Deb on the run - Homeschool Blogger

Moving

Sat, 26 May 2007 07:23:00 -0500

I've enjoyed my time at HSB. It was a great place to begin my blogging experience. I have been blessed to meet some lovely and friendly homeschoolers here. Unfortunately, the technical problems here at HSB do not seem to be going away. It's become increasingly frustrating to get anything done. So I have decided to move my blog to WordPress:

Deb on the Run

I kept the old name even though I sense my life changing as more children get driver's licenses. But, I'm not particularly creative and I couldn't think of anything interesting.

In addition to the HSB ltechnical issues, I have discovered there is no easy way to transfer my blog entries over to WP. It will all have to be done the old fashioned, cut and paste way. I feel like I'm living in the dark ages! I will be spending the next few weeks getting my new house in order and things moved around.

Turning 20

Tue, 22 May 2007 09:31:00 -0500

My oldest daughter turned 20 last week and we celebrated with a family party on Sunday. She wanted fondue and wings for her birthday dinner and the weather was so nice we decided to have it outside.

On another note concerning her: She was accepted to all 3 colleges she applied to and has decided to stay close to home (well.. who I am kidding - she's staying close to boyfriend) and go to U. of MD majoring in Biology. I'm feeling much too young to have a 20 yr old but the gray hairs give it all away.

Happy Birthday darlin'

Services

Thu, 17 May 2007 16:52:00 -0500

As someone who grew up going to church every week I don't like missing services on Sunday. It just doesn't feel right. But now that I am Orthodox these feelings have been heightened. I am effected by missing the Eucharist, and not in a good way. So, after missing church this past Sunday it was a blessing to have them this morning to celebrate the Ascension of our Lord. I had not eaten so well (or very much) yesterday and was doubly hungry this morning. I was exhausted from a delayed flight and hours spent waiting, and waiting some more. So this morning I wrapped my tired and hungry self into the loving cloak of the Church: the icons, candles, incense, and music enveloping me in their warmth.

"For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,
And the hungry soul He has filled with good things."
Ps. 107:9

Partaking of the Eucharist has become a rich blessing that even my children have taken notice of. But it is not easily remarked upon, especially by this blogger. How does one explain such things? It is a miracle and a mystery. Sometimes I feel like the blind man, whom Jesus healed in the Temple, "All I know is that I was blind and now I see." (John 9:25) Don't ask me to explain anything.. all I know is that I am changed.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good."
Ps. 34:8

** Photo credit from St. Innocent of Moscow Russia Orthodox Church

Thu, 17 May 2007 07:29:00 -0500

Hubby and I just got back from spending 5 days in Cancun. My sis and her hubby were celebrating their 25th and kindly invited us along for part of the trip. I made it through the pre-trip stressout, worrying over the children, and the kids did just fine without me (is that a good thing?). The weather was perfect and the water gorgeous. Here are some pix.

These beach beds were very comfortable. This was my husband's favorite place.

My BIL has more over at his blog

Off to the Woods

Mon, 7 May 2007 10:07:00 -0500

This past Sat. we went up to one of our favorite hiking places. Two of our teens were gone all day working with the youth group on a service project. Oldest dd's boyfriend came along for the hike and we all had a lovely time in the woods.

Sunday

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 16:01:00 -0500

Its funny how church turned out for me today. I was terribly distracted during services. It was one of those weeks where I just couldn't settle down and quiet my soul. But, even so, after getting home there was this deep and profound sense of joy and contentment. Between the words of the Liturgy, the words of the Gospel and Epistle, and receiving Christ Himself in the Eucharist it changed me. Not that I should excuse any problems on my part and allow spiritual laziness to crop in. But sometimes our goals and reality are far apart. Thank God He comes to us us where we are.

Today was the Sunday of the Paralytic at the Sheep's pool from John 5. I thought it was pretty ironic.

Kontakion for the Sunday of the Paralytic
Tone 3

By Your divine intercession, O Lord,
as You raised up the paralytic of old,
so raise up my soul, paralyzed by sins and thoughtless acts;
so that being saved I may sing to You:
“Glory to Your power, O compassionate Christ!”

Into Great Silence

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 17:46:00 -0500

This past week I went to see an interesting movie with a friend of mine.

The movie, Die Große Stille (Into Great Silence) had its beginnings when documentary film maker, Philip Groning, wrote the Carthusian monastery of Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps and asked permission to make a documentary. They told him they would get back to him. Sixteen years later they said they were ready.
I enjoy artsy films and documentaries and have several that I could recommend, but not one that clocks in at 2 hours and 45 mins., without any narration, and only about 5 mins of dialog. Really! Who was in charge of editing?

There were parts I truly enjoyed and parts that made me want to go visit (if I could). It was beautiful and quite interesting to see what happens inside a monastery dedicated to silence and the inner spiritual life. But much of the film you are left wondering, "What is going on and who is that person?"   It would have been nice to have someone guide us through. It also reminded me of the times I tried to watch a liturgical service on TV.   I don't know why but they just don't translate well to the screen. I wonder if it is similar with a movie of this type. One needs to experience it, not watch it in the theaters.

