The beginning of 34 has been beautiful

Today went as planned.

Matins in the morning;

breakfast with my Grandmother.

Lunch with family.

Not the best picture;

but I am glad I have it;

it is a lunch that my Aunt always has for us:

boiled egg

good bread, jams, peanut butter

roggebrood (a small dense Dutch rye bread), cheese,

milk, coffee

banana.

*

How we laugh at my Aunt's house;

talking about my Mom and Cousins growing up years;

and the grand-babies of two of my Aunt's grandchildren.

I made the roasted root vegetables for my family's Christmas dinner;

this time I added a parsnip;

it turned out really well.

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I got some special gifts -

some small spoons and tea towel that were my Oma's.

An icon of the Annunciation from my Godmother;

my ever present composition notebooks

(always have one with me)

Dutch soup mix and some simple delft blue egg cups

(for lunches like the one my Aunt had for us).

I must remember to show you all a beautiful

hand painted ornament of the Nativity

that my sister gave me from Romania.

*

A most wonderful day full of seeing many people I love.

The first day of my 34th year.

I have no idea what is in store for me this year

but I know I will need God for every step of the way.

*

I am off to the monastery for a few days.

I thank God that I have this opportunity.

God is rich in mercy.

Praying that as this year draws to a close that God

will comfort all of us as we face a new year

with all that it will contain.

God is with us.

Friday of St. Barbara, soon St. Nicholas

Today (old calendar) is St. Barbara's Day.

I am so glad for this.

Soon St. Nicholas Day;

one of my favourite days of the year

(and my sister's birthday!)

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Tomorrow God willing the monastery trip.

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I am depending very much on St. Nicholas' prayers.

Keeping my lampada lit

seeking to pray

prayers of others

are keeping me afloat.

Took a long bus ride to a job agency today;

did the tests for clerical and data entry;

did very well.

*

Fixed my purse that broke just today;

got the handle restitched for only five dollars;

for an awesome purse that I use a lot

this is a good price.

*

I am still struggling with anxiety about the health tests

I am waiting for results for.

Still having insomnia every night because the meds I am on

for the November volcanic face outbreak;

meds done at the end of this month.

The last few nights when I wake and realize once again

insomnia

and I go to stand, I almost fall immediately to the floor.

I know what this means my friends;

insomnia and stress.

Not to worry though,

I've lived through this before.

AND I have meds for the insomnia

so I have resources and am still getting sleep,

just not enough sleep yet.

*

And I have gathered many good tips for stress

(of course I welcome all ideas).

So far here is what I am doing to proactively take care of myself

during this time of job searching and health uncertainty:

1. Pray and ask others for prayers

2. Monasteries

3. Eat as well as possible. The root veggies by the way were fabulous.

Trying to eat protein, good vegetables

and fruits and hearty bread daily.

Avoid sugar and caffeine,

stay hydrated - water, herbal teas, juice.

4. Deep breathing

5. Lampada lit day and night

6. Talking to family and friends and asking for prayer

7. Regular contact with my church family

8. Being thankful and seeing and creating beauty every day

9. Constantly bringing my mind back to the fact

that I am in God's hands and care.

*

I thank God.

And now I am going to make the cakes for St. Nicholas day!!

Baking - so therapeutic and creative!

*

Let's keep praying for one another.

*

God is with us.

Looking forward on a Sunday

I had a 'heart to heart' with my Mom.

I am going to continue looking for work here

but have to face the fact that I am running out of money.

I may have to move home,

which will also involve selling most of my furniture and a lot of my books

(honest the book part does not bother me that much).

I will continue looking here to see what

I can find.

I will pursue all my options with the time I have.

But I must not be afraid to go from

single women with a great little apartment, Cat and cool

furniture

to single woman sans apartment, etc etc.

God is with us.

May whatever He wills happen.

I am going to try to pluck up my courage and continue

to seek God's face during this time.