Joy at the end of January

I had dinner with my dear friends

and had some great quality time

with my godson.

He can stand when you hold him up now!

He's growing so much -

his face is taking on a more older baby shape,

he is very verbal and was so smiley.

He is such a joy to me

and to all those who love him!

January is almost done

Celebrated with some close friends

a long awaited scholastic achievement last night.

Tonight I am DV

going to a friends place for dinner.

I am grateful.

Thought we could all use a taste of summer

Just look at that yellow colour...

Winter sure can be a bit of a slog,

can it not?

Lots of slush on the sidewalks here

snow melting into puddles upon puddles

all to be avoided

when walking to church.

*

I am helping a friend with her paper

for school and am thrilled to be

helping her

in her very significant endeavour.

*

Um, I can feel Lent is coming;

I love Lent for it's focus

for being in church more

for standing in church with my spiritual father

praying the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

and going to the presanctified liturgies on Fridays.

*

Lent is also a time of great temptation

and for me often a time of great personal

loss or pain.

So as much as I long for lent,

being with my church family more,

focusing my life,

giving what Fr. Thomas Hopko calls

our tithe to the church,

the tithe of the year

*

I think I need to listen/read that podcast again

(on the tithe of the year).

*

Noah continues to struggle.

*

So many need our prayers...

*

May God be our help and protection.

Prayers Requested...

Latest Facebook update from Noah's Mom Kate:

VERY bad labs today. Liver numbers are 50 times higher than they should be (they are measuring the enzymes put off by the death of liver tissue) and rocketing up fast. They were 1,100 a week ago and are 1,800 as of today. BUN is up only slightly (bad kidney number) but Noah always has a lower than normal BUN so having it elevated is significant. Bili is up a bit and there are lots of other labs that are off.

Worse of all, the MRSA is still growing out in his urine after almost 2 weeks of antibiotics, AND he is growing out another bacteria as well now. Yes, he GOT a new bladder infection while on antibiotics. Both bugs are obviously resistant to the Zyvox he is on.

The swelling continues to worsen. He doesn't look like the same child. He is still as sweet as ever, though, and he just doesn't complain. He did get teary and choked up yesterday and quietly told me that Mary Faith gets to go to birthday parties and to friends houses and he can't go to them anymore. I loved on him and told reminded him that he's been to lots of birthday parties, but he wasn't buying it - he was sad that he can't go anymore. He also pointed out that he can't play hide and seek anymore because it is too hard to walk.

I don't know how much more my heart can handle.

Please also remember my Grandma who is still recovering from her fall.
She is getting better but is still very tired and has some pain.

Short Term Contract

Much to my surprise I just got word

that I have a short term contract for

1.5 months

and it is only a 5 minute walk from my home.

The contract may continue after March

but it is yet to be determined.

I start God willing February 16th.

Have lots to do to get ready...

I of course called my Mom

to tell her the good news

and said how happy Oma would be to hear

of my new work contract

and I told my Mom I would ask God to tell her in heaven...

St. John of Kronstadt

In all your works, either at home or at the place of your service, do not forget that all your strength, your light and your success are in Christ and His Cross; therefore, do not fail to call upon the Lord before beginning any work, saying: Jesus, help me! Jesus, enlighten me! Thus your heart will be supported and warmed by lively faith and hope in Christ, for His is the power and glory unto ages of ages.

St. John of Kronstadt

Noah's Foundation

Please go here to see the

foundation that Noah's family

has started in Noah's honour,

with imput from Noah.

It's very dear.

Noah continues to struggle mightly

and needs our prayers.

Noah is very sick - please pray

Latest blog update:

We are right back where we were three weeks ago today. Noah's fever has continued to climb and isn't responding to fever meds (tylenol and ibuprofen alternating every 4 hours). His fever was 104.9 the last two times we checked.

He now has some fluid in his right lung, which is where the fluid build up started last time. The difference is that last time, we gave lasix which eventually worked to pull the fluid off. He's been on lasix ever since then, and this time he's getting the fluid in spite of the lasix. I just spoke to his infusion pharmacist and he said that the other good choices for diuretics are not available IV. Unless they can find something IV that will work on this fluid, it could continue to fill his lungs.

