...but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b-14
It's been two weeks since my last blog post and normally I'd fall into despair at my inability to keep my goal of blogging frequently and counting daily towards the goal of One Thousand. But today, I feel different. Today I find encouragement in Paul's words and I stretch and yearn to forget that which is behind (that isn't worth remembering) and press toward the goal instead.
75. For James' job that gets him up at 5am to feed, shelter and clothe us.
76. A date with a sweet friend at a lovely little place. Wine & cheese and lovely conversation.
77. Valentine dinner: bacon wrapped shrimp.
78. Homemade Valentines cards from Joseph and Charissa.
79. A card from Kelsey that she bought and had every one sign, telling us of love and friendship.
80. My love signing to me the song he wrote 19 years ago for his proposal. A song he hasn't sung since that special day.
81. Sun! Crisp and Bright!
82. A day of chopping and wood and hauling it to the shed.
83. Nicholas discovering that it actually feels good to use and grow his muscles when hauling wood. Discovering manhood!
84. Blue sky & sunshine several days in a row.
85. Charissa discovering the beauty of a clean and organized room. Her room has stayed clean all week!
86. An alarm clock with a radio --CeeJay
87. Sunshine and green house planning with mom.
88. Beef--K
89. Putting full trust in God for the unknown future.
90. An evening telling stories & laughing with James and girls.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Day One of Love Week
Nineteen years ago today, my sweet beloved got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. He took me to dinner, arranged to have his moms apartment decorated with candles while we were out and when we returned to the candlelit apartment he sang a song that he wrote.
I said yes.
And today I love him more than I ever could imagine.
We've grown up.
And still grow today.
Counting today...
71. For 19 years of growth and true love.
72. Girl time, mom time talking and commiserating, encouraging and caring.
73. A cart full of stipend paid curriculum and fun.
74. James' sweet note on Facebook, "It appears my phone is having trouble with Facebook - probably a good thing. But here is what I was TRYING to "say" publicly to my better half during the commute: 19 years ago today I sang a proposal. Cheesy though the words may now seem and despite all the normal and yet unexpected wear and tear of everyday life that may tend to make us cynics, those words are no less true today than they were in 1994. "I STILL feel like I've never felt before, and all my life I dreamed that it would be this way." fdj" I love you, James.
I said yes.
And today I love him more than I ever could imagine.
We've grown up.
And still grow today.
Counting today...
71. For 19 years of growth and true love.
72. Girl time, mom time talking and commiserating, encouraging and caring.
73. A cart full of stipend paid curriculum and fun.
74. James' sweet note on Facebook, "It appears my phone is having trouble with Facebook - probably a good thing. But here is what I was TRYING to "say" publicly to my better half during the commute: 19 years ago today I sang a proposal. Cheesy though the words may now seem and despite all the normal and yet unexpected wear and tear of everyday life that may tend to make us cynics, those words are no less true today than they were in 1994. "I STILL feel like I've never felt before, and all my life I dreamed that it would be this way." fdj" I love you, James.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Love Week!
I've been looking forward to blogging this post for awhile despite being totally ill prepared for it. I just knew I wanted to post about this week. It is special. I will call it Love Week. I have plans, sort of (because I need to be realistic and make low expectations for myself), to make it an awesome week. I plan to give of myself daily, with love, extra special.
The obvious is that on Thursday it is Valentines Day but the not so obvious to you is that tomorrow is the anniversary of my amazing husbands proposal to me ( nineteen years!!! I'm in awe). So it starts the week, February 11th, the day of proposal, ending with Valentines Day (or close to ending), thus we shall name it Love Week.
(I wish I had pictures to insert here.)
I'm feeling quite blessed as of late. Maybe it's this awesome counting to one thousand that is helping. I'm certain it doesn't hurt.
I know I am not counting every day like I should be. But when I do take the time to watch and seek God's beauty and blessings, it really does make a difference.
