Oh Monday, why do you have to be do difficult!? (+God's mercy)

Well, this has been a Monday.

Various things this morning seemed to be going wrong,

I felt quite discouraged.

***

My sister-friend texted me very consoling but also bracing words:

"...on St. Anthony's feast day (they were at a small church) and the homily 

was about St. Anthony.  The priest quoted him as saying, 

"perseverance in times of difficulty/adversity chases 

the demons away."

***

It helped me: I rallied and was able to do various things,

cleaning, phone errands, finished reading a riveting YA book

by Richard Peck, and researched a few recipies...

and got a lovely gift of three

Madeleine L' Engle books from a dear blog friend,

thank you Sara!

They could not of come on a better day...

and so I had tea and a bit of chocolate...

and began re-reading L' Engle's Walking on Water,

which I first read and read again and again at age 19...

***

I need to start on the other 2 she sent me, as those are new to me books...

but today, well, I was craving the familiar...

***

I was blessed by various friends praying for me,

when I said over a private social media channel that I was feeling

discouraged but a walk would help...

I know the prayers are what helped turn things around,

and my dear friend's words, 

all with the Lord's mercy...

And so I took my walk,

late this afternoon and am going to try to make it a habit...

one of the things that has been difficult for me is that,

esp. with the last year's discouragement about where I live +

getting so sick in Lent, is that

I have not been getting out enough and have lost 

some of the strenght that I normally have from frequent walks...

so Holland, where walking was plentiful,

was more tiring than it may have been if

I were in better physical condition...

I know I have to start slow on trying to get back on my feet,

as it were and I am hoping to just get into a better habit of

getting out, even if it is only a little each day....

and going from there.

***

Well, Mr. Husband is on his way home now,

I will make a simple meal for us

and hot tea and just be glad to see him... 

and thank God for the mercies of this day!

***

Mr. Husband and I are trying to do some small

extra prayers for everything, since the world (and country) we 

live in seems in so much trouble...

we are starting with a bit from this Akathist to the Protection of the Mother of God,

which is also quite bracing and encouraging!

***

I also refound a note about this song, 

which reminds me of my PEI/Halifax classically Anglican Friends

and I enjoyed another listen...