On and on it goes

Life sure can be full of a lot of the same;

looking and waiting...

*

I have at least 2.5 more weeks of waiting to hear about the job

from what I was told.

*

It is hard to keep applying to more jobs;

it is inwardly tiring.

*

One of those days where it feels like everything was begun

but nothing finished.

Making meatloaf

but also Dutch meatball soup

and found out belatedly that I am out of carrots and celery.

Not much to do with soup without these!

Almost done with edit three of a cover letter;

I need to kick it back into gear

as they say.

*

I have enjoyed all the comments about my Akathist post.

I sent some to a friend who read my post

I LOVE information and resource sharing

and who would not love sharing prayers!!

*

One of the hardest things about being in the

in-between jobs situation

is that one cannot just go buy whatever they see or want

even when it comes to Orthodox books, Akathists or Icons;

though perhaps for me I should write Especially when

it has to do with these things!

I haven't shown you all the Icon of St. Katherine that I go while

at the monastery yet, have I?!

:)

If you recall I sold some books for cash and the icon was one of the

things I got in return...

Note to self: photograph icon and blog picture.

*

I hope you are all having a most wonderful end to a day

where you know that God is with you,

no matter what is going on

for you

right now.

*

Again, if anyone wants an Akathist, please let me know

in the comment box or email me

your request

(see email in last comment tread).

I'm a librarian and I am happy to share.

:)

*

God is good to us and He is with us.

The Collecting of Akathists

I am slowly working on more

job applications.

However most of today was spent getting my house in order again.

Wow.

When one comes back from vacation and lunges immediately

into huge interview preparations,

the house gets a bit neglected!

*

I am working on compiling, printing and putting into a binder

all of the Akathists that I have.

I have scoured the Internet for Akathists,

finding a good many here, and here, and here

not to mention the wonderful Akathists

that Fr. Lawrence Farley has written,

who is the priest who introduced me to Akathists through

preaching on one

while I was worshipping at St. Herman's

in the early days of my journey into the Orthodox Church.

*

So I have over 60 Akathists so far!

I know, that is a lot.

But I am still missing ones to:

St. Irene of Chrystovolantou

St. Katherine the Great Martyr

St. Barbara the Great Martyr

*

In time I hope to go to

St. Nectarios Press and get printed copies of prayers that

they have available for purchase;

as well as to St. John of Kronstadt Press,

for the Akathists that they have published;

and this book,

Volume Two of the Book of Akathists

*

But I cannot spend a lot of money on this right now!

*

If anyone knows where to find the Akathists I am missing

(esp. if they are freely available)

Please let me know!

*

I am going to list what I have so far below;

it's a long list so I understand if you don't read it,

but if you are looking for one that I do have

then leave me a comment and we can arrange

for you to have a copy, either a PDF or MS Word document.

*

FYI,

I do have in printed form but not in a computer file,

Akathists to:

St. Nicholas and St. George

and the so far 6 Akathists that are in pamplet form

that include

Akathist to Jesus Conqueror of Death by St. Nikolai Velimirovich,

Akathist to the Mother of God Quick to Hear

Akathist to St. Spyridon.

Also I have some canons as well,

but perhaps that is for another post!

*

Here is what I have as of today:

*

Elizabeth's List of Akathists:

1. An Akathist Hymn to Almighty God in Times of Sorrow and Depression
2. Akathist to Jesus Light to those in Darkness
3. An Akathist in Praise of God
4. The Akathist Hymn Glory to God for All Things
5. Akathist "Glory to the God who Works Wonders"
6. Akathist to the Divine Passion of Christ
7. Akathist to our Sweetest Jesus Christ
8. Paraklesis to our Lord Jesus Christ
9. Akathist to the Life-bearing Tomb and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
10. Akathist to the Spiritual Ladder, the Precious Cross

11. Akathist to our Most Holy Lady, Mother of God
12. Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, Daughter of Zion
13. Akathist to the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Virgin of Pochaiv”
14. Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos
15. Akathist to the Theotokos Joy of All Who Sorrow
16. Akathist Service to Our Lady of Stika
17. Akathist hymn to the Theotokos during Great Lent
18. The Service of the Great Paraklesis of the Most Holy Theotokos
19. The Service of the Small Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos
20. The Veil of Our Lady Akathistos Hymn
21. Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of children
22. Akathist to the Theotokos, Queen of All
23. Akathist to our Most Holy Lady before Her Icon, The Felixstowe Mother of God.
24. Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos of the Portal of Iviron, The Portaitissa

