We are gettin' Euro up in here

Well, it's official, we are now using the bus, train, walking, biking and dancing (that one's for Iona). It will be quite an adventure, so we shall see how it goes. We are actually looking forward to our fun trips. We are very much having to prioritize things that we do...'is it REALLY that important to do this...or go here...can it wait?' You get the idea, it is going to help with all of that, already has. Yes, this is by choice. We have made many a trip in the past and now is a good time to lay low and just be, simple as that. Our goal is to make our home an inviting place for people to come visit, as much work as that is proving to be, we will get there. So, check back in to hear some adventures! Love to all!

Katherine's Drawings =)

Here is a picture of the Nativity, according to Katherine. There is the baby Jesus, on the left, the Mother of God with a chair, to the right, St Nicholas just above the 2 donkey's and a sheep. Man, I love her little drawings =)





This one is a bit more obvious, Christ on the cross, Theotokos to the left and she says it is Simon on the right. Although her letter sets are a bit backward, she is so sweet with her drawings, I LOVE them...not just because I am her mom. She is SOOOOO excited about St nicholas day, she keeps asking about it and wants to make sure that we are ready, good thing she is on top of it =)
Anyway, just wanted to share.

I shall not want...

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters
He restores my soul, He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me, Your staff and Your rod, they comfort me
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever
Amen
Psalm 23

This is God and this is where I want to live. Whatever happens from here on out, there is only up...to gaze at the stars He made, to feel a lifting of my spirit and being, to float amongst the clouds while my feet are firmly rooted here on earth...I love this Psalm, it is more comfort to me than a lot of things, more than even I know. The image of being led to pastures for food and rest, still waters for drink, cleansing and reflection, so calming and refreshing, a picture of serenity. Even if I do not want to go, like a stubborn cattle, it does not mean that I should not go, only that it will all be to the glory of God in spite of my stupidity. Shadows are just shadows when there is God and they cannot harm me. Enemies will always be everywhere, but so will He...I do not think of Him as person, like having my husband with me, but more like an all encompassing energy of Good and Light that is Creator and no one, no thing, can compare. I would be be blinded if I tried to look into the face of the Lord, so I am content at feeling the warmth that He projects. For now, the Word of God the Father is sufficed to my days, to remember that everything has already been done, all i gotta do is love and be loved, through struggles, obedience and service, for what good am I to myself or others if I cannot serve God...

End of Summer Days

Since Jay has been ill, we have tried to keep our chins up. We try to get the idea of doctors, bills and co-pays, blood tests, appointments and no answers out of our minds...what better way than to go berry picking!?!?! Now, these pictures do not show many berries (if any) but it was a nice time...
From the entry at the farm...



to the pig that followed us around...



The grasshopper that delighted the little girl...



And the lovely evening sunset on rain clouds as Jay did a once-over on the raspberries...



All in all, nice day...when you come for a visit, ask about the jam...and maybe some pickled green (or white or purple) beans (I don't have a pressure canner yet to make reg canned green beans, acidity levels and all...) Stop in sometime and enjoy! We'll keep the kettle on for you! =)

She is 5!!!

Well, it is official! She is 5!!! She will let you know it, even though she is a bit shy sometimes about it all =) Funny girl!





Aw, my baby is 5!



Who knew I could have a little girl who is SO big! I love her so much!

My Today

in my ever so meager way, I would like to relate an event that has shaped my day...
Late last night, after some minor discussion over our piling bills, I was trying to decide what I ought to do about them. Do I do the head strong sort of thing that would be my instinct to just 'fix it' my way, or do I pray for guidance and let my husband be the head of our home and cross that bridge, etc? I said a short prayer, a measly offering from my simple self. I remembered that the Brotherhood of St George was having the liturgy at 7am every thursday, but I had never been. I woke up at 6:21 after broken sleep, but many odd dreams. I was strangely awake and I got into the shower, got dressed, wrote a note for Katherine and Jay and slipped out the door. The drive was amazingly easy considering the morning rush. Got to the area (had no real address since the computer had been down, but remembered the area), got myself duly lost, ended up at the Greek Cathedral and asked for directions. The woman graciously let me in before office hours and printed me a map from point A to B, good thing it was only a few blocks. I had driven by it a number of times, it is sort of inconspicuous in a neighborhood. In any case, I showed up not sure what to expect. There was a man at a long table outside setting it for breakfast, I assumed. I went inside the quiet little house and found 2 more men quietly, dutifully bustling to get the meal served. A moment or two later, Fr Christodoulos came up the stairs, so I asked a blessing. He asked me to join them outside, so I accepted, he set me next to him since I was the guest.
This is the part where I marvel at the order of things through the silent, symbiotic obedience, humility and hospitality that I was able to experience. I was a simple passer through, but treated as royalty...I never had such a sense of wonder since I was a child. I did not have any desire to speak unless I was asked a question, lest I completely miss something. I was in awe of the simplicity of the silence, compassion and love for neighbor more than self. You read about this sort of thing in books, I am only fortunate, however unworthy, to have been there this morning for that hour or so. *sighs* I almost forgot! After the royal hospitality, I was sent home with a couple items, among them fresh fruit and veggies from their garden.
Anyway, I came away with more peace and faith than I went in with and I believe we will be going back tomorrow for vespers (if we make it) and the Paraklesis at 7pm. Wish you could all be with us to go. X's and O's!

My Love

For some odd reason, I have always liked to feel both the love and the heartache...perhaps it is because without one, you cannot really have the other. Lately things have been topsy turvy to say the very least. Life is such a mix of things and most of them involve tears, whether or not happy . Most of the tears are from human connection, between one another and others. It is increasingly hard to describe the incredible wells of emotion that have managed their way into my life in the past weeks of summer. Summer used to be a time of break, one of the most noticeable changes of season...It is sort of like being pulled in 2 separate ways all at once. For love, for life...I am a muddle of things and somehow they work and I do not go completely insane, quite possibly on account of my husband, my perfect match of a husband. I love to look at him and feel as if I belong, that, no matter how close to the edge I may come, he will call me back with something as simple as a smile, a look, a touch. He is love. He is my helpmeet. He is something more than I could imagine or dream. After nearly 6 years of marriage, we have been through immense amounts of struggle and joy, sometimes joyful struggle...all of which offers itself to longevity. We will make it through, with God's help, anything that is shown our way. I refuse to sit idly by and let our lives engulf us without so much as a sound. We may be at the bottom of the hill...and sometimes the hill cannot seem anything less than that, a mountainous, looming mound of uphill battle and struggle, but it will not always be so. Through our years of challenges and love, we have gotten to exercise our marital strengths in many ways, they lend to help us now. We will stumble, we will fall...we will take each others hand and continue to forage. There will never be someone for me so perfect and loving, I am grateful every day. I know he will forever be, by my side, undoubtedly and unwaveringly...I have a man and marriage of what books are written and we are just getting started...