56. Sunny day of 52degrees.
57. Cooking corned beef (1st time ever) & cabbage for St. Brigid---one day late.
58. A shower with warm water---CeeJay
59. Pics of wedding & baby years to bring smiles and joy to the dinner table.
60. Sweet kids WANTING to sing Les Mis songs.
61. Sweet girl of 13 hugging me & telling me she loves me, on her own, for no reason.
62. Sweet girl of 13 helping Mrs. Hainly with a tree in her yard.
63. Lovely girls encouraging mom & dad to date.
64. Clean clothes.
65. Sweet smell of incense.
66. Beautiful blue flowers for the Theotokos.
67. Early morning prayers.
68. Date night, double date with awesome friends, and a movie--Les Miserables in the theater. ( Have I mentioned this movie could change your life?)
69. Newly built stairs to the cabin---thank you Hickmans.
70. Singing in choir today.
Love Week...I'm so looking forward to Love Week.
The obvious is that on Thursday it is Valentines Day but the not so obvious to you is that tomorrow is the anniversary of my amazing husbands proposal to me ( nineteen years!!! I'm in awe). So it starts the week, February 11th, the day of proposal, ending with Valentines Day (or close to ending), thus we shall name it Love Week.
(I wish I had pictures to insert here.)
I'm feeling quite blessed as of late. Maybe it's this awesome counting to one thousand that is helping. I'm certain it doesn't hurt.
I know I am not counting every day like I should be. But when I do take the time to watch and seek God's beauty and blessings, it really does make a difference.
56. Sunny day of 52degrees.
57. Cooking corned beef (1st time ever) & cabbage for St. Brigid---one day late.
58. A shower with warm water---CeeJay
59. Pics of wedding & baby years to bring smiles and joy to the dinner table.
60. Sweet kids WANTING to sing Les Mis songs.
61. Sweet girl of 13 hugging me & telling me she loves me, on her own, for no reason.
62. Sweet girl of 13 helping Mrs. Hainly with a tree in her yard.
63. Lovely girls encouraging mom & dad to date.
64. Clean clothes.
65. Sweet smell of incense.
66. Beautiful blue flowers for the Theotokos.
67. Early morning prayers.
68. Date night, double date with awesome friends, and a movie--Les Miserables in the theater. ( Have I mentioned this movie could change your life?)
69. Newly built stairs to the cabin---thank you Hickmans.
70. Singing in choir today.
Love Week...I'm so looking forward to Love Week.
Friday, February 01, 2013
Feast Day
St. Brigid of Kildare commemorated today, February 1st.
St. Brigid is the patroness of our farm and so today we celebrate. I first wanted to celebrate by butchering chickens, but alas the good deacon must work today and I can't do it alone. So we'll get some school done and then work in the gardens and farm yards trying to beautify. It is suppose to clear and be somewhat sunny today and 50 degrees.
Counting....counting to find the good and beautiful in every moment of every day. We need it. To look less at the ugly and focus on beauty.
"On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces..."(1 Corinthians 11:23-24). Jesus, on the night before the driving hammer and iron piercing through ligament and sinew, receives what God offers as grace (charis), the germ of His thanksgiving (eucharistia)? Oh. Facing the abandonment of God Himself (does it get any worse than this?), Jesus offers thanksgiving for even that which will break Him and crush Him and wound Him and yield a bounty of joy (chara). -Ann Voskamp One Thousand Gifts
45. Sheets hanging on the line in January
46. Sweet girl voices singing
47. 4-yr. old Isabelle saying, "I like math too. Will you buy me math?"
48. Bright sun on wet roads.
49. The warmth of a fire.
50. Freshly mopped floors. Thank you, Kelsey.
51. Finished garden gate, built from scratch and hanging straight (sort of)!
52. Fresh ideas for organization.
53. Fresh garlic oil ready to use.
54. Homemade sauerkraut
55. Les Mierables--CeeJay
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
a movie
On Friday my beloved deacon (for those of you who didn't know, James became a deacon in the Orthodox Church on September 23rd, Glory to God for all things!) and I took our 2 daughters (13 & 16) to see Les Miserables.
This movie is beyond words. By far one of the most moving movies I have ever seen.
My father-in-law has always been a fan of Les Miserables the production, and the deacon convinced his dad to go see the movie. He wrote us after seeing it and said it was by far the best rendition of Les Mis he has ever seen and probably one of the best movies he's seen in his whole life.
