Lenten Postcard Prayer Project

Inspired by the Family Lent tradition shared by the Totus Tuus Family on their blog, we’ve decided to make an extra effort to prayer for our friends and family this Lent. We’ll spend the next few days gathering names on slips of paper in a basket. Then, during Lent, the kids can draw a name out at dinnertime and we’ll say a special prayer for that person.

I think it’s also important for us to share a little note with the people we pray for. I know it will help the kids make a more concrete connection with prayer. And hopefully, it’ll be a joy for the recipients to get a piece of happy mail.

I’ve made these postcards that the kids can personalize by coloring the flowers or even just signing their names. There is also space to write the recipient’s name at the top and the date. Yes, it’s going to be a big chunk of postage, but I think it’ll be worth it.

I invite you to download the file I made here. After downloading, just find some white or colorful cardstock, print the first page, flip it, print the 2nd page on the back, and cut into 4 cards.

{The cards were created with flower clip art from: http://openclipart.org and the Pea Kassidy from Kevin & Amanda at www.kevinandamanda.com/ }

I’ve added this post to the Lenten Link-Up at Catholic Icing where you will find more ideas for celebrating a meaningful Lent.

Beautiful books

We love our library and all the new children’s books just waiting to be discovered. Here’s a fun author I came across recently…

If you’re a sucker for chubby penguins, you need to check out the works of Oliver Jeffers. Up and Down is my new favorite. It also explains why penguins don’t fly. I stumbled on a special video of the author reading Up and Down: http://www.upanddownbook.com/ It’s an awesome teaser to the story. While you’re there, check out the fun activity sheets!

And while you’re adding new treasures to your kids’ bookshelf, why not submit a picture to the “Around the World in 100 Bookshelves” project. Taking a picture of ours is on my to-do list…