Last Friday, September 3rd, I left home to begin a 3 week adventure. James and I had a nice dinner together and then early Saturday morning I boarded a plane. Our view at dinner the night before my flight. Normandy Park, WA. I took off bright and early Saturday morning and landed in St. Paul,… Continue reading Going “Home”
Author: Susan
I am an Orthodox Christian, a deacon’s wife, a mother, and an aspiring Kindler of Joy.
I believe I’ve begun to understand (finally), by the grace of God, where we can begin to find happiness. True happiness. My heart longs for a deeper connection to those around me and to creation. I want to feel joy not only in myself but to see it on the face of people I love and those that God brings my way.
Thus, begins my journey to become a Kindler of Joy. It is a journey, a path of learning and growing. So I’ve created my blog as a reminder to myself, daily, to open my eyes and find the beauty and joy around me. I long to share this joy, to spread this joy and to inspire others to become Kindlers of Joy. When we kindle joy in others we spread a light throughout this dark world. A light that is desperately needed.
Won't you join me in spreading this light, this joy?
Bless the Crown of the Year
Bless the crown of the year with Thy goodness, O Lord!--Psalm 64:12 Welcome to new beginnings. Today, the beginning of the Liturgical New Year, marks a new cycle of feasts and fasts. It marks the beginning of it all…and a newness I have never thought about before. We all know what the New Year brings…beginnings,… Continue reading Bless the Crown of the Year
Be Watchful
I cannot believe we are half-way through Holy Week already and the first three services of Holy Week are complete. In the first three services, called Bridegroom Matins, we sing a hymn that jolts me awake. It teaches me I must be awake at all times.. Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight, and blessed is… Continue reading Be Watchful
A Foretaste
This stichera hymn sung last night really grabbed my attention. So vivid, it brings a bit of excitement to my heart as we know it to be a foretaste of what is to come. We have completed the forty days that profit our souls.Let us sing: “Rejoice, city of Bethany, home of Lazarus!Rejoice, Mary and… Continue reading A Foretaste
Book Club Break and Merch!
Good Monday afternoon, y'all! Typically I have been posting my Book Club notes on Mondays but as of lately that has been hard. I missed last week and had incredibly busy week. And now we are on the home stretch towards Holy Week and Pascha so I have decided to take a short break from… Continue reading Book Club Break and Merch!
Resurrection Reminder!
Even in the middle of Lent we get glimpses of the Resurrection! I love it so much! This is late Sunday evening because I just got back from an anniversary camping trip. I posted on Thursday that it was our 27th wedding anniversary. My hubby and I had a beautiful trip to a lake just… Continue reading Resurrection Reminder!
Middle of the Fast
This week marks the very middle of the fast. Last Sunday was the very center. As we head into the end of the fast may we find strength and encouragement from this hymn... This hymn is actually sung this coming Monday, the perfect time for a boost of encouragement to keep going. Today we sing… Continue reading Middle of the Fast
Anniversary Throwback Thursday- 27 Years!
Today marks the 27th Anniversary of a lifelong commitment and I thought I'd take a walk down memory lane. As I was pondering this achievement last night I realized that I can sit and think on that day as if it were yesterday. But I wanted to take out the photos and see again those… Continue reading Anniversary Throwback Thursday- 27 Years!
Resurrection Reminder
What a glorious spring day yesterday! I had some fun weeding the herb garden yesterday and exploring the budding flowers and trees! I loved it! Here is our beautiful reminder of the resurrection today! Have a very blessed Sunday!
Prayer of St. Ephraim
As we walk our way through lent I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite prayers said specifically during Great Lent. It really is the perfect reflection of what our journey through lent is about. To change me. To work on me and my own salvation. I find this prayer to sum up… Continue reading Prayer of St. Ephraim