You will not regret seeing this movie.
It was the first movie I have seen in a theater in about 10 years. Despite being totally blown away by how much it cost to go to a dinner and movie with my girls, it was totally worth it!
"To love another person is to see the face of God."
I keep counting, counting towards 1,000. Each day I look for more. Hoping that as the days go by I will find deep gratitude on every level of every day. Gratitude that will bring me salvation. Take me to God.
26. Fresh carrot/apple juice with a hint of ginger. The smell of ginger is so alive.
27. Joseph trying carrot juice. -CJ
28. Soft pillow for my head.
29. Wood to burn
30. Getting school done. -CJ
31. Food...lots of good.
32. Dishes being done by a 13yo at an odd time of the day & I only had to ask once!
33. A mommy who loves to help make dinner & watch boys for date night.
34. Dinner & a movie with 2 beautiful girls and an awesome hubby.
35. A glass of red wine.
36. The smell of coffee, fresh ground & brewing.
37. A Letter to All the World's Daughters.
38. Les Miserables motion picture that evokes deep emotion and thought.
39. Strong man brought to tears by the beauty of a movie.
40. Dishes being done by gracious daughter.
41. Digging in the earth in January, cleaning garden beds.
42. Fresh compost that I created!
43. Frugal grocery shopping.
44. Coyotes howling in the night...reminding us, as we sleep, that God's creation is alive and full and all around us.
I will endeavor to blog more often. Adding to my list more often rather than such a long list every so often.
I desire to write more. I've been reading good things lately and the flow of words and the beauty all around have been inspiring me to want to put words on paper (even though it is virtual paper). I do write in a journal so I guess I am putting words on paper, pen to pad.
This movie is beyond words. By far one of the most moving movies I have ever seen.
My father-in-law has always been a fan of Les Miserables the production, and the deacon convinced his dad to go see the movie. He wrote us after seeing it and said it was by far the best rendition of Les Mis he has ever seen and probably one of the best movies he's seen in his whole life.
You will not regret seeing this movie.
It was the first movie I have seen in a theater in about 10 years. Despite being totally blown away by how much it cost to go to a dinner and movie with my girls, it was totally worth it!
"To love another person is to see the face of God."
I keep counting, counting towards 1,000. Each day I look for more. Hoping that as the days go by I will find deep gratitude on every level of every day. Gratitude that will bring me salvation. Take me to God.
26. Fresh carrot/apple juice with a hint of ginger. The smell of ginger is so alive.
27. Joseph trying carrot juice. -CJ
28. Soft pillow for my head.
29. Wood to burn
30. Getting school done. -CJ
31. Food...lots of good.
32. Dishes being done by a 13yo at an odd time of the day & I only had to ask once!
33. A mommy who loves to help make dinner & watch boys for date night.
34. Dinner & a movie with 2 beautiful girls and an awesome hubby.
35. A glass of red wine.
36. The smell of coffee, fresh ground & brewing.
37. A Letter to All the World's Daughters.
38. Les Miserables motion picture that evokes deep emotion and thought.
39. Strong man brought to tears by the beauty of a movie.
40. Dishes being done by gracious daughter.
41. Digging in the earth in January, cleaning garden beds.
42. Fresh compost that I created!
43. Frugal grocery shopping.
44. Coyotes howling in the night...reminding us, as we sleep, that God's creation is alive and full and all around us.
I will endeavor to blog more often. Adding to my list more often rather than such a long list every so often.
I desire to write more. I've been reading good things lately and the flow of words and the beauty all around have been inspiring me to want to put words on paper (even though it is virtual paper). I do write in a journal so I guess I am putting words on paper, pen to pad.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
A Little Change in My Counting
When I started re-reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp I was just going to blog my list. But it became slightly inconvenient since I wasn't writing anything down. I'd see something I would want to add to my list only to forget about it when it came time to sit and blog. So it has become clear that I need to keep my journal active.
I'm going to keep my journal accessible all day long. I think I might even encourage the children to write things down that they are grateful for or blessed by. And then leave their initials after their entry.
