Fall Color

We looked at colors differently this year-especially on Thanksgiving Day. It was last year on Thanksgiving that medical tests indicated a maximum of 3 to 4 months of life for Ron. We had fantastic medical expertise helping us, but one wonders what those who have ONLY the power of medicine to rely on must feel in those situations.

Psalm 27

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD

Enough History, Mom!

Let's play fairies and princesses!

Baptism

Sadie asks her mom, "Were you baptised here?" "Yep, in a big, old, brass apple butter pot that Papi used 4 or 5 cans of Brasso cleaning up!" "I believe it was Uncle Sean's first communion day, too."

Candles & Prayers

Sadie learned about praying and lighting candles at Nashotah. To say a prayer and connect it to a physical action was a new idea to Sadie. Grammi and Sadie knelt, said a prayer for her daddy and then lit a candle. She thought that was pretty cool. On Sunday she was eager to light ANOTHER candle and pray again for her daddy. As Anglicans we have a rich blend of catholic and evangelical tradition in our family. More to come...

St. Mary's Chapel and Michael the Bell

Two signatures of the House are Michael the one ton bell that was rung 3 times a day during Ron's time to remind students and faculty and visitors to stop where they were and pray (usually the Angelus.) Michael could be heard for miles around and was as much a part of the regular daily cycle of prayer as breathing or eating. In times of distress it summoned the neighbors to the emergency, too. James Avery designed the distinctive cross with the lillies based on the symbol of the chapel. Lillies have always been a symbol of the Virgin mother of our Lord and the House has always recongnized both her special role as "Theotokos" and our call to evangelize. I was blessed with a truly Catholic and truly Evangelical Seminary representing the full breadth of Anglican tradition.

The Angelus would begin:

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.....

Trip Down Memory Lane

We just made a 4 day trip to Wisconsin with our daughter Kimberley and granddaughter Sadie. Our destination was Nashotah House Thelogical Seminary where I did my seminary training and Kimi was born. The "Mission" as it is known is 150 yrs old and still a vital seat of clergy preparation. Kimi was actually born there during our middler year and we had never made it back to help her connect to that part of our family history. I'll put more on later postings.