In the Orthodox Church Pascha (Easter ) is a 40 day Feast. We fast for 40 days beforehand and we feast for 40 days afterwards. Christ is Risen! The most important aspect of the Christian race. My babies...Pascha 16 years ago. Remembering these days is good and pleasant. We celebrate. We sing. We are filled… Continue reading Leavetaking of Pascha
Tag: joy
The True Nature of Fasting
This past week I decided to read the Introduction to the Lenten Triodion, a book used when we put together our services during the weeks leading up to and through Great Lent. It is where we get our hymnography for these special services, scripture reading assignments and more. I've used this book for years when… Continue reading The True Nature of Fasting
It’s Time to Celebrate 1 Year!
One year ago today I launched this project, my blog, with my very first post, That Feeling. I began writing because I wanted to share with the world around me this joyous feeling I get whenever the Feast Day of Pascha comes. That Feeling we get as midnight approaches on Easter. That Feeling is pure… Continue reading It’s Time to Celebrate 1 Year!
The Snowy Week
“One winter morning Peter woke up and looked out the window. Snow had fallen during the night. It covered everything as far as he could see.” ― Ezra Jack Keats, The Snowy Day For my entire upbringing I lived in MN. Snow was just what happened in winter. We were used to it. It didn't… Continue reading The Snowy Week
The Silence is Broken
Well, Hello There! Why, Yes! I am still here! Do you ever have life just completely get away from you? Do you ever feel in the dark about how things are going to turn out? Well, that is how things have been lately. There has been so much going on from this way and that… Continue reading The Silence is Broken
@kindlerofjoy
Happy Friday my friends! This week as I launched my new Instagram account, @kindlerofjoy, which I started way back in March but was too anxious to go "public", I was reminded about my true goal of this adventure. This entire adventure is completely and utterly outside of my comfort zone. Putting myself out there like… Continue reading @kindlerofjoy
Uncle John and the Farm
This was before my time by about 3 years. Yesterday my uncle John was “in town” (3 hours away as opposed to 1800 miles away) and I got to spend some time with him and my aunt Mary Ellen. The time went way to fast and I regret not clearing my entire day to be… Continue reading Uncle John and the Farm
Nativity of the Theotokos
As Orthodox Christians we honor Mary, the mother of God. In Luke 1:39-56 we read: In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari′ah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb;… Continue reading Nativity of the Theotokos
Crazy-Busy, Beautiful-Awesome Summer
I need to explain myself. Since the end of July I've posted nothing but my Maxim Mondays and I'm sure some of you are wondering what is going on. Maybe even getting bored. You know how summers can be....crazy-busy! The last 2 weeks has been spent in Southern California. I drove a team of kids… Continue reading Crazy-Busy, Beautiful-Awesome Summer
Gladness
My last post, Psalm 100, really got me thinking. My deepest desire is to seek joy. To mindfully live my life with the joy of the Resurrection in my heart. Joyfully live my life. Psalm 100:2 says, Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. This verse jumps out at me when… Continue reading Gladness
Kindler of Joy! 