Days pass by so quickly

Slowly writing another cover letter.

Blessed with many unexpected emails today.

So nice to be reminded that one is cared for.

So hard to get everything done;

today was very full.

My friend Mara is better but still struggling.

Noah continues to need our prayers.

MamaJuliana needs prayer.

Tabitha's husband needs prayer.

And many others.

I am so glad we can pray for one another.

Holiday Monday

I stayed at a friend's place over night.

It was good.

Cleo is glad to have me back home. :)

*

My Akathists came!!

I am going to read the extended story of St. Nicholas

that is in the book with Akathist and Service to St. Nicholas soon!

Talked to a good friend tonight...

one of the things we talked about was that for us

it is better to read a Saint story than something

more on the academic side of Orthodoxy.

Everyone is different and I am glad that there is a place for

us all.

*

I am almost done with my St. Seraphim book;

was really great to read;

I am finding that I am really craving Saints books.

Any suggestions for further reading?

*

Talked with another friend today,

she suggested that I make a website for

Orthodox information,

of course there is a lot out there,

but I told her that could be a fun project for me to do,

but I would do it in blog form...

Wouldn't that be fun?! It would not be to recreate what is already out there

but to let you know where 'what is already out there' is.

That's what librarians do... :)

I think I will try

but I must tell you up front that I don't have the time to

commit to bringing it to light anytime soon,

but it is a good thing to work towards.

*

Tomorrow I have to do another job application

finish making soup, maybe make chicken fajitas,

keep dishes under control and

errands.

*

I am realizing that I am getting really tired of applications

and job searching.

*

God is good to us.

Thursday is beginning

I helped my friends and their beautiful two children

decorate their Christmas tree!

*

My main 'job' though was to take the pictures.

*

I was able to read to the currently three year old boy

who is such a delight to read story books too;

I finally was able to read to him

Jane Meyer's

The Man and the Vine

which I had won back in November -

I had hoped to read it to this lovely 3 year old earlier

but am so happy that I finally was able to.

Of course, the book is now a new favourite!

(Other favourites include a vintage Golden Book called

Funny Bunny

which we do all the scampering, hopping and running actions to.)

I had the results of the biopsy

that I needed the week I suddenly had the

'volcanic eruption on my face' rash

and what the dermatologist thought I had is confirmed.

I am having some follow up tests to make sure

that there is not an underlying health problem

that this rash was indicating.

Some of the possible health problems are, well,

scary would be a good adjective.

Please pray for me as I wait for the results...

still have one more test to get done.

*

I am in the hands of God

and cannot be more cared for than I am right now.

I am seeking to remember and rest in this

as I wait.

Christmas trees are so beautiful!

My Mom told me that our tree is up and waiting for me,

My Dad helped do the tree!

*

If all works as planned I am going (Saturday) on a quick day trip to the

Greek monastery near by

for which I am so grateful.

*

And this weekend I hope to make two vegan chocolate cakes for our

St. Nicholas Day celebration this Sunday.

*

Still doing some job search activities,

emails flying back and forth,

phone calls;

trying to throw as much job-seeking 'balls' in the air

as I can right now.

*

Trusting in God's mercy,

asking your prayers

and Thanking God for all He is and has done for us!

Monday - Step Two

I was downstairs doing long-overdue laundry

when my cell phone beeped

letting me know I had a voice mail.

*

It was an HR person who left her number to have me call her back.

I did so.

I now have an hour-long panel interview via the telephone next week Friday

December 10 in the late morning.

*

No idea if I will get the job.

It does involve moving to a city far from Ottawa

but still in Canada.

*

I am at peace but overwhelmed at the same time.

Thanks for those who encouraged me about the

unexpected bill.

I was able to get through today on the phone

to the givers of the bill and found out that

and I can pay in installments.

*

This means I can pay rent this month

without using my pension-related money.

This also means I will continue job searching

while preparing for next week's interview.

We don't know when or where I will get my next job.

*

Last night was the first night I slept more than 4 hours

so at least between the health situation

and other situations

I have a bit more peace.

*

Thank you for your prayers

and encouraging comments and emails.

Each one is such a blessing to me.

In the moment

Really liked this post by Fr. Stephen ;

It is a daily battle to live in the presence of God

to remember God

to live in the hope of His reality.

*

I think one of the lessons I am supposed to learn

during this time

is that what I need will be given to me

and that I have to live in the present.

*

One of my prayers still is

Lord I believe, help my unbelief.

*

I am grateful that God accepts this prayer.

*

More french work today;

and job application work;

house work;

and I am hoping to get out and take a picture or two,

though it is cloudy at present...

*

Wishing all a good day

as we fight to live in the reality of the current moment

that right now

God is with us.

Looking towards the weekend

It looks like Ottawa may get the summer heat

many of my friends on the West Coast are wanting.

*

Personally I prefer the slightly cooler days

(shhh, don't tell!)

**

I have plans to visit some friends this weekend

and am looking forward to this!

My French presentation went well

and I was surprisingly happy and comfortable

doing it.

Of course I talked about my trip to Brampton

to see My Oma and when people here that she is

101 years old

it is a natural crowd and ice breaker.

I submitted the application

it was a loooooonnnngggg process

to rework my resume,

write two 200 word essays

and be sure to match everything to the posting.

Lots of writing and many edits;

but it is done now and printed at 8 pages

(for my records of course).

**

Still not sure what I am doing for July to learn French.

Am going to (yay, thank you God!) borrow the

Rosetta Stone CD's from a friend,

I could take a part time course for 6 weeks

(am only going to do one this time not two if I do it;

and I will NOT be taking the one that

is still teaching French in English!)

or I could take a (more costly) two week intensive course...

or perhaps something I do not know of yet.

***

I have come to the decision over the past while

that I will continue job searching

for full time and part-time work,

while continuing to work on French.

*

Next week will be a full one for me again,

as my interview for the library job

is this coming Thursday!

I have been practicing for this interview

but have a LOT more to do.

**

Thankfully both my French classes will be done before the interview...

***

Hoping this email finds all of my lovely readers doing well

and aware of God's mercy and care for them!

More of the same can be good

Got word today of a government competition

for a job (non-librarian) that

does not need French.

Am applying!

*

I have my presentation on my holiday

prepared for tonight!

**

I am so thankful for a friend who cares enough to send me

job postings.

***

Now I need to do my best I can on this application!

*

Wishing everyone a lovely day!