Getting Up Again and Again

 

Life has a lot of trying and trying again. 

This picture (above) is due to encouragement to a friend who

I sadly rarely see but always feel seen by. 

***

Sometimes it's hard to keep moving.

I am deep in a long term writing project and have hit

some significant roadblocks.  Trying to leave them 

(the road blocks) behind

and focus on something different is not an easy thing to do.

***

Today I had some simple but real successes:

1. I was tired but kept going, which I knew was what I needed to do 

2. I got some laundry done (the chore, along with dishes that never ends) 

3. I walked about 2.5 miles today

4. I managed to call my Grandma two weeks in a row (my ability to 

keep doing what I used to do before I got really sick has been lessened) 

***

Tomorrow my goal is to go to NYC and read more of a book for

research for my long term writing project, 

possibly go to breakfast with my Husband 

and renew my membership at the MET Museum. 

***

I, like many, especially who are Orthodox, have had our

hearts rended in pain over the suffering of 

this Monastery and this new article gave me

consolation.  I will say one thing:

there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)

and I refuse to go into any thing remotely close to an

argument over the suffering that these Monastics have endured.

Only God knows the future and why everything that happens, happens.

***

I have been asking God for help having a thankful heart.

A thankful heart is a lighter heart and I have miles to go on this.

***

Safer Than a Known Way

I read this book last week.

It was really good.

I feel like I need to surrender more to God

and my path is to do what I have been doing:

asking God to give me a thankful heart, 

for everything.

***

The book is by the last woman who served and cared for

Corrie ten Boom in her last 7 years of life.

A really special picture of Corrie, whose books I have loved 

since I was 13 or so, and of a woman learning to let God lead her

and to give up her own ideas and realizing that 

God's plan for her life is best.

***

A lovely young woman at one of my churches, who I have had the 

prieveldge of seeing grow up, and I had a really good talk

because years ago I had broke my ankle and now she is suffering

a similar but different situation. 

***

How beautiful when one's pain can be used years later to 

relate to another person and encourage them. 

***

I know I must grow in this. 

***

May God have mercy on us!

NYC ~ This Morning

 

I had an early morning meeting and then went to a diner, 

thank God there still are a few, 

for a second breakfast.

What was really interesting, however, was watching people walk on the street.

I remember one lady, older, with a younger one next to her,

probably a mother and daughter,

very similar clothes, linen I think,

gorgous long skirts, brown, cream tops,

beatifully done hair,

they just *looked* expensive, if that makes sense!

I certainly did not look that... I took a picture of myself in a large window...

sneakers, legs that looked small and somewhat stubby between my half way past my kneews

but cute pink skirt,wrinkled, 

with my lace tank top and black shrug that does not fall in a way that

I wish it would, but is still good... and my new hat, pink and black... 

and pink headphones, no I just looked a bit eccentric and hopefully

like I enjoy living, which I do, no matter how hard things can be. 

***

That poor church, so run down, it must have been so beautiful. 

Can you imagine restoring such a church, a dream, but not my calling

so I just take pictures...

***

The ad for the dog in a cute hero outfit was darling I thought. 

It's interesting but kind of sad how stores are now adversisting for pets

like they used to for cute kids of young parents. 

***

I had a cute outfit on but as it was a rainy day,

I had my blue sneakers on instead of nice shoes or sandals. 

***

A woman at Michaels was fully of Joy as she had her things rung through.

She was buying a canvas to paint on, and put it in a bag that was thick

and I think was a repurposed black garbage bag.

She was beautiful,

middle aged somewhere, beautiful braids, 

clothes with a stylish more African look,

the type that is mature looking, as in refined,

beautiful.

I felt like she is an artist, probably not rich but has known 

suffering. Most artists have.

***

I bought fabric tape to fix a shirt that has a small hole in it.

I walked over 3 miles today!

***

Tomorrow I hope to take it easy,

as I have been very busy the first half of this week!

I did a laundry room purge/overhaul,

I am really pleased about it.

***

Life is very full.

But it's nice to quickly write here.

***

May God bless, save and help us in all things. 

Transfiguration ~ August 19, 2025

 

The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ 

Troparion — Tone 7

You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, / revealing Your glory to Your disciples as far as they could bear it. / Let Your everlasting Light also shine upon us sinners, / through the prayers of the Theotokos. / O Giver of Light, glory to You!

Kontakion — Tone 7

On the Mountain You were Transfigured, O Christ God, / and Your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they could see it; / so that when they would behold You crucified, / they would understand that Your suffering was voluntary, / and would proclaim to the world, / that You are truly the Radiance of the Father!

(above from HERE)

Beautiful Moments

 

From the New Calendar Feast of Holy Dormtion! 

Thank God

 

Yesterday we suddenly had no water!

A water main broke... 

3 AM, we finally had water again. 

***

I am going to church soon.

I am having a struggle with insomnia again. 

Healing from great suffering takes a lot longer than one 

would expect but each day, 

we try again. 

***

May God have mercy on us. 

quickly here in almost mid-August

 

I am undergoing some real learning right now.

A potential deep loss but too early to know.

