We begin our Lenten journey going to the place where it all started. In Genesis we see Adam and Eve's hearts being led astray by the temptation to circumvent God and claim life on their own terms. God alone is life, and the consequence of sin is separation from God…death. Ash Wednesday is a day we remember that from the ashes we were made and because of sin to ashes we will return. It is also on this day we remember the mercy of our God who cleansed our forsaken ashes, in the waters of our baptism, and has claimed us as His very own. It's the grace of God that leads us to remember our sin, repent of them, and turn to our God for renewal again.