And yes, I have officially joined the ranks of "old person". I fell asleep during part of the film. I blame it on a bad combination of insomnia the night before and a 2:30pm showing. Besides, how long could I watch the snow falling without succumbing?   At least I didn't snore or drool.

**photo copyright by Philip Gröning

Bright Week

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 06:18:01 -0500

In the Orthodox church the week after Pascha is set aside as Bright Week. The Paschal joy continues and no fasting is permitted. Last week I asked the kids what foods they wanted to celebrate with. The call went up for Bacon Pizza, Hot dogs and hamburgers, and Chinese. Not exactly home cookin' but it does get me off the hook. I heard from my daughter that one family at church was having their favorite food flown in from out of state... now that's some serious fast-breaking! After Bright Monday services yesterday, some of us were saying we were going to have church withdraw. We've gone from a few services a week, to once a day, to twice a day and now we won't have anything until Sat. evening Vespers. I will miss the services but it is good to be home in the evenings again. Hubby is also happy to have his family back.

Father Stephen has some very touching thoughts concerning Bright Week and the death of a friend titled: And Into the Brightness.

Enjoy.

Paschal Reflections

Sun, 8 Apr 2007 16:41:00 -0500

I'm still a bit punchy from a long night and not much sleep. Once again I was completely wired when we got home and couldn't get right to sleep.

Here are my Paschal memories:

Dark church with just a few candles lit,. The only sounds are quiet whispers and the chanting of the psalms. I was so tired before church I thought I just wouldn't make it through the night. I actually had a little panic of "What am I doing?? Why didn't I just stay home this year." The services starts in almost complete darkness. Only one or two candles are lit... the only light is coming from up in the balcony for the choir. The Midnight office begins at 11:30pm:

"Isaiah saw the never-setting light of Thy
compassionate manifestation to us as God, O Christ.
Rising early from the night he cried out:
'The dead shall arise.
Those in the tombs shall awake.
All those on earth shall greatly rejoice!'"

The incense smells like myrrh. I wonder if they have changed it or if this the first time I've noticed it. Then one by one the candles are lit and we begin the procession outside the church and into the world. Timothy has fallen asleep and, again this year, he stays inside sleeping on the pew. It so cold outside my teeth chatter between solemn singing. When we get back to the doors of the church there's the long wait for everyone to catch up while we continue to sing the processional hymn. Finally, we begin.... Father first, then the Altar servers with him, and finally everyone:

Christ is Risen from the dead,
Trampling down death by death
and among those in the tomb bestowing life!

The doors are pounded three times and opened. We enter the church which has been transformed into the brightest of days. All Lenten purple is gone and replaced with festive white, all the candles are lit, and all lights on.

"Now all is filled with light:
heaven and earth and the lower regions.
Let all creation celebrate the rising of Christ.
In Him we are established."

All sleepiness has vanished from me. The bells on the censor no longer sound lonely in the dark, but joy and celebration. Father cries out as he censes us:

Christ is Risen!

and we call back

Indeed! He is Risen!

He does this in several languages and it is done throughout the Paschal service by both him and the deacons. Timothy sleeps through it all, along with several other children, decked out in their Easter finery. Then comes the Paschal sermon of St. John Chrysostom which is read in every Orthodox church at the Paschal Matins service.

"If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord."

This year I am able to read along in my service booklet. It really is a lovely sermon, I commend it to anyone who has not read it in its entirety before. Between the Midnight office, Matins of Pascha and Divine Liturgy we wind up around 2:45. The sleepy children awakened in time to receive Eucharist and final blessings.

Downstairs we stand with our baskets (laden with non-fasting foods), awaiting a blessing and then we dig in, each table enjoying an Agape meal together. Ours is an odd mixture of fried chicken, kielbasa, chicken meatballs, Challah bread, port, and chocolate. Even at that hour, it taste good. Once again home close to 4am and I can't sleep. I am way too excited. I want to wake all the sleepers, knock on all the doors and proclaim.

Christ Is Risen

Indeed He is Risen!

Can these dry bones live?

Sat, 7 Apr 2007 05:22:00 -0500

Last night we held Holy Saturday matins service. The Resurrection themes are getting a bit louder.

"The angelic host was filled with awe,
when it saw Thee among the dead.
By destroying the power of death, O Savior,
Thou didst raise Adam,
and save all men from hell."

Resurrection Troparion
sung at Matins for Holy Saturday

Once again we process the Winding Sheet, but this time we go outside and around the Church building. As we enter the church again we go under the Shroud as a reminder that we are buried with Christ at our Baptism.

The old testament reading is from Ezekiel 37 and the dry bones. "Oh son of man, can these bones live?" I noted with interest that Jesus also refers to Himself as the Son of Man - especially when He speaks of His death and resurrection. The reading is done in the step method, which I think is a Russian tradition. The only way to describe it is that the reader begins at a very low tone and "steps" up the scale about a 1/2 note at a time. He did this scale twice and by the time he is reading "I am the Lord. I have spoken, and I will do it!" he's near the top of his range, singing out quite clearly. You can hear a pin drop. Very dramatic indeed.

This morning we have Saturday Vespers and Divine Liturgy and the Harrowing of Hell.