"The only way to keep in time with your Beloved--is to keep counting blessings." --Ann Voskamp
22. snow very gently and lightly falling on a crisp cold day
23. home after a full day of co-op to the smell of dinner hot and ready
24. stacks and stacks of clean laundry created by a mother who is truly going to spoil me
25. laughter and giggles coming from the backseat, albeit loud, is so much better than the alternative
I'm going to keep my journal accessible all day long. I think I might even encourage the children to write things down that they are grateful for or blessed by. And then leave their initials after their entry.
"The only way to keep in time with your Beloved--is to keep counting blessings." --Ann Voskamp
22. snow very gently and lightly falling on a crisp cold day
23. home after a full day of co-op to the smell of dinner hot and ready
24. stacks and stacks of clean laundry created by a mother who is truly going to spoil me
25. laughter and giggles coming from the backseat, albeit loud, is so much better than the alternative
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever:
For His mercy endures forever:
Psalm 136: 1-3
Friday, January 11, 2013
Gifts for today
16. New eggs from new hens who just turned 21 weeks.
17. Enthusiasm from a 5-year old Alex who says, "They are moms now." And diligently helped me clean nests and get them into the new coop for the "new moms".
18. Crisp, cold sun shining BRIGHTLY all day long.
19. an early start to the school day
20. boys playing outside in the crisp air and then hauling wood to burn
21. frozen mud!
One Thousand Gifts by Anne Voskamp
17. Enthusiasm from a 5-year old Alex who says, "They are moms now." And diligently helped me clean nests and get them into the new coop for the "new moms".
18. Crisp, cold sun shining BRIGHTLY all day long.
19. an early start to the school day
20. boys playing outside in the crisp air and then hauling wood to burn
21. frozen mud!
One Thousand Gifts by Anne Voskamp
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Gifts 12-15
12. Singing stichera for Vespers
13. a quiet car ride to school
14. clean folded laundry waiting for me when I got home from school--thanks mom!
15. Joseph's enthusiasm when the snow started falling. He bundled up as if there was a foot of snow and went to "play in the snow". :)
13. a quiet car ride to school
14. clean folded laundry waiting for me when I got home from school--thanks mom!
15. Joseph's enthusiasm when the snow started falling. He bundled up as if there was a foot of snow and went to "play in the snow". :)
Monday, January 07, 2013
Finding Joy
Can there be a good God? A God who graces with good gifts when a crib lies ampty through long nights, and bugs burrow through coffins? Where is God, really? How can He be good when babies die, and marriages, implode, and dreams blow away, dust in the wind? Where is grace bestowed when cancer gnaws and loneliness aches and nameless plcaes in us soudlessly die, break off withou reason, erode away. Where hides this joy of the Lord, this God who fills the earth with good things, and how do I fully live when life is full of hurt? How do I wake up to jo and grac and beauty and all that is the fullest life when I must stay numb to losses and crushed dreams and all that empties me out?
My family--my dad, my mama, my brother and youngest sister--for years, we all silently ask these auestions. For years, we come up empty. And for years, we fill again--with estrangement.
Ann Voskamp chapter 1: A emptier, fuller life
One Thousand Gifts...
7. bedroom lights turned off without being asked!
8. little baby girls circling the nave, venerating icons over and over and over again.
9. a game of Xbox Bowling ( VERY active and true to bowling) for family night...sweet...I won!!
10. being able to help mom refinance car and retitle her car and feel a little more secure
11. no rain, for one day in January.
Ann Voskamp chapter 1: A emptier, fuller life
One Thousand Gifts...
7. bedroom lights turned off without being asked!
8. little baby girls circling the nave, venerating icons over and over and over again.
9. a game of Xbox Bowling ( VERY active and true to bowling) for family night...sweet...I won!!
10. being able to help mom refinance car and retitle her car and feel a little more secure
11. no rain, for one day in January.
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Gifts 4-6
Re-reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp could prove to be a life changer.
God will be the life changer I'm sure.
4. Sweet 2 year olds falling asleep during the Great Blessing of Water
5. Conversations with an excited thirteen year old dear daughter about her afternoon away from home. 6. A sweet glass of wine at the end of a long day while gabbing with my awesome man.
