Prayers Requested for Two Kidnapped Bishops...

 

 

From oca.org

In a portion of a letter dated April 22, 2013 and signed by His Grace, Bishop Basil, Secretary of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America to all member hierarchs, prayers were requested for two Syrian hierarchs who had been abducted earlier that day.

The text of the letter reads as follows:

“Metropolitan Paul Yazigi of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo (brother of His Beatitude Patriarch John X of the Great City-of-God Antioch and all the East), and Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo, were both abducted this morning, Monday, April 22nd, while they were traveling together on the road between Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) and the north Syrian city of Aleppo.  The driver of the vehicle in which they were traveling was killed in the attack.  Your prayers are requested.”

Play Nooks Chez Nous...

 

I had the honor of being featured on the blog, Play Nooks Chez Nous, over the weekend!  Helen's blog is a great one for inspirational photographs and articles of children's play spaces!  I think that you will enjoy it!

Bringing Good Out of Evil...

 By Father Daniel Kovalak

“The inspired Prophet Habakkuk now stands with us in Holy Vigil.  He is like a shining angel, crying out with a piercing voice: ‘Today salvation has come to the world, for Christ is risen as All-Powerful!’” [Fourth Ode of the Paschal Canon]

Just when our lenten efforts are beginning to bear some fruit, something always seems to happen that derails our spiritual journey.  Sometimes it’s a minor irritation, illness or unexpected interruption. Sometimes it’s a more formidable and shocking event, with consequences that rock our world—like bombs in Boston!

Once again, as the media assaults us with breaking news, eyewitness interviews, endless analysis and graphic images of the consequences of evil acts, in a rare moment of reflection comes the question, “Where’s God in this?”  About 600 years before Christ, there lived a prophet named Habakkuk.  There’s a short, three-chapter book in the Old Testament that bears his name.  The Church commemorates him annually on December 2 and, whether we realize it or not, his prophecy is an integral part of our liturgical life.

As most of the prophets, Habakkuk was, shall we say, disinclined in his calling from God.  To communicate God’s divine will to stubborn people who’d rather be doing their own thing than be reminded of their sin and need to repent was (and still is!) hazardous duty.  Prophets were stoned because they scratched places that didn’t itch.  Nevertheless, Habakkuk was given a vision to deliver to the Chosen People—a revelation of God’s justice.  Judah consistently disobeyed God, and it seemed God had tolerated enough of their contempt and was ready to teach them a hard lesson.  Habakkuk saw the wrath of God descending on Judah at the hands of Babylonians.  This blew his mind because the Chaldeans were the most merciless, godless, ruthless people on the face of the earth!  Habakkuk’s perplexity was that God would not only allow evil against Judah, but that He’d use notorious Babylon as His rod of correction!

In spite of his trepidation at this vision, Habakkuk was utterly convinced that good would somehow come.  He just couldn’t imagine how.  Perhaps not unlike a tragic April day in Boston, Habakkuk was confronted by the haunting question, “how can God bring good out of evil?”  Because Habakkuk was faithful— because he embraced the will of God as his name implies—his prophecy was actually one of encouragement to Judah, that in spite of the overwhelming odds against them, in some wonderful yet mysterious way, God would bring good out of it.  Habakkuk then took up a vantage point in a tall tower to witness the vision unfold before his eyes.  He became the watchman who literally “kept vigil,” confidently waiting in faith to see God work.  The rest is history.

The Passion Gospels upon which our Holy Week services are built confront us with a horrible picture of the incredible evil heaped upon Our Lord.  He was betrayed by a kiss, dragged to an unjust trial, scourged, mocked, slapped, spit upon, crowned with thorns, and nailed to the cross, where the agony and humiliation continued.  Deceived by Judas, denied by Peter, condemned by religious leaders, sentenced by Pilate, crucified by soldiers, abandoned by seemingly everyone—what greater evil can we imagine!  All this and more, the Gospel says.  And we firmly believe He endures willingly.  Why?  “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Among the things we should do all the time, but especially during Holy Week, is assume a proper spiritual vantage point, akin to Habakkuk’s tower, to contemplate the mystery of the Cross, to keep vigil, to observe and respond to the actions of God with total faith, to prayerfully contemplate how God’s will for man unfolds to bring the greatest good out of the greatest evil. (Hint: it has something to do with “trampling down death by death!”)

In view of all the irritations, distractions and breaking news of the day, we would also do well to occasionally revisit Habakkuk’s conclusion and make it our own (3:17-18): “Though the fig tree does not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”  May this faith be ours as we journey to the Promised Land of Pascha, and confidently face the issues of today.

Lucy is One!

Our sweet little niece, Lucy, is one today!  May God Grant You Many Years, Lucy!

Opaline...

Two Skeins of Madelinetosh Merino Light in the colorway Opaline...  all wound and ready to be knit into a medium Seashore Cowl (I'm going to stick with one color for this one)! This is super fine yarn (the finest I have ever knit with!) and I can tell that it is going to be a bit of a challenge for me.  I am used to knitting with sturdier yarns, but I think that this will be so nice and light around my neck on cool summer evenings on the boardwalk. 

My Honey Cowl...

 

I bound off my Honey Cowl in Worn Denim last night and quickly blocked just before I headed to bed.  I had hoped that it would be dry by this morning, but it needed a little time in the sun this afternoon before I could take the pins out.

The result is a gorgeous cowl that is just the right length (I have knit the other two shorter versions and this is my favorite length since it can be easily doubled)!  It was worth it to use two skeins of precious Madeline Tosh on this project.  I did fudge it a bit when it came to length because there really wasn't enough yarn to get the job done.  I stopped the honey stitches at about 10" and then did the 3 rows of knit stitches and bind off with just a little yarn to spare, so I think that it was a good idea to stop when I did.  Also, I used a size 7 needle instead of an 8 which the pattern called for.  This was a fast knit for me (I began on April 11 and finished up on the 17th).  If you are thinking of knitting this cowl, you should!  It is easy and the result is so satisfying!

Springtime Zoo...

Bees in the Vinca...

 

Yarn Along: The Hobbit...

My sister, Juliana, bought me The Hobbit a few weeks ago after she was horrified that I had not read it yet.  I am only on chapter four and I already completely identify with Bilbo Baggins "thinking once again of his comfortable chair before the fire in his favorite sitting-room in his hobbit-hole, and of the kettle singing." It seems the perfect book for me!

I am knitting another honey cowl.  It is my fourth (the first went to my aunt and the second and third ones went to two of my sisters for their birthdays) and I think that I will keep it for myself.  Or maybe I will give it to my friend Monika (without whom I would not be knitting).  We'll see.   Perhaps once I finish it, I will be strong enough to go back to the sweater that taunts me from my knitting basket every time I pick up the needles for a different project.

What are you knitting and reading?

April's Book Basket...

Spring Story

Spring

Miss Rumphius

Gilberto and the Wind

Annie and the Wild Animals

Mama, Is it Summer Yet?

A Butterfly is Patient

A Seed is Sleepy

An Egg is Quiet

Our Farm

The Garden in the City

April's Nature Table...

Reading...

Don't be a fool, Bilbo Baggins!"  he said to himself, "thinking of dragons and all that outlandish nonsense at your age!"  So he put on an apron, lit fires, boiled water, and washed up.  Then he had a nice little breakfast in the kitchen before turning out the dining-room.  By that time the sun was shining;  and the front door was open, letting in a warm spring breeze.  Bilbo began to whistle loudly and to forget about the night before.  In fact he was just sitting down to a nice little second breakfast in the dining-room by the open window, when in walked Gandalf."

The Hobbit

J.R.R. Tolkien

Your Prayers: An Update...

A week or so ago, I asked for prayers for two families in our church.  I thought that I would give you a little update:

Genvieve had surgery to remove the mass on Wednesday and late last night, Father John received a call to let us know that it was not cancerous!  Glory to God!  Of course, she will have a long road ahead of her since the doctors had to crack her sternum to remove the growth.  The family has two little ones (four and two), so things will be challenging for awhile.

George and Ellen are in good spirits after the loss of their home, all of its contents, and Ellen's vehicle.  Fortunately, they have insurance and all of the things that they need.  Unfortunately, insurance cannot give them back the things that cannot be replaced like photographs and family mementos.  

Thank you all for keeping Genvieve, George, and Ellen in your prayers.  It means a lot!

A Little Bit of Earth...

There is a small garden that was put in by the previous owners right outside our dining room window that I have claimed for a little flower and herb garden.  Right now it is a patch of weeds and rocks with our bird feeder and birdbath (which is such a lot of fun since the birds have discovered that we have seed and water for them!) set in the center.  Today we added these little potted pansies, a small hydrangea bush from last year, and Sugar Plum's lavender plant.  It doesn't look like much now, but soon it will be something. 

Worn Denim...

 

Two Skeins of Madelinetosh Vintage in the colorway Worn Denim...  all wound and ready to be knit into a long Honey Cowl!  Anyone want to do a knit along?

Yarn Along: The Secret Garden...

Knitting:  The Never Ending Sweater Tea Leaves Cardigan.  Truth be told, though I am on the very last little bit (the sleeves!), I have lost all motivation since it has been in the 70s and 80s here.  Plus, I knit this sweater one size too big, so it's not too flattering.  Sigh.

Reading:  The Secret Garden!  We all love it!

How Easy is That?

Last week, while on a run to BJs, I came across the book table where a  few Barefoot Contessa books were for sale.  I love her television show on Food Network, and have been tempted by her cookbooks for a long time, but  I opted to do the frugal thing and went to my library instead!  I found two of her cookbooks on the shelves and began with How Easy is That?  I have thoroughly enjoyed paging through the recipes, commentary, and tips in this book and even found a few dishes that I'd like to prepare during Great Lent!  I'm going to try to make some of these (with a few modifications) over the next few weeks.  We have several more PreSanctified Liturgies with potluck meals afterward and there are also coffee hour potlucks to bring things to.  Happily, the Food Network is very obliging and had all of the recipes that I want to try on their website!  Does any of this look good to you?

