Tomorrow morning I'll be taking my girls and a friend of our families daughter and we are headed to St. John the Forerunner Monastery for 5 days!!! It is our first pilgrimage together like this and I am really excited and feel really blessed that we have this opportunity. My mother-in-law is coming today to stay with the boys all week (all three boys), bless her!
Please pray for our safe travels over the water, over the mountain passes and through the woods. With ferry (and potty breaks) it's about 5 hours.
See you Friday.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Today's reading from Isaiah
I found today's reading fascinating. And with reading the footnotes in the Orthodox Study Bible I learned some new things.
In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up. The house was full of His glory. Around Him stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory." The lintel was lifted up by the voice of those who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said, "Woe is me, because I am pierced to the heart, for being a man and having unclean lips, I dwell in the midst of a people with unclean lips; for I saw the King, the Lord of hosts, with my eyes!" Then one of the seraphim was sent to me. he had a live coal in his hand, which he took with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips. Your lawlessness is taken away, and your sin is cleansed." Isaiah 6:1-7 (today's reading was actually through verse 12)
Footnote: Isaiah's vision has strongly influenced the development of Orthodox Christian worship. For the Church, like heaven, has an altar, a throne, smoke from the incense, and believers singing "Holy, holy, holy," the thrice Holy hymn.
Footnote: A live coal touching the mouth: Isaiah experiences a symbol of the Eucharist, which is taken from the altar to be served to the faithful. In fact, after an Orthodox priest receives communion, he quietly quotes the seraphim's proclamation.(v.7)
In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up. The house was full of His glory. Around Him stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory." The lintel was lifted up by the voice of those who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said, "Woe is me, because I am pierced to the heart, for being a man and having unclean lips, I dwell in the midst of a people with unclean lips; for I saw the King, the Lord of hosts, with my eyes!" Then one of the seraphim was sent to me. he had a live coal in his hand, which he took with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips. Your lawlessness is taken away, and your sin is cleansed." Isaiah 6:1-7 (today's reading was actually through verse 12)
Footnote: Isaiah's vision has strongly influenced the development of Orthodox Christian worship. For the Church, like heaven, has an altar, a throne, smoke from the incense, and believers singing "Holy, holy, holy," the thrice Holy hymn.
Footnote: A live coal touching the mouth: Isaiah experiences a symbol of the Eucharist, which is taken from the altar to be served to the faithful. In fact, after an Orthodox priest receives communion, he quietly quotes the seraphim's proclamation.(v.7)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Back to the grind...
Not what you may think but a different kind of "grind".
The grind of managing my household without any other help from another adult like person. For the past 6 weeks I've had either my mother here or James. While he was in Uganda my mom was here to help out with managing household duties. Then she went home and James had 2 weeks off before having to head back to work. He helped out with the kids tremendously. But now here I am, today the first day in 6 weeks.
I am reminded about how "managing my household" is an ongoing struggle for me. Reading through my archives it is quite unbelievable how often I posted about needing a schedule/routine and about household duties and failing at it all. Always seeming to be the biggest hurdle of my life.
So, I've come to a conclusion...it is not just a matter of "managing my household" but a deeper matter of the heart.
I shall pray.
From the Wisdom of Sirach:
Like the sun rising in the Lord's heaven
Is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house. (26:16)
The grind of managing my household without any other help from another adult like person. For the past 6 weeks I've had either my mother here or James. While he was in Uganda my mom was here to help out with managing household duties. Then she went home and James had 2 weeks off before having to head back to work. He helped out with the kids tremendously. But now here I am, today the first day in 6 weeks.
I am reminded about how "managing my household" is an ongoing struggle for me. Reading through my archives it is quite unbelievable how often I posted about needing a schedule/routine and about household duties and failing at it all. Always seeming to be the biggest hurdle of my life.
So, I've come to a conclusion...it is not just a matter of "managing my household" but a deeper matter of the heart.
I shall pray.
From the Wisdom of Sirach:
Like the sun rising in the Lord's heaven
Is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house. (26:16)
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Wisdom of Sirach
I've been reading our new Orthodox Study Bible and a friend directed me to the great Wisdom of Sirach. I have been thoroughly enjoying it. There are some great snippets throughout and I thought that I would start sharing them here.
One of my favorite James blogged but here it is again and I'll continue with it.
Do not hate hard work, especially farming, which was created by the Most High.
Wisdom of Sirach 7:15
Later in the chapter it goes on to say...
Do you have cattle? Take care of them; and if they are profitable to you, keep them.
Do you have children? Correct them, and make them obey from their youth.
Do you have daughters? Watch carefully over their chastity, and do not be too easy on them.
Give a daughter in marriage and you will have completed a great work; but give her to a man of understanding.
Wisdom of Sirach 7:22-25
One of my favorite James blogged but here it is again and I'll continue with it.
Do not hate hard work, especially farming, which was created by the Most High.
Wisdom of Sirach 7:15
Later in the chapter it goes on to say...
Do you have cattle? Take care of them; and if they are profitable to you, keep them.
Do you have children? Correct them, and make them obey from their youth.
Do you have daughters? Watch carefully over their chastity, and do not be too easy on them.
Give a daughter in marriage and you will have completed a great work; but give her to a man of understanding.
Wisdom of Sirach 7:22-25
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Joseph lost a tooth!
I think it has been nearly 2 weeks now, but I couldn't get a picture on here. Right before daddy returned from Uganda Joseph lost his first tooth. We kept hushed about it until he got home and Joseph went running out to greet daddy with a huge smile on his face to see if daddy would notice. It was really fun!!
The best part of this picture though, is not the missing tooth but those big beautiful blue eyes! I just love them!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Forgiveness
As we enter into this Great and Holy Lent I bow before you and ask forgiveness of any offense, in knowledge or in ignorance. May God forgive us all.
I leave you with this from the service of Forgiveness...
Your grace has shown forth, O Lord:
the grace that illumines our soul.
This is the acceptable time!
This is the time of repentance!
Let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light,
that passing through the Fast, as through a great sea,
we may reach the Resurrection on the third day//
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of our souls!
I leave you with this from the service of Forgiveness...
Your grace has shown forth, O Lord:
the grace that illumines our soul.
This is the acceptable time!
This is the time of repentance!
Let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light,
that passing through the Fast, as through a great sea,
we may reach the Resurrection on the third day//
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of our souls!
Saturday, March 08, 2008
For Joy and Gladness
Met. Kallistos Ware mentioned the reading from this past Friday being in Zechariah and some quote about fasting. I didn't catch it all just made note to read it. So Friday came and found myself reading this verse in Zechariah. I thought it was a great passage to share as we step forward into Great Lent.
Thus says the Lord Almighty: 'The fourth-month fast, and the fifth-month fast, and the seventh-month fast, and the tenth-month fast shall be for joy and gladness and in good feasts to the house of Judah. And you will rejoice, and you will love truth and peace.' Zechariah 8:19 (emphasis in bold added)
Thus says the Lord Almighty: 'The fourth-month fast, and the fifth-month fast, and the seventh-month fast, and the tenth-month fast shall be for joy and gladness and in good feasts to the house of Judah. And you will rejoice, and you will love truth and peace.' Zechariah 8:19 (emphasis in bold added)
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Met. Kallistos Ware on "What is Lent"
We were blessed last night to attend a pre-Lenten talk in Seattle with guest speaker Met. Kallistos Ware. I've never heard him speak. He talked about Lent and I took notes. I thought I would write out my notes on here to share with all. I really enjoyed his talk and hope that I can take it to heart and use it to make this Lent a wonderful growing time.
Remember these are my notes. They weren't written in full sentences, or word for word. These are tidbits that grabbed my attention.
What is Lent really about?
"Lent" mean springtime and linked to "long and lengthening".
The Life-giving triad of Lent:
1. Fasting--
*it brings the body into the domain of the spiritual life
*it is spiritual as well as physical
*fast from not only food but from sin---all fleshly members of the body need to participate
2. Prayer
*goes hand and hand with fasting, cannot do one without the other
3. Action-Almsgiving-Acts of mercy, Love and Compassion
Story of a nun that helped the Jews hide in Europe and gave her life to save another. She was known to say "When we face judgment, we will not be asked how strictly we fasted, or how diligently we prayed but we WILL be asked if we fed the hungry or if we clothed the naked or gave to the poor."
All three of these are about personal relationships.
1. Relationship to self
2. Relationship to God
3. Relationship to others
Quoted and talked about the Gospel from Meatfare which I noted to self to reread.
Lent is the season of repentance.
Repentance is "reverse perspective", a different way to look at self and others.
Using the story of prodigal son we see three stages of repentance.
