I had a request from a reader of this blog for Keith's toffee recipe. (Which, by the way, made $50 for our retreat scholarship fund at our Christmas Tea!)
Well, Rachel's tasted it before. A couple of years ago, I flew out to her place for a retreat with some other wise women, and we visited the absolutely amazing Art Institute of Chicago.
We saw breathtaking art like Edward Hopper's Nighthawks and Caillebotte's Rainy Day, Paris Street.
Keith had made bags of toffee for each of the women who attended, and Laura was smart enough to take hers to the museum to keep her appetite in check while our stomachs rumbled in hunger.
I found myself remembering their enjoyment of Keith's toffee, our shared awe over the Chagall windows, the huge Seurat, the ancient St. George and the Dragon (my personal favorite), our viewing Ferris Bueller's Day Off that night, which of course features a visit to the same art museum we had visited that day. The wonderful food served to us, the scintillating conversations, the time alone for Carol and I to study Scriptures and pray together face-to-face after doing an online Bible study for weeks -- all these memories came flooding back as I typed the recipe for Rachel.
Faces and voices came to mind -- Julie's, Laura's, Carol's, Lisa's -- along with memories of Rachel's garden and green rolling acres, of a walk around Rachel's neighborhood while she pushed my wheelchair, of the long train ride to the museum and discovering exactly why Chicago is called "The Windy City" as the "El" rumbled over our heads and our hair was blown across our faces.
I remembered the rude ladies who pushed onto the bus ahead of my wheelchair after we had waited and waited for transportation after visiting the museum. I remembered gathering ourselves around Rachel's table, with salmon steaming and conversation flowing. I remembered watching The Importance of Being Earnest on the couch with Rachel's youngest as Rachel attended to laundry and tidying up before everyone else arrived. I remember gathering around on Rachel's back porch, husking corn while chatting and laughing.
It's amazing what a simple request for a recipe can do to one's memory.
Little thoughts from my mind to yours about living a contemplative life in a far too busy world.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
12/03/06: Tea for Two ... Or Two Hundred
This afternoon was our annual Christmas Tea at Lake Murray. Judith called me this morning to ask for a ride after a bad night, so E and I picked her up and we all drove nearly 40 miles to La Mesa.
Judith, E, and I were especially excited about the tea, not just because of the excellent food and company, but more for the speaker, Joi Bowling, whom we had met at Judith's Ad Lib Christian Arts Retreat in Colorado (see sidebar for link to the Ad Lib site).
So we settled into our table, soon to be joined by dear friends Kitty, Diana, Laura, Tammy, Kim, and others. Many of our choir members are performing tomorrow night at Point Loma Nazarene University's annual "Messiah." E and I attended last year and loved it, but tomorrow night is her Cotillion Winter Ball, so we can only be there in thought and prayer, rather than in body. Linda, Kim, Laura, Kitty, Joan, and William are all singing, along with our beloved Dr. Adema. How we wish we could be there!
Back to the tea.... Mary Alice was the perfect emcee. Dolores and Laura sang a lovely duet, and we were stuffed with tea sandwiches, scones, and sweets. Kitty's table was gorgeous, set with her Christmas china plates and tea cups, real glasses ringed with a holly design, a holly-patterned table cloth, and a beautiful centerpiece designed by Kitty herself, with a lanterned candle in the middle.
After a humorous poem read by Adrienne and a talk about our missionaries by Karen, Joi opened with the chorus of "O Come, All Ye Faithful." Then she proceeded to speak on our theme, "Follow His Star," by interweaving her ponderings on those who saw His Star with singing "We Three Kings." I was in tears because of the beauty of her voice (no big surprise there!), and fortunately, my secret sister just sent me holly-patterned purse tissues, which were perfect for the surreptitious wiping of tears. Me thinks my secret sister knows me all too well!
After the program ended with much applause, we perused the craft boutique, proceeds of which were going to our retreat scholarship fund. Keith had made some bags of his famous toffee, which seemed to be selling well. I purchased some beautiful handmade notecards, and E bought a Christmas mug. Judith bought some of Keith's toffee and presented it to Joi.
Then home we went, tired and ready to rest up for the Lord's Day tomorrow. But it was a lovely tea, as always. With over 100 ladies, it can't help but to be a merry kick-off to the Holy Days season.
Judith, E, and I were especially excited about the tea, not just because of the excellent food and company, but more for the speaker, Joi Bowling, whom we had met at Judith's Ad Lib Christian Arts Retreat in Colorado (see sidebar for link to the Ad Lib site).
So we settled into our table, soon to be joined by dear friends Kitty, Diana, Laura, Tammy, Kim, and others. Many of our choir members are performing tomorrow night at Point Loma Nazarene University's annual "Messiah." E and I attended last year and loved it, but tomorrow night is her Cotillion Winter Ball, so we can only be there in thought and prayer, rather than in body. Linda, Kim, Laura, Kitty, Joan, and William are all singing, along with our beloved Dr. Adema. How we wish we could be there!
