A Storm and a Message...

I took these pictures to show how

quickly a rainstorm had come...

 You can see this by the small window on the left.

But you can also see what our friends gave us,

in a print out:

We pray for the persecuted Christians everywhere,

including in Mosul.

You can read more here.

Sunny but cold - what are we seeking?

So I went out.
Took light rail this time.
I find it is always so much
to take in
going to a new place...
*
It is going to take me a while
to understand what things are and
what the places mean.
*
I encountered a huge mall.
Familiar US stores
big - not much more to say about that.
*
On the way back I got a bit confused
as I did not realize that the train I took
would mean I would have to transfer
and I am going to have to
map out going and coming back
as it seems that when I don't do the way back
it is never as simple as I would of thought.

But meanwhile,
there's NYC on the other side of the water.
Crazy hey?
I stayed NJ side this trip.

One of the bigger grocery stores
in my little town
is still out of commission.
That hurricane and the flooding;
it is going to take time to get everything back.
*
The library is back and
I must visit it soon...
*
Thinking about possessions and that
we can take nothing with us
and if I could only live with very little of what
I now have
what would I keep?
*
And do I have inside of me
the prayer and anticipation for Christ's coming?
First and second coming?
*
Lord have mercy on us and help us seek
your Son this Christmas.

Christmas Time (old calendar)

This morning was Christmas.

This was a bit of a strange Christmas for me in ways.

With Resa's death (a friend of mine is a friend of hers)

and some other friend's hardships recently

my heart felt a bit heavier than some years.

Yet, Christ came in harsh circumstances

a stable for animals

dirty, smelly, unkempt.

And so I decorated my house a little bit

(see picture above).

And I did my first Christmas Eve dinner.

Small,

borscht, perogies, salad and bread.

Two friends came over to eat it with me.

I used my new candles that my Mom gave me for Christmas,

they are made of beeswax and are

almost as good as church candles,

though nothing can really compare to those!

This picture is one from the Christmas Meal we had at home

on December 25th.

I am back online with my own computer,

so I can post pictures again.

***

Please pray for my two friends this week

(nameless for privacy)

who have sadness this week.

***

I found out that my French class

(finally registered)

is going to be Monday - Friday

9 to 12.

With the tons of studying that will accompany this,

I realized I cannot have a part time job.

I will have enough savings after to not make this a

all - or - nothing decision.

I start in a week.

Wow. It is going to be intense...

***

May God help us in all we need to do.

Amen.

Between Christmas Feasts

Here I am again.

Really miss being able to post photos.

Ah well.

***

Still praying for Resa - she is struggling.

***

Found out that the presents I sent with good friends

to Romania

to my sister and brother-in-law

got lost.

Am praying that the suitcase is found,

as I am not the only one who gave gifts to send back to Romania

with my dear Romania-Ottawa friends.

***

I miss my sister.

So strange not to have her around for Christmas.

***

Being home is always such a mixed blessing.

So Wonderful to see family.

I am blessed with a very good family.

But I think I always have this feeling of loss

at the same time.

I think a loss in what I thought my life would be;

married, with children to delight my Mother;

all my friends here in Michigan are married

with children.

But I have much to be thankful for.

***

Was at my Michigan Orthodox church today;

hope to be back on my birthday (this Tuesday)

for Matins in the morning

and to Liturgy next Sunday.

***

Scheduled to go to the monastery for a few days later this week.

***

Flying home in a week already.

***

My heart is full;

I wish someone could explain my heart to me.

Heaven

I was talking to a friend about Milton's Paradise Lost and how I heard, in my class, the fear that Heaven would be boring; better to be here on earth where their is death but not boredom. My friend and I did not agree with such a view and her response really struck me.

How could heaven be boring? It will be wonderful - finally the freedom to obey instead of "doing what we do not wish to do."

Oh for such a day.

Lord Jesus, Come! And when You come, Have Mercy.