4. Sweet 2 year olds falling asleep during the Great Blessing of Water
5. Conversations with an excited thirteen year old dear daughter about her afternoon away from home. 6. A sweet glass of wine at the end of a long day while gabbing with my awesome man.
Friday, January 04, 2013
Thankfulness
I've left this space behind for far too long. My dear friend has inspired me to come back. To record life. And what better way to do that than to record thanks.
I read Ann Voskamps, One Thousand Gifts, before. A long time ago. But I forgot. Which happens when life takes over. We forget.
I don't want to forget any longer. I want to find thanks. To find joy. To move forward.
So I am rereading One Thousand Gifts. I'm going to count my blessings, my gifts. Found in the every day. Little things we miss constantly. Like:
1. Little boys, warm and sleepy, crawling out of bed to cuddle against me as I type.
2. Bigger boys singing loudly, theme songs from The Hobbit.
3. Crisp, white frosty mornings.
I read Ann Voskamps, One Thousand Gifts, before. A long time ago. But I forgot. Which happens when life takes over. We forget.
I don't want to forget any longer. I want to find thanks. To find joy. To move forward.
So I am rereading One Thousand Gifts. I'm going to count my blessings, my gifts. Found in the every day. Little things we miss constantly. Like:
1. Little boys, warm and sleepy, crawling out of bed to cuddle against me as I type.
2. Bigger boys singing loudly, theme songs from The Hobbit.
3. Crisp, white frosty mornings.
Friday, July 20, 2012
about Complaining
This was posted at The Morning Offering Wednesday... It spoke to my heart today as I complain about the fact that it is pouring rain. No, I wasn't being treated unfairly by people, but this is very good to remember when complaining about anything! I will read it to the children today.
If we are always complaining about how unfairly we are treated, we will have failed in our imitation of Christ, Who was abused by His enemies unto death. We should strive to reign with Our Lord by loving our enemies and never complain. Christ looked towards His Heavenly Father and when we are tempted to complain we should gaze upon the cross.
Complaining disturbs the heart and distracts us from the Path. Complaining weakens our resolve and interferes with the acquisition of peace and holiness. When we complain we are rejecting the role of suffering as a means towards the union with God. Complaining keeps our heart from soaring to the heavens and experiencing the joy that can be had when we surrender ourselves into the protective arms of Jesus.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
If we are always complaining about how unfairly we are treated, we will have failed in our imitation of Christ, Who was abused by His enemies unto death. We should strive to reign with Our Lord by loving our enemies and never complain. Christ looked towards His Heavenly Father and when we are tempted to complain we should gaze upon the cross.
Complaining disturbs the heart and distracts us from the Path. Complaining weakens our resolve and interferes with the acquisition of peace and holiness. When we complain we are rejecting the role of suffering as a means towards the union with God. Complaining keeps our heart from soaring to the heavens and experiencing the joy that can be had when we surrender ourselves into the protective arms of Jesus.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Monday, February 27, 2012
Lent
We begin our journey through Great Lent.
Preparing ourselves to meet our Risen Lord we ask forgiveness.
Please forgive me brothers and sisters, wherein I have sinned in word, thought or deed.
We spend more time in prayer, hoping to become more like Him.
We fast in order to "gain mastery over oneself and to conquer the passions of the flesh. It is to liberate oneself from dependence on the things of this world in order to concentrate on the things of the Kingdom of God." (V. Rev. Thomas Hopko)
We give alms more often as we were commanded to. ...if any one has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? (I John 3:17)
Beware of practicing your piety before men, in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do…that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4)
May you have a fruitful Lent.
See you on the bright side!
Preparing ourselves to meet our Risen Lord we ask forgiveness.
Please forgive me brothers and sisters, wherein I have sinned in word, thought or deed.
We spend more time in prayer, hoping to become more like Him.
We fast in order to "gain mastery over oneself and to conquer the passions of the flesh. It is to liberate oneself from dependence on the things of this world in order to concentrate on the things of the Kingdom of God." (V. Rev. Thomas Hopko)
We give alms more often as we were commanded to. ...if any one has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? (I John 3:17)
Beware of practicing your piety before men, in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do…that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4)
May you have a fruitful Lent.
See you on the bright side!
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