Tuesday Sunshine and Prayers for Others

Yesterday was quite the day
on the prayer request front.
*
Not only did I learn that
the beloved Matriarch and Patriarch 
who are like grandparents to my Ottawa Parish
are really struggling....
*
One of my close friends
who was at my Ottawa bridal shower
and wedding,
who I met the very vespers service
over 7 years in my Ottawa parish
told me of two of her family members health
struggles,
including a newly diagnosis-ed cancer.
*
I am still waiting and praying for
another Ottawa friend who has
pneumonia
and
the list goes on from there.

So the candles are lit...
*
(Next time not so many
candles in this one,
too much heat by the glass
and it got a very small crack in it;
lesson learned).
*
I sent my friend this
Akathist to the Mother of God, Healer of Cancer
via email.
*
I listened to this wonderful
short podcast this morning,
early,
as the meds I am on are doing
a huge insomnia number on me
(tomorrow is the last day to be on them,
Thank God).
The podcast, by
Frederica Mathewes-Green
is about current thoughts she is having on
intercessory prayer and
when you see others suffering and
just want the suffering to end.
Worth listening to.

Mr. Husband and I are hoping
for a dinner that is simple
and that I learned from my sister-friend.
*
Toasted bread, butter, avocado and chicken.
With a salad on the side...
We got my last sour dough bread
that we had been saving
out of the freezer...
*
I must admit that I am hoping to make more
bread tomorrow.
I know I am supposed to be resting,
but am hoping that with using the mixer
to knead the dough,
it will not be too much work.
And someone we know is DV coming tomorrow
to help with some things while I am unwell...
so, we will see.
*
Not being able to do everything,
like my new found love of baking bread,
gives new meaning to me of
the Our Father:
give us our daily bread. 

I am in forever-love with my kitchen
and the sunlight in the mornings.

These two cards
(I had to hand write the verse for the second
as it was behind this icon)
were part of one of our wedding gifts.
From one of my dearly beloved prayerful Catholic friends.
I just love them.

 

This 365 day verse calendar
was given to Mr. Husband and I
by my cousin A. who
has given so many beautiful things to me
throughout the years.
*
A good reminder for me today.
I know I am supposed to be still and resting.
At the same time I admit to asking God
how can I rest when am taking
meds that wire me day and night?
But I guess that is where
the lacking self-discipline is supposed to be
worked on...
*
So I will keep knitting!
Oh, here's another great thing
for anyone who loves children to listen to:
The Akathist to the Mother of God Nurturer of Children
read by Frederica Mathewes-Green.
One of my dear friends had asked
me via email if I knew of an audio version of this 
Akathist and I realized 
not only did I know of this one,
but did not know if I had ever shared it with you all!
It's really lovely and I love it
for praying for my godchildren...
*
If anyone knows of other places to listen to audio 
versions of Akathists, 
please do let me know
either through a comment 
or my blog email 
(roosjeblog AT yahoo DOT CA).
Thanks!
*
I hope to do a knitting post soon.
I am almost done with the first scarf,
have two more scarves going
and more than half way on the dish cloth!
*
Blessings on your day!

Turn always to prayer...

 

My dear friend Mara
who lives many many miles from me
is really struggling.
It deeply saddens me.
I can tell by emails that there is
a profound loneliness and some painful confusion.
Please pray.

Nativity Fast

And so it is time to prepare our selves

open our hearts

to let Christ come in.

In the middle of rejoicing,

there is still often pain

in this life.

Kate and Jeff,

Noah's parents,

are with the medical team seeing that

Noah is in the last stages and they are

making funeral plans.

Please pray for Noah and his parents and siblings.

I was especially touched by Noah's parent's wish

for a good and beautiful cemetery to have Noah's

body laid to rest in.

Please pray that all this can be provided.

I am sure I am not the only one who

has been praying for Noah who has shed tears

about his pain and sudden rapid decline.

In the end as we turn our minds, eyes and hearts

toward Christ's birth,

we have to trust that Christ who was born to die for us

is involved today in our lives and that His love for us

and for children such as Noah

is very, very real.

With the Feast

It was so good to be in Church this morning.

And I did have ice cream today :)

My favourite ice cream is a simple one - Neapolitan

strawberry, chocolate and vanilla;

yumm!

Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers

RE: my French test prep.

I think it is hard for me in part

because of the pressure of it

i.e. the two year position I interviewed for

is on the line...

I am savouring more summer strawberries!

*

Wishing all of you on the old calendar a

wonderful Feast of St. Peter and Paul!!

*

Mary, if you have not heard already,

has gone back online;

we are all so happy to welcome her back!

*

I am fascinated with the new

first ever in North America

Orthodox College

that hopes to open its doors in 2011.

I am sure I am one of many wishing it very well;

Ancient Faith Radio had a great podcast interview about it.

*

Am seeking to remember Elizabeth's Mother in my prayers;

please remember her also in yours...

*

I am so grateful for my church family and my

blog community as well

for the prayer support we can provide for each other.

*

Through Mary's blog I found this story about

a girl that World Vision helped

from Gail Hyatt

(wife of Micheal Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson)

Not an easy story to read;

but it is good to be reminded not only of the good that

is being done in the world

but also of how fortunate many of us are...

*

I recently heard stats about human trafficking of

young girls and women

including from Ukraine and

it is really horrible.

So much to pray for

so much to be thankful for.

*

May God have mercy on us

and all those suffering deeply in places that we are not

aware of...