Back from the baptism of our new godson!

Picture I took of the table with all that is needed for the
baptism this past Sunday!

We were in the Midwest this past weekend,

baptising our new godson!

***

The icons are from Holy Dormition Monastery and are

of St. Luke the Surgeon and St. Gregory Palamas. 

The candles are from St. Tikhon's. 

The Cross is from St. John's Skete, 

attached to Hermitage of the Holy Cross. 

The Cross is the identical to Mr. Husband's baptismal Cross!

***

It was a very blessed time!

***

I am catching up on lots of things now and hope to write more soon!

Thanking God for the honour of being a godmother to a dear

new young infant baby boy! 

Some of my beloveds... (and various other things)

My Godson has
two older brothers
and Mr. Husband and I
found a vintage
Lincoln Log Set for them
to add to what they already had...

Above is the picture of the farm they made with them!
*
I miss these beloveds so much!
And today one of them is coming down the flu...
so do say a prayer for them...
*
I am hoping to make Mr. Husband and I crepes
for dinner...
and I am already planning a special dinner for
the 14th...
*
Meanwhile,
I got some organic turkey bacon and am
thinking that with potatoes and cheese,
it could turn into a wonderful
crock-pot meal for
church this weekend.
So:
any suggestions, recipes? 
*
Tomorrow I hope to make bread,
today I did paperwork, laundry,
grocery shopping and phone calls.
Again.
It was one of those
I need-to-get-out-more days
but one thing at a time.
I find I have to be patient,
even with myself.
*
I am slowly reading this
biography of St. Seraphim...
so good to be reading on this
wonderful Saint...
*
God is with us,
in all our struggles and battles.
We must take heart...

So many things all in one day

 

As many in the Orthodox community know,
Fr. Peter Gillquist departed this life
yesterday evening.
I especially appreciated this blog post
and listened to this podcast
on Ancient Faith Radio
last night
as I knew that Fr. Peter
was quickly declining...
Already there is a podcast about
Fr. Peter's departure.
I heard Fr. Peter speak in Southwest Ontario
some years back;
I remember being struck by how gracious he was
to all the questions asked afterwards.
He is going to be greatly missed.
May God remember him in His Kingdom!
*
I spent time with my dear sister-friend
and my godson and his two older brothers today.
Wave pool, potato chips, sandwhiches and
sorbet.
It was really nice.
*
Today is also St. John's Day.
This post by Mat. Anna
really blessed me today.
*
I have been thinking of Fr. Peter's passing
often today.
*
So much going on.
Grief
sunshine
loss
processing
praying
lighting candles.
*
The wedding invites are
 printed and arrived.
My Grandma is slowly gaining strength
and just today told me she hopes
to make the trip with my Aunt and Uncle to
my and Orthoman's wedding.
I really hope this can happen.
*
A lot of my good friends
are in a lot of transition and some
of them are in great grief.
*
I know that I already had one of my final confessions
with my own spiritual father.
My last month's rent is paid and notice has been given.
I have booked movers.
I found my clip board and am preparing to move.
I changed my phone plan so that I can
use voice over IP and keep an Ottawa phone number.
Orthoman has booked his ticket for when he will come
before the wedding.
*
Tomorrow I go back to work.
I have Friday off.
Cleo is to going to the vet
tomorrow night
with me.
*
I am very tired.
But God is merciful and good.
May He help us all in our times of need.

Nearing Christmas

I had a library school friend visit

me this week;

it was really nice to see her again

and spend time with her.

We took various walks and had a nice lunch together yesterday.

The picture above is a bit of the cheer I saw on our last walk.

I went to the grocery store with her and

she noticed the really great sale on

these oranges and I bought some other things

plus these oranges

and she carried the oranges back for me.

They taste really great.

I've gotten some Christmas

plus one birthday card

so far and it brings a lot of cheer to me.

I have not been able to do cards yet

with everything happening with my Oma

and then recovering from that.

But I am hoping to get to some today.

I've gotten cards from some faithful friends

throughout the years and

never have been able to return

their blessings of cards with one from me.

I hope to do better this year,

even if it does miss new calendar Christmas!

