A month since my last post, I am back home after a wonderful trip across country with my eldest daughter. So much has been going on since I got back home. And so much has happened while I was away. So much beauty. So much strength from God, so much learning, and so much joy.… Continue reading Home Again, Home Again…Jiggety-Jig
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?
Resurrection Reminders
It is time to start making a greater effort of reminding myself what this day is all about, what our good Lord has done....and that Christ is risen! All the time! Every day! Each and every Sunday is a day of Resurrection. Last night we sang this beautiful hymn... This photo is from my recent… Continue reading Resurrection Reminders
Move Days 2 -4
Mom and I had two more days of driving before we arrived at my aunt's house in Walhalla, North Dakota. Here are some beautiful reminders of God's love for us. I didn't mention in my first blog post on this news about how we came to be moving my mom back to MN. Back in… Continue reading Move Days 2 -4
Day One of a Move
We’ve come to the end of a long challenging day! We left on our trip to move my mom back to MN today. When we drove out of the driveway at 815 am I thought we’d be at our first night’s rest before dinner. Drive time should have been eight and a half hours plus… Continue reading Day One of a Move
Midfeast-Christ is risen!
Today marks the middle of the Feast of Feasts! Pascha is a 40 day feast! So wonderfully full of joy and excitement, celebrating the victory over death! I love that Pascha is 40 days long! Mostly because I need time to come out of the "Bright Week Blues". Have you ever heard of that term,… Continue reading Midfeast-Christ is risen!
Grant me to see my own transgressions.
This lent I have tried to focus on 1. The Prayer of St. Ephrem and 2. Finding balance, peace, and looking inside at what I need to change. As I have prayed the Prayer of St. Ephrem over and over and over again this lent, I have been quite convicted with regards to the last… Continue reading Grant me to see my own transgressions.
This Week’s Hymnography
Thursday evening we gathered together in Church to sing, to worship, to give thanks to our God Who has come into the world through the Virgin. This day we honored Mary who gave her entire being in service to our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, our Savior. She never hesitated. She said yes to the… Continue reading This Week’s Hymnography
New 2022 Pascha Cards!
I finally have our new Pascha cards in stock in my Etsy shop! Take a look below or go to my Etsy shop! NEW CARDS: The artwork on this card was created by my daughter, Kelsey Anna. All Pascha cards from previous years are also available again this year. And then back in stock are… Continue reading New 2022 Pascha Cards!
Anger and Meekness
During Great Lent this year I have endeavored to read a few different books. First, in order to make this happen I had to give up my slothful evenings of TV watching. And even still, I will probably not complete all the books I hope to. The one book, I will not read cover to… Continue reading Anger and Meekness
“Pilgrimage to Pascha”
Yesterday Great Lent began. I love Lent because I feel like I am given a do-over every year. A time to refocus my mind, body, and soul back on Christ. Really focus on Him! I try to stay focused on Him daily throughout the year but let's be honest, it isn't easy with all that… Continue reading “Pilgrimage to Pascha”
Kindler of Joy! 