He is making urine, but it is very dark - butterscotch colored. He is retching a LOT. He's insisting on sleeping sitting up - I've managed to put the head of his bed back just enough so that he isn't falling forward, but with every tiny adjustment back he opens his eyes and shakes his head "no." It probably helps him breathe better to be upright so we're only barely reclining him.

Any touch or movement makes him start retching again, so I don't even feel like I can climb into bed and snuggle with him. I slept on an inflatable mattress by his side all night - using the word "slept" very loosely of course.

Please go here to send Kate a word of comfort during this time.

Prayers for those in need

Noah is ill again.

Let us pray for all those who are

struggling.

May the Mother of God help, protect,

shelter and comfort.

Cleo

I did a huge pre-spring cleaning today of my

apartment.

Above is where I found Cleo when I turned

my back for 1 minute!

Holy Supper

Did a simple version of the Holy Supper.

Borscht, Perogies, Bread, Fruits.

The bread I saved from my Oma's

Panahkyda.

Today liturgically is her birthday;

as well as in actuality my Grandpa's birthday;

I talked to my Grandma today

as I try to always do to remember my

Grandfather;

my Grandma always told him he was born on the

12th day of Christmas,

Epiphany as they know it....

The borscht turned out really well!

Did it a simple way as I did not have

a lot of time.

1 can beets with juice

1 can northern white beans

2 very big carrots chopped up small

3 large potatoes chopped up small

half of a larger can of tomato sauce

sauteed until caramelized onion with lots of margarine

added three or so cloves of garlic half way through

and some ground sea salt and pepper

chopped up and added lots of dill at the end.

Perogies with lots of caramelized onions

done in a generous amount of margarine.

Dried apricots and figs.

Water for dinner

and black tea afterwards,

as per request of guests.

It was a lovely meal!

Then we went to church for Great Compline and

the Litya.

We made it to Christmas Eve!!

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Noah needs our prayers

Latest update on Noah

from his Mom Kate Estes via FB:

*
Nurse just came to draw Noah's labs. NO blood return from either lumen! :-( In other words, a clot or fibrin sheath is blocking his central line. Waiting to hear from the doctor. PLEASE pray.

Cleo Care in early January 2012

Dear friends:

I am taking Cleo to the vet for the first time

in some years today.

She is going to need a test done which involves a

needle.

She also does not like car rides and gets scared.

Please can I have any advice on how to get Cleo through this

and comfort her afterwards?

Thanks to some FB friends I have a good

beginning of what to do,

but want as much advice as possible...

January's Beginning - Peace, Loss and Prayer Requests

Today was a day where I was quiet

and caught up with

various friends online

and by phone.

I found out that my Uncle, one of my Oma's sons,

fell on New Years Eve

and broke his pelvis.

Lord have mercy.

He is still in hospital and they can't do surgery

and there will have to be some rehab for him.

Please I ask your prayers.

One of my close friends just lost her Grandmother.

I am planning for both

a Holy Supper

and Christmas Day dinner.

*

What are your traditions for Christmas dinner?

I am thinking of a slow cooker roast beef

with carrots and potatoes.

Would love to hear your suggestions.

*

Today was a bank holiday

and I have not heard yet about the job

I applied for.

Tomorrow is another day.

God is very good to us

and will not leave us

in all times

and places.

New Year

Today after liturgy

I had my Oma's memorial service.

This was very good;

I wish already for another one for her...

My friends and I went out to eat afterwards in

memory of her

since there exceptionally was not a church meal

after liturgy today.

Grief is no easy thing but it was a relief

to have these prayers in the church for her.

As much as I had wished to have my house

clean for New Years

I was too sick to manage getting the whole house

prepared.

I am slowly getting better from the bad

chest cold I have been having

and was able to go to my friend's New Years Eve

Dinner party which was really nice.

I am hoping to get my house cleaned tomorrow

and that I finally will be well enough to do so.

I love my strand of white lights

that a dear friend gave me.

I hope to host the Holy Supper

again this Christmas Eve

which is this Friday.

