Hi and Bye All in One Week

This week we adopted a black lab puppy from the Granite City Animal Protection Association. We named him Baloo and welcomed him with open arms. Toby didn't really want anything to do with him the first night, but the next day they were playing like besties.

Well, the first night we had him I noticed my eyes were itching really badly. After I held Baloo, my neck was all red and itchy too. I thought it could just be something left from where he was living before so he and Toby both went to visit the groomer the next day. I picked them up and was very sad to learn the itching did NOT go away. Steve and I talked at length and decided we had to give Baloo back to the Granite City APA to give him the best chance of being adopted by another loving family.

We are SUPER sad to see him go, but we know this is the best thing for all of us. I am taking him back to his foster mom, Kelly, in about an hour and I am a stinking mess. Between itchy eyes and intermittent crying, this is the pits.

If you know of anyone who might be looking for an adorable, loving and super smart puppy, Baloo is the one for them. On the APA website his name is Harvey. He is even doing really well with potty training! Help us find him a great home please!

My take on Lent

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism.

Jesus retreated into the wilderness and fasted for forty days to prepare for his ministry. It was for Him a time of contemplation, reflection, and preparation. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days.

Ash Wednesday - Coming up THIS Wednesday - Biblical societies relied very heavily on wood fires for heating and cooking, which meant that keeping ashes under control was a major housekeeping task. Then as now, if a person was preoccupied with something serious, they didn’t always tend to the housekeeping—it’s the least of their concerns. Imagine that there is a death in the family. A friend stopping by to pay their respects might gently say, “Did you know you have ashes on your face?”

So ashes became a sign of remorse, repentance, and mourning. During Lent, ancient Christians mourned their sins and repented of them, so it was appropriate for them to show their sincerity by having ashes on their foreheads.

SO - Steve and I will be attending Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning to observe Ash Wednesday (He will be working during the service at EUCC). We will then participate in fasting the Hejna way - We are giving up any place with a drive-thru for Lent. That means no Hit-N-Run or Starbucks too. It should be difficult!

Website Complete

I have officially gotten all the necessary info on the Policeman's Ball website. Now it's time to get sponsors and auction items. Whew - here's to hoping this year is as big a success as last year!

Feel free to check it out!

http://sites.google.com/site/altonpolicemansball/