Flame in the Snow ~ & ~ finished Sunshine Blanket!

While on vacation in Michigan,

I finished the Sunshine blanket!

*

I also picked up at a local Church bookstore,

Flame in the Snow,

a novelized story of St. Seraphim of Sarov that

was just lovely!

Words of how each life is unique,

of prayer of St. Seraphim being an 

increasing focus on Christ,

of gentleness.

*

I am now working on a simple

seed stitch afghan that I hope to show 

progress on next week!

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What are you reading and creating?

Yarn Along with us! 

Today is a very powerful day

Today is a day full of many wonderful Saints.

*

Macrina the Righteous, sister of St. Basil; 

Dius, Abbot of Antioch; 

Translation of the Holy Relics of Righteous Seraphim of Sarov; 

Saint Theodore, Bishop of Edessa

 *

In Sister Magdalen's book she writes

of the goal of a teacher of children who seeks

to pass on the Traditions of the Church

is to have children not divide their lives in two,

as if one's church life and the rest of life are two separate 

parts or compartments.

*

This sermon talks of the same:

are we only religious and church is one of the compartments of life,

as if it is put in a closet like clothes or a pantry for food

or is it part of everything.

The key here is that if one has God only in a closet in one's life

than one is not really believing in the reality of 

Christ's Resurrection.

*

Oh that we can grow in knowing Christ and having our life forever changed.

Oh that we too can be aware of the Saints and 

so have hope in God who knows the name of each star,

in Whom is all Truth, Beauty and Praise.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

(photographers)

*

St. Seraphim is such a wonderful

intercessor for us!

*

His prayer rule for his spiritual children 

 is a light one for us

and very beautiful.

*

See here for a short life of St. Seraphim,

prayers and icons.

Wednesday Quietness

I have been slowly reading through a book on

St. Seraphim of Sarov

and am really enjoying it.

A book read slowly and savoured;

it is always so good to read of Saints, of God's

mercy and love

and of holy places of quiet.

*

Work continues to be very busy.

I ruined one of my two pairs of work pants

when I fell the other week

which means I have been carefully

going between 1 skirt and 1 pair of pants

since then.

Which requires a bit more frequent washing and

matching with various work clothes.

So finally I decided on a skirt that I bought online;

it will come in a few weeks -

it is ankle length, deep brown and I got a

long sleeved 'tee-shirt' to match

which with my other work clothes will be

very usable.

And 1 lovely scarf was ordered too...

It's been a while since I have dressed professionally

since I was working from home

and before that looking for work

and it is nice to wear my work clothes

but a bit distracting too.

*

I am glad that God is patient.

*

Just making the purchase decisions for this

feels like a relief,

after emailing two close friends about them

for a bit

and having some online / phone conversations.

You would think it would be simple,

clothes buying,

but after being unemployed for a while,

buying new things is, well, a bit new again...

other than books and icons which I always managed

to get a bit of even in the midst of my trials.

:)

*

I am hosting a dinner party this Friday

and a small Thanksgiving dinner on Monday.

I am looking forward to both.

I find making beautiful meals and moments with friends

to be something that really motivates me;

beauty and creating it in many ways

is something I've realized is important to me

in my daily life.

*

Thank God for the deep beauty of icons

which not only gives light to the eyes

but can quiet the soul.

As of Late...

Cleo and I have been enjoying time

together; she's going to really miss me being home

when I start working...

I think I will too; working 5 days a week will be a

big change for me.

*

FYI, I not only don't have to move for this job,

but I can walk to it!

Super cool in my book :)

Cleo continues to want whatever food

I set out for myself.

She's too funny.

I've been working still on my contract work

and hope to be done soon...

Was really tired after the huge event of

the job offer and acceptance

and have been laying low online...

Still reading everything but sometimes not commenting as much.

Just fatigue and transition...

*

Went to Greek Fest with two of my good friends

and two of the Sisters at the Greek monastery were there

so I got to ask prayers, tell them I got a job and

got three books! :)
Father George Calciu: Interviews, Homilies and Talks

been wanting this book on Fr. George for a while;

I strongly recommend it!
Saint Seraphim Wonderworker of Sarov

I am loving this book on St. Seraphim;

I have another one on him

but this new one I got yesterday has pictures and different

details; I love learning more about St. Seraphim and feel

that this book came at the perfect time for me.
The Lives of the Georgian Saints

This book is very beautiful - hard back, dust jacket

glossy pages and colour Georgian style icons;

a real treasure.

I love Saint books very much.

*

What have you been loving lately?

Beginning week three / first week of three

This begins week three since I began work.

And it is the beginning of the three weeks

(4 Sundays total)

before Lent.

*

I am thankful for my job.

I've realized that the hardest thing about it is that

I feel like I always have to prove myself

as if I am on a prolonged interview

and need to constantly show them that I am

worth keeping / extending my contract.

*

But this is how it is and I am thankful for the work.

*

I've been re-reading my book on

St. Seraphim of Sarov

and am really enjoying it.

*

Do you have a Saint's book that you love?

Would be more than happy to hear...