*

I have not heard yet about the job proposal that

I submitted and hope to hear tomorrow.

*

The whole job searching thing I find

very difficult.

*

It was so good to have the service for my Oma today.

I really miss her but felt more sure

of being near her in Christ

during the prayers for her at church

and this is indeed a deep blessing.

A Week Before Christmas...

After a great and beautiful day

yesterday

today my chest cold is back.

I am making a good supper in hopes

of regaining some strength.

Thanking God that He sent his Son

our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

on Christmas day...

Updates

Kate, Noah's Mom,

updated her blog on how Noah is doing.

*

It was wonderful to be at the monastery

and to have children such as Noah prayed for.

*

A small prayer request for me-

it seems that the rash I have gotten before

is back again.

Thankfully I know what to do and God willing

it subside soon.

Still I admit it is a bit of a bummer to have

return again but God is with us

and will not abandon us.

Day at the Monastery

It was so wonderful to be at

the monastery.

So beautiful.

Beautiful day,

my favourite weather - sunny, cold, snow on the ground,

so good to see the sisters there.

Loved this Christmas greeting in French!

Soon will God willing be the new year

and after this

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my church.

I have a lot to be thankful for

and give thanks to God for such a beautiful first day

of my 35th year!

Beginning of 35

God willing I am off the monastery soon!

My Mom gave me cute china egg holders

so I think I will have a lovely

tea/brunch for a

later birthday party

and use them!

*

Please pray for our travels as it has snowed in Ottawa this week!

*

Thanking God for year 35!!

End of 34

Well.

Tomorrow I turn 35.

I'm please about it.

A new year,

with new things to hope for...

Tomorrow I am Lord willing

going to the Greek monastery for the day.

I can't think of a better way to

spend my birthday than this.

I've been sick with a bad chest cold

for a good while;

I really hope for the strength to go tomorrow.

I had a great evening and dinner with good friends

tonight,

a lovely last night to being 34.

I am grateful for all I have been given,

including my family

and my Oma whose panahkyda I hope to do

this coming Sunday.

I am grateful for little things,

like finding my silver ring

that I wear in memory of my Grandfather

that my Grandma got for me after he

died, by my request.

I am grateful for each of you

and for all of God's mercy and goodness.

Latest on Noah

From Noah's Mom via FB:

Praising the Lord for a sweet nurse friend (she was Noah's home health nurse most of his life) who came and spent the night with him last night and did all his meds so Jeff and I could sleep. In the not-at-all-good news front, we found out today that Noah's urine is infected with MRSA. Moving to aggressive antibiotic coverage tonight and praying that this doesn't hit his bloodstream. He's allergic to some of the best antibiotics for this infection, unfortunately. In addition to the regular prayer requests, please pray for sleep, rest, and peace for Noah. He has been VERY agitated for the last 20 hours or so. He cries when he's awake, he cries when he's asleep, and he only sleeps tiny bits at a time.

Prayers for this evening

Such a blessing I have been given in a quiet day.

As we continue to pray for Noah,

can I please also ask prayers for my beloved

blog friend MamaJuliana?

She has had two surgeries this past year

and is to have another tomorrow

at 1:30 PM.

Asking your prayers.

Quiet and Remembering

I had begun fasting on the new calendar

for Christmas

so I could celebrate with friends in Ottawa

since I am not able to be with my family.

We have a nice dinner together.

I got to hold my godson.

I realized that

today I have to reserve as a quiet day.

Still recovering from my chest cold

and realized I needed a day

to remember my Oma

as I am still

processing her passing

from life to life.

I am greatly looking forward

God willing

to the panakhyda for her this coming Sunday.

Noah - Fighting and Struggling

Please pray for Noah that

he will be comforted and not afraid about

leaving his family in order to

go to heaven with Jesus.

Pray for Kate and Jeff his parents for strength

and for every mercy...

His siblings, including Matthew.

For mercy - God's loving-kindness.

Please see here for the latest on Noah.

Christmas Eve, Part 2

Noah woke up today

and was sitting up in bed,

his mother Kate related to us today via FB.

Thanking God for this mercy.

It is still a very hard situation...

