Ash Wednesday February 22, 2012

Many Christian Americans mark Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent. It follows Shrove Tuesday, which features Mardi Gras celebrations.
Some Christians in the United States attend special Ash Wednesday church services. This includes students who attend Catholic and other church schools. Priests usually place blessed ashes in form of the cross on individuals' foreheads to remind them of mortality, sorrow for sins, change, and forgiveness.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lenten discipline for observant Christians. It is traditionally a time of fasting and prayer in preparation for receiving or reaffirming baptism at Easter. For some Christians, Lent is a time to think about one's life choices and mortality, as well as reflect on life directions. It serves as a wakeup call for some Christians. There are also those who choose this time of the year to donate to charities or take part in charity events as a way to get close to God.

I am all for this celebration although my church is Baptist and we not do celebrate this religious symbolism of Lent. My grandmother used to take this time to fast, but I do not carry on the tradition of fasting at this time. As you grow in your faith and become more Christ- like, then you have a deeper understanding, of the practice and ritual that takes place on Ash Wednesday. Mostly the catholic churches reflect lent and some branches from the Catholic Church like Episcopal. We have a catholic church in Seneca, located on Bountyland Road which is just to the left and off of hwy 28 going toward Walhalla behind the original Bountyland Quick Stop. The building is amazing and is so beautiful. So even if you are not Catholic it is worth coming to look at just for the beautiful architecture. Next comes Easter which is widely celebrated by all Christians. Who don't love to celebrate Easter? It is such a joyous occasion!

Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is very exciting especially if you have kids. It is all about love in the air and exchanging cards, flowers, candy, and gifts. As a mother I just love getting that list of students and helping my son fill out the cards to give out to all of his class mates. We had loads of fun this year and I can't wait until the next time. I put together a little info on Valentine's Day you might just be interested in reading!

Cupid

In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin cupido, meaning "desire") is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is often portrayed as the son of the goddess Venus, with a father rarely mentioned. His Greek counterpart is Eros. Cupid is also known in Latin as Amor ("Love"). The Amores (plural) or amorini in the later terminology of art history are the equivalent of the Greek Erotes.

Although Eros appears in Classical Greek art as a slender winged youth, during the Hellenistic period he was increasingly portrayed as a chubby boy. During this time, his iconography acquired the bow and arrow that remain a distinguishing attribute; a person, or even a deity, who is shot by Cupid's arrow is filled with uncontrollable desire. The Roman Cupid retains these characteristics, which continue in the depiction of multiple cupids in both Roman art and the later classical tradition of Western art.^[1]
In Latin literature, Cupid's ability to compel love and desire plays an instigating role in several myths or literary scenarios. In Vergil's Aeneid, Cupid prompts Dido to fall in love with Aeneas, with tragic results. Ovid makes Cupid the patron of love poets. Cupid is a central character, however, in only the traditional tale of Cupid and Psyche, as told by Apuleius.

Cupid was a continuously popular figure in the Middle Ages, when under Christian influence he often had a dual nature as Heavenly and Earthly love, and in the Renaissance, when a renewed interest in classical philosophy endowed him with complex allegorical meanings. In contemporary popular culture, Cupid is shown shooting his bow to inspire romantic love, often as an icon of Valentine's Day. Copied.





The movie clip that I attached is from the new movie "The Vow" that is based on a real life story and is out in theaters just in time for you to go see it for Valentines Day!

Kids Books

"Silly Tilly's Valentine" by: Lillian Hoban

"The Valentine Bears" by: Eve Bunting pictures by: Jan Brett

"A Sweetheart for Valentine" by: Lorna Ballan

Kids Movies

Alvin and the Chipmunks "The Valentine Collection"

Obviously there are many more books and movies to add but, these are a few that I hope you enjoy!

If you come to the Walhalla Library located in Oconee County and guess Cupids mothers name then you can enter to win the book: The Summons by: John Grisham

Volunteering

Volunteering is something that is near and dear to my heart! Our communities where we live depends on volunteers everyday to keep a town going. Take the local soup kitchen. If it wasn't for people coming in to volunteer...our homeless would not have anything to eat. Our Daily Rest in Seneca  houses the homeless for Oconee County. We have our local food bank which in my town is called the Golden Corner Food Bank. Habitat for Humanity builds affordable houses for people. Fire Departments are mostly ran by volunteers. (I myself am inactive Corinth-Shiloh Fire Department Station #3.We have first responders again..(former ER-1, ER-4 board member and special needs). Volunteers at the hospital. We have volunteers who work at a pregnancy center counciling crisis pregnancies and that give out diapers, baby food, and clothes. We have the Sunday School Classes at local churches. Our local Red Cross DAT Team is a great one. CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is a great one! We have many opportunities to get out there and make a difference in our community. It looks really great on a resume and you get to meet some of the greatest people. Who knows...they might even help you one day!!! Go and volunteer somewhere! You'll be glad you did!