Ostrov

Hubby and I went to see the Russian film, Ostrov (The Island). Friends and other bloggers highly recommended it. It did not disappoint. The setting is a bleak and tiny monastery on a remote island somewhere in Russia. The life of a monk is unusual and doesn't necessarily make for an exciting movie, but the story was good, covering the themes of sin, guilt, repentance and redemption from an Orthodox view, albeit in a sometimes predictable manner. The photography was beautiful - stark and ethereal, capturing the bleakness of the region and the lives of the monks.

But upon opening the door to the church, we see the icons, candles, incense, priests bowing; we hear the bells and censer ringing. That's where life is for these men - in the worship of their God and the laying down of their lives for their brothers as Jesus has called them to do.

It was good to see a movie in which Orthodoxy was beautifully and accurately represented. And how amazing it is to see so much of the Word of God spoken and written on the screen (subtitles)! We don't get this from Hollywood, do we?

It impacted hubby. He has been struggling with some issues at work lately which make life difficult. After watching the priest with his wheelbarrow, he said he would view things in a very different light from now on. Something akin to carrying his cross ...

See it, if you get the chance.



And then there's Callie!

We saw the vet today and he is puzzled that she lost almost a pound and not gaining. He's doing another round of blood tests, with the thought that it might be pancreatic insufficiency. The definitive test could not be done today because she must fast for twelve hours prior. Pica, weight loss, gassiness, hunger - these are all symptoms. I really wish it was that because it can almost always be controlled with digestive enzymes. He told me to feed her waffles and syrup to help her gain weight. She loved that tonight! But, oh my, she is so gassy!

Sigh ... how long, O Lord????

I'm Thankful For ...

Thanksgiving - giving thanks to God for His goodness to us. So, what do I have to be thankful for?

First of all, my creature comforts are provided for. I have a comfy home, warm in the winter, cool in the summer. It is in an incredibly beautiful spot between two mountains. I can sit on my deck and gaze at the mountain with an unimpeded view. We are not people that are consumed with owning 'things' having the latest gadgets, or traveling to the hot spots, but we have what we need. I can go to the grocery store and not count every penny spent, wondering how I will pay for my next meal. We have jobs that cover our expenses.

I have a hubby that adores me, puts up with me, and calls me his Queen. We have a good relationship and enjoy each other's company.We have between us five children, four of which are married to men that love and treat them well. They are all college grads and have good jobs. The fifth, my son, is single and chooses to remain that way, for now. My children love me and we have good relationships. My two daughters are pregnant and are giving me my first grandchildren. The youngest is making plans to move to our town.

Our health is decent. We have had our share of problems over the years, but we remain active. We have the beautiful Appalachian Trail just a few miles from us and we try to get up there with our dog at least once a week, often more.

We have kind neighbors who watch out for one another. We go to a church with a wonderful bunch of people who are fun to be with, yet serious about their faith. Our priest is a gem.

All of these things are gifts from God and I don't take it lightly. I am truly thankful today for all that Christ has given. Life does sometimes get very hard, but His hand guides us - even through the valley of death.

This poem has been around for quite a while, but it is still poignant and conveys the truth that faith holds within.

Footprints

One night I had a dream--

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord

and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,

one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowestand saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you would walk with me all the way,

but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life

there is only one set of footprints.

"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,

you should leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,

I love you and I would never, never leave you

during your times of trial and suffering.

"When you saw only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you."

...Mary Stevenson

Blessed be the Lord God, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Ephesians 1:3-8

A blessed Thanksgiving and a truly thankful heart to all!

Update & Good News!

A sincere thanks to Gemma and DebD for their concern and comments on my last post. This has, indeed, been a rough time for me. Callie is still on an antibiotic until the end of the month. She still eats boiled chicken and rice for every meal with just a little of her regular food added in. If I add too much, she has problems. The goal is to get her completely back on her food, but it's an extremely slow process with varying setbacks. I don't know when this will end, I'm just praying it will end. She still has not gained back her lost weight and is more skittish than she used to be. But on the good side, she is happy, energetic and playful.

It's altered our lives in that we have to make sure that I always have a fresh chicken cooked and that she is fed on a regular schedule. Vastly different from just laying down a bowl of dry dog food and leaving it for her to eat when she feels like it. It's rather like caring for someone with a chronic health problem. I find myself watching her too closely, looking for ... some change ... something that will confirm to me that she will completely recover from this. It keeps me off kilter, feeling not quite myself and a little too anxious.

On the home front, my youngest daughter is pregnant! That's both daughters, now, pregnant with their first babies! One is due in February, one in July. She and her hubby were making plans to move back to this area in the spring; this may delay the move due to insurance concerns. That's not a happy thought, but there's not much I can do about it. I know many families face this issue, but it will be difficult having a grandbaby 3,000 miles away! One friend of mine uses a webcam to have weekly visits with her grandson. I guess that is an option.