Well, here we are again.

Here we are, again staring down Lent. Many things in life are new. Many things in life, like the liturgical life we live in the Church, remain familiar and sharply focused. It is funny, because all I can think is what a great comfort this beginning of the Triodion has been. It is the focused movement forward, the festal Liturgies with familiar hymns, that stitches it all together for me right now. It is something we've lived before, and live now, and will live many times again, no matter that we're 500+ miles from all we "know".

A few years ago my godmother tried to explain to me how the Church is our Mother. Now I see, we are so tenderly cared for no matter where we go.

Most Holy Theotokos, through your Son save us!

It's been a while...

Readers, scarce as you are, I am still alive. Just haven't had the time or patience for blogging. We have moved to Kansas and are settling in slowly but happily. I dreadfully miss friends and family from Memphis, the place we have called home for 7 years past, but I think this new chapter will be a good fit for us.

God willing.

Maybe a real attempt at a post later on. Christ is born!

St. Ambrose feast day. Pray for us, Bishop of Milan!

The Te Daum, attributed to Ambrose:

We praise thee, O God :
    we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee :
    the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud :
    the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim :
    continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy :
    Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty :
    of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world :
    doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man :
    thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :
    thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :
    whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.

[added later, mainly from Psalm verses:]
O Lord, save thy people :
    and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us :
    as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted :
    let me never be confounded.

Theodore's baptism

Little Theodore was baptized Wednesday. Everything went well, he didn't make a fuss at all, even after he was immersed. I'm very proud of him. He looked handsome and healthy in his gown. Our oldest son was able to serve the same evening and I am also very proud of him- he did things he's never done before to help the priest. Beautiful to see them together in front of the altar.

It is strange seeing your small baby plunged into a tub of water. Three times. I waited for him to cry after our priest pulled him from the font... and I waited, my heart pounding- then my baby boy sort of shuddered and cried out. I immediately thought of his birth, and the same feeling of watchful anticipation waiting for a first cry. An interesting juxtaposition, methinks.

Life is good. I should probably write more about homeschooling here, but I just don't have the time. It's going well this year, I am pleased. I am, as per usual, learning more than I am teaching.

Many years, Theodore!

Orthodox baptismal robe, and Just so

The baby is doing great. He's a fantastic sleeper, and just a really sweet little guy. His baptism will be next week, and his godparents have gotten him a baptismal robe that I am very excited about. I was hoping any Orthodox (or Catholic, or Anglican) readers of this blog might order their children's robes from this Orthodox lady, Anna. Handmade! She's been very patient and helpful to me and to Theodore's godparents. While I haven't seen his robe yet in person, it looks well made and lovely. Here is the website, and please share it!

My life as late is pretty much safely summed up like this: 'There is a Baby in the Cave. He is new and pink and fat and small, and the Woman is very fond of him.' (from The Cat That Walked By Himself from Just So Stories by R. Kipling)