Back from the monastery

I had a wonderful time at the monastery.

It is so hard to leave!!

I love being at the services.

I am a wimp though and am glad that it is a feast time as

it meant that two of the mornings church did not start until

9 AM; the other day was 5 AM!

Between that and still not having perfect sleep,

I was tired!!

*

I was there over St. Basil's day.

One of the really memorable moments there was

the vigil the night before St. Basil's day,

a large icon of St. Basil in the middle of the chapel;

being there in the candle lit darkness with

his icon in the centre

was really wonderful.

*

I love how every year the liturgical routine is the same;

St. Basil's day being Jan 1st,

St. Seraphim of Sarov Jan 2nd...

*

I love the Christmas tree they have in the large dining hall;

the beautiful Romanian ornaments on the tree...

On the drive back home

the sun shone through clouds the whole time;

it was beautiful and made me think of my sister

who is always reminded of God when she sees this;

it reminds me of God's love and mercy.

It is sometimes hard to remember in the hard times

in life that God is with us

and that the sun is always above the clouds.

*

I've had such a nice time at home;

I think going back will be hard;

it always is a bit hard actually as I go from being with family

and seeing people a lot to living with only

my Cleo Cat,

as good as she is!

*

The next days will slowly unfold and I will

be waiting to see if I get interviews

and what will happen next.

I spent some time with my Grandma today;

above is a picture of her Nativity set

that was her mothers;

she packed it up as we talked.

I am slowly going over her old pictures and putting them in albums

and putting little labels so that we know who is who

and the story of the picture.

I am happy I can do this...

*

Tomorrow I will see my oldest friend

and her children.

This will mean pouring out love and hugs to the kids,

taking lots of pictures, looking at lots of pictures,

listening and eating with them...

*

The next day I fly around the noon hour back to Ottawa.

Bittersweet - will be great to be back in my apartment,

and I get to celebrate Christmas again,

but it is hard to leave family and all the love.

But thank God that I have had this time!

What a blessing it has been!

*

I have decided that this year the one word I want to remember is

thankfulness

as it will save me - to be thankful makes the heart lighter;

I heard a great sermon at the monastery that

encouraged thankfulness as a way to help unite ourselves to Christ;

so I pray this year I will strive to remain thankful;

to remember St. John Chrysostom's words:

Glory to God for all things.