***

All I can say is that God is our ever present refuge and strength

and that God's Mother does give Joy in Sorrow. 

***

I am super blessed because I get to do some shopping in the next weeks, 

and that's a really nice thing and not something

I take forgranted, at least I try not to, 

because I know very well what it is like to not be able to buy anything 

extra, those who have ready my blog for many years will remember those times.

I could not even buy a vegetable peeler when mine broke, 

so my Mom bought one for me for Christmas;

then in less than 2 years after that, I was given a second,

identical one, as a gift at my family Bridal shower.

***

As my Grandma always says:

we have so much to be thankful for.

Time Keeps Passing By

Tomorrow is the 38th anniversary of my friend 

Timothy Mark's passing, when I was still 10 years old.

Today is my Dad's birthday.

***

We were in church tonight.

***

We were in Michigan for much of July.

It was very good.

I am still dealing with a lot of insomnia.

God is holding me up through it.

***

I am reading a lot of Corrie ten Boom right now.

I love that she is honest that she is not perfect

but yet God used her.

***

May God have mercy on us. 

A Blessed and Beautiful Week

 

Some weeks are just a gift from God.

I went to Ottawa with the blessing of my Husband for 1 week. 

I was with my Ottawa parish, my friend's parish, a Monastery twice, 

with dear friends and family;

for simple meals to teas fit for a princess, 

to just before birthdays to seeing ordinary days of others,

rain and sun, 

light and dark,

struggle and hope, 

it was all a blessing.

In Memory: Gloria is now in the Heavens with the Lord and all His Saints

 

The Last time Gloria commented on my blog was on 

October 2, 2024.

She wrote:

Gloria has left a new comment on your post 'Autumn Beauty':

Hello Elizabeth, I have been worried about you and have wondered over the past few months how you are. I am so glad to know that you have come through the storm and pray you are finding a safe harbor in the arms of our Loving Father and Lord. I will enjoy your posts as you can. Praying continued good health.

***

Gloria's Cousin Sara emailed me to say that Gloria has passed away. 

***

Gloria, as Sara is her self, 

a dear friend in the blog world to me, and to many. 

***

I am not able to be here on my blog that much because life is 

just busy but good, beautiful but hard, crazy but incredible. 

***

But I wanted to remember Gloria a minute and say that I am so sorry

that she will never comment on my blog but I know without a doubt 

she is looking down from the Heavens watching us as God allows

and that She loves us and will never leave us now because 

she made it to the top: Heaven with Christ. 

***

What a beautiful thing it is to live for Christ and die in faith in Christ's mercy!

***

I love her profile description:

Gender	Female
Industry	Education
Location	Northwest, United States
Introduction	To worship, honor and serve The Lord with joy, to love my family with my whole heart, to be a good and loyal friend, to see light and beauty in an often dark world, these are things I strive for however imperfectly. My husband and I have raised three wonderful children and now are enjoying the precious blessings of being being grandparents.
Interests	gardening a little, traveling a little, crafting a little, Reading a lot.
Favorite movies	Classic movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood with actors like Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart. I especially love Roman Holiday and It's a Wonderful Life.

Gloria announced that she had cancer on March 11, 2025

and said goodbye to all of us then. 

***

Gloria died last Friday, June 27, 2025. 

***

It is my deepest honour to share this with you because I want to 

honour someone whose words and comments encouraged me so deeply

in some of my deepest pain in my life. 

***

She was a dear Mother and friend to so many and she really blessed me 

with her love and prayers.

***

Gloria, you were like a kind Mother presence in my life

and I hope the rest of my life makes you proud 

and I can't wait to join Christ in heaven one day and finally

meet you and all those I love. 

***

Please pray for Gloria's family as they go through the time of loss

but also rejoicing because Heaven just gained another beautiful soul

for the Lord and the salvation of the world. 

***

May Gloria's memory be eternal! 

I will never forget you Gloria!

Pray for me always!

love, 

your Elizabeth Roosje 

Ascension 2025

 

Christ is Ascended!

Ascended in Glory!

Holiday in May

Memorial Day 2025.

I had a beautiful morning, quiet, my Husband still sleeping,

I was up before 8 AM, 

texting a friend down South and enjoying tea. 

I had breakfast part 1 and part 2,

later a walk,

beautiful. 

then I learned something that someone I love is struggling with,

a sad thing, not my story but something that is a deep sorrow. 

My Husband by this time had found me 

(he walks faster so we do different walks first and then if we have time

walk back together, and we shared the sorrow together...)

***

Leftovers for lunch.

Cards, some reading, dishes, texting, 

pizza and fruit salad,

we watched a Walton's movie. 

***

Tomorrow I hope to go to NYC. 

Breakfast, shopping, back home.

One foot in front of the other...

***

The sunshine and flowers together we so deeply beautiful...

***

A calm in between moments of sorrow...

***

I hope to do more reading tomorrow.

It was really good to have a day where we had more rest and not a lot

of work. I've been doing a lot of deep reading and research lately, 

it was really good to have a break.

***

Thank God for Spring, for Summer...