Late Saturday Night ... Sunday is coming!

When I was a teen I watched a video
I think it was an African American Pastor speaking...
about Sunday is a-coming,
the day of the Resurrection.

Life-Giving Spring and Guardian Angel.
*
Mr. Husband and I were talking about icons
and how I think it is so important for icons to be in
one's home and for kids to have some too,
for their room.
*
The first icon Mr. Husband and I bought together,
before we were married,
for my godson was the icon of the
Guardian Angel.

The Icon of Pascha,
Christ's Resurrection.
I love looking at this icon;
it has very rich colours
and speaks to us of the
hope beyond all hope,
the defeat of death,
the defeat of despair,
the defeat of hell itself. 

St. Nektarios.
This book
St. Nektarios - the Saint of our Century
is a wonderful read.
I knew one prayerful woman who once told me that
she re-reads this book all the time...
*
I just started the first chapter of 

St. Nectarios of Pentapolis and the Island of Aegina: 

The Monastic Ideal: 

Vol. 1 - The Later Life of the Saint 

and the Establishment of the Holy Trinity Convent, 

by Cleopas Strongylis - Translated by Christopher Tripoulas.

Found here.

*

I got Volume 1 and also Volume 2 at my church in Ottawa in January.

Volume 2 is

St. Nectarios of Pentapolis and the Island of Aegina: 

The Monastic Ideal: Volume 2 - The Catechetical Letters, 

Cleopas Strongylis - Translated by Christopher Tripoulas

 Found here.
*
It is wonderful that we have Saints like St. Nektarios to
intercede for us, for the ill especially.
*
I was recently counselled to not despair when things
seem discouraging or that we are mired down
in the things that are heavy and hard.
*
God is with us,
we must not give up hope;
God loves us,
sinners though we be.

Regional All Saints Sunday

Liturgy and meal after church

was very consoling.

*

My insomnia is continuing but I am seeking

to take heart,

as I only have a week left of the medicine.

I look forward to a return to 'normal.'

*

Today's sermon included reminders that

for those who stand up and follow Christ,

that though the way can and will be hard,

Christ promises to always be with us

and never to abandon us.

Monday / a Lundi

A Close up of Cleo.

:)

After waking me at 6 am, I find I still love her!

Lucky for her...

A really beautiful day today.

And I achieved my goal of studying this morning in the library.

But OH MY GOODNESS do I have a lot to review

and learn.

Lord help me.

I cannot express how encouraging having my

lampada lit

day and night is.

Light in the darkness;

the light will never be overcome by night.

*

It was recently St. George's Day

(old calendar)

and this year I discovered that there is a

St. Elizabeth the Dragon Slayer

the day of after St. George's Day.

Wow.

*

I have a lot to do to get ready for my short trip away.

Balancing trip-planning, French studying...

**

A friend offered to help me network;

I reworked my resume

and carefully crafted my email to go with the resume.

***

I am reading some books by Christian Protestant author

Archibald Hart;

I admit that I find his website to be a bit overwhelming,

not to mention that he has, with his daughters,

created an Institute.

However,

regardless of my inclinations to want things all tidy

and artistic

(I did a BA in English Lit)

I found my friend's suggestion to take a look at his books

worth while.

As you may remember,

I declared war on anxiety

and part of this war was getting books.

Hart's books (and one that his daughter co-wrote)

are one of the tools I am

using to fight.

I hope to do some book reviews on them,

but for now suffice it to say

that I am trying to build new habits in my life

as part of this effort.

First up is improving my eating habits.

More green and other vegetables.

I tend to eat lots of bread

and not as much in the area of vegetables,

unless I make a good soup.

So far, so good.

It is tricky to understand all the areas

that need to be examined;

and how blessed I am to have such good food

easily available to eat.

***

Second is to get more sleep.

On that note, I better do so presently!

*

Christ is Risen!

Rest and Remember

This is a special week;

a pause before the gaining momentum of the soon

approaching Great Lent.

I thought in the midst of winter,

I would remind everyone of the season of summer,

which will come again.

Today there was beautiful snow swirling around.

I did not have my camera, sadly.

But we must remember to seek to see the beautiful in today.

Being thankful really helps us out of the winter blues

and the long grey days that winter can bring.

The Lord is with us.

He can make winter a time of growth,

a time when the farmer does not see the seeds spouting;

but the land, in the time of rest and darkness,

is preparing for another Spring, another Summer.

God is with us

and His Lent is coming to continue to heal us.

Thanks

I appreciate every one's well wishes.

Head colds are something are they not?

I decided to stay home from liturgy as I am still not feeling 100%.

More naps, chicken soup and hot tea are needed.

First class tomorrow.

May God send His mercy to all of us in need.

Thank God for Prayer

It was bound to happen.

I finally came down with a sinus cold,

after feeling like I was fighting something

for some time.

It is still Christmas week for me so chicken is on the menu.

Chicken soup with added garlic and pepper.

Please say a prayer for me

that I can get over this cold in time

for French classes this Monday

9 AM.

I thank God for His goodness.