I called my MI Aunt,

my Mom's oldest sister,

since I had missed calling her for her birthday

and today is/would of been/was my Oma's

103 birthday.

So we are all thinking of my Oma a lot.

My first Christmas (n.c.)

without family.

I am physically exhausted from my cold but

am really hoping to make it to part of vigil

as there are special icons there of the

Mother of God.

I also hope to make it to o.c. liturgy at my church

tomorrow and dinner with my close

friends later that day.

*

The goodness is that Christ came on Christmas to be with us

no matter the pain, joy or sorrow we find ourselves in.

Christmas Eve - December 24, 2011

Today my is my Oma's 103 birthday

(I say this because she is still alive in heaven).

I am asking God to send my Oma

my love to her this day

through the Holy Spirit.

It is nice to know that we can do this...

*

I have been feeling unwell for a while

and now have a head/chest cold.

Drinking lots of tea and resting.

Don't know if I can make it to the Christmas dinners

I was to go to tomorrow.

All this is in God's hands.

*

Still praying for Noah,

no new news yet...

Lord have mercy on him

and his family.

Continued Prayers Needed

Talked to my Grandma Ruth today.

She was in a lot of pain yesterday

but is doing a bit better today.

She is on pain killers

and still sounds very tired.

Please continue to pray for her

healing.

*

And of course we are all keeping vigil for

young precious Noah...

Here's the lastest update from his Mother Kate:

Noah is very gravely sick. He is a little better than he was earlier -
this afternoon both lungs were filling with fluid and he was not
responding to lasix - was barely peeing at all, in fact. A second dose
of lasix opened the floodgates and his lungs are much better, but
we've been cautioned that this not reason to get our hopes up too
much. This could go either way right now. He could recover or he could
have only a day or two - and anything in between. We've been
surrounded and blessed by the presence of people we love quietly
streaming in and out of the house to pray and just to sit. Perhaps the
greatest blessing of the day is that this afternoon Noah surprised us
all by waking up enough to open his present from Mommy and Daddy and
his present from his brother David. It took all he had, but he did it.
Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Noah - desperate shape

from FB via Noah's Mom Kate:

Noah is sicker. He has more edema (swelling) and now has fluid in his lungs. He's vomiting and appears to be in pain. He is doing a little "barking" with each breath because his vocal cords are apparently starting to swell. We've just now jumped his pain meds up quite a bit, and phenergan, ativan, and lasix are coming. (The first two are for the nausea and the lasix should help him pee off some of this fluid.) We can and will get oxygen delivered if needed. The hospice nurse is here now and Dr. B will be coming over at some point. Dr. B is trying hard (please pray) to find a way to get him blood and/or platelets here locally - if Noah needs to be transfused (and he will soon at this rate), we can't drag him an hour and a half to Greenville to do so. We have a fairly large regional hospital a few minutes away, but they've refused to transfuse Noah even when he was healthy - they say his "needs are too overwhelming." I can't stand the thought of losing him if blood could help him get over this crisis, so please pray that we can work this out. He really can't be woken or roused at this point - may open his eyes if he vomits or retches, and has nodded his head in response to questions a few times, but then is immediately back out. ANYONE local who wants to come sit in the living room and pray is MORE than welcome - just come right in - you don't need to call or knock.

Sights Seen

A small picture tour of what my

library friend and I saw on

the first half of our walks...

Outside of the NAC (National Arts Centre)

... there is always music playing

by this piano man

(speakers above not pictured)...

Entering the beautiful part of Ottawa...

I live about a 15 to 20 minute walk from this...

My first real library job

was about a mile down the street from here...

and was part of my falling in love with Ottawa...

The Chateau Laurier.

Beautifully kept up and very good food

and high tea.

Also quite costly so only a place I visit to look

at their historical photographs;

years ago when I had a good job and did not take a vacation

I went there with a friend who came to visit me

for high tea.

It was really lovely.

One of the hallways there...

Picture taken from an enclosed crosswalk

looking towards the Parliament buildings,

the Chateau being in the right hand corner...

I wish for a Canada of old more than what it is turning

into now but I still do love

Canada very much...

*

It was really nice to show my friend the Ottawa that

I know and love!