Back to the tea.... Mary Alice was the perfect emcee. Dolores and Laura sang a lovely duet, and we were stuffed with tea sandwiches, scones, and sweets. Kitty's table was gorgeous, set with her Christmas china plates and tea cups, real glasses ringed with a holly design, a holly-patterned table cloth, and a beautiful centerpiece designed by Kitty herself, with a lanterned candle in the middle.
After a humorous poem read by Adrienne and a talk about our missionaries by Karen, Joi opened with the chorus of "O Come, All Ye Faithful." Then she proceeded to speak on our theme, "Follow His Star," by interweaving her ponderings on those who saw His Star with singing "We Three Kings." I was in tears because of the beauty of her voice (no big surprise there!), and fortunately, my secret sister just sent me holly-patterned purse tissues, which were perfect for the surreptitious wiping of tears. Me thinks my secret sister knows me all too well!
After the program ended with much applause, we perused the craft boutique, proceeds of which were going to our retreat scholarship fund. Keith had made some bags of his famous toffee, which seemed to be selling well. I purchased some beautiful handmade notecards, and E bought a Christmas mug. Judith bought some of Keith's toffee and presented it to Joi.
Then home we went, tired and ready to rest up for the Lord's Day tomorrow. But it was a lovely tea, as always. With over 100 ladies, it can't help but to be a merry kick-off to the Holy Days season.
12/02/06: Simple Pleasures
Ah, the simple, elegant, timeless feel in my hand of a quill pen plunging into a crystal bottle of ink! A deep-green feather tops the narrow brass pen, ending with a slim nib that distributes the green ink evenly as I write out Christmas cards. Ah, the flow of ink across the page ... pure pleasure!
With an allspice-nutmeg candle burning on the mantel, wrapped in a soft, velour, tassled throw with our dachshund cuddled next to me, I am ready to write out our Christmas cards.
I bought two styles of cards this year: one red with gold writing on the theme of Handel's Messiah, and the other a deep blue with a gold-embossed poem about Jesus:
He came not to a throne,
but to a manger.
He lived not as a king,
but as a servant.
He chose not an earthly kingdom,
but a cross.
He gave not just a little,
but everything.
-- Holley Gerth
I write out each card with my quill pen and green ink, and although I worked for nearly three hours, I only got through the F's tonight, and that only from my address book. Besides my official addresses in my book, I will write cards from my e-friends list, my town directory, and finally, our church directory.
The stamps I purchased are of Mary and the Holy Babe, surrounded in gold in an icon-type design. I'm handwriting our return address as well as the address and am signing each of the names for all the family members.
So it's a labor of love, writing out cards with a quill dip pen, real ink, and everything handwritten. Yes, I'll admit that it's partially because I'm rather vain about my penmanship.
I've purchased 150 cards, but won't have to post the church ones as we have a mailbox table at church. I still need to write, print, copy, and insert our family update letter and then have Keith take our family picture, print and trim them, and insert them also before sealing and sending the cards.
So we still have much work to do. But I'm glad I'm getting started on December 1 -- even though I received our first Christmas card in *November.* Eeek! That's a bit early, don't you think?
Well, it's that time! Time for cards and stamps and green ink stains on my right middle finger. And it's a time I cherish. despite swollen fingers and a stiff neck.
I just love writing Christmas cards! If I had my cup of British tea, I'd be perfectly happy.
With an allspice-nutmeg candle burning on the mantel, wrapped in a soft, velour, tassled throw with our dachshund cuddled next to me, I am ready to write out our Christmas cards.
I bought two styles of cards this year: one red with gold writing on the theme of Handel's Messiah, and the other a deep blue with a gold-embossed poem about Jesus:
He came not to a throne,
but to a manger.
He lived not as a king,
but as a servant.
He chose not an earthly kingdom,
but a cross.
He gave not just a little,
but everything.
-- Holley Gerth
I write out each card with my quill pen and green ink, and although I worked for nearly three hours, I only got through the F's tonight, and that only from my address book. Besides my official addresses in my book, I will write cards from my e-friends list, my town directory, and finally, our church directory.
The stamps I purchased are of Mary and the Holy Babe, surrounded in gold in an icon-type design. I'm handwriting our return address as well as the address and am signing each of the names for all the family members.
So it's a labor of love, writing out cards with a quill dip pen, real ink, and everything handwritten. Yes, I'll admit that it's partially because I'm rather vain about my penmanship.
I've purchased 150 cards, but won't have to post the church ones as we have a mailbox table at church. I still need to write, print, copy, and insert our family update letter and then have Keith take our family picture, print and trim them, and insert them also before sealing and sending the cards.
