My First Blog

I have agonized over the decision to start my own blog. I was afraid I wouldn’t have anything to say that wasn’t already covered elsewhere. As I was searching for one I thought would cover what I wanted to say, I didn’t really find anything that combined everything. I finally broke down and am going to try it out. I plan to discuss books I am reading or have read, my progress in joining the Orthodox Church, and my life. To introduce myself I am a wife, a catechumen, an avid reader, and an amateur artist among other things.

I have been married for six years to a man that is able to tone down my neuroses. He keeps me laughing and I love him dearly. Sometimes he drives me nuts, but I think that’s part of being married. We do not have any children, but hope to someday. We have no pets, as we are both allergic to animals.

My family is very important to me. I have two nephews and a niece. Kole is my sister’s son and he is three. He is full of life and very intelligent. He picks things up almost instantly. He is surrounded by adults and is a little man. Ella is Seth’s brother’s daughter. She is the most angelic little girl. She is nineteen months old and she can light up a room with one smile. Kannon is Seth’s sister’s son. He is seven months old and he is a beautiful baby. I think he is going to be a heartbreaker when he is older.

We have been exploring the Orthodox Christian Faith and are planning to convert soon. It is steeped in tradition, and Liturgy on Sunday mornings is so beautiful, I know I am in the presence of God. It gets my mind off my worries and centered on God. I always feel like I have done something for God that I never felt anywhere else. I used to go to church to make myself feel better on the surface. When I leave St. George (our church) I feel I have improved my mind and my soul. Seth (my husband) and I are catechumens. This means we are not members, however, it acknowledges that we are in the process of converting. Because we are not members, we do not take communion on Sundays. In taking communion Orthodox Christians are affirming that they believe all of the teachings of the church, and as catechumens, we are still learning these teachings.

The Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church parted ways in 1054 A.D. You can learn more about the history of Orthodoxy at antiochian.org, goarch.org, or just search Orthodox Christianity. If you want to hear music from the services you can go to ancientfaith.com. I use their podcasts and streaming radio frequently.

I love to read. It is probably my favorite thing to do. I will read just about anything. Lately I have been gravitating to books that are considered classics by many people, but I also read and enjoy current fiction. I am reading Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy right now, and I am loving it. I am particularly enjoying the storyline involving Levin and Kitty. It is a sweet, loving relationship where he is devoted to her and her happiness. I don’t really sympathize with Anna and her situation. Her passion for Vronsky hurts her family and is not actually love in my opinion.

I will reread books that are favorites, especially when I don’t have anything new to read. My favorite books to reread are the Harry Potter series. I began reading them when I was in junior high I think, maybe my freshman year in high school, and I think they are wonderful. Harry is such an endearing character, and he has true friends that I can’t help but love. To those of you that are looking for an uplifting story, I highly recommend them. They are for the young, and the young at heart. Another of my favorites is Little Women. It is a lovely story about four sisters and their mother. I adore all of the sisters each for their different personalities.

My husband says that I read freakishly fast, but I think the speed that I read a book is due to being engrossed. If I have a book I am enjoying, I will devour it, rarely stopping for anything, including sleep. I carry oversized purses so that I can always have a book with me. You would be surprised how much more you read when you have a book that is always accessible. I will read at a restaurant while Seth decides what to order (he sometimes takes a while, but is almost never disappointed). I have been known to laugh out loud to a funny passage, and I will cry over a moving story.

A recent interest of mine is oil painting. I am definitely an amateur, but it is such a peaceful activity. It is so relaxing to hear the brush glide across the canvas, or the scrape of the knife as I mix colors. I haven’t been painting much lately because our house doesn’t have a good room for it. I am terrified I will drip on the carpet as I am walking from the canvas to the sink.

I am also getting really good at crocheting scarves. I think a soft scarf is one of the best things in life. They bring warmth and comfort on a cold and blustery day. Mine are always made with love for the person I am giving them to. I try to pick out colors and textures that compliment the recipient. I am making a beautifully soft grey one for a person that is very dear to me.

Please let me know what you think of this blog. I welcome suggestions for books to read and comments or questions about Orthodoxy. If I don’t know the answer, I know a wonderful priest who will.