25. Akathist to Saints Joachim and Anna
26. Akathist Hymn to the Holy Prophet David King of Israel
27. Akathist Hymn to the Juliana of Lazarevo
28. Akathist BY St. Romanos the Melodist
(2015 edit to #28 as it is one not to him but by him to the Mother of God,
I have had requests over the years for an
 Akathist TO St. Romanos the Melodist, but have not found it).
29. Akathist to St. Tikhon of Moscow
30. Akathist to All Saints of Western Europe
31. Akathist to Holy Father Paisius the Athonite
32. Akathist to our Father among the Saints Chad the Wonderworker
33. Akathist to our father among the Saints Raphael
34. Akathist to our Holy Father Guthlac of Crowland
35. Akathist to St. Ignatius Brianchaninov
36. Akathist to St. Juliana of Lazarevo
37. Akathist to St. Philaret the Merciful
38. Akathist to St. Xenia of Petersberg
39. Akathist to St. Xenia of Petersburg, Interceder for families and those needing employment
40. Akathist to St. Brenden the Voyager
41. Akathist to St. Nectarios
42. Akathist to St. Luke the Surgeon
43. Akathist to the Chinese Martyrs (1900)
44. Canon to Protomartyr Thekla
45. Akathist to St. Panteleimon
46. Akathist to St. Innocent of Moscow, Equal to the Apostles and Enlightener of North America
47. Akathist Hymn to St. Yakov
48. Akathist to St. Michael the Archangel
49. The Service of the Supplicatory Canon to St. Silouan the Athonite
50. The Akathist to St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco
51. Akathist to the Tsar Great Martyr Nicholas Emperor of All Russia
52. Akathist to St. Arseny of Winnipeg
53. Akathist to St. Herman
54. Akathist to St. Herman (by Fr. Lawrence Farely)
55. Akathist for the Repose of Those Who Have Fallen Asleep
56. Akathist to Saint Elizabeth, Grand Dutchess and Passionbearer
57. Akathist to the Martyr Saints of the Boxer Rebellion
58. Akathist to Saint Nilus, Wonderworker of Sora
59. Akathist to our Holy Father Guthlac of Crowland
60. Akathist to the Holy Confessor Alexis of Carpatho-Russia
61. Akathist to St. Nicholas of Myra
62. Akathist to Saints Peter and Paul

*

Again, if there are others you have that you can share,

please let me know.

The librarian in me is loving this project!

It's called "collection development" in the library world.

*

Thank God for His mercy in giving us such beautiful prayers.

Glory to God for all things!

Trusting God At Every Step

Found out today that

I did not get the Ottawa job I applied for.

It was library-related

but not as good as the job I just flew out to interview for.

*

Still, it is not easy as I really love it in Ottawa.

Just being here is a delight to me.

But if God wants me to move away,

I must go.

*

Tomorrow I will continue job searching

in and outside of Ottawa.

*

God is good

and I know that He does nothing

that is not for our good and salvation.

*

This does not mean I am emotionally numb to this process.

I have been waking around 5 AM a lot lately

which I am sure is in part because I may

be moving

and my life is in transition.

This however does not negate God's goodness

and kindhearted mercy.

Thoughts about home

This picture, and the one below it,

are at a relatives house in Michigan.

*

They have lived on the property and fixed it up over the years.

Someday they will have to leave it, as aging is inevitable.

I am in an unknown yet known place.

*

I do not yet know what my job future is.

*

Am I moving? If so, where to?

I still have other applications out there

and will be looking for more,

until God opens the door for a position that seems right to take,

whether it is the one I just interviewed for

or another.

*

Most who read this blog know that

I love icons.

Almost all of my icons I have gotten over the years

that I have lived in Ottawa.

If I move, God willing all my icons will come safely as well.

Ultimately I will be separated from all things,

as either Christ will return or I will die.

*

But the idea of having my icons with me if I do have to move,

is a comfort.

*

It is challenging at times emotionally right now

(though overall I am doing alright)

as I do not know what I am preparing for

(to stay, to leave).

*

I do know that I am to seek to preserve the peace that

God can give us

in the midst of uncertainty.

Interview Over!

Whew.

Well it went well!

Yay!!!

There are 3 candidates they interviewed.

I will know in 3 or 4 weeks,

hopefully not longer.

*

My presentation went well;

I felt comfortable;

it is strangely something I don't mind doing, presenting.

*

My interview went as well as possible,

given my experience, etc.

*

I can honestly say all the people I met today

(and there were many)

I really liked.

