(59) St Nicholas at the Cloisters

~It was so special to see this old painted statue of St Nicholas.

Just knowing that others have see this beautiful depiction of St Nicholas

and asked his prayers, centuries ago...

***

{because of a long awaited visit with friends

who I have not seen in 7 years, 

I am not able to blog regularly.

So I have set up some things from the Cloisters

to show you in the mean time!}

St Nicholas Day Eve (Part 1)

Today was spent getting ready for tomorrow's lunch,

including baking a cake, lots of dishes washed, getting out the

bowls and platters for food...and doing the cookie bags!

I love giving cookies away for St Nicholas day! 

DV lots more pictures tomorrow! :)

***

St Nicholas day vespers was lovely.

My Husband exceptionally had to work late and was not with me.

I missed him. 

But we plan on both vigil and liturgy for St Nicholas day 

on the 19th at our far-away church, so that's lovely.

***

I have heard of so many dear ones with either very sick

or recently reposed loved ones.

Our prayer list grows 

but we hope also our love grows, even if imperceptible. 

***

I love St Nicholas so very much.

***

May God have mercy on each of us and help us

in the many struggles that we face.

May He comfort our hearts

and carry us through....

***

"But now, this is what the Lord says—

    he who created you, Jacob,

    he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,

    I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

    they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

    you will not be burned;

    the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the Lord your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom,

    Cush and Seba in your stead.

4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,

    and because I love you,

I will give people in exchange for you,

    nations in exchange for your life.

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

    I will bring your children from the east

    and gather you from the west.

6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’

    and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’

Bring my sons from afar

    and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

7 everyone who is called by my name,

    whom I created for my glory,

    whom I formed and made.”

Isaiah 43: 1-7 NIV 

italics are mine.

I do St Nicholas day twice

For the cookies below, that is, chocolate chip with dried cherries,

I used a powder egg replacer + 4 tbs of water in place of the egg and 1/4 cup of milk. 

I did not use nuts and used dried cherries instead of the fresh cranberries

 (I have used fresh cranberries before too!)

Soft tacos for dinner! A vegan fast-special :)

Saint Nicholas!!! 

I love St Nicholas so much!

We were at vespers for his feast tonight!

I hope to be at vigil for his feast in 13 days,

on the 19th!  :) 

We are in good hands when we trust St Nicholas for help!

His prayers are mighty and quick to hear!

More than once I would get unexpected monies on his day

when I was a student...

I was chrismated at his church in MI... 

I asked him to go with me to MI when I left BC,

knowing that I would be going to his church...

He has done so! 

***

My Husband loved my cookies! He commented that they

were really good and when I asked how many he had,

I was pleased to hear he ate 3 of them :) 

***

I am hoping to make more cookies, maybe another double batch tomorrow...

I like to give out cookies on St Nicholas' day and

it's going to be my main present for Mr Husband this year... :)

***

I am slowly gathering things for Christmas gifts,

I love baking and raiding the pantry for things.

My Husband printed our Christmas letter/card and soon I will have to start

working on this as well...

***

I was really inspired with the joy of yesterday's feast and with the

anticipation of St Nicholas's days to pray about our

unbloggable situation and ask for a miracle.

I don't know what miracle i am asking for, but asking I am doing.

***

I hope each of you are blessed and finding encouragement 

no matter what struggle you find yourself in today!

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!