"
Who doesn't need to hear that every day?  Especially at the end of the day when I'm worn out, these words are balm.
9. Prairie Town by The Wailin' Jennys
Their harmonies are so lovely and  voices so clear.  Plus I live amongst the prairies and I love them.

10. The Voice of Jesus by Andrew Peterson
The pat Sunday School answer "Jesus" to all of the overwhelming-ness of life really is the most comforting answer.  There is no better compliment or assurance than being called Jesus' Bride. "So listen little girl, somewhere there's a King who will love you forever And nothing in the world, could ever come between you, my love, and this Lover..."
11. O My Soul by Audrey Assad
Her piano accompaniment is my favorite...
12. Joy is in Our Hearts by Sara Groves
"For good reason joy is in our hearts..." Amen.

So, cue up the music and let's listen together.  Music can bridge gaps, keep memories safe, and set the stage for the day. Maybe there's a song or two here that will resonate with you. 

Good Friday and Easter Preparations

All of my intended activities for Good Friday did NOT come to fruition.  I woke up to find my family had already been up for over an hour and fixed their own breakfasts.  The cinnamon roll sheep never appeared.  And it was just as well.  It took a bit more effort to get our Lenten Luncheon put together, but I was so pleased.  I think it went well, and as the children asked for more of something, we continued to talk about what that food represented and the account of Good Friday.

We had the candles lit, so when we were finished with our meal, they were allowed to blow the candle out, representing the sky turning dark when Jesus died.  This is definitely a meal I hope to do each year and as our children mature, I suspect our conversations will continue to evolve.  I appreciated how it was distinct, special, and set the tone for our day.  I also got to talk with our eldest quite a bit while putting the food together, so she had some extra explanation.  Blessed happenstance.


I was surprised that my husband was home for the evening Tenebrae service, so we tucked our older two girls into bed and I was blessed to worship, with our son asleep in the sling.

Today was spent preparing for Easter.  Our big girl helped decorate sugar cookies.  I'm so thankful for the cookie cutters my mother gifted to us. 

Reminds me of the butterfly from "The Hungry Caterpillar"

Love our little flock of sheep

I made an "empty tomb" centerpiece (got the idea off of Pinterest).  We used a decorative stone that I found at the Dollar Tree.  I thought the butterfly and lilies were quite fitting.  I remembered I wanted to do this centerpiece about 10 days ago and was worried the grass wouldn't grow in time.  What a silly worry!  I almost need to give our grass a trim.

I had hoped to make the same lamb roast I made last year, but the stores were sold out by the time I got around to our Easter shopping.  Instead, we'll have beef tenderloin, dinner rolls, and Parmesan crusted asparagus.  A special meal for a special day.  Blessed Eastertide, friends!

Maundy Thursday

We went to church this morning, the first time I sat by myself in the pew with all three little ones.  My arms are SORE, but we made it through service.  Our eldest daughter was such a big help!  I couldn't have done it without her.





We came home and we made soft pretzels. 




Our big girl formed her own. 

 

We made cinnamon and sugar pretzels and Parmesan cheese pretzels. They were so tasty right out of the oven.

 

Next, we made a diorama of Christ praying in the garden.  Our big girl had a great time looking for just the right rocks and flora to put in our box.  When we were finished, she wanted to put the diorama in her room next to her bed. She's been having nightmares and she said it would comfort her at night since it would remind her that Jesus is always praying for her.

 

She also wanted to make a diorama of other parts of the Passion Account:  Judas and his pieces of silver, Christ on the cross, Jesus washing the disciples' feet, etc.  Good to know that she liked this craft.

 

I washed her feet and painted her toenails, talking with her about how Jesus, who is important like a King is important, did such a menial, dirty job because He loves us by serving us.  I tried to talk with her about loving her siblings by serving them, but her attention span was spent.  I'll keep trying.

Sometimes it seems the more I try to make something meaningful, the more the point seems to be missed, the more stress gets introduced into our day (rather than significance and Gospel).   I pray for seeds to be planted.  For traditions to be started and when our children are in their teens, I pray for them to be insistent that we have home-made pretzels and pedicures because it's Maundy Thursday and the conversations that follow to be steeped in faith and the Word. 

 

 

Triduum

In case anyone wanted to join us in our Holy Week home activities, I thought I'd post them here, at least a day in advance.  We intend to attend services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  Easter vigil service is too late in the day for our little ones and we'd spend more time out of church rather than in it.
I'll try to post some pictures of our activities in progress too.

Maundy Thursday:
We'll make pretzels.  As the pretzels are folded, we also fold our hands in prayer.  I hope to talk with our children about Jesus' prayer in the garden, how we are to pray, etc.  We may make this diorama if time/energy permits.
I also plan on giving our eldest daughter a pedicure with some scented bubble bath. Not only is this fun for her, but to talk to her about Jesus washing His disciples' feet and how we love one another by serving each other.  I hope to somehow tie the scented bubble bath with "the fragrance of the knowledge of Him" and being the aroma of Christ :)

Good Friday:
Make sheep-shaped cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  Talk about "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." 
Have this Good Friday luncheon with friends.

