I am so thankful

for this man.

Blanco State Park

As promised, here are some pics of our time down in the Hill Country last week.  Blanco is about ten miles from the monastery and is a lovely little spot to camp.  They also have covered shelters which are screened in.  

The Blanco River runs through the park and it also has a couple of great playground areas.  There are several great climbing trees and a hiking trail.  

Our first night in the park we went to sleep with lovely 60 degree weather, but were awakened at about 4:00a.m. by a cold front which brought the temp down to about the mid 40's.  The following night we slept in 30 degree weather.  Hey, we're Texans, we're tough right?  

Well,  I'll just say that if you had told me that the weather was going to drop to 30 at night, I'm not sure I would have been up for the trip.  However, it wasn't bad at all.  Once we all got in our bags and cozied up we were snug as bugs in a rug-and warm too!  

We probably won't make another camping trip until the spring, but I am excited about our new little spot.  Well, I should say early spring-before the rattle snakes wake up.  One of the brothers showed us a rattle snake head and the rattler preserved in a jar.  It was quite large.  I really didn't want to ask if there were lots of snakes in the area, but I couldn't help it.  His answer, "Oh yeah, they're all over the place."  

Did I say I was a tough Texan?  I take it back.  

We were all very motivated to get up at 5:00a.m. the next morning and get to the 6:00a.m. liturgy, where it was nice and warm.  

It's been a little too long!

It's been a little too long since I've been able to write here.  My computer has proven to have a fickle personality.  Some friends stopped by for a surprise visit today and Fr. Basil just so happens to have the magic touch.  He got my computer running again.  Let's hope it lasts.

So much has been going on down here in the south.  Most recently we celebrated Thanksgiving, took a glorious trip to Holy Archangels Monastery, and took part in the blessing of our new women's monastery, The Nativity of our Lord, in Kemp, TX.  

We started out on Monday morning by driving down to Kendalia to Holy Archangels Men's Monastery.  I love this monastery.  The brother's there are absolutely wonderful.  They are so gracious and loving.  Every time we go none of us ever want to leave.  It was truly a time of spiritual refreshment for us all. 

We camped out at Blanco State Park (women are not allowed to spend the night on the monastery grounds).  The park is about 10 minutes from the monastery and is really nice and very kid friendly.  The park ranger told me that this is the most beautiful time of the year to be there.  He was right.  The trees were bright orange and yellow and the brown and gold of the grass was so lovely.  We spent most of our time at the monastery, but during the "quite times" of the monastery we went to our camp and fished and played.  

Thanksgiving was spent at my brother and his wife's house with all the immediate family in attendance.  I have a sweet family and resolved to make more of an effort to spend more time with them. 

Saturday morning we drove out to the women's monastery, The Nativity of our Lord.  Metropolitan Jonah came out to bless the property and gave a wonderful sermon on monasticism.  Among other things, he talked about the necessity of monasteries and what a blessing they are.  I agree.  I wish all Orthodox christians had monasteries close to them so that they could be blessed by the love, grace, hospitality and words of wisdom the monastics share.  They are excellent examples for those of us living in the world-especially our children.  

My girls never want to leave monasteries when we visit them.  They always love the monastics and they seem to somehow comprehend the beauty and holiness of that calling.  I feel the same way.  

Well, there's much more to share, but no time now.  A blessed week to you all!

I'll post pictures as the week progresses, but I'll leave you with a pic of this tree that overshadowed our camp.  

Zoe

Zoe:  "Mommy, I do not want the p-nut butter getting in my golden hair!"

Me:  "Umm, yes, Zoe/Your Highness/Most Precious One, I do not wish to see your golden locks soiled by p-nut butter either."  "Is there anything I can do to help?"  

Zoe:  "No fanks."

Wisdom is an ornament to young men, and the glory of old men is their gray hair." Proverbs 21:24

Katherine:  "Mommy your hair is turning white."

Me:  "Yes, dear I know."

K:  "Why is your hair turning white?"

M:  "That's what happens when you grow older, your hair turns white."

Wisdom?  No, I do not consider myself wise.  Just exceedingly blessed.  

Old man?  Yes, the years come.  Ready or not, they come.  

Together

I loved finding the Orthodox Church.  I came into the church when I was 30 and while I was so thankful to have found the church, I wished that I had always been a part of it.  On the other hand, I really loved being old enough to comprehend and fully experience my baptism and chrismation-a most glorious event that I recall with every single baptism and chrismation I attend.

Not yet married at the age of thirty, I felt very drawn to monasticism.  I spent many years visiting the Kazan Skete in Northern California, entreating the Lord to show me His will for my life.  This time was a most blessed time for me (and still is) and I came very close to committing myself to that monastery.  However, right before I left to spend a recommended six month stay, before selling everything  and committing myself fully, I met Justin, who would become Father Justin.  

While our courtship was challenging, we finally ended up together.  I am so thankful for my husband and our children.  Each of them plays a beautiful and important role in my salvation.  

___________________________

Yesterday, the girls and I took the day off.  Life has been a bit busy and serious as of late.  Silly stuff.  So, I realized that we needed some down time.  A little fun.  

So, we meandered throughout our day and did whatever we wanted.  We made pancakes and had them for breakfast and lunch.  We watched Black Beauty.  We took a walk.  We went to the new house and encouraged Papa in his great work.  

Papa came home, did an afternoon Vespers service and then made us his killer pasta with cream sauce.  After dinner, the girls got camera silly.  

This was all just what the doctor ordered.  

Together.

Science Experiment

Katherine recently read in one of her publications about a science experiment using the five senses.  Of course she wanted to do the experiment.  So, I pulled out three foods for them to smell, feel, taste and listen to.  The three I chose were chili, kiwi and cumin.  

It was interesting that they all three recognized different foods.  Zoe was the first to nail the chili.  Thea got the kiwi and Katherine got the cumin.  Feeling of the foods stumped them all.  Of course tasting them was easy.  

I didn't have much time to devote to the experiment, so I allowed the girls to continue on without me.  Yes, I know.  What was I thinking?  Katherine thought it would be really funny to put cayenne in Thea's mouth.  At least she had the sense to only put a tiny bit.  Thea only cried for a few minutes.  

Here is a pic of them lining up for the experiment.