Many things in the last days

Wedding present I wrapped for the new bride...
(we knew that we could drop it off at the parent's as the
presents went there while the honeymoon progresses)...

The other day I made an new
fasting meal!
Oil with fried mushrooms,
ginger (used organic already
prepared in a jar with some sugar)
garlic
shrimp;
mushrooms done first, scrimp at end;
garlic and ginger throughout...
*
It was really good! 

We had a bit of left over potatoes that we fried up as well!

We are still enjoying our salads...

And sweet corn!

We had a heirloom tomato that
we enjoyed with some salt....

I saw all of these orchid buds!!!

 

I am hopeful for a lot of beauty soon!!
These days are so lovely;
I am feeling a bit better
(finger's crossed that the mono of last February is gone!)
and have been able to go out to do errands,
cook, clean... it's been so wonderful!
I still take it easy as many who love me
have cautioned me not to do too much at once...
but meanwhile I am dreaming about baking this week...
*
What's going on in your world?
Is August bringing excitement or is there a heaviness for you?
May God help us,
no matter where this day finds us.

The First Week and two busy weekends

So I survived my first 5 days of work.

It began well.

I found by the end of the first week that

it was a bit of an adjustment

to work in a place

where my title is not officially

'librarian'

though I am still using a lot of my librarian skills.

I found this hard actually.

But it is not an impossible situation;

just an adjustment.

And I am so glad to have a job.

So I am glad but keeping it real I guess.

Yesterday was the church picnic

and it was beautiful.

Last Saturday I was at the Greek monastery

and this was a blessing.

I got some new books and Icons...

will try to remember to talk about them sometime soon.

I bought roses for last Sunday's

feast of the Dormition;

kept them in my fridge for freshness;

had not done this before;

not sure if it helped or not.

*

On a bummer of a note,

it looks like I have that face rash for the 4th time now.

So off I will go again to deal with this.

*

On a serious note:

I have a friend who is really struggling right now;

if you can pray for her I would greatly

appreciate it.

Due to common sense I can't go into details,

but I love this friend like a sister

and it is heartbreaking to hear of her struggles.

*

On a chipper note:

Canada and the States both have Labour day tomorrow.

This means a day for me to cook and clean.

I am more than ready for a day to just be home.

Thank You

My Grandma is doing well.

Thank you for your prayers.

*

I realize I am not blogging as much currently;

just tired; not at all of my blog but

just in general.

*

Am doing pretty well considering the

heat and the intensity of interviews.

*

The interview I was not sure about has chosen someone else;

I am glad.

I have an interview in a week's time and maybe one

at the end of this week if I made the

second round interview cut.

So just waiting to hear from two more.

I am seeking to trust God for my needs and life.

I covet your prayers.

A Friday of God's Mercy

I felt like going back to last summer's pictures.

I got two cards in the mail;

one from my Aunt, encouraging me with her words and prayers

... including her very simple words:

We never know what changes will happen to us.. like having a fire...

But God is good and we have been saved from injuries.

I am so loved;

my Aunt praises God's goodness despite her house fire;

I remember my Great Aunt once talking about God's goodness

as well,

when speaking of the death of her sister's husband,

she herself having lost her husband years before.

*

A friend sent me a card with a bit of money it it

with the words

Merry Christmas.

*

The hair dresser gave me a super good haircut

and a significant discount,

reassuring me that my haircut would be professional...

I am slowly sleeping better,

a bit each night.

My forehead still has red burn like marks.

I have enough vanity in me to mind

and am going to see about some sort of

make up / foundation.

(Suggestions welcome! I am all about networking : ) ).

But this is only a smallish concern

and I am grateful to God

that I am healing so well.

I leave you with a quote that my Aunt wrote me

today in her card,

from the Protestant small-papered devotional

"Our Daily Bread"

Command to Love:

Love is an attitude

love is a prayer,

for someone in sorrow, a heart in despair

Love is good will for the gain of another

Love suffers long with the fault of a brother.

I can hear her voice reading this

rhymed truth.

God is bringing me this love

and I am so grateful.

Tuesday - Step Three - with a prayer request

First the prayer request.

For baby Lucia -

Kh. Ramia blogged today about how Lucia

continues to struggle -

it sounds like baby Lucia is fighting for her life.

Please continue to pray for them and

drop her a blog comment of encouragement.

I can't imagine how incredibly hard it is to watch one's

infant daughter go through such sickness.