1st Stage:
Prodigal son comes to self.
*self-knowledge
*a great understanding
*waking up from a dream
*waking up from an illusion
*recentering
*seeing "where I am"
2nd Stage:
Prodigal son realizes he can go home.
*new hope
*true repentance is daughter of hope and denial of despair
*we must also forgive ourselves
3rd Stage:
Prodigal son went home.
*true repentance is doing something NOW..today...not yesterday, not tomorrow, today!
Confession
If you go regularly, during this Great Lent do so with extra special preparations. If not in the custom of going regularly..GO. We must prepare!
Share your thoughts and struggles with your father confessor. By holding them in, concealing them, they will only multiply.
I hope and pray that at least something out of this will grab your attention and you may be blessed by the words of Met. Kallistos Ware as I felt I was.
As we approach Great Lent I pray you all will grow in the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Remember these are my notes. They weren't written in full sentences, or word for word. These are tidbits that grabbed my attention.
What is Lent really about?
"Lent" mean springtime and linked to "long and lengthening".
The Life-giving triad of Lent:
1. Fasting--
*it brings the body into the domain of the spiritual life
*it is spiritual as well as physical
*fast from not only food but from sin---all fleshly members of the body need to participate
2. Prayer
*goes hand and hand with fasting, cannot do one without the other
3. Action-Almsgiving-Acts of mercy, Love and Compassion
Story of a nun that helped the Jews hide in Europe and gave her life to save another. She was known to say "When we face judgment, we will not be asked how strictly we fasted, or how diligently we prayed but we WILL be asked if we fed the hungry or if we clothed the naked or gave to the poor."
All three of these are about personal relationships.
1. Relationship to self
2. Relationship to God
3. Relationship to others
Quoted and talked about the Gospel from Meatfare which I noted to self to reread.
Lent is the season of repentance.
Repentance is "reverse perspective", a different way to look at self and others.
Using the story of prodigal son we see three stages of repentance.
1st Stage:
Prodigal son comes to self.
*self-knowledge
*a great understanding
*waking up from a dream
*waking up from an illusion
*recentering
*seeing "where I am"
2nd Stage:
Prodigal son realizes he can go home.
*new hope
*true repentance is daughter of hope and denial of despair
*we must also forgive ourselves
3rd Stage:
Prodigal son went home.
*true repentance is doing something NOW..today...not yesterday, not tomorrow, today!
Confession
If you go regularly, during this Great Lent do so with extra special preparations. If not in the custom of going regularly..GO. We must prepare!
Share your thoughts and struggles with your father confessor. By holding them in, concealing them, they will only multiply.
I hope and pray that at least something out of this will grab your attention and you may be blessed by the words of Met. Kallistos Ware as I felt I was.
As we approach Great Lent I pray you all will grow in the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
He's Home!!!
Happy Dance!
Happy Dance!
Happy Dance!
He's already tucked in bed, sound asleep, after traveling for 24 hours with a couple 2 hour naps being it for sleep in that time. He was plum tuckered out.
Be we are all rejoicing that daddy is home!!!!
Thank you for your prayers!
Happy Dance!
Happy Dance!
He's already tucked in bed, sound asleep, after traveling for 24 hours with a couple 2 hour naps being it for sleep in that time. He was plum tuckered out.
Be we are all rejoicing that daddy is home!!!!
Thank you for your prayers!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
We have connection
...to the internet. We dug out a very old computer, found a keyboard and mouse and here we are. It's old but it functions.
On another happy note, I have only 48 hours till I hop on the ferry to meet James in Seattle. He has just 24 hours until he hops on an airplane and leaves Africa. Yes, he travels for 24 + hours including 6 hours in AMS...hopefully he can sleep while there.
On another happy note, I have only 48 hours till I hop on the ferry to meet James in Seattle. He has just 24 hours until he hops on an airplane and leaves Africa. Yes, he travels for 24 + hours including 6 hours in AMS...hopefully he can sleep while there.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Spring
This week has been a week full of spring. Signs of spring everywhere. We have spent nearly everyday outside working on one thing or another on the farm, but today after Church while the kids played I took a walk. Well, first I cuddled with Joseph and fell asleep for a short little siesta and then went out and took a walk, enjoying the 50+ degree weather and sun. The kids were out all afternoon...from about 2pm-5pm...playing with their imaginations. I love it when they do that. We've had 50's all this past week and near 60 on a couple days. Which explains the signs of spring...in February.
