Happy Lent!

Hello, friends! 

Happy Lent to those who observe (celebrate?) this season. I didn't grow up in a particularly liturgical church tradition, so a lot of this stuff is relatively new to me. 

Liturgy is something that I've really gotten to appreciate more and more as I've grown in my faith and learned more about the church traditions. While there is something to be said for the risk of legalism, I really believe that there is something powerful in thousands, if not millions of people all saying the same words and worshipping God in the same way at the same time. 

This year, I decided to take Lent a little more seriously and be a little more intentional about it. One of the things I chose to "give up" was anything that wasn't water for drinking. I'm not a big coffee drinker but I do enjoy soda, tea, and bubble tea. I'm also limiting my eating window (aka intermittent fasting). 

Friends, I have no problem telling you that the hardest thing has been the "water only" fast. I had no idea how much non-water I drank throughout the day. I drink a lot of water regularly but it's something else when it's the ONLY thing you have to drink.

Apparently, Sundays are considered "mini Easters" so the Lenten fasting doesn't apply. Megan reminded me of this and it was a LIFESAVER. This fast really has reminded me of how much I am dependent on things other than Jesus. It's been a good Lent. 

However you're celebrating (or not celebrating) Lent this year, I hope that it brings you closer to Jesus and gives you a better understanding of the sacrifice he made for us. As for me, I'm going to keep sucking down water and waiting for April 20th. 

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

Spring Training!!!

Hello, friends! 

Last year, my dad turned 70 and as a bucket list item, he wanted to go to to Cardinals Spring Training with his boys. He's been to Spring Training in Arizona before but he'd never seen his St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Florida. The scheduling didn't work out last year but this year we were able to make the trip happen. 

Friends, I have no problem telling you that this trip was a TON of fun. I knew we were going to have a good time but I didn't know that it was going to be this good. From front to back, I really enjoyed myself and was so thankful for the trip. Here are a few highlights:

- BASEBALL. I think I've written about this before but baseball is still my first love. I don't watch baseball as much as I used to and Ezra is more of a soccer guy but whenever I get a chance to be around baseball, it's a really good time. Watching batting practice and seeing a live baseball game was objectively good for my soul. 

- BASEBALLS. We attended 2 games while we were there. During the first game, I achieved my own bucket list item: I got a foul ball! One of the Nationals players hit a foul ball down the third base line. The Cardinals left fielder grabbed the ball and flipped it over the fence, right into our area. The ball bounced and I was able to get a hand on it before anyone else could. Later, we played catch with it on the beach. It was pretty great.

- MORE BASEBALLS! Not to be outdone, both my brother and Dad got baseballs too! My brother got his foul ball during the next game and my dad got a ball from an umpire as they were leaving the second game. I don't think it was my dad's first ball but I know it was my brother's, which is great because he was working really hard to get it. 

- EATING TONS. Y'all, we ate a whole bunch on this trip. Most of it was good. Most of it was terrible for me. Most of it I don't regret. Our menu included pizza, fried chicken, diner food, hotel breakfast, mussels, pasta, nachos, burgers, shaved ice, Italian ice, and lots of French fries. My favorite meal was actually all the ballpark peanuts I ate. There's something so good about eating peanuts while watching live baseball. 

There were other great things too. I went for a run along the Atlantic Ocean, played Top Golf, and was able to connect with my brother, brother in law, and Dad. I'm very much looking forward to our next trip when my dad turns 80. =0).

Have an excellent day! 

~Adam