St. Nicholas Eve and Day

One of my greatest St. Nicholas gifts this year

came in the form of conversations. 

 ***

First, St. Nicholas Eve, at Vigil,

a woman who I have known in passing for years

told me that my writing on Conciliar Post is really 

meaningful to her; that was encouraging to hear, as I 

often am writing with a feeling of great struggle and sense of 

futility in terms of what I am writing. 

***

Second, one of the White Sisters who serve with the 

Convent of St Elizabeth in Minsk, a city in Belarus, came to our

church for St. Nicholas vigil and liturgy.

It was wonderful to talk with her at the lunch after liturgy.

I was able to tell her how I had talked with others, both

a Nun who I learned is now an Abbess of a convent about 200 miles from the

St. Elizabeth Convent, and a White Sister when I still lived in Ottawa.

I told the newly met White Sister N. that I have a small icon of the Mother of God

above my sink in the kitchen and that I have a small beautiful box that I got from

them years ago, as well as CDs that I still listen to today.

***

She and I discussed how our lives are unique, to put it in my words,

that each person has their own path; she talked about her spiritual father

telling her (and I think others) that one must not go a certain way

(even to monasticism) if one does not feel an inner urge to do so...

that each person comes to a place a different way and it 

was encouraging, it felt like a confirmation of my life here,

4 years in, to marriage and service in the Church here. 

***

I often experience this gift most when I am talking with a

monastic or someone closely aligned to a monastery, a sense of being

lifted out of my blinded perceptions in my daily life and seeing a higher

'tree top' view that shows me that where I am and what I am doing

is God's Providence for me.

***

So that was a very great and encouraging gift, one that I know

is there to strengthen me, one that I also know is a miracle, 

such times are not always plentiful, 

we have to slog away a long time often before we are given

encouragement to keep on with it.

But yet God is merciful and gives us such times.

***

I am already aware of the next year, as I plan for Christmas,

I see Lent and the Cross; it's an early Lent this year,

which means a longer Apostles fast in the summer.

I am thankful for the St. Nicholas gift from my Husband of

the cookbook I got and that I got also, from a recent book sale,

some new cookbooks that will also help with fasting foods.

***

We got some special gifts this year for St. Nicholas Day;

the spoons, a faux pearl necklace (gotten at a Market in Maastricht very cheap),

a Delft ornament, a nice red handkerchief for me (I love red!) and an enjoyable 

book for Mr. Husband! Everything but the books

are from our trip to Holland; I wanted to wait to enjoy them

as gifts for this special season! 

***

I also got my first birthday card, from a dear friend in Ottawa,

and it's in French! I love it very much!!!

***

I am about to have visits with family and friends as we go towards

Christmas...so if I don't blog again for a bit,

I want to wish everyone here, esp. those on the new calendar,

a blessed and Merry Christmas!

Christ is born! Glorify Him!