So we still have much work to do. But I'm glad I'm getting started on December 1 -- even though I received our first Christmas card in *November.* Eeek! That's a bit early, don't you think?
Well, it's that time! Time for cards and stamps and green ink stains on my right middle finger. And it's a time I cherish. despite swollen fingers and a stiff neck.
I just love writing Christmas cards! If I had my cup of British tea, I'd be perfectly happy.
11/30/06: A Time for Healing
Those of you who know me "in real life" are all too familiar with my physical limitations, but those of you who know me (or not) online may not be familiar with the challenges of daily living that I experience, even in typing this blog.
I was e-mailing an e-friend about my medical history as her daughter is going through some similar symptoms. As I wrote to her, I realized that I have only alluded a few times to my illnesses here but in no real detail.
Please take this as a history only, and not a call for a pity party. It's simply what I and my family have been dealing with over the past few years.
Okay?
Nearly five years ago I started to see an excellent chiropractor, Dr. Charles Burns, for neck pain. Almost immediately he noticed that I didn't respond normally to his adjustments, and he sent me to see my regular doctor through Kaiser, our HMO. She diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Then along came diagnoses of hypothyroid, hypoglycemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. I spent three years in unrelenting pain which no oral drug, not even morphine, could control. We tried more pharmaceutical medications than I can remember, along with natural remedies of nutrition, chiropractic, and acupuncture. Only chiropractic helped a little, but not nearly enough. When my Kaiser doctor, reportedly an expert in fibromyalgia, "gave up" on me and referred me to psychiatry in order to increase my access to "more drugs," I was ready to give up myself as well.
Here I was, 37 years old and in a wheelchair much of the time, unable to walk even short distances outside my home. The pain and stiffness wouldn't let up. I slept little. I couldn't exercise at all. I was too tired to do almost everything. And I was fighting depression over my physical state on a daily, if not hourly basis. I had four children to care for and teach, and I simply couldn't do it. I couldn't clean my home. I couldn't cook dinner. I couldn't homeschool. I couldn't function. So Keith took over on dinner detail, and friends from church drove up the mountain to clean my home. And my dear friend Johanna came up to help homeschool the kids. I often collapsed from weakness or dizziness, sometimes in public. Most importantly, I finally left Kaiser and sought out a new doctor.
When Dr. Burns diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis through applied kinesiology, my new doctor, a Christian osteopath, applied his RA protocol of fentanyl patches and hormonal cremes. And suddenly, something worked! The pain became manageable, and I slowly began to gain strength. I could walk a little further, cook a little in the kitchen, take the kids on a field trip if they pushed my wheelchair. My concern was with becoming addicted to the powerful narcotics, but Dr. Adema assured me that these drugs were prescribed no more than necessary and were integral for my recovery; I would be able to get off them when the cause of these disorders was discovered.
Dr. Adema was convinced that something was poisoning me. It was something more than the "homeschool mom syndrome" that he so often saw in his patients, although he thought that it was indeed part of my condition. So my chiropractor referred me to a naturopathic dentist who tested me, and we found out that I'm allergic to the metals from my dental work -- my braces from my college years, my one amalgam filling, and my root canal. So I've had all the metal removed from my mouth and am now going through IV chelation therapy. I've had almost twenty treatments, and although I've been very nauseous and weak from the treatments, I'm doing better now. I'm just extra tired for a few days after each weekly treatment. And once the toxicity levels decrease significantly, I should be able to start to ease off the fentanyl patch.
I still need a wheelchair for long shopping trips and for field trips to the museums or the zoo, but I'm doing far better overall, although I'm on more than twice the fentanyl than my mother-in-law was when she died of cancer a few years ago. I need a four-pronged cane for outside of the house, and I still have occasional weakness and fainting spells.
So that's where I am. Still struggling with some issues. Still in some pain. Still very tired. Still watching my nutrition. And still hoping that I'll continue to improve and become a "normal" mom again.
The silver lining: God has used this difficulty to draw me ever closer to Him and has given me the passion to study the contemplative traditions of the church, along with church history and Anglicanism. God has set me on a very different path in faith, a "road less taken... that has made all the difference" in my life.
And for that, I am truly grateful.
I was e-mailing an e-friend about my medical history as her daughter is going through some similar symptoms. As I wrote to her, I realized that I have only alluded a few times to my illnesses here but in no real detail.
Please take this as a history only, and not a call for a pity party. It's simply what I and my family have been dealing with over the past few years.
Okay?
Nearly five years ago I started to see an excellent chiropractor, Dr. Charles Burns, for neck pain. Almost immediately he noticed that I didn't respond normally to his adjustments, and he sent me to see my regular doctor through Kaiser, our HMO. She diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Then along came diagnoses of hypothyroid, hypoglycemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. I spent three years in unrelenting pain which no oral drug, not even morphine, could control. We tried more pharmaceutical medications than I can remember, along with natural remedies of nutrition, chiropractic, and acupuncture. Only chiropractic helped a little, but not nearly enough. When my Kaiser doctor, reportedly an expert in fibromyalgia, "gave up" on me and referred me to psychiatry in order to increase my access to "more drugs," I was ready to give up myself as well.
Here I was, 37 years old and in a wheelchair much of the time, unable to walk even short distances outside my home. The pain and stiffness wouldn't let up. I slept little. I couldn't exercise at all. I was too tired to do almost everything. And I was fighting depression over my physical state on a daily, if not hourly basis. I had four children to care for and teach, and I simply couldn't do it. I couldn't clean my home. I couldn't cook dinner. I couldn't homeschool. I couldn't function. So Keith took over on dinner detail, and friends from church drove up the mountain to clean my home. And my dear friend Johanna came up to help homeschool the kids. I often collapsed from weakness or dizziness, sometimes in public. Most importantly, I finally left Kaiser and sought out a new doctor.
When Dr. Burns diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis through applied kinesiology, my new doctor, a Christian osteopath, applied his RA protocol of fentanyl patches and hormonal cremes. And suddenly, something worked! The pain became manageable, and I slowly began to gain strength. I could walk a little further, cook a little in the kitchen, take the kids on a field trip if they pushed my wheelchair. My concern was with becoming addicted to the powerful narcotics, but Dr. Adema assured me that these drugs were prescribed no more than necessary and were integral for my recovery; I would be able to get off them when the cause of these disorders was discovered.
Dr. Adema was convinced that something was poisoning me. It was something more than the "homeschool mom syndrome" that he so often saw in his patients, although he thought that it was indeed part of my condition. So my chiropractor referred me to a naturopathic dentist who tested me, and we found out that I'm allergic to the metals from my dental work -- my braces from my college years, my one amalgam filling, and my root canal. So I've had all the metal removed from my mouth and am now going through IV chelation therapy. I've had almost twenty treatments, and although I've been very nauseous and weak from the treatments, I'm doing better now. I'm just extra tired for a few days after each weekly treatment. And once the toxicity levels decrease significantly, I should be able to start to ease off the fentanyl patch.
I still need a wheelchair for long shopping trips and for field trips to the museums or the zoo, but I'm doing far better overall, although I'm on more than twice the fentanyl than my mother-in-law was when she died of cancer a few years ago. I need a four-pronged cane for outside of the house, and I still have occasional weakness and fainting spells.
So that's where I am. Still struggling with some issues. Still in some pain. Still very tired. Still watching my nutrition. And still hoping that I'll continue to improve and become a "normal" mom again.
The silver lining: God has used this difficulty to draw me ever closer to Him and has given me the passion to study the contemplative traditions of the church, along with church history and Anglicanism. God has set me on a very different path in faith, a "road less taken... that has made all the difference" in my life.
And for that, I am truly grateful.
11/29/06: A Hero in the HOUSE?
Okay, I'll admit it. I am addicted to House M.D.
And it's all Hugh Laurie's fault.
Well, I also blame the brilliant writers who conceived this amazingly megalomanical character who has a heart beneath all his gruff selfishness and intellectual pride.
House has a God complex. And I certainly wouldn't want him to be MY doctor. Unless I were dying, of course.
I know, I know -- it's FICTION. And fiction by definition means that it's not real.
But that's the beauty of this show. House seems like such a real guy. He's far from perfect; he's flawed to the core in so many ways that it's impossible to list them all.
And that's why we can relate to him so well. Our flaws seem so insignificant next to his. And that's always encouraging to us mere mortals.
When we glimpse an iota of humanity in him, we want to stand up and cheer. He's an enigma wrapped in a package of sarcasm and pain. And we can't help to love him.
Back in Emma Thompson's acclaimed Sense and Sensibility, Hugh portrayed a similiar character: Mr. Palmer. Poor Mr. Palmer is married to the stupidest of women, and his sarcasm is glossed over and excused by his simpering wife and her gossip-crazed mother. However, when a real crisis occurs, Mr. Palmer rises to the occasion in all sympathy and helpfulness. E and I always loved his character, and Hugh takes that small character part to the -nth degree in House. And he does it marvellously.
This year, E and I spent our summer evenings viewing the delightfully and wonderfully comic Jeeves and Wooster, starring Hugh and Stephen Fry as Wodehouse's unforgettable young man-about-town and his "man." After all four seasons, courtesy of Netflix, we felt well-versed in Hugh Laurie's amazing acting style.
And yes, we have Blackadder in our Netflix queue.
