Both of L's teachers were sick today, and so there were two substitute teachers in. Well, that didn't go over so well with nineteen 3-4 year olds! L actually did really well. I forgot she was Star of the Day, so she can take something for Show & Share tomorrow.
I was looking after K again today, as her mom is in Russia for a couple of weeks. I am amazed how nicely she and P played together all morning! They aren't that amiable at church!
Sold the wardrobe from downstairs - and got the antique one into the guest room. It looks so much better than that modern monstrosity! And it fits better too. A doesn't agree. Ha!
The kitchen came from Ikea, so A is taking tomorrow off work to set it up. Then I can get to decorating! I already have a canvas for the wall, and some cool dishes I found at the thrift store. I need to buy a rug for under the table and chairs, and a kettle and toaster. Maybe a set of cutlery. Good thing Zellers is closing soon - one can actually afford to buy new things at their discount prices!
M and I broke up some of the ice on the driveway this afternoon. It was quite therapeutic! It takes muscle, and pounding into something is a great tension release! There was about 3" of ice under the dusting of snow. Anyway, most of it is done now, and I guess the sun will work on the rest. Spring is definitely on the way! We were out with no coats again today. It is great!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
peace
Last night, M had a soccer game and they WON! I was so disappointed to miss it, but Mom and A were away and the babysitter was busy, so Dad had to take him and I stayed home with the others. It really doesn't work to take the young ones to the indoor field, as there is nothing for them to do, and D likes to run onto the field and steal the cones or soccer ball! Anyway, there will be more games, I'm sure.
A guy from World Vision came to the door yesterday, doing door to door recruitment for sponsors. Well, I am a total suck when it comes to that! All he had to do was show me a few pictures of "desperate" kids, and I was signing the dotted line. I justified it by thinking "one kid sponsored for each of my children", as we already sponsor three. Reading about the life of the boy I chose, I felt like weeping at the excesses in our house. The boys and I talked about him before they went to sleep and, again, P almost cried wishing for an "Orthodox world". He asked me, "Mom, will heaven be an Orthodox world?" I said that it would be, but even better.
I started thinking about peace. I can't say that I wish for world peace, because world peace would mean that right and wrong had been abolished, that everything had become acceptable, that everything had become permissible, that morality had disappeared, that all were normal, that none were normal. I suppose this will happen under the influence of the antichrist. And of course, it will be beautiful and hopeful - and we will be lulled into a false sense of serenity. How scary!
Come quickly, Lord Jesus! [Revelation 22:20]
A guy from World Vision came to the door yesterday, doing door to door recruitment for sponsors. Well, I am a total suck when it comes to that! All he had to do was show me a few pictures of "desperate" kids, and I was signing the dotted line. I justified it by thinking "one kid sponsored for each of my children", as we already sponsor three. Reading about the life of the boy I chose, I felt like weeping at the excesses in our house. The boys and I talked about him before they went to sleep and, again, P almost cried wishing for an "Orthodox world". He asked me, "Mom, will heaven be an Orthodox world?" I said that it would be, but even better.
I started thinking about peace. I can't say that I wish for world peace, because world peace would mean that right and wrong had been abolished, that everything had become acceptable, that everything had become permissible, that morality had disappeared, that all were normal, that none were normal. I suppose this will happen under the influence of the antichrist. And of course, it will be beautiful and hopeful - and we will be lulled into a false sense of serenity. How scary!
Come quickly, Lord Jesus! [Revelation 22:20]
sustained
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you." Psalm 55:22
Sustain: to support, hold, or bear up to keep a person from giving way.
I have been and continue to be sustained. I feel like a deflated balloon a lot of the time, and try to remember daily to "give it to the Lord", as my Grandma used to say. And, it seems to help. Although some days . . . well, there are a LOT of cares!
Faith cultivates trust, and trust cultivates patience. And, when I try to be patient, with prayer for the increase of trust and faith, God acts. To change me. To change someone else. To calm and diffuse a tricky situation. And I am thankful for this.
Sustain: to support, hold, or bear up to keep a person from giving way.
I have been and continue to be sustained. I feel like a deflated balloon a lot of the time, and try to remember daily to "give it to the Lord", as my Grandma used to say. And, it seems to help. Although some days . . . well, there are a LOT of cares!