On Saturday we washed sheets and took advantage of the brilliant sun and breeze. Oh, it was just lovely to climb into bed in sun dried sheets! I love how they feel and smell.
This is my flowering red currant. It is so lovely and in another month it will be covered in these red blooms and full of hummingbirds!
Oh, I love spring!
On another note... the homesick counter reads 5 days, 16 hours and 35 minutes!!!!
Words cannot begin to express what this means to me.
Thank you for your prayers of safety and health as he travels back to us.
This is just a random bush I came across with big huge leaf buds all over it.
On Saturday we washed sheets and took advantage of the brilliant sun and breeze. Oh, it was just lovely to climb into bed in sun dried sheets! I love how they feel and smell.
This is my flowering red currant. It is so lovely and in another month it will be covered in these red blooms and full of hummingbirds!
Oh, I love spring!On another note... the homesick counter reads 5 days, 16 hours and 35 minutes!!!!
Words cannot begin to express what this means to me.
Thank you for your prayers of safety and health as he travels back to us.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Song for Daddy
Kelsey has been begging me all week to get this video up on my blog for daddy. I have tried. I cannot seem to find the embed codes or get them to work. So if you want to see the song you'll have to click here...from our hearts to yours, daddy.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Hangin' in there....
According to the "homesick counter" at this very second there are 12 days 6 hours 11 minutes and 22 seconds left until my dear husband arrives back in Western Washington. I cannot begin to express how much I miss this man! I feel that this time around is far harder than I remember his 3 weeks away last summer were. I don't know why. It could be that last time for the first week I had my sister here with her whole family and by the time she left we only had 2 weeks left.
I think the kids have handled it far better than they did last summer but I'm not so sure I have.
On Valentine's Day I found this post at Paradosis. What a beautiful gift. I listen to the song daily.
There is an old saying, the original sounds so much more beautiful....
"Always toward absent lovers love's tide stronger flows."
I find this to be profoundly true. And because of this I am thankful for this separation. We have a tendency to take things for granted way too much and the absence brings those things out loud and clear. I pray that I will walk away from this challenge a stronger more giving person, a more grateful and thankful person.
Thank you for your continued prayers through the last half of this challenge.
I think the kids have handled it far better than they did last summer but I'm not so sure I have.
On Valentine's Day I found this post at Paradosis. What a beautiful gift. I listen to the song daily.
There is an old saying, the original sounds so much more beautiful....
"Always toward absent lovers love's tide stronger flows."
I find this to be profoundly true. And because of this I am thankful for this separation. We have a tendency to take things for granted way too much and the absence brings those things out loud and clear. I pray that I will walk away from this challenge a stronger more giving person, a more grateful and thankful person.
Thank you for your continued prayers through the last half of this challenge.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Unexpected Treat
Last night at about 8pm it started snowing. It had already been raining and then it turned to snow and it snowed probably for 3 hours. This was completely unexpected. The forecast said rain and wind, in fact a wind advisory. I expected the power to go out but not snow. The snow was blowing snow as well. It was fun to see it dancing this way and that way. I noticed before I headed to bed that I even had a little tiny snow drift on the side walk, and that the snow plastered to the side of the porch. Yes, the snow does blow in Western WA. It is still here this morning but I suspect not for long. Just long enough for the kids to run out and get wet, very wet.
My tiny drift of snow. :) Which are NOTHING compared to these! Now that's a drift!
This picture was lightened up just a little but the picture below the shuttle was kept open for about 5-10 seconds. I just thought it looked cool.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Quote
While I was folding laundry Joseph was pulling his boots on to go outside to play. He is heard saying this:
Joseph: Are these on the right feet, mom?
OUCH!!!
Ah, that would be no.
I never did get to say a word. I just laughed!
Joseph: Are these on the right feet, mom?
OUCH!!!
Ah, that would be no.
I never did get to say a word. I just laughed!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Off to Uganda
James packed his bag and another with work supplies and he is off to Uganda. He is currently here .
ADDENDUM: He is now in Amsterdam for a 3 hour layover. He'll be in Uganda Sunday morning, OUR TIME will be 9:50AM.