I thank the Lord that we can pray

and continue to entrust Lucia to be in God's hands.

I finally heard back from the September

all day interview that I had

and that you all prayed so much for me for.

I did not get the job

as someone else had more experience.

But I was told very positively that I did a great interview

and that my presentation was impressive.

So this is great feedback and

is encouraging as I prepare for my next interview.

I had a good meeting with my job consultant

(free service from the Ontario government)

to best 'triage' my current life.

Interview preparation, job applications and possible

additional training are all being looked into right now.

The best thing is that I have met someone

who I feel really encourages me as a professional as

I deal with my current job search and life situation.

This is a real blessing.

*

The insomnia is still ongoing,

and is in part a side-effect of the medication I am on

to take care of the face-rash issue.

I continue to heal;

now it looks more like flat fading burnt marks

which let me tell you is much better than what it looked like

last week.

*

So I am here safe with God

seeking to pray for Lucia

continue to do my job search

regardless of situation and current exhaustion.

God is good to us.

I am more and more convinced that everything He allows in our life

is for our benefit and can be used for our salvation.

Being thankful for everything in life

can not only save us in the long run

but can make difficult situations

a source of understanding that

one is loved and is in the hands of God.

How much we have to be thankful for.

All At Once...

So thankful for God's mercy,

for the intercession and protection of the Saints.

*

Today I was at a beautiful baptism of a lovey baby boy.

*

I went to my good friend's house to look into

the money issue from the letter

of unexpected money owed

that I received this week.

We discovered that the letter was not wrong.

I suddenly owe a large amount

(esp. right now for me)

so much that with the current regular bills I have

(phone, hydro)

I do not have any savings left

outside of the pension that was paid by my employer

that is now housed at my bank.

(I will see about payment options

for the unexpected bill,

I am responsible

and will communicate appropriately.)

*

My friend who is also in some grave difficulties

came last night and we prayed

services to the Mother of God and to St. Nicholas.

God is powerful in the intercession of His Saints.

*

I suddenly find myself,

a professional librarian,

who has great work experience and

formerly a decent salary,

in a position where

due to some other factors,

including lack of health care in the States

and no jobs in Michigan,

mean that I may need to stay here

and look into everything that can help me:

looking for any job I can do

looking into social assistance

figuring out where food banks are

so I have one less bill to worry about.

All At Once.

*

I do have a few friends who may be able to help me with

various things

but the situation is still serious.

And I am worried about Cleo.

What if I have to move somewhere where I can't keep her?

She is not young anymore -

and I am loath to give her to a stranger.

*

Please pray for us.

I am looking to God for help and for salvation.

God is good and He is merciful and loves mankind.

*

PS: the huge rash on my face continues to improve,

so that is one blessing

though between the physical pain I had from it

and all the doctor's visits I had to get it resolved thus far

meant that I was not able to do a lot of job searching this week.

Trusting God with all of life's details

Okay.

Not sure what is wrong yet

but I've had a growing rash on my forehead;

I went to the doctor on Monday

She called yesterday with a promise of calling this morning.

We talked this morning and she

is sending me to ER.

To be honest one of the things I dislike the most

about this is that I want to spend all my time

job searching,

not hanging out in ER.

But...

I am with God

and have packed my bag with Bible, Prayer book and

special prayer service dedicated to

St. Phanourios

that I have been treasuring this week.

By the prayers of the Theotokos, all the saints

(including St. Menas who the Coptics celebrate today)

St. Nectarios

whose day it was old calendar earlier this week

and Archangel Michael.

The lastest in the life of Cleo and myself

Cleo and I enjoyed having our small house blessed.

It was beautiful, life-giving and full of hope.

To have a good church and priest

must be one of life's greatest blessings.

The cake turned out well.

I make my cakes to be very fine and moist,

so that the cake so soft that it falls in a bit

when cut,

as the picture shows.

The time making it and sharing it was

a great joy.

***

So about that midterm,

which people have been asking about.

Well.

I really tried!

But I did not do well at all.

Failed actually by 2 points.

BUT I am trying not to lose any hope

or even be anxious about it.

I asked my teacher if I can do extra things to

learn what I forgot (various grammar rules

including when "des" becomes "de"

both in a negative construction

(i.e. when one is saying not to do something)

and that if the adjective is before the noun

i.e. grands livres (big books) that "des"

which indicates plural becomes "de").

I think my teacher will allow me to be retested on this

so I will not fail the course.