So here's to Hugh for bringing much entertainment into our "House."
And it's all Hugh Laurie's fault.
Well, I also blame the brilliant writers who conceived this amazingly megalomanical character who has a heart beneath all his gruff selfishness and intellectual pride.
House has a God complex. And I certainly wouldn't want him to be MY doctor. Unless I were dying, of course.
I know, I know -- it's FICTION. And fiction by definition means that it's not real.
But that's the beauty of this show. House seems like such a real guy. He's far from perfect; he's flawed to the core in so many ways that it's impossible to list them all.
And that's why we can relate to him so well. Our flaws seem so insignificant next to his. And that's always encouraging to us mere mortals.
When we glimpse an iota of humanity in him, we want to stand up and cheer. He's an enigma wrapped in a package of sarcasm and pain. And we can't help to love him.
Back in Emma Thompson's acclaimed Sense and Sensibility, Hugh portrayed a similiar character: Mr. Palmer. Poor Mr. Palmer is married to the stupidest of women, and his sarcasm is glossed over and excused by his simpering wife and her gossip-crazed mother. However, when a real crisis occurs, Mr. Palmer rises to the occasion in all sympathy and helpfulness. E and I always loved his character, and Hugh takes that small character part to the -nth degree in House. And he does it marvellously.
This year, E and I spent our summer evenings viewing the delightfully and wonderfully comic Jeeves and Wooster, starring Hugh and Stephen Fry as Wodehouse's unforgettable young man-about-town and his "man." After all four seasons, courtesy of Netflix, we felt well-versed in Hugh Laurie's amazing acting style.
And yes, we have Blackadder in our Netflix queue.
So here's to Hugh for bringing much entertainment into our "House."
11/28/06: Super Tuesday
Today was Super Tuesday, as my friend Sheri calls it: the day I spend most of the day "down the hill," as we mountain dwellers phrase it.
This was my schedule today:
Leave home at 8:45 AM with three boys in tow; E goes to work with Keith. All have all their school materials for the day, along with sack lunches I packed at o-dark-hundred.
Bible study at Lake Murray at 9:30 -- Judges 11-12.
Leave study early for oral surgery follow-up appointment at 11:30.
Take boys to Keith's office where we do spelling, and B and I work on his phonics and grammar. They eat lunch, Johanna comes to tutor E in algebra, and I finally take off.
Chelation from 1:00 - 2:30.
Back to Keith's office to read Bible and history to boys, and then take T and B with me to see my chiropractor at 3:00.
Quick stop by Trader Joe's for necessary groceries (and organic chocolate!)
T to optometrist at 3:45. We find out that he has an eye condition called Esophoria. His eyes are over-focusing during reading, so he has a set of eye exercises to do daily and reading glasses were ordered.
I was planning on a nap at my friend Kitty's home, but the eye appt. took so long that I missed my nap. Had a quick chat with her as I drove back to Keith's office.
Took T and B back to Keith's office so I could pick up E. She changed quickly into her dress for Cotillion. From the car (God bless cell phones!) we called ahead for Pick Up Stix and ate orange peel chicken with brown rice at the restaurant after a minimal wait. Left at 6:15 PM.
Got her to Cotillion in Banker's Hill (near Balboa Park) fifteen minutes early. Class goes from 7:00 - 8:15. She danced; I tried not to fall asleep.
Drove home after Cotillion; got into town at 9:00 in time for House, but dropped E off to check on how the Holiday Arts Faire put on by the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council went. Saw Judith and Denise and the crew -- all went extremely well. A huge success!!!
Came home at 9:20, watched House and then NCIS, which Keith so kindly recorded for us.
But the big highlight to my day was receiving a new book from Fern, the wife of my chiropractor. It's called Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation, by Martin Laird. Fern works at a Christian radio station, and they often get books to preview/review. So she passed this one on to me, and it sure is up my cup o' tea. I read some at the optometrist's office and more at Cotillion -- I think I can recommend it already. It definitely parallels the talk I gave last spring for our ladies' retreat. Deep stuff here, and in the first few pages, the author has already quoted St. John of the Cross several times. My fave.
So after a busy, busy Super Tuesday that allowed for little silence and contemplation, a book on that precise subject slowed me down a bit, allowed me to ponder and chew on things above, rather than earthly things.
And that was more welcome than I can express.
This was my schedule today:
Leave home at 8:45 AM with three boys in tow; E goes to work with Keith. All have all their school materials for the day, along with sack lunches I packed at o-dark-hundred.
Bible study at Lake Murray at 9:30 -- Judges 11-12.
Leave study early for oral surgery follow-up appointment at 11:30.
Take boys to Keith's office where we do spelling, and B and I work on his phonics and grammar. They eat lunch, Johanna comes to tutor E in algebra, and I finally take off.
