Thinking aloud

We celebrated our orthodox easter this weekend. We missed out on most of the easter lead up during Holy Week - just couldn't fit the daily drives and time into the schedule, but went friday, saturday and sunday. We participated in palm sunday, with branches and a procession around the church. We saw the shroud of christ on Good Friday. We stayed up to midnite on Saturday, when all the lights went out. Then our candles were lit from one special one, and we again had a procession around the church, proclaiming that christ has risen. Then we had a little agape(?) feast to break the lenten fast. (We only fasted a week and half, and only cut out meat. Most others had fasted 50 days, and cut out meat, dairy, eggs, alcohol, chocolate, ect) Then on Sunday we had a large feast - roasted pig, huge wheel of cheese, tons of food.

We are liking this church. We will be going a bit longer than just April. We'll see how long.

Reading a great book called Thirsting for God, about Protestants seeking more, and some finding it in the Eastern Orthodox church. I hadn't really realized how Protestants were different than other religions, in what ways. Many of my questions were answered, and many of my questions were asked in the book as 'common questions that protestants have' - which means that my questions aren't just my struggle to figure things out, they are 'common' questions that others have found within the church. That was an eye-opener for me. I'll have to do some more reading.

examples: we are a rationalistic society, so when one church says that it is interpreting the scriptures correctly, but others say that another way is the correct one, then we try to research the answers - find the right way through knowledge. and i have been, by reading everything i can, visiting all different types of churches, checking out different religions.

protestant churches have sermons and prayers that come 'from the heart, spontaneously, talking to Jesus as a friend, intimate'. But that means that each sermon and each priest is different, and the sermon is judged - was this one more profound, did I click with his view, did people like it? And prayers are all about us, talking to Jesus. In the first centuries after Jesus died, church and prayer were different - they were based on the idea that love and spirituality were acts, not ideas. the people of the church participate fully in the services, prayers, fasting, ect. the senses are filled with sound, smell, sight, touch, taste. and in doing these things repeatedly, their mind is freeer to commune with jesus and God. like in the middle of doing the dishes, you figure out the solution to a problem - your mind has been freed up with the repetitive actions. Or something like that.

My thinking is all muddy today. Not coming out to make sense. I'll work on that for next week :)

Another New Beginning

I have cut my hair - short and sassy.

I have colored it - loud and vibrant.

I have a nose ring - hopefully small and pretty!

I have a new job - hosting scrapbook sessions and selling product.

It fits in with my part-time job at the school, and my busy kids.

1 has braces, the other will have them in June. Constant orthodontist appointments as they are adjusted and readjusted.

We are getting a dog. Was supposed to be this month, I am secretly hoping to leave it till September, since I am crazy busy with my new job.

We are going to an orthodox church this month, to celebrate easter. (Every month the kids and I explore a culture/country/religion. This month is Russia.) The services are quite intriguing - all done by choir or chanting, mostly standing, fairly ornate (fancy dress, incense, many icons, candles, ect.) We are liking them. It helps that there are more children than adults - more child friendly than most orthodox churches, I think.

We will be coloring eggs this week, learning how to do Ukrainian eggs, and going to a midnite service. Also, trying to bake some traditional Russian Easter foods, and my first alone Easter dinner - always hubby or mom was there to help. Okay, actually, they did it all, I just helped peel carrots and things. So it should be interesting. Will probably have to go out for pizza at 8pm!

At school, the children are taking part in many Earth Day activities. Field trips, plays, trail cleanups, fundraising for the nature park, sturgeon release (a rare fish being 'saved' in our area), and more.

Busy, busy, busy. Did I mention that already?! Lol.

the restart button

okay, we're going to restart that commitment to writing every week. starting now.

no, . . . . . . . now!

I think I need to set a specific time of the week, so I will write on the blog on Mondays, and phone people on Tuesdays. (Until they tell me another more convenient day)

I have made a list of things i can talk about. CMT, babies, poems, books, stuff.

And I will not read other blogs right before I go to write mine - its so overwhelming to read everyones beautiful writing and tragic events. I feel like I can't, and shouldn't, add anything to that.

But, life goes on. And I am going to make an effort to join it. For my kids, and my hubby, and for me.

I am an island,

with beautiful warm beaches,

a vibrant rainforest

full of life,

tall snowcapped mountains,

deep caves.

The world is out there.

Sometimes a boat

sails past.

If it is my kids,

they land on the beach.

We lie in the warm sand

(if we feel cuddly)

or throw seaweed at each other

(if we aren't).

If it is other people,

they sometimes wave

as they sail past.

Occasionally they slow

for a chat, then drift off.

But mostly it is

just me.

An island

with beautiful warm beaches,

a vibrant rainforest

full of life,

tall snowcapped mountains,

deep caves.

I will build a marina,

where people can

tie up their boats

and stay for awhile.