*

I am very pleased.

Also quite exhausted, though surprisingly not feeling

as traumatized as I thought I would.

:)

*

THANK YOU ALL SO SO VERY MUCH

for your prayers.

I felt so encouraged by you all,

as well as by other family and friends.

*

Meanwhile I will have to continue job searching

as nothing is known yet.

*

Tonight though I get to relax.

Tomorrow I will tour the city and fly back at night.

*

Now that the interview is over,

I feel eager to get back home,

I think because it was so much effort to stay on top

of everything all day...

*

I am trying to just live in the present and not

worry about relocating until it

if the Lord wills

happens.

*

May the Lord be praised and may His will be done.

*

Thanks again everyone, your support really means a lot to me!

Flying out for Interview tomorrow

Well.

My big day is almost here!

My interview day begins at 8 AM and ends at 4:15 PM

(EST 9 AM to 5:15 PM).

*

Please pray that I will have the strength to concentrate

and be professionally cheerful throughout,

etc.

*

I thank God for His care

and that there are so many praying for me.

I am so blessed...

*

May God be praised.

Sunday

I have been feeling the pressure of my up and coming interview.

To read all the research,

work on my presentation

and do other things

to prepare

is exhausting.

Don't get me wrong - I am really excited for the opportunity.

I just need to do enough research

to really understand what I am presenting.

The day of interview (I have the schedule now)

is from 8 am until 4:15 pm

this Friday.

I have been worried that I am getting a head cold,

esp. as the weather is changing.

But God is so good.

I am so supported by my family, friends, church family;

I could not ask for more

(well other than perhaps not coming down with any sort of illness

this week!).

I have been enjoying Sunday to catch up on some blog reading

of dear blog friends,

but if I am not commenting it is merely due to my

current situation.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and blessed beginning of this week

and a nice Labour day to any who are in countries

that celebrate it.

God is good to us.

I think the interview went well.

*

Thank you everyone for your prayers

and comments.

I felt supported; thank you.

*

Now to prepare for the next interview!

*

I got the interview schedule for next week...

it is intense.

*
I will be meeting the head of all the libraries by 8:30 in the morning

and presenting to the library staff by 9 am ...

and that is only the beginning --

the day does not end until 4:15 in the afternoon!

*

Any advice on how to stay 'cool' for a day of meet and greets

a lunch, interviews and presentation

are welcomed.

*

In someways the day is so intense that I just laugh and want to

go forward and do it well!

*

Meanwhile, I will be off to the library to research for my presentation.

Prayers of course welcomed,

including that I will have the physical strength to make it through this week

of preparation

(and a possible second interview in Ottawa

for the job I interviewed for today).

*

God is our hope and strength...

to Him we must look...

Tomorrow

I have my Ottawa interview tomorrow.

*

I got a lot of good advice today about it.

*

I am praying that I will be able to communicate confidently

about my skills and experience.

*

By Saturday I will be preparing for my day-long interview*.

*

I am looking forward to this weekend and the support that God

provides in the church.

*

Prayers requested.

*the day long interview is next week Friday

Transitions

I had a wonderful and I pray fruitful

time at home.

*

I fly back in the early morning to Ottawa.

*

I found out tonight that I have another job interview

this Friday

in Ottawa.

*

I will be very busy these next 2 weeks so if I do not blog much

or comment much on other blogs;

you know why!

My second interview is September 10th;

I fly out for it on September 9th;

*

I am thankful for two interviews!

*

My Dad said well it is totally in God's hands

and I can be at peace

and do my best...

*

God is good to us in all seasons and times.

God is so good to us

I had a great visit at the monastery.

*

I came back to learn that one of my

dear friends is in the hospital.

Please pray for her.

*

Learned also that one of my classmates from years back

passed away on Tuesday from cancer.

He leaves a godly wife and 4 children behind.

Lord have mercy.

*

It is so wonderful to have monasteries to go to pray

and to have them pray for such needs as these.

Flowers

God willing I will be going to the

monastery...

I am so glad as the upcoming job interview in

the second week of September

is overwhelming.

*

The flowers above are from the

monastery on Dormition

and the others my Dad gave me

hours after I found out about the job interview.

**

After looking at them together

I felt like the Mother of God had given me flowers from

one of her monasteries

to comfort me

in the midst of the unknown.

***

I am so glad that we have such places of prayer to go to.

What Colours?

Next week,

Lord willing,

after I go to the monastery for a bit,

I am going shopping for a pant suit for my

September Interview.

