Wisdom From Father Wayne

No matter what misfortune might befall you, no matter what unpleasantness might occur, say “I will endure this for Jesus Christ’s sake!” Just say that, and you will feel better, for the Name of Jesus Christ is powerful. Before It, all difficulties abate, and demons disappear. Your annoyance and faintness of heart will abate when you repeat His most sweet Name. Lord, grant unto me to see my transgressions. Lord, grant unto me patience, magnanimity, and meekness.

Counsels of Venerable St. Antony (Putilov) of Optina

Erica Sent it This Time

The questions are a little different...hey, I love to talk about myself. I probably shouldn't jump at the chance.

1. FIRST NAME: Sara
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Not that I know of
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Can't remember exactly, maybe two weeks ago.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Sure.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey sliced thinly.
6. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Si, Dos.
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Maybe, I wouldn't call myself back and would miss my own birthday, so maybe both of me wouldn't mind. Oh, if I were another person. I hope so.
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? This blog and an analog one I write in about once a month. I used to be an avid journaler, then life became a lot less dramatic somewhere during college.
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Not really, and poorly when I do.
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Probably.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Peanut Butter Puffins
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Can you untie flip flops?
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Not really.
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Thrifty's Chocolate Malted Krunch (actually spelled with a "K"). I guess Dryer's Mango Lime Sorbet wouldn't count as an ice cream.
16. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Depends. I can't think of a good specific answer.
17. RED OR PINK? Red
18. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Currently, my ingratitude.
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? No one right now
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No, just blog it.
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? I'm wearing a skirt with red, green, brown, and tan flowery designs with no shoes. What a rebel.
22. THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Strawberries.
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The windchime outside and the fan squeaking in the kids' room.
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Light blue.
25. FAVORITE SMELL? Wet dirt, hands down.
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? The Munkee
27. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I love Erica!
28. FAVORITE DRINK: Water or coffee
29. FAVORITE SPORT: Hmmmmm. Grass sitting? Probably swimming.
30. HAIR COLOR? Brown
31. EYE COLOR? Blue
32. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.
33. FAVORITE FOOD? Tasty fruit or ice cream, at the moment.
34. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy endings
35. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Robots.
36. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Red
37. SUMMER OR WINTER? Both
38. HUGS OR KISSES? Both
39. FAVORITE DESSERT? Too Many.
40. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Ummmmm, everyone?
41. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Chance, as usual
42. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? Brothers Karamazov, restarting it.
43. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A coffee stain from a Basil spill
44. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? I didn't watch TV last night.
45. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Singing, waves, birds, laughter, dental drill...just kidding.
46. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles, sorry daddy
47. THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Germany
48. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Probably somewhere in there, oh I can make a clover shape with my tongue.


Ok, ya'lls post your own if you'd like. Ready, GO.

When Life Gives You Blistering Heatwaves

Hang your diapers! I just started line drying the little stinkers. I had been tossing them in the dryer because it seemed "faster" and "easier". The sun dries, bleaches and disinfects all in about ten minutes! Duh. Why haven't I done this before? Save energy and money, plus there something extremely fulfilling about as well. With sweat spouting out of every pore, I say "here's to you, big flying flame ball up there, you do more than you know!"

Plant, Grow, Cut and Get Muddy

And such is the life of a wee bonny garden like ours. The weather has been a tad cooler so I finally did some badly needed work out there. We tore out the zucchini, yellow squash, and first batch of corn. I can't believe how fast everything came and went. The tomatoes are still making little reds and the cucumbers are climbing away. Pumpkins will join in soon; hopefully in time for autumn harvesting. Of course J had to taste the soil.

More Light Comes My Way

But if a person is constantly mindful of God, he will rejoice: as the psalmist says, "I remembered God, and I rejoiced" (Psalms 77:3). For when the intellect is gladdened by the remembrance of God, then it forgets the afflictions of this world, places its hope in Him, and is no longer troubled or anxious.

St. Peter of Damaskos, JOY (from "The 24 Discourses), The Philokalia, vol. III pp. 260 - 263.

Freedom from anxiety makes it (the heart) rejoice and give thanks; and the grateful offering of thanks augments the gifts of grace it has received. And as the blessings increase, so does the thankfulness, and so does the pure prayer offered with tears of joy. Slowly the man emerges from the tears of distress and from the passions, and enters fully into the state of spiritual joy.

The Philokalia, vol. III - pp. 260 - 263.

Someone Pushed the Repeat Button

So I've had this line stuck in my head for the past few days...it just keeps popping up in my thought streams, or lack thereof. It's from an odd experimental/back room/late at night recording a friend of ours did a few years back. These words were repeated over and over. If I recall, it was written just after he was married.

Don't mess, don't mess, don't mess with me.
Do-mes, do-mes, domesticated me
Don't mess with me.

For whatever that's worth.

"Hey! You took off all my hair."

Worthy of a Second Post

I found this matushka's brilliant blog tonight while clicking and thinking and waiting for A to return from study. Rachel Rassam, if you happen to read this, I think you would like her. Anyway, she has a few posts quoting one Thomas Traherne, whom I had never heard of. This bit shined much needed shafts of light on some of my recent struggles. Praise God for his merciful kindness.

Upon earth we learn nothing but vanity. Where people dream, and loiter, and wander, and disquiet themselves in vain. . .but do not profit becase they prize not the blessings they have received. To prize what we have is a deep and heavenly instruction. It will make us righteous and serious, wise and holy, divine and blessed. It will make us escape hell and attain heaven.

Thomas Traherne
Centuries, Poems and Thanksgivings, First Century, #50

You're Only One Once

We had a fun little birthday gathering at our house yesterday...mostly Aaron's family, my family and some friends. Warm weather, good food and good company always make for a nice party.

Juliana didn't really understand that all the hullabaloo was in her honor until we started singing "happy birthday" and put the lit candle in front of her. The cupcake picture was taken before she broke out in a HUGE smile...I had switched to video by then. And above, she's demonstrating her new moves as an official biped in her crown. I never really got the pink thing until I had a daughter, although I can't wear it myself. Weird, I know.

Happy Birthday sweet one! May God grant you a joyful childhood and many years to grow in His love and grace. We love you, Juliana.

Man, I Need a New Post

Just enjoying having my husband back and getting ready for J's birthday party.