Gabe's Name Day

Today Gabe is basking in the delight of his name day. He thoroughly enjoyed listening to the reading about the Archangel Gabriel after Matins this morning and was so cute standing in front of the cross in his jammies as we sang to him after liturgy last night.

Outside

The kids were outside playing before I was even dressed this morning. It must be spring!

Journey through Lent - Week 3

Monday
Today is No TV Day! Put your sign on the TV and read a book or play a game. Draw a picture of yourself reading or playing and add it to your box.

Tuesday
Think of something special that you have - a toy, book, or game. Share it with a friend or your brother or sister.

Wednesday
Look up Psalm 118:24 in your Bible. Read the verse out loud 3 times. Write it down and try to memorize it. When you're memorized it add the it to your box.

Thursday
Make a card for your Sunday School teacher. They would love to know how special they are to you! Write down your teacher's name and add it to your box. Don't forget to take your card to church on Sunday.

Friday
Can you give up treats for the day? No candy, pop, cookies or chips!

Saturday
Count all your dolls, cars, knights or toy animals. Put a penny for each one in your parent's alms box. This is a good way to be thankful for everything we have as well as sharing with those who don't have as much.

Sunday
Don't forgot to take your card to church! What special day is it at church? We sang a special hymn in place of "Holy God", can you sing it for your parents?

Cute Boys

Sunday of Orthodoxy

John and Gabe ready with their icons for the procession after liturgy. John very specifically chