Odds and ends ~~~ grabbing my chance to update.
I wrote an angry email to lj yesterday complaining about the inability to post or comment and they said there was nothing they could do on an individual basis and other "techno-geek" babble. But today, it seems to be working. So......I'm updating with nothing much to say, just becuase it's working. I went to my nephew James' house and I noticed an Icon on a counter in the kitchen. At first I thought it was just placed there haphazardly and I was about to call James on the carpet from the kitchen to ask him why it was there and before I could call him my sister said, "Shh...He's trying to put an icon in every room of the house." Ah, I had forgotten a few months ago Fr. Victor mentioned to James that he should have an icon in every room. So I'm going to buy some more icons for him to place around the house. I haven't quite talked my sister into letting James have an actual icon corner but at some point if James wants it enough he may get it. Amazing how sometimes it's the children who lead.
I had a heel spur diagnosed a week ago. Asked the doc how long he thought it was there and he said six months or a year. Hmm....just about the time I started attending Orthodox services. Coincidence? Well there's other causes I'm sure and I know of at least one that probably has more to do with it than standing during services.
Classes at St Stephen's end in a week for the summer. That means weeknight Vespers will end too. I'll miss them both; the classes and the Vespers. I may talk him into keeping the weeknight vespers for the summer but they are so poorly attended, even coming as they do before classes when you think people would just come a little early, that I doubt he'll keep them in the summer. I learned much about myself sharing these vespers with Fr. Victor. There were times when I wish I hadn't made the commitment, or when I had a tough day at work, or rocky times with friends, but it never failed, and I mean never, that when Fr. Victor started the Vespers and I started my responses that everything that I had bought into that chapel from the world dropped off from my shoulders and melted replaced by a decrease in breathing rate and a sense of calm and peace. And I'm ashamed to say that some of the times that meant the most spiritually were when no one showed up and it was just the two of us praying.
I don't know if this is true for everyone who is new to Orthodoxy or a veteran even, but I have learned more about myself in the last 15 months than I have in my previous whole life; a more honest look at myself.
The Apostle's fast is important to me this year and I wish all who are following it a firm resolve.
(Have to upload this now while my LJ is working.)