How can I describe this week, but best week ever. Normally we begin Lent on Ash Wednesday, but my family, due to unforeseen unintended consequences of overspending the week before, began our fast the Saturday before Ash Wednesday. We had many bills that all hit the bank at the same time. Mortgage, school for my youngest daughter, auto registration and a few other major things, that just could not be put off. So we started the week before lent, already in the negative.

My husband & I began to take stock of all the items we had in the pantry and freezer, ensuring we had enough food for the week, including what we would need for school lunches. I had not shopped yet so we didn’t have much, but our Lord ensured  us that we had everything we needed, and we were at peace, knowing that no matter what, we would do the best we could this week.

I had a little flour and olive oil, (in all honesty, as I found those two items, I pondered Elijah and the Widow, and I will get to that in a moment)  sugar, eggs , rice, a few bags of vegetables in the freezer along with a couple of pounds of different meat that had been frozen. A jar of peanut butter and some jelly, half a loaf of white bread and five apples.

We had already paid in advance for our youngest daughters hot lunch for a couple of days, and only needed to make sure she had three lunches for the week.  As dinner time arrived on Sunday evening, I took what I had found, prayed and did the best I could, with what I had. It was enough for us all and was good and very  filling.

Monday came and our daughters had lunches for school and I prayed and pondered what I could do for them for dinner. With the little flour and oil I had, I made a pizza crust by hand for the very first time. I had a small jar of yeast in the refrigerator I had bought a few months ago, which was still good to use. I had a half a bag of cheese which I used for stuffed shells the week before, a tiny can of chopped olives and three frozen Italian sausages. Every time I had tried to make bread it had failed miserably. I could never get the temperature right with the water and yeast, and ended up killing the yeast. Not this time. I mixed the warm water and the yeast, got the flour and measured just what I needed, having only two cups of flour left, with a little olive oil left. I added the yeast mixture to the flour, salt and sugar I had measured, placed it in the oven covered, and left it. When I checked on it later, it had doubled in size. It WORKED! I was dancing because I was so happy! Didn’t have a clue how it would taste, but it didn’t matter. I had a crust! Later that day, I assembled it for dinner & placed it in the oven for dinner, thanking our Lord in gratitude that it all came together and worked.

It was the BEST pizza we had ever had. My husband and children now want me to make it for them all the time. We will no longer be getting carry out, because it is just that good.

Tuesday came and lunches were provided for and as far as dinner, we had plans to attend Palm Burning and the Mardi Gras at our parish, which the youth group was sponsoring. I needed to bring a dish for my family, and a side dish to share. I made mashed sweet potatoes & meat loaf for us. Again, our Lord providing what we needed, through a little cash we had set aside.

Ash Wednesday and our children had minimal lunches, and we fasted until our Parish held soup night, just before the 7:00 PM Holy Mass. Our Lord providing again, and again.

Thursday came and our children had lunches. My husband’s check would register this night. We had nothing left but the flour, olive oil, left over tomato sauce, a little cheese and a sausage left in the fridge. I made that pizza again for them for dinner and just like the first time, the crust worked and everyone was satisfied. Although that evening we all realized how hungry we were after fasting the day before. We waited a little longer until Friday when I was able to shop again for what we needed.

That entire week, was one of the best weeks we had ever had as a family. No one was upset about our situation. No one missed being able to run to the store for things they wanted. Everyone understood that we were doing the best we could and we all made the most of it and I give the praise, glory and honor to our Lord, Jesus Christ for providing it all. Especially the understand and the peace among us. We all LIVED, trusting in our Lord who provides for all our needs.