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My family tries to use the weeks between Mardi Gras and Easter to slow down, reflect, and hopefully reconnect. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, New Year's parties and Mardi Gras parades, but I always look forward to this time of year when things in our home turn to thinking of others and improving family life. Here are some of the activities we use to help us grow stronger as a family.

Many churches/schools in the Baton Rouge area prepare delicious and economical seafood gumbo lunches or fried fish dinners on Friday during Lent. I have found that taking part in these meals is a great way to bring my family together on Fridays and get the weekend off to a great start. We also use this period of time to discuss giving back to the community as a family. Little things children can do include cleaning out the toy room or closet and donating as a family to those in need; depositing cans of food into the Baton Rouge Food Bank containers at most groceries; or visiting an elderly family member or neighbor.

My family's two favorite charitable acts are Operation Rice Bowl and Empty Bowls. Feeding the hungry appeals to me and my husband so much because of our inability to comprehend the pain of hunger and suffering associated with not feeding the family. For Operation Rice Bowl we collect our loose change in a bowl and pass the funds along to the hungry. It increases awareness of others and reminds us of the extras we can do without in order to assist the hungry. The Empty Bowls event is in its fifth year of raising funds for the Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul's soup kitchen by selling handmade pottery and delicious bowls of gumbo. This year it will be Feb. 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Louisiana School for the Deaf. The tickets cost $10 and are available in advanced here. The students at the Louisiana School for the Deaf also provide wonderful entertainment during the evening, and a silent auction takes place before the meal. Enjoy the next few weeks and remember to rest, reflect and reunite with your family!