*

I am thinking a black suit with a nicely coloured shirt

would work well.

*

I don't want to wear a skirt as the potential for

accidental awkwardness is higher

and I don't want to have anything extra to worry about!

*

Any thoughts or suggestions?

I am hoping to get the outfit here in Michigan as Ottawa

is quite pricey.

Interview in September

I had applied last week

to a library position

outside of Ottawa

(still in Canada)

and have news of an interview for this in September.

*

I will be flown in for the interview

and will have to do a presentation.

**

I am qualified for this position.

***

It will be hard to leave Ottawa

if that is what is happening,

but I need to be in God's will.

*

Meanwhile I have a lot of preparing to do.

**

So glad that I will be going to the monastery next week for a short time

(hopefully overnight two days)

and can continue to pray there about this.

***

I ask your prayers.

Chihuly, the Meijer Gardens and Other Thoughts

My Mom, Sister, Brother-in-law

and myself

went to the Meijer Gardens and saw the Chihuly glass exhibit.

It was nice,

though I found it exhausting being in the full sun outside...

This is one of my favourite shots,

as you can see the plants in the background.

This was my favourite of the glass

seemed idyllic and rather what I think of when I would think

of the England

that I know from books.

*

I sold some more books.

I am wanting to clear out more later.

It's surprisingly good to start getting rid of things.

More and more I realize that

when I am looking at books or artwork or anything

I am looking for help, for answers, for consolation,

and most of my books

do not give this nor does art work.

I find myself in various homes of Protestants and

not having icons nearby to look at

makes me more aware of how much I depend on looking on them.

How much I am looking for help.

*

This of course is not a testimony of some great spiritual feat;

no, more that I am weak and constantly need assurance

and reminders of God's mercy

and of the presence of the Saints.

*

I am grateful that in God's mercy He

has allowed me to be in places,

churches, houses, monasteries,

where prayer is more continual and where

Icons are filling the space.

*

A holy monastic once talked to me about icons

and how empty she finds houses

where there are no icons.

*

I am grateful that my own family lets me keep some Icons

year round in my bedroom in my family's house.

*

May God strengthen us as we seek to seek Him.

*

Today I need work on more job applications.

Prayers, as always, requested.

Details of a Wednesday

Above are flowers from the monastery this past weekend.

A lovely Romanian man was given them from

where they adorned the large icon

of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

I sold about 65 of my books today.

It was a new experience to let go of books

that had with me for

some years.

*

I just had to keep reminding myself

that though I have given away the books that remind me

of how God has worked in my life

and that He is bringing me deeper in

where He seeks to lead me.

*

The books were merely part of that journey

and that God is here with me now

and has given me a new chapter in my life,

where and what I need to go towards.

*

Am reading more of The Jesus Prayer

by Frederica Mathewes-Green

and am really appreciating this book.

*

I can't recommend this book enough...

I was at a small lake with family tonight.

*

Had tea and lunch at an Aunt's house.

**

I treasure these days and feel strongly that they are fleeting.

***

We must pray for those we love and for God's mercy

and salvation.

*

How much we are in need of God's mercy.

A Beautiful Tuesday in August

My family's garden is blossoming.

*

I got to visit with my Grandma!

She has so much energy and is always doing something -

She was out to breakfast at 8:30 this morning

before spending time with me

and having a visit from my Aunt and my Aunt's 7 year old grandson;

all of us, including my Grandma,

went out for ice cream.

It was great!

*

And tonight I walked for 2 miles with my Mom.

A very full day.

I finished another cover letter and resume

and submitted it.

Each application is so different, it really takes

time, thought and various edits

before I can submit the application.

I have at least one more to do while I am visiting my

family home.

*

It is a good but still uncertain time for me.

When will I get a job, where and what will it be

are all unknown.

*

I am hoping to go to the monastery next week

to pray about this,

as I really need a lot of wisdom and courage

during this time.

My friends who are visiting Cleo

assure me that she is fine.

I always miss her a bit

when I am gone

but I am sure she misses me more;

she is a cat who loves human company and routine.

Quiet

This candle is a gift

from a friend

made the by Greek monastery that

I have gone to over the past year.

*

Candles are such a wonderful testament of the hope that we

have because of God's existence in the world.

*

I am slowly working on writing more

about my time at the monastery

(I am still planning to go once more before I leave)

but know also that monasteries

are a place where things happen that are really

not fully explainable...

I was glad for this very good and deeply comforting post

by Fr. Stephen that speaks of this work of God

in our lives-

The Quiet Work of God.