Faith cultivates trust, and trust cultivates patience. And, when I try to be patient, with prayer for the increase of trust and faith, God acts. To change me. To change someone else. To calm and diffuse a tricky situation. And I am thankful for this.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
an Orthodox world
We decided to go out for dinner tonight. Just now, we are waiting for A to come home from work, and then we will take off. A minute ago, P said, "Do they have onion rings?" I said that they probably do. He said, "Good, cause I have really been wanting onion rings." A pause and then, "But my true wish is to live in an Orthodox world." He has said this before, and I know he really means it. Every time, it brings tears to my eyes, because P has such a sweet innocence and the song (on the CD that he likes listening to when going to sleep at night: Living in an Orthodox World by Fr. Michael Shanbour) he was referring to has such poignant words:
An Orthodox church just down the street
That's where you and your friends all like to meet
It looks like Heaven in there
With Jesus and all of his saints everywhere
You can't wait to get a blessing from your priest
You kiss his hand and he kisses your cheek
You want to be like him someday
Teaching of God's love and how we should pray
Imagine, imagine
Imagine the joy for boys and for girls
Living in an Orthodox world
The whole town comes to celebrate the feast
For Vespers, for Matins and then Liturgy
The people worship today
The Potter who formed us from dust and from clay
Imagine, imagine
Imagine the joy for boys and for girls
Living in an Orthodox world
An Orthodox church just down the street
That's where you and your friends all like to meet
It looks like Heaven in there
With Jesus and all of his saints everywhere
You can't wait to get a blessing from your priest
You kiss his hand and he kisses your cheek
You want to be like him someday
Teaching of God's love and how we should pray
Imagine, imagine
Imagine the joy for boys and for girls
Living in an Orthodox world
The whole town comes to celebrate the feast
For Vespers, for Matins and then Liturgy
The people worship today
The Potter who formed us from dust and from clay
Imagine, imagine
Imagine the joy for boys and for girls
Living in an Orthodox world
Thursday, February 14, 2013
be mine
I had the cutest little outfit for L to wear to school today for Valentine's Day. The children were supposed to wear red or pink to school; M did fine (red pants AND red shirt), but P doesn't have any red clothing that fits him, so he wore his favorite Mario shirt that has red sleeves! Good enough!
A gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers in a nice pot. I put them on the new fireplace mantle to be enjoyed by all. I went to the thrift store AGAIN today! Seems like I am there all the time, but they have their prices so low that people buy the furniture so quickly, and in order to get something, one almost has to check back daily. We are looking for a number of things for the house - a recliner chair for A for his office, a floor lamp for the living room, kitchen chairs, etc. Today I happened in at the perfect moment, and found a beautiful antique wardrobe!! Of course, A HATES antiques! Well, I managed to convince him that we need it for the guest bedroom (which means we can get rid of the white monstrosity that is in there now!) and he picked it up in his van and brought it home. Now I am just waiting till our house guest/worker goes home so I can get that room modified!
More snow this morning. Everything is so white and pretty in the sunshine.
We are having a friend from L's lass over in a few minutes for a play date. I just wish that the mom coming too didn't cause me so much anxiety.
A gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers in a nice pot. I put them on the new fireplace mantle to be enjoyed by all. I went to the thrift store AGAIN today! Seems like I am there all the time, but they have their prices so low that people buy the furniture so quickly, and in order to get something, one almost has to check back daily. We are looking for a number of things for the house - a recliner chair for A for his office, a floor lamp for the living room, kitchen chairs, etc. Today I happened in at the perfect moment, and found a beautiful antique wardrobe!! Of course, A HATES antiques! Well, I managed to convince him that we need it for the guest bedroom (which means we can get rid of the white monstrosity that is in there now!) and he picked it up in his van and brought it home. Now I am just waiting till our house guest/worker goes home so I can get that room modified!
More snow this morning. Everything is so white and pretty in the sunshine.
We are having a friend from L's lass over in a few minutes for a play date. I just wish that the mom coming too didn't cause me so much anxiety.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
family night
This afternoon/evening is a school arranged "Family Night" of fun - skating, building snowmen, scavenger hunt, hot chocolate by the outdoor fire, etc. A's job was cancelled; I called in "absentee" for my pro-life meeting; M is going to skip out on soccer - and we're all going to GO! (The scrooge side of me wants to not bother, to stay inside where it is farm, and read books together, cuddled on the couch.)
P said to me the other day, "Why are you and Daddy married if you never get along?" Yipes! I laughed and said that sometimes it's hard to get along, but it doesn't mean you don't love the other person. And, I left it at that.
We have a Ukrainian man staying with us (father of a friend from church), doing some work on the renovations in the basement. He will be here a week or so, painting and laying the floor. Maybe putting in the kitchen, although it looks like it won't be delivered till after he goes, so we'll see. I am required to cook a proper lunch and supper for him every day, which A is also enjoying! Usually it is just sandwiches and do-it-yourself fare!
P said to me the other day, "Why are you and Daddy married if you never get along?" Yipes! I laughed and said that sometimes it's hard to get along, but it doesn't mean you don't love the other person. And, I left it at that.
We have a Ukrainian man staying with us (father of a friend from church), doing some work on the renovations in the basement. He will be here a week or so, painting and laying the floor. Maybe putting in the kitchen, although it looks like it won't be delivered till after he goes, so we'll see. I am required to cook a proper lunch and supper for him every day, which A is also enjoying! Usually it is just sandwiches and do-it-yourself fare!
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