Chelation from 1:00 - 2:30.
Back to Keith's office to read Bible and history to boys, and then take T and B with me to see my chiropractor at 3:00.
Quick stop by Trader Joe's for necessary groceries (and organic chocolate!)
T to optometrist at 3:45. We find out that he has an eye condition called Esophoria. His eyes are over-focusing during reading, so he has a set of eye exercises to do daily and reading glasses were ordered.
I was planning on a nap at my friend Kitty's home, but the eye appt. took so long that I missed my nap. Had a quick chat with her as I drove back to Keith's office.
Took T and B back to Keith's office so I could pick up E. She changed quickly into her dress for Cotillion. From the car (God bless cell phones!) we called ahead for Pick Up Stix and ate orange peel chicken with brown rice at the restaurant after a minimal wait. Left at 6:15 PM.
Got her to Cotillion in Banker's Hill (near Balboa Park) fifteen minutes early. Class goes from 7:00 - 8:15. She danced; I tried not to fall asleep.
Drove home after Cotillion; got into town at 9:00 in time for House, but dropped E off to check on how the Holiday Arts Faire put on by the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council went. Saw Judith and Denise and the crew -- all went extremely well. A huge success!!!
Came home at 9:20, watched House and then NCIS, which Keith so kindly recorded for us.
But the big highlight to my day was receiving a new book from Fern, the wife of my chiropractor. It's called Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation, by Martin Laird. Fern works at a Christian radio station, and they often get books to preview/review. So she passed this one on to me, and it sure is up my cup o' tea. I read some at the optometrist's office and more at Cotillion -- I think I can recommend it already. It definitely parallels the talk I gave last spring for our ladies' retreat. Deep stuff here, and in the first few pages, the author has already quoted St. John of the Cross several times. My fave.
So after a busy, busy Super Tuesday that allowed for little silence and contemplation, a book on that precise subject slowed me down a bit, allowed me to ponder and chew on things above, rather than earthly things.
And that was more welcome than I can express.
11/28/06: A Prayer....
In the spirit of the coming Advent, or as William my Sunday School teacher phrases it, in this "Advent of Advent," a clearing out of our souls seems to be in order. Just as we clean our houses and decorate them beautifully in celebration of these Holy Days, so should we clean our spiritual beings, sweeping sin out of dark corners and putting on the decorations and heart attitudes of kindness, mercy, forgiveness, grace, and love.
This prayer, called The Litany or General Supplication, is from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, starting at page 54.
I'm posting just a portion that may be an encouragement and a prayer for you to our glorious Father in Heaven.
******************************
From all evil and mischief; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting ****ation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us....
From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; from all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and Commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and Circumcision; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the coming of the Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.
In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us....
We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of thy Name, turn us from all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant, that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honour and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And "Amen" indeed!
This prayer, called The Litany or General Supplication, is from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, starting at page 54.
I'm posting just a portion that may be an encouragement and a prayer for you to our glorious Father in Heaven.
******************************
From all evil and mischief; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting ****ation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us....
From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; from all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and Commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and Circumcision; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the coming of the Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.
In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us....
We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of thy Name, turn us from all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant, that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honour and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And "Amen" indeed!
11/27/06: Winter's A-Comin'
Today it's cloudy and cool -- drizzle is falling and the temp on my porch is 41 degrees. We somehow let the propane run out, so we're on wood stove heating for the rest of the week -- T is a pro at keeping it going, but the kids' rooms will get a bit cool. I suppose that we'll do school huddled up on the sofa in front of the stove under a warm blanket -- not a bad way to spend a drizzly day!
At least it finally feels like winter is around the corner -- the high 70s and low 80s of the last weeks made me a bit nervous, wondering if summer would EVER end here in Southern California. But today's light rain and grey skies makes me feel ever so cosy and warm inside -- with a fire going and Christmas cards stacked up, ready to start on.
With December coming on Friday, our church ladies' Christmas Tea on Saturday, and Advent starting on Sunday, winter is finally on its way. I just hope that the weather continues to match with the season -- I despise dry, hot Santa Ana winds in December!
I've a good start on Christmas shopping, and this weekend we'll bring out the *gorgeous* handsewn Advent calendar made by Keith's sister, Karla. The kids have decided that they want chocolate in the pockets this year -- last year I had wrapped little toys for them: bars of modeling clay, small knights in armor and their horses, barrettes, pens, pencils, etc. But this year the consensus is for Christmas-wrapped mini-Reeses peabut butter cups. Very well.
Yesterday I spoke with our worship leader, and he assures me that we'll be celebrating Advent at Lake Murray, complete with the beautiful Advent wreath Keith made two years ago. I need to buy wreath candles this week and get Michael the Advent materials he needs to arrange the services. I need to find that stuff tonight so I can take it to church tomorrow when I have our Lady Bereans study.