*

I am hoping to sell a bunch of my books while I am home

books that I have not moved from this place

since they came here in 2004.

I am slowly learning to let things go

and that it okay to give away things that have

memories of my life journey attached to them.

I don't know if I will get much money for them

but hope it is at least enough

to buy one or maybe two books

at the monastery.

*

One of the things that I love about monasteries is that you can

buy books and icons there.

The icons, even the mounted ones, are made by

them and made with prayer.

The books can instruct and feed us.

The prayers of the monastics can heal us,

can bring closer our salvation.

*

God is good to us.

Thankful

Thanking God that I was able to

go both to the vigil last night

for the Feast

and today

for the festal liturgy

at the monastery.

*

Thank you for prayers for my rides;

it worked out.

*

Somethings are so multi-leveled in loveliness

that it is impossible to

take it all in

or

to articulate it.

*

I am thankful...

*

Gearing up for two days of more

concentrated job searching

before two days of family activities.

*

It is wonderful to be visiting with my family.

Good to be home

The flowers are slowly fading here

but still beautiful.

Humid out!

It has been wonderful to see my sister and brother-in-law;

I have visited with them, my parents and Grandmother

already!

I was able to finish the application in time

for the job outside of Ottawa.

Seeking to trust God in all things

(wow do I have a long way to go with this)

and to be thankful.

Tomorrow is Dormition!

I am having some difficulties communicating

with my ride for tomorrow...

Prayers requested as I really wish to go down to the monastery

for the Feast!

Leaving on a jet plane, I know when I'll be back again

It always feels like a bit of transition

to be leaving my little apartment

and Cleo Cat.

My good friend who will be visiting her daily

has assured me that Cleo will be fine. :)

I leave early tomorrow for home.

Please say a prayer for my travels

and especially for my sister and brother-in-law's travels

home tomorrow as well

from Romania.

*

May God protect and preserve us all!

Tuesday, 2nd Week of August

How quickly the summer is going!

I have so much to do before I leave -

packing, key making, small bits of shopping,

job searching,

French is not happening much right now... :(

I am finding it really hard to apply for any jobs outside

of my city.

So far I am finishing up only one application...

*

There are various jobs I am applying for here.

*

I am seeking to be open to God's will

and hope it will be made clear.

I have been comforted by words of a wise person,

telling me that patient endurance

will

in the end

find me at the next step

in my journey.

God is our support,

our refuge

and

our salvation.

In Him shall we trust...

A Quiet Sunday

Summer is slowly going into Autumn;

Ottawa has had surprisingly cool weather;

Michigan is still quite warm, so I am packing summer clothes for sure!

*

Am still working on plans for my stay

I have not been home in August since the year of my chrismation;

I was chrismated

6 years ago on this day;

where do the days go?!

Listened to the podcast on distractions in prayer again;

it is such a jewel of a podcast...

*

I was struck by Frederica's explanation of the huge problem of

loneliness that we have in North America.

Her explanation of how we culturally have separated ourselves

from each other

by buying the lie that we are

cool independent rebel self-sufficient lone-ranger

has contributed to not living in community

and not knowing how to relate to God

who is right here with us,

not somewhere down the block at a distance.

*

We need community.

We need a church family.

We need a godly spiritual father or spiritual mother.

We need the sacraments of the church,

including the sacrament of confession,

which brings us back into the full community

and communion of the Church.

*

How much I hope I myself will remember this,

I who live with only with my Cleo Cat.

*

How wonderful it is to not seek to be independent of others

to not be a rebel

to instead,

as Fr. Thomas Hopko speaks of in his 55 maxims,

to be an ordinary person, part of the human race.

With the Feast!

Today was the Feast of the Transfiguration!

*

I was able to go to liturgy

and eat blessed peaches and grapes afterwards.

Plans for going to the monastery when I am home

are coming to fruition.

God is merciful.

I have applied to another job

and will be working on two more applications in the coming days.

*

I am in a whirlwind of church services,

friend visiting

and job searching.

*

It is all very joyous but a bit overwhelming at the same time.

God is really giving me a special time right now

and I am grateful.

*

At the same time I am seeking to earnestly pray for a job.

And asking God to prepare me for this.

*

I was at a Paraklesis service

and this was really beautiful.

*

I talked with a friend who told me of a monastic giving these two beautiful words:

***

Be soft, be ever becoming more soft towards the Lord.

***

Give God your prayer rule and let Him change it as He wills -

hold your prayer rule with open hands towards the Lord.

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!