***

As you can see, I am learning from my mistakes

and have reviewed this part and did extra homework on it today

to ensure that I really learn it.

So it is not bad,

it is just that I am slow at languages.

But I knew this about myself.

It will be God's mercy, the Saints prayers, your prayers

and my perseverance (by all these prayers)

that can get me there.

My teacher really sees that I am working hard

and is determined that I will make it.

And I am trying to be so too.

I need prayers through, it is tough slogging sometimes!

***

I have been having some problems with a tenant in my building.

NOTHING that is violent or anything

I am safe and secure, no worries there.

Common sense says I must not say more

but can you pray for me about this?

I know that God can teach me to be a Christian in all things!

***

I am seeking to remember

the many prayers

in the House blessing

and that Angels are with me

and that I am NEVER EVER alone.

***

Thanks everyone for your friendship prayers and support!

The Lord is good all the time, all the time the Lord is good

Am studying French, really.

Not blogging at all, noooo.

A priest told me once that God will keep giving

me situations that are to teach me something

specific, until I learn that particular lesson.

I am learning more about clear communication,

not worrying about what I cannot control

and living in the present.

My school may have a faculty strike as of

next week.

I have yet to find out if my class would be effected by this.

***

I am in God's hands

need prayer always

and am seeking to rest in God's care.

***

Okay.

Back to French...

Catch Up Time

Getting used to full time French classes

takes time.

I studied this weekend;

i.e. Saturday

but then found that some tasks

(laundry, dishes)

did not get done.

***

Today was a rainy day here;

should not be;

it is still winter;

some of the sidewalks were

pure ice with a little water on top.

I was sure I would be late for class;

the feeling of almost falling many times

is NOT fun.

A good cause for prayer though!

It looks like we are getting our normal cold back

and sunshine too

by the later part of the week;

I hope so.

I feel so energized by winter sunshine and blue skies.

***

My laundry is done and drying now.

My dishes still unwashed.

Sigh.

But I threw away stuff, organized more...

some more breathing room in my small snug apartment.

I am slowly figuring out where to put things...

It takes time!

***

Since today was a more tired Monday,

I am hoping that tomorrow will be better

and that I can get back into a rhythm for studying French.

I did do some studying today,

but there is so much more I wish to do!

***

However,

God is good

and is our hope, salvation and support.

Suprise Hello!

My trip to the monastery was delayed until tomorrow.

Had a great day

visiting family.

Meal with my parents tonight

such a gift.

Shopping with Mom

and went I got home,

an email that the suitcase containing

my sister's Christmas gift was found!

I must keep packing;

my Monday flight will be here so soon.

Today was a wonderful day.

Happenings

(First picture from my new home)

Being in the capital of Canada,

things are always happening here.

Over the weekend the Olympic Flame toured around.

It was rather surprising for a grey day;

I was home and all of a sudden this great radio-like noise boomed out.

Huge trucks (see picture below) announced the flames coming,

and that it was a "historic" event and the longest tour of the flame

ever in Canada.

They were not kidding!

They were still touring around Ottawa hours later;

went in front of my church after vespers.

The runners with the torch switched off;

apparently there is more than one torch.

Well,

you never know what to expect here,

and that was part of Saturday.

***

I was acutely conscious of how much better Church was than this,

providing a sense of home and abiding care and comfort.

***

And being with friends after vespers for a meal

was more than ideal.

Celebrating Autumn

Autumn Leaves

Today is quiet.

Cleaning, breakfast, blogging, praying.

Vespers tonight.

Oh the relief -

church!

Tomorrow I go to an open house

good price,

location not as trendy but doable.

I don't need trendy, but I do need good.

Saw some beautiful houses.

I wish I could live in one.

Meanwhile I am loving the autumn leaves.

One Step, Another Step, and One Step...

First step: remember God.

Second step: seek to be quiet within one's soul

and seek to nourish inward thanksgiving

in the midst of life's trials.

Third step: rejoice at all the good things in the present moment.

++++++++

The apartment I saw was Tres Horrible!

I am so thankful I had a dear friend with me when I saw it.

+++

I am working on learning the present tense "er" endings.

I am still getting etre and avoir confused.

Je suis and J'ai

I understand - Je comprend.

It is the other 5 I get confused.

Lord help me.

+++++++

My Dad has pneumonia -

thankfully caught in the first stage and he is on drugs and is resting.

Please pray for my Dad (would rather keep his name private,

God will know who "Elizabeth's Dad" is).