Kelsey Anna had a paper icon drive at Church and we received an overwhelming supply of paper icons. Yesterday we spent the day laminating 250 paper icons. James took with him all of them and a number of wooden icons as well. There is a great need, as we learned last August for them. The small mission parish he attended had a total of 6 icons in the whole Church. Since then he has also learned of a need in Tanzania as well. He hopes to some how get some of the icons there as well, hopefully through our friend Stacy who lives and teaches in Uganda.
Thank you for all your prayers!!! The challenge begins, here on the home front. But with grandma Faith here for 5 weeks we should do just fine! James has the rawer end of the deal as he's alone in a foreign country for 4 weeks.
Keep a watch on his blog as I'm sure he'll have lots to say ( as always) about his journey.
ADDENDUM: He is now in Amsterdam for a 3 hour layover. He'll be in Uganda Sunday morning, OUR TIME will be 9:50AM.
Kelsey Anna had a paper icon drive at Church and we received an overwhelming supply of paper icons. Yesterday we spent the day laminating 250 paper icons. James took with him all of them and a number of wooden icons as well. There is a great need, as we learned last August for them. The small mission parish he attended had a total of 6 icons in the whole Church. Since then he has also learned of a need in Tanzania as well. He hopes to some how get some of the icons there as well, hopefully through our friend Stacy who lives and teaches in Uganda.
Thank you for all your prayers!!! The challenge begins, here on the home front. But with grandma Faith here for 5 weeks we should do just fine! James has the rawer end of the deal as he's alone in a foreign country for 4 weeks.
Keep a watch on his blog as I'm sure he'll have lots to say ( as always) about his journey.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Prayers Please
In just 3 days James will be heading around the world to Uganda. He was there last summer for 3 weeks for work and is going back now for even longer...4 weeks.
He will be greatly missed in our home. He is the head of our house and supports us all in so many ways. It will be a challenge to have the VISIBLE source of strength far away. We'll chat and email but it won't be the same. I try not to complain to much. I try to be strong. I remind myself constantly of those wives who go without their husbands for 9-18months when serving in military all over the world. One month is nothing compared to that. But it is hard nonetheless.
I would appreciate your prayers and so would the children.
Please pray for safe travels and health while in Uganda for James as well.
Thank you so much.
He will be greatly missed in our home. He is the head of our house and supports us all in so many ways. It will be a challenge to have the VISIBLE source of strength far away. We'll chat and email but it won't be the same. I try not to complain to much. I try to be strong. I remind myself constantly of those wives who go without their husbands for 9-18months when serving in military all over the world. One month is nothing compared to that. But it is hard nonetheless.
I would appreciate your prayers and so would the children.
Please pray for safe travels and health while in Uganda for James as well.
Thank you so much.
Friday, January 25, 2008
"Living In Christ" Part 2
I really feel that I have been missing out so much because I have not studied the scriptures...hardly at all. I haven't moved past chapter 2 of this book yet. It's only 5 pages long but I've read it 3 times now, each time getting more. Going back to the study of scripture and the importance of it I want to share some more from this chapter. I'm not sure why I never really gave too much time and attention to studying the scriptures, I'm just not sure at all. But this next portion I will share really has me looking at things differently.
Even St. Anthony the Great and St. Pachomius, two great founders of monasticism, who did not have backgrounds in secular learning, insisted on the necessity of study. St. Anthony, who could not read, based his whole life on the impact of the Scripture readings he heard and memorized by attending Church from the time he was a young child. Pachomius insisted his monks be taught to read and that they spend every possible free moment memorizing the Scriptures; the Psalms and the entire New Testament were the required minimum. They were to recite these as they worked, walked, etc., as modern monastics might recite the Jesus Prayer.
Living in Christ: Essays on the Christian Life by an Orthodox Nun
I can tell you that the study of Scripture just moved from the middle/bottom of the home school curriculum all the way to the top of the list!
Even St. Anthony the Great and St. Pachomius, two great founders of monasticism, who did not have backgrounds in secular learning, insisted on the necessity of study. St. Anthony, who could not read, based his whole life on the impact of the Scripture readings he heard and memorized by attending Church from the time he was a young child. Pachomius insisted his monks be taught to read and that they spend every possible free moment memorizing the Scriptures; the Psalms and the entire New Testament were the required minimum. They were to recite these as they worked, walked, etc., as modern monastics might recite the Jesus Prayer.
Living in Christ: Essays on the Christian Life by an Orthodox Nun
I can tell you that the study of Scripture just moved from the middle/bottom of the home school curriculum all the way to the top of the list!
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