Friday of St. Barbara, soon St. Nicholas

Today (old calendar) is St. Barbara's Day.

I am so glad for this.

Soon St. Nicholas Day;

one of my favourite days of the year

(and my sister's birthday!)

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Tomorrow God willing the monastery trip.

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I am depending very much on St. Nicholas' prayers.

Keeping my lampada lit

seeking to pray

prayers of others

are keeping me afloat.

Took a long bus ride to a job agency today;

did the tests for clerical and data entry;

did very well.

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Fixed my purse that broke just today;

got the handle restitched for only five dollars;

for an awesome purse that I use a lot

this is a good price.

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I am still struggling with anxiety about the health tests

I am waiting for results for.

Still having insomnia every night because the meds I am on

for the November volcanic face outbreak;

meds done at the end of this month.

The last few nights when I wake and realize once again

insomnia

and I go to stand, I almost fall immediately to the floor.

I know what this means my friends;

insomnia and stress.

Not to worry though,

I've lived through this before.

AND I have meds for the insomnia

so I have resources and am still getting sleep,

just not enough sleep yet.

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And I have gathered many good tips for stress

(of course I welcome all ideas).

So far here is what I am doing to proactively take care of myself

during this time of job searching and health uncertainty:

1. Pray and ask others for prayers

2. Monasteries

3. Eat as well as possible. The root veggies by the way were fabulous.

Trying to eat protein, good vegetables

and fruits and hearty bread daily.

Avoid sugar and caffeine,

stay hydrated - water, herbal teas, juice.

4. Deep breathing

5. Lampada lit day and night

6. Talking to family and friends and asking for prayer

7. Regular contact with my church family

8. Being thankful and seeing and creating beauty every day

9. Constantly bringing my mind back to the fact

that I am in God's hands and care.

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I thank God.

And now I am going to make the cakes for St. Nicholas day!!

Baking - so therapeutic and creative!

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Let's keep praying for one another.

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God is with us.