*

I am thankful that on Christmas Eve

new calendar

that I can go to my friends church for a vigil

with some special icons.

This is the first (and I pray only) Christmas I

have had away from my family.

My good friend who is like a sister to me

whose third child I am the godmother to

is having me over for their families'

Christmas dinner

so that is a real blessing.

I did start the fast early so I can have a

western Christmas meal

and I am so glad I get one with such

dear friends.

I truly have a lot to be thankful for.

St. Nicholas Day

Liturgy was a joy.

And added to that joy was that my

close friend and her son

my godbaby

were able to join us.

I got to hold my godson for most of the liturgy

and bring him to communion.

It was so special.

*

I have my house almost clean again.

A friend from library school

is visiting me overnight tomorrow

and that will be really nice.

I have not seen her in some years now.

*

I love St. Nicholas Day.

He is such a special Saint...

New Week ... Monday is almost over already

Recovering from the wonderful weekend.

Thinking of my godchild a lot.

Realized I should clarify one point -

and this may explain why the first communion was

so special for me.

There are lots of Orthodox churches in Ottawa

and my dear friends,

the parents of my godson,

who I have known for many many years,

go to another Orthodox church,

so that was the only Sunday liturgy that I will be taking

my godson too.

I am so grateful for the honour of taking him to his

first communion.

I was gone a lot of the weekend for the baptism

and had an appointment this morning;

this afternoon has been lots of catch up and clean up.

*

Today is the feast of Archangel Micheal and Gabriel and

this is a great comfort for me.

*

I am going to two good friend's house tonight

and am making apple crisp to bake

while we eat dinner

for dessert.

I found out today that I will not be eligible

for employment insurance

because I was unemployed and then viewed as

self-employed over the past two years.

While I have enough for now and the next few months,

this was still really disappointing to learn.

It feels a little scary

and quite unfair... but... I must remember to be

thankful.

*

All things

require a lot of trust in God as

December I am going home to see my sister

(cost too much to change the plane ticket and she is not there for

Christmas)

from Dec 3-12 and then soon after that is

new calendar Christmas and really

not many people in Ottawa will be hiring then.

I don't think my job search will really take off until January,

though I am going to do a lot of work for the rest of this week

and also in December before the holidays.

Next week Tuesday-Wednesday I already am going to Brampton

to see my family and Oma

and Saturday I fly home.

Other life things that I can't blog about

are taking a lot of energy at present

so lots of apathia and trust in God

are needed.

Lots of learning to live in the present and trust

that God knows everything and is orchestrating

all events for my salvation,

and is taking good care of me.

Truly,

our Lord is good to us.

Godbaby's First Communion

Today I took my godson to his first communion.

I got to hold him for almost all of the service

after the sermon.

He was in his white outfit I got him

(will try to take a picture of it later;

sorry I don't do pictures of people on my blog)

and I held him close to me,

gave him to the Mother of God to protect, care and raise him

and gave him his first theology lesson,

showing him the icons of the Theotokos and of Christ.

Can't start too early you know.

And I gave him lots and lots of kisses, cuddles and love.

Everyone admired him as I walked around church with

him and I was beaming the whole time.

*
Communion was very special

two deacons on either side holding the red cloth;

the one deacon is his godfather

and our little godbaby was draped with the red cloth,

given the Blood of Christ,

the very life of Christ

as his godfather said

godbaby

many times and it was so beautiful

holy

all surrounding with love...

It was such a deep and beautiful time.

*

It is a great honour and privilege to have this godson

and to be able to pray for him.

I know I am responsible for helping him grow and

giving him spiritual instruction.

I know that as long as I remember that I am not worthy

then there is hope of myself getting out of the way

for God to work.

To say I am thrilled I think would merely be an understatement.

Today My Godson Was Baptised

My Godson was baptised today.

I felt so very happy.

I am so proud of him too!

He only fussed a little but but never cried,

the whole service!

Many years to my little godbaby!!

Home after work and church

Today work went well

and I went to my friend's Orthodox church

for an Akathist and talk after

which was lovely.

*

One more work conversation still to be had.

*

Thanking God that we are nearing the weekend.

I get to see God willing my Godson again on Sunday!