Holy Saturday:
Make and decorate Easter themed sugar cookies (a butterfly, lamb, cross, flower) and talk about what those shapes remind us of with regard to Easter/resurrection/new life, etc.

Easter Saturday:
Make Resurrection rolls (marshmallows, crescent roll dough, butter, cinnamon and sugar:  Dip the marshmallow in the butter, roll in the sugar and cinnamon [representing anointing Jesus' body for burial], seal up the marshmallow in the dough [placing Jesus' body in the tomb], put the rolls in the oven [shutting them up in the oven = shutting Jesus' body in the tomb], when done, the marshmallows have melted away leaving a void [representing that Jesus body was not in the tomb, He is risen!] We'll spend the day reading our Easter books, saying "Alleluia! He is risen!", make an Alleluia banner to decorate our home, and hopefully creating a celebratory and restful feel in our home.

I pray that perhaps some of these ideas may bless you and your family as you prepare for Holy Week and Easter.

Prayer

In our hymnal, there is a section designated for Daily Prayer for Individuals and Families.  It follows the Daily Office of Prayer.  In this section, there are suggestions for a pattern of daily/weekly prayer.  I always mean to use these suggestions because they remind me to pray for others or topics I don't normally remember to pray for. 
Along with the kneeler I mentioned in my last post, my husband got an old hymn board from the closed church.  We had been using it in our kitchen to post pictures, but I decided that I'd like to put cards with corresponding pictures to help me (and the rest of our family) be mindful in prayer.  We're in the kitchen often, so I thought we'd be constantly  moved to prayer, especially with how distracting life can be. 

The set of cards on the board today is for Monday.  My hope is that our eldest daughter will help put the cards on in the morning and it will be a chance to talk with her about why we pray for these things and to help her pray for them as well.  This morning, she asked to pray for a loving school (after seeing the card with the school on it).  I'm not an artist by any means, but I pray for these images to move us in love for our neighbor.

I used to say that I only had two prayers:  "Thank you." and "Help."  There are other prayers I want to pray, it just seems that life is so distracting.  I had read an article the other day about how to grow in prayer.  The author suggested that you use a repeated action, throughout the day, to remind you to be in prayer. Since I change so many diapers these days, I thought that would be an oft repeated action, to remind me to be in prayer, especially to be in prayer for our children, for their hearts and attitudes, for their futures and for help in my vocation as their mother.

Lest this post seem like I'm bragging about how righteous or holy we are, let me be the first to say that these are our ideals, but we fail them often.  My hope is that these ideas would be a blessing to you. May you be constant in prayer and know that you are also being prayed FOR.

Preparing for Lent

The season of Lent is coming.  While still in the sleepy, transitional, we-have-a-one-month-old-in-our-home stage of life, I'm also trying to prepare.  To gather supplies and ideas.  To ready my heart as well as intentionally teach our children the faith.  Some seasons of life lend themselves to this ideal more easily, but as we approach Ash Wednesday, I find myself excited.  The seasons of the church year provide the topics for our speech, for the lessons I desire to teach our children, for the ways we spend our days.  The shift in season jolts me out of spiritual sleepiness and into action.   

We have a family altar.  In reality, it is a small table in the corner, covered by a crocheted banner of a cross and Easter lily my mother made for me when I graduated with my diaconal certification.    We use the table to hold our bibles, prayer books, hymnals, etc. that we use daily.  In front of the table is a kneeler we rescued from a church that had closed.  Above the kneeler are two icons we bought for each other when we married.  And in the corner is our collection of vases and crystal candle holders.  I've always found this cluster of glass to be a prayer prompt of sorts.  Those empty vessels inspire my heart to pray, "Come fill us Lord. We are easily broken and empty."  It seems an especially appropriate prayer as we enter the season of Lent.

I've been gathering ideas from all over the internet for celebrating Lent (and Easter) with our children.  We went to the Dollar Store today to see what supplies would fit with my ideas.  We'll be making a crown of thorns out of the wreath, using toothpicks.  I thought the butterfly foam cut outs would make lovely Easter decorations (and my girls love to glue on just about anything).  I think I'll save the crowns for Christ the King Sunday in November...I had seen a mother make a sort of Lenten wreath (similar to an Advent wreath).  She had a family Pascal candle in the center.  When I saw this particular candle at the Dollar Store, I thought that would be a perfect fit.  My husband is hoping we can decorate it with some appropriate symbols.   Another idea I had see was to plant grass seed in small pots and they should have sprouted and grown by Easter.  As we wait for the grass to sprout, we can talk to our girls about Christ being buried in the tomb, and coming out of the darkness with new life.  I had meant to do this with paper whites or amaryllis bulbs, but grass seed is cheaper, I don't have a green thumb and I forgot to plan ahead.  Maybe next year...

I hope to share our other ideas as they come to fruition.

How do you celebrate Lent?