I am thankful for my Dad and love him very much;

he is a good Christian man and father.

+++

Since seeing the Tres Horrible Apartment,

I am of a mind to quickly trust God for future job or money

than saving a bit on rent.

Whew, was that apartment bad.

+++

I struggle to get everything I need to get done in a day;

there is a job add I need to apply to,

French to learn,

and apartment to find, boxes to procure, and the like.

++++

But God is good and will help me do what I need to do.

+++++++

I am volunteering at a Christian high school as a librarian

assisting the school librarian.

Tres Excited!

Hello Elizabeth the Librarian!!!

+++

I thank God for His goodness and pray that my Dad will

begin to feel better soon, Amen.

And Time Keeps Passing By

Cleo hanging out.

My cute cat.

Happy Sigh for my cat.

French Flash Cards.

Tonight I went through my avoir and etre verbs.

J'ai la livre - I have the book.

Elle a les livers - She has the books.

Cleo guarding the computer.

I really love my blog community, may I mention?!

I love hearing about your lives and that we can pray for each other

and listen to the other.

+++

It has been hard for me to be disciplined and work on French.

Prayers and gentle encouragement welcome.

God is good and I must trust in this.

Better

French class went better today.

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and suggestions!

I have another networking event

this coming Monday night.

I got a cute linen black dress for $12.00 at a consignment shop!

It's my favourite kind of find;

simple, good quality, comfortable.

To be worn under suit jackets, blouses, cardigans.

Also found a great darkish brown suede like jacket

(the blazer type not trench coat).

Really nice with the black dress, perfect for fall.

I am thinking of going to Value Village for further wardrobe updates.

I am feeling more hopeful right now.

I have a lot of scheduling and planning to do.

French learning and network building.

I feel like my dreams are not fully in ashes.

This is a good sign.

I hope and pray that all of you have something

good in your day as well.

Thoughts of God can show us how to live

I have been thinking a lot about the concepts of

self-worth / self-esteem / self confidence

and

God / humility / the image of God in us.

I have not yet come to a conclusive answer;

however, here are my thoughts thus far.

God made us and

everything that is good come from God (as St. James says).

God gave us abilities; we are not to deny them.

Despair tells us we are no good, that there is no hope, no future, nothing for us.

So humility cannot mean the denial of hope, future

or that we are somehow worthless,

no good nothings

as would be said in some unknown hillbilly type place.

How to learn to acknowledge that we have good in us and that the good is from God.

Sometimes I get tired of my North American culture

and how tied I am to this culture.

A culture that can be naval-gazing and tripped up on too much introspection.

But that is where I am and

this is where God has placed me to work out my salvation.

I know more of the answers that I need to incorporate into this situation.

The basics:

1. Memory of God.

Mindfulness of God. Remembering what God has done for us.

Remembering to Praise God.

Becoming Deeply Thankful.

2. Practice the virtues as you know them

as in where you are at.

Kill self-pity. Forsake pride.

Love as best you can

and ask for God's mercy and help.

And remember the Lilies of the field.

I think I was so surprised about others loving my pictures of flowers

because I know that I am merely showing the beauty

that is already there.

(I do acknowledge though that God has given me

what others call an eye for these things).

Do not worry, your Father Knows.

Happy Sigh and Prayer Request

Today was an overcast day weather wise.

But vespers was beautiful and afterwards, the sun was shining, with blue skies.

I am thankful for Church and for God's mercy.

*****

I have a meeting on Monday morning for funding for full time French training. As Ottawa is the capital of Canada it is a bilingual city. Most of the professional librarian jobs in Ottawa are also bilingual. This training would really help me get a job.

I am hopeful and ask your prayers.

Weather Pardox

Do you see the rain streaking past the trees and house?
Sunshine and rain:
A small paradox.

This picture was just to the right of the house in the picture above.
No rain in sight!
I hope everyone had a great Sunday.
It is such a blessing to have Churches to go to.
Next week is Pentecost (today for those on the Western Calendar).
I am looking forward to this great feast.

3 down 3 to go

I just submitted Assignment # 3. I am very happy that this is done. The rest of the course will not be as hard, as it is areas I am more familiar with.

It is quite possible that I will need to take an additional course to learn more.

I am feeling a bit more hopeful about learning for my job. Learning the book collection still seems a bit daunting.

Now I need to go on with the day - the usual domestic tasks of dishes, laundry and groceries. Also preparing for vespers and the eve of Lent.

Blessed Lent to everyone!