What Ever Happened to Sleeping in on the Weekend???

This weekend was crazy. Friday I worked and then shipped my husband off to the retreat he organzied armed with 6 dozen muffins, 6 dozen cookies (Lenten no less) and a bevy of Rice Krispie Squares that Elijah and I made to feed the hoards; and hoards there were--60+ people!!! Then Saturday I spent at the retreat running around after the kids while organizing meals to feed the retreaters....I am told that the talks were fantastic, though I am sad to say I heard not one word. I then went off to take my oldest to end of the year hockey party--at the Varsity Ridge Bowling Lanes
Can't beat black light bowling! This did mean that I ran back and forth between two lanes to oversee my 4 and 2 year olds as they bowled--or tried to run down the lane. Most people were either looking at me with horror or relief (soooo glad that they weren't me!). It was busy.
Then back to the retreat to gather up the supplies and husband.
Home to the disaster and feeding the kids and hosing them down and tucking them into bed.
Up bright and early to get kids up and dressed and out the door to church...where I chased them for two hours while my husband served. Then out for a wonderful lunch with some awesome people that we are newly aquainted with--there was still a lot of running around after the kids.
Home to laundry and dishes and overseeing homework: spelling, Language arts, Picasso report!
Then inspiration...find a willing babysitter and escape. We bribed (I mean asked) a nephew to come and sit.....and he (foolishly) agreed!!! More feeding and cleaning and dressing and putting to bed of children and then.....bliss.
Dinner at Feenie's.

So superb. It has been on my Top Ten list for a long time. The service and the ambiance were great--the uninterupted time with my husband to be able to finish a thought or a sentence was priceless. If you live in or near Vancouver I highly recommend taking the time to go to Feenies. It was fabulous.
Now back to the insanity tomorrow.

Hobbit Names

Haven't you always wanted to know your hobbit name ?
Now you can find out. Let me know too!
Cheers,
Lila Bumbleroot of Haysend
Wife of Bulbo
Mother of (in chronological order)
Mungo, Camelia, Bolo and Autumn

St Patrick

Troparion - Tone 3
Holy Bishop Patrick,Faithful shepherd of Christ's royal flock, You filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel:The mighty strength of the Trinity!Now that you stand before the Savior, Pray that He may preserve us in faith and love!

Kontakion - Tone 4
From slavery you escaped to freedom in Christ's service:He sent you to deliver Ireland from the devil's bondage.You planted the Word of the Gospel in pagan hearts. In your journeys and hardships you rivaled the Apostle Paul! Having received the reward for your labors in heaven, Never cease to pray for the flock you have gathered on earth, Holy bishop Patrick!

I really love St Patick
St Patrick was born Maewyn Succat in either England or Scotland around 387 AD. He came from a wealthy, but not particulariy religious family. At age 16 he was kidnapped by Irish raiders under the High King Niall and brought to Ireland where he was sold to a local land owner, Meluic, who was also a druid. Maewyn Succat served as his shephard.
During his time in Ireland he learnt the language and the customs of his captors along with the pagan rituals they followed - skills which he used to good effect in later years. He spent much of this time in constant prayer and, after six years captivity, had a dream in which he was told that his ship was ready. He escaped and travelled 200 miles south to the sea where he boarded a ship leaving for Gaul.
Eventhough he had suffered greatly at the hands of his Irish masters, St Patrick desired to return to Ireland as a missionary. He studied at a monestary on the island of Lerins and was ordained in 417. In 432 he was ordained a bishop and given the name, "Patricius". He was then granted his wish to return to Ireland and landed at Slane with 25 followers. His knowledge of the language, customs and druid religion enabled him to minister to the Irish people in a very real way.
It is important to learn from his style of missionary work: live among the people, understand their beliefs, speak their language and from a place of understanding reach out to them where they are! Whether the mission field is Vancouver, New York, Paris or Nepal, we need to first live among the people and understand their place in the world. The mission field in your own back yard may be the most difficult because you can assume that you "know" the people and understand where they are coming from, but it might not be so!
After his death, Patrick became a legendary figure and was credited with many miracles, the most famous of which is that he chased snakes from Ireland. However, it is believed that this referred to him eliminating paganism as snakes are a pagan symbol. He is also famous for describing the concept of the Trinity by using a shamrock leaf.
St Patrick fell asleep in the Lord March 17, 461
Stephen Lawheed has written an interesting fictional account of the life of St Patrick. Check it out!

What are you doing Sunday Evening?

There are Exciting!!!! things happening at Holy Cross
Pop over there and read Fr Chris update and invitation.
I think it would be fabulous if everyone who wants to find out what we have been up comes out on Sunday night. It doesn't matter if you wish to become a part of Holy Cross or not, just come to get informed of the goings on so you can share the information with any who cross your path!
Thanks