Roasted Eggplant Caponata 

Roasted Shrimp Salad   (I'll substitute Vegenaise for the mayonnaise)

Lobster and Shells  (I'll use Vegenaise and leave out the sour cream in this recipe)

Wild Rice Salad

Warm French Lentils

Reading...

She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
"Winter is dead."
-A.A. Milne

The Mid-Point of the Fast...

Having come to the mid-point of the fast, let me reflect:

Have I accepted Great Lent as a “gift” from God, with thanksgiving?

Have I spent the last three weeks in a meaningfully different way?

Have I participated in the lenten services that are held during the week, Monday through Friday?

Have I used the lenten prayer of Saint Ephraim in my morning and evening
prayers, and at other times throughout the day?

In addition to the Holy Scriptures, what kind of spiritual reading have I done?  Have I learned more about my Faith? Have I read spiritual works which can
help me in my prayers, dealing with others, and spiritual faults and needs?

Am I preparing myself to make a good, honest, and humble Confession? Do I really believe that I am confessing my sins to Jesus Christ? Am I aware that the Lord sees my inner heart and will know if I only recite my sins, instead of being truly sorrowful and deeply committed to avoid repeating them?

In what ways will I struggle in the second part of Great Lent that I have so far left unattended?

What price am I willing to pay in order to die and live in Christ? Am I willing to trade the earth for
heaven? Am I willing to deny myself, take up my cross and follow Him to His heavenly Kingdom?

From Father John's Sunday Bulletin

You Are Three...

Part One

Part Two

Favorite Things: Bean Bags...

A few years ago, my sister asked me what the little ones would like for Christmas, and I suggested bean bags.  She made nine (one of them is hiding somewhere and I couldn't find it for this photo) and they are easily the most played with item in our playroom.  They are used for play food (it is fun to flip them like a pancake!), bean bag tosses, hide-the-bean bag, etc.  I love how they look stacked up on our little piano with Mr. Horsey looking on.  They are such a cheerful sight!

Living and Learning: April...

Faith
Sunday of the Cross
Saint John Climicus
Saint Mary of Egypt
Saint George
Palm Sunday
Great and Holy Week
 
Homemaking
Lenten Cleaning
Meal Planning & Weekly Shopping
Prepare for Pascha
Confession for Father John and Me
Paschal Food
Paschal Clothes
Paschal Baskets, Egg Hunt and Decorations
Begin Garden Planning Plant Pansies
Organize, Clean, and Replenish Rain Gear
Begin Switching Out Cold Weather Clothing for Warm
Update Bike Helmets and Make Repairs on Bikes
Finish my Tea Leaves Cardigan
Begin a Cowl
Read The Hobbit

Themes
Rain
Farms
Knights and Dragons
Yellow
 
Rituals
Begin building in more outdoor time on fine days... bring life outside (meal times, reading, play, cleaning, etc.)

Special Days
Father John's Baptism Anniversary - 1st
Lucy - 20th
Earth Day - 22nd
Full Paschal Moon -25th
+Oksana - 28th
 
Learning
Practice patience and love towards one another
Practice Being Still and Quiet during Prayers and Services
Learn the Prayer of Saint Ephraim
The Sign of the Cross for Button   
Lenten Lilies - Daffodils!
Festal Learning basket for Saint George
Festal Learning basket for Palm Sunday and Holy Week
Festal Learning Basket for Pascha
Holding Candles in Church Carefully (with Adult Supervision) 
"April Showers Bring May Flowers"
Learning How to Put Away Laundry
Listen to Saint Matthew Passion by Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev
Tidying up Toys after Play
Clearing the Table after Meals
Listen to the Henry Huggins Series 
Read The Secret Garden
Nature Table Scene
Spring Book Basket
Colored Pencils
Feed birds
Polish wooden toys together 
Weaving with Sugar Plum
Knitting Fork with Little Man 
Puddle Walks
Gardening
Butterfly Growing Kit
Earth Day at the Zoo
Kite Festival on Palm Sunday

Yarn Along: Everyday Saints...

My Tea Leaves Cardigan is coming along quickly.  I have three more rows before I can bind off on the body, which is exciting!  The pattern calls for moving right to the sleeves, but I am going start with the button bands so that I don't have extra yarn to weave in (that was a tip mentioned by a Ravlery user!).  I'm a little worried that I will run out of yarn...  All I have left is one more skein after the yarn in this photo is finished.

I am plowing through a book that I started several months ago.  I didn't finish it back then because I kept giving my copy away...  The last one that I had went to Metropolitan Tikhon when he came to visit!  Everyday Saints is translated from Russian and is a collection of very short stories written by the abbot of an Orthodox monastery.  It has become wildly popular all over the world and has won several literary awards.  I look forward to reading it all day and am going to be sad when I am done.