I have our family devotional out; we'll read Tabitha's Travels for the second year in a row, as well as read the Scripture verses for Advent from Focus on the Family. And for myself, I'm going to read a study on Mary by Elizabeth George -- there are exactly enough chapters in it for Advent. Perfect!
But enough dreaming! It's time for Lesson 26 of How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons with B, snuggled with him in front of a roaring fire with a mug of good British tea.
Can life get any better?
At least it finally feels like winter is around the corner -- the high 70s and low 80s of the last weeks made me a bit nervous, wondering if summer would EVER end here in Southern California. But today's light rain and grey skies makes me feel ever so cosy and warm inside -- with a fire going and Christmas cards stacked up, ready to start on.
With December coming on Friday, our church ladies' Christmas Tea on Saturday, and Advent starting on Sunday, winter is finally on its way. I just hope that the weather continues to match with the season -- I despise dry, hot Santa Ana winds in December!
I've a good start on Christmas shopping, and this weekend we'll bring out the *gorgeous* handsewn Advent calendar made by Keith's sister, Karla. The kids have decided that they want chocolate in the pockets this year -- last year I had wrapped little toys for them: bars of modeling clay, small knights in armor and their horses, barrettes, pens, pencils, etc. But this year the consensus is for Christmas-wrapped mini-Reeses peabut butter cups. Very well.
Yesterday I spoke with our worship leader, and he assures me that we'll be celebrating Advent at Lake Murray, complete with the beautiful Advent wreath Keith made two years ago. I need to buy wreath candles this week and get Michael the Advent materials he needs to arrange the services. I need to find that stuff tonight so I can take it to church tomorrow when I have our Lady Bereans study.
I have our family devotional out; we'll read Tabitha's Travels for the second year in a row, as well as read the Scripture verses for Advent from Focus on the Family. And for myself, I'm going to read a study on Mary by Elizabeth George -- there are exactly enough chapters in it for Advent. Perfect!
But enough dreaming! It's time for Lesson 26 of How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons with B, snuggled with him in front of a roaring fire with a mug of good British tea.
Can life get any better?
11/27/06: Advent -- What Is It?
The Beadle from Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity wrote this explanation of Advent in his weekly report, and I thought it was so great that I asked him if I could share it in my blog. Here it is -- Advent from an Anglican point of view:
Thought for the Day – What is Advent and what’s with the wreath?
According to Webster’s Advent is the first or the expected second coming of Christ; as well as the period including the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent Sunday is the first Sunday in the season of Advent, being always the nearest Sunday to the feast of St. Andrew (Nov. 30). Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown. Oddly enough Advent is also a town in West Virginia.
The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light. Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Christ, the everlasting Light. From Germany the use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world. Traditionally, the wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens. Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent.
Historically, the primary sanctuary color of Advent is Purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. Purple is still used in Catholic churches. The purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection.
To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent and so shared the color of Lent. In the four weeks of Advent the third Sunday came to be a time of rejoicing that the fasting was almost over (in some traditions it is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for "rejoice"). The shift from the purple of the Season to pink or rose for the third Sunday Advent candles reflected this lessening emphasis on penitence as attention turned more to celebration of the season. Churches other than Anglican have changed colors and emphasis on the whole wreath, we remain true to tradition.
The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival. " The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life. In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. So, as the church celebrates God’s inbreaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption, " it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself. "
Thought for the Day – What is Advent and what’s with the wreath?
According to Webster’s Advent is the first or the expected second coming of Christ; as well as the period including the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent Sunday is the first Sunday in the season of Advent, being always the nearest Sunday to the feast of St. Andrew (Nov. 30). Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown. Oddly enough Advent is also a town in West Virginia.
The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light. Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Christ, the everlasting Light. From Germany the use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world. Traditionally, the wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens. Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent.
Historically, the primary sanctuary color of Advent is Purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. Purple is still used in Catholic churches. The purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection.
To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent and so shared the color of Lent. In the four weeks of Advent the third Sunday came to be a time of rejoicing that the fasting was almost over (in some traditions it is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for "rejoice"). The shift from the purple of the Season to pink or rose for the third Sunday Advent candles reflected this lessening emphasis on penitence as attention turned more to celebration of the season. Churches other than Anglican have changed colors and emphasis on the whole wreath, we remain true to tradition.
The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival. " The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life. In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. So, as the church celebrates God’s inbreaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption, " it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself. "
11/26/06: A Banner Birthday
Today, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we celebrated Keith's dad's 75th birthday party in Ramona. Karla (Keith's younger sister), Jim, and their three girls were out from Arizona, and some of Dad's cousins came from 600 miles away to celebrate with us.
For Keith and I, we had the most enjoyment with Scott and Mary, who are very dear to us. Keith first met them when he was in high school, when Scott was his photography teacher at Christian High. When Scott left the job, Keith took it over while attending Christian Heritage College. Scott and Mary also were our wedding photographers, and they also photographed weddings for my brother and sister, for Keith's brother and one sister (Karla was the only sibling not to use them), for Karen's (Keith's older sister) daughter's wedding, and for some friends at church. Beyond that, they sold us our first dachshund puppy, Pipsqueek, known as Pip, over 15 years ago. We ended up giving Pip back to them five years ago when B's allergies were such that we couldn't keep him. We ran into Mary at Taco Bell a few weeks ago, and she told us that Pip had passed away just a few days before last Christmas, just shy of his 15th birthday on January 10.
Last fall, not wanting to deprive Scott and Mary of Pip, we acquired Dashwood (Dash) from one of Keith's clients who lost their home in the Cedar Fire of 2003. Yes, another red shorthair miniature dachshund -- still a puppy in many ways, and the love of E's life.
Anyway, visiting with Scott and Mary is always lovely -- and it was today as well.
I asked Dad, usually a shy and retiring guy, how he enjoyed his day today. And he said that he had thoroughly enjoyed the party, surrounded by family, dear friends, and pastors, both present and past.
Thanksgiving on Thursday was a bit more somber, in a way. Yes, we were still in Ramona at Kevin (Keith's younger brother) and Renee's home, right next door to Dad's place. (Kevin built his place first, then they all pitched in to build a place for their parents, but Mom passed away before moving in to the new place.) After a great meal, Dad called all the girls, including all the girl cousins except the two youngest (ages 2 and 4) over to his place to choose through Mom's jewelry. E got some nice pieces to remind her of her paternal grandmother, and I was given Mom's watch, which caused a few tears to well up in my eyes.
We took so much time with Dad that we ended up not playing games as usual, although I had brought over Apples to Apples, our favorite game.
It's been a busy few days, and I definitely had to rest up yesterday between the two busy days of Thanksgiving and Dad's party. So yesterday I stayed in bed all day, resting up and reading mysteries. And I may have to do that again tomorrow after church so I'll have the strength to homeschool again on Monday. But them's the breaks with the autoimmune disorders I have....
So, off to worship tomorrow -- and may God bless YOU with His goodness, mercy, and grace. And GO CHARGERS!
For Keith and I, we had the most enjoyment with Scott and Mary, who are very dear to us. Keith first met them when he was in high school, when Scott was his photography teacher at Christian High. When Scott left the job, Keith took it over while attending Christian Heritage College. Scott and Mary also were our wedding photographers, and they also photographed weddings for my brother and sister, for Keith's brother and one sister (Karla was the only sibling not to use them), for Karen's (Keith's older sister) daughter's wedding, and for some friends at church. Beyond that, they sold us our first dachshund puppy, Pipsqueek, known as Pip, over 15 years ago. We ended up giving Pip back to them five years ago when B's allergies were such that we couldn't keep him. We ran into Mary at Taco Bell a few weeks ago, and she told us that Pip had passed away just a few days before last Christmas, just shy of his 15th birthday on January 10.
Last fall, not wanting to deprive Scott and Mary of Pip, we acquired Dashwood (Dash) from one of Keith's clients who lost their home in the Cedar Fire of 2003. Yes, another red shorthair miniature dachshund -- still a puppy in many ways, and the love of E's life.
Anyway, visiting with Scott and Mary is always lovely -- and it was today as well.
I asked Dad, usually a shy and retiring guy, how he enjoyed his day today. And he said that he had thoroughly enjoyed the party, surrounded by family, dear friends, and pastors, both present and past.
Thanksgiving on Thursday was a bit more somber, in a way. Yes, we were still in Ramona at Kevin (Keith's younger brother) and Renee's home, right next door to Dad's place. (Kevin built his place first, then they all pitched in to build a place for their parents, but Mom passed away before moving in to the new place.) After a great meal, Dad called all the girls, including all the girl cousins except the two youngest (ages 2 and 4) over to his place to choose through Mom's jewelry. E got some nice pieces to remind her of her paternal grandmother, and I was given Mom's watch, which caused a few tears to well up in my eyes.
We took so much time with Dad that we ended up not playing games as usual, although I had brought over Apples to Apples, our favorite game.
It's been a busy few days, and I definitely had to rest up yesterday between the two busy days of Thanksgiving and Dad's party. So yesterday I stayed in bed all day, resting up and reading mysteries. And I may have to do that again tomorrow after church so I'll have the strength to homeschool again on Monday. But them's the breaks with the autoimmune disorders I have....
So, off to worship tomorrow -- and may God bless YOU with His goodness, mercy, and grace. And GO CHARGERS!
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