First 'Real' Dinner in our New Home ~ Little by Little, Bit by Bit!

Our table :)

Some order is finally prevailing... many more boxes but we are making

true and real progress! 

I don't know where my icons are! I remember packing them...

we have about 5 more boxes marked fragile in our

master bedroom closet... :)

I was able to find the icons that were on the window sill

of our old place...I tried to recreated this a bit

as I did love that space!

We kept the table small (the one leaf is under the table)

and so used our almost-island counter for the food...

Thankfully there is a diner near by that has really good food

for great prices and portions that equal minimum of two meals

per meal! New Jersey, as Mr. Husband says, is a 'diner state' :).

*

Well, we are tired but loving our new home.

*

My parents started their trip back to Michigan today....

It was such a good visit...

Everywhere I look, I see my Dad's work...

yesterday he fixed the light switches in our bathroom...

now our second light and fan works... and he hung

towel bars in the bathrooms, a hook on the door...

he spent time researching our dishwasher,

which we think we will have to replace sadly,

but Dad saved us a bill in trying to find out if it could be fixed!

*

I unpacked all our breakable dishes and glassware I think now...

we have to figure out pantry options yet for shelving,

so I can unpack all of that...

*

Lots of laughter, talks and teasing Cleo went on and lots of meals

at the local diner; it was a truly blessed time and one 

I thank God for!

Now we are praying for a safe trip home for 

my parents and that they can visit us here again

in the future!

Day at the Monastery

It was so wonderful to be at

the monastery.

So beautiful.

Beautiful day,

my favourite weather - sunny, cold, snow on the ground,

so good to see the sisters there.

Loved this Christmas greeting in French!

Soon will God willing be the new year

and after this

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my church.

I have a lot to be thankful for

and give thanks to God for such a beautiful first day

of my 35th year!

Beginning of 35

God willing I am off the monastery soon!

My Mom gave me cute china egg holders

so I think I will have a lovely

tea/brunch for a

later birthday party

and use them!

*

Please pray for our travels as it has snowed in Ottawa this week!

*

Thanking God for year 35!!

Happiness

Today I held my godbaby

for the very first time

at just 6 days old.

Step 1 - Sunday Evening

Today I saw the newly baptised boy

have his first communion.

What a beautiful miracle.

It fills my heart with joy.

I was encouraged by many at my church

and discussed my situation with my spiritual father.

*

I will be researching social assistance,

doing more job-seeking meetings

with the people who help with this part,

and have other things to research too.

And of course, now that my health seems to be stabilizing

from the volcanic eruption on my face,

I hope to have the time and strength to continue job searching

for both professional and 'in-between jobs.'

*

Had a great talk with my parents

and about keeping my courage up,

not giving up

and continue to be open to God's guiding

doors that I may not of thought of yet

that God may open.

They are still hoping to get me home for Christmas

as they want to see me and

want me to be emotionally refreshed.

They know it is not going to solve the situation I am in

but may give me some renewed strength.

They and other important people in my life

all agree that during the holiday times

(Christmas and New Years)

there will not be a lot of interviews scheduled

and I can continue job searching during this time in Michigan.

As the three interviews I did have this fall

were all applied for while I was home in Michigan

in August,

I tend to agree with them.

I am looking God for help

to the Saints for their intercessions

and am confident that God will not leave me during this time.

*

Please pray for me for wisdom to know how to

best and most efficiently approach the situation

I am finding myself in

and how to have strength, a good attitude

and peace as I sort this out.

I know that with Christ strengthening me

this situation can be dealt with,

though I am not pretending it is easy.

If it was easy, then I would be having a much

easier time falling asleep at night... :)

*

Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement.

I can't tell you how much it lifts my spirits.

My love to you all in Christ!

*

And blessed beginning to the Nativity Fast for any on the

old calendar...

*

Christ is in our midst.

One of the greatest blessing of my life is my Father

Today is my Dad's birthday!

As I said for my Mother's Birthday,

I was born of a Christian Mother -

I was born also with a Christian Father.

A Father who is gentle

who is quick to listen, slow to speak.

Who I never remember yelling at me or anyone else;

who always loved to tease in loving ways;

who supported his family,

sacrificing so I and my siblings could have a Christian education;

whose faithfulness, commitment to God and

to the church he was raised in

never wavers.

I thank God for my Dad,

for the times I get to talk to him,

for the fact that he never considers me to old to have hugs,

(and who would immediately retort that I don't let him get away without hugs! :) )

*

My Dad's love for me has held me in good stead

and he is always someone I can turn to when I need

advice.

Just calling him up to tell him what I am up to

even if it is only a one or two minute conversation,

is a blessing to me.

So Happy Birthday to my Dad!

God grant you many many years!

A Year Ago...on June 6

It’s funny. I wrote a long blog post but feel it needs to stay unposted. But I wanted to write something about the meaning of this day for me.

A year ago today I made the mistake of jaywalking when I should not of and my foot got run over. I was on bed-rest for two months and it was really hard. The job I lost this past April, I was to start a week before my foot was run over. I could of easily died, if I had stepped out a second earlier; or at least been severely injured.

I thank God that I am still alive. I thank God for the Theotokos and St. George who protected me. I thank God for St. Hermans, Mat. Donna, Victoria and Mimi whose prayers encouraged me so much during that time. I thank God for my church and many friends who helped me (food, laundry, visits, going to the doctors with me).

I had begged God to change me, as I knew I needed so much to be changed. All of the pain of this past year God is using to my benefit. I am being to challenged to grow in ways I had not envisioned. I can see how much I need to participate in the growth I am being called to; I can only pray for God’s mercy.

Today I hope to drop off cookies at my church, go to the Cathedral for liturgy, go back to my church later for confessions and vespers to prepare for Pentecost. I thank God that He is letting me ask for His Holy Spirit again this year. I need God and His mercy, protection and help.