Thankful: November 14

    

   As the days grow darker I'm thankful for the warmth and brightness of light, both spiritually and physically. Last night we read about St. Martin of Tours and took an evening walk with the lanterns the kids had made. They were so beautiful, the warm glow illuminating the darkness and reflecting off happy little faces. We talked of letting the light of Christ shine through us, about loving one another and caring for the poor, as St. Martin taught us by his example, and of seeing Christ in everyone we meet. 

"O Joyful Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy blessed Father, O Jesus Christ. Having come to the setting of the sun, having beheld the evening light, we hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God." 

(Ancient Christian hymn sung in the evening service of the Orthodox Church.)

"The Light of Christ illumines all!"

(From the Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts)

"The early Christian ritual of carrying a lamp into the evening service led to the present-day order of Vespers with its entry and the singing of the ancient hymn, O Jesus Christ, the Joyful Light…, which expresses the Christian teaching of spiritual light that illumines man, of Christ the Source of the grace-bestowing light."

(Quote taken from here.)

"And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it"
(John 1:5)

Thankful: November 13

    Today I'm thankful for our parish and our church family. Our journey toward the Orthodox Christian Church began nearly seven years ago and I'm so very grateful to be where we are. I love the rhythm of the liturgical year and for seasons that shape the calendar for us. I love the history and the sense of connectedness I have with the body of Christ through the ages. I love worshipping in a place of beauty, a place designed to be an extension of heaven. I appreciate that the liturgy engages all of our senses; we see, we smell, we touch and taste and hear. We worship with our bodies, not only our hearts. I love that the church is a place of healing of both soul and body, that we are called to lay aside our earthly cares at the same time that we are being equipped to live on this earth. 

   On a more local level, I'm so thankful for the people that make up our parish. Over the years they've become so dear to me. I love that our children are welcomed to be with us, that we very often receive encouragement about them. I can't count how many times someone has said to me "I love hearing your kids in church. I'm so glad they're here!" That means a lot to a mama of many young, active children! I give thanks for this group of people, this body, as we grow together, struggle together, serve together, and love one another.

Thanksgiving: November 12

    Today I'm thankful for a warm house on a cold day, a cozy fire, a pot of simmering chili, cornbread with cinnamon honey butter melting into it, my rocking chair, the quiet after kids are tucked into bed, a lunch date with Erik, waffles with fresh warm applesauce, and a comfy bed waiting for me.

   Here is a cornbread recipe passed down from Fannie Farmer's cookbook to my Grandma, to my Mom, and then on to her children. This version contains less sugar than called for by Fannie (and I would use honey or even less sugar). This is the cornbread I grew up eating, and it's super yummy with some cinnamon honey butter on top! 

Cornbread

Blend:

1/4 C Melted Butter

2 Eggs

2 C Milk

1/2 C Sugar

Stir together and add to wet ingredients:

2 C Flour

1 1/2 C Cornmeal

1 T Baking Powder

1 t Salt

Bake 20 minutes in a greased 9" x 13" pan at 425.

Thankful: November 11

    Today I'm thankful for Erik. Well, I'm thankful for him every day, but on this day I'm writing a little about it. We've known each other for fifteen years and been married for just about ten. In that time he's gone from being a slightly intriging fellow to being my husband and closest friend. Here are just a few of the many things I love about this man:

• He is hard working and loyal, steady and strong. 
• He doesn't complain, even though his job challenges him in many not-so-pleasant ways. 
• He is always trying to find better ways of doing things. 
• He has amazing blue eyes. 
• He's humble. 
• He makes me chai.
• He loves our family.
• He cleans the kitchen. Often.
• He loves my cooking.
• He brought home Coconut Bliss tonight. (Bonus points for that!) 
• He's very generous.
• He cares deeply for his parents.
• He has a tender heart.
• He understands the importance of good chocolate.
• He gets up with the kids on weekends so I can sleep in.

    I waited what seemed like a long time for the right man to come along, and I'm so glad I did. We've grown and changed a lot in the last ten years, and I look forward to many more. 

Thankful: November 10

    Today I'm thankful for being able to spend one-on-one time with my kids. It's something we've been challenged to do in the last few months, to try to carve out special times with each child on a regular basis. Ideally it's a time where one of us can give one of them undivided attention doing something they enjoy. I'm aiming for ten minutes each day for each child, but it doesn't always happen. I obviously have to fit this into real life, so sometimes special time is just getting to go to the grocery store with mama, or choosing a book while I nurse the baby. Other times it's building legos together or playing stuffed animals. Pulling one child out of the wild rumpus of life at our house gives them an opportunity to shine, to absorb lots of attention, to be reminded that they're special to us.

    I didn't plan it, but Raphael wanted to come to the grocery store with me this afternoon. My first internal reaction was "no, I can be so much faster alone" but of course I wanted to be with the boy who wanted to be with me. I was so glad he came along, as we had a really sweet time together. We stopped at the post office and he carried a package for me. I loved hearing his voice, his thoughts, with no interruptions from other kids. He asked me if at night time the post office workers went home. I assured him that they did, but he was puzzled because he didn't see a gate where they could get out from behind the counter! At the grocery store he wanted to ride in one of the "car" shopping carts, which I normally don't do because they're so hard to push. But today I let him, and he loved driving around the store. At one point he said to me "Mama, I love to be with you". It's so worth it to take the time to really be with our little ones, ones that are growing so quickly.

    The one on one "special time" is bearing good fruit, closer, deeper relationships, and wonderful memories for both the kids and for us. Tonight, we drove under a bridge that is all lit up with red light. The kids always make a wish as we go under it, and this evening was no exception. Raphael, who is a bit new to the concept of wishes, was excitedly telling us all about how he had his wish. When I asked him what he wished for he said "Mama". That was enough to melt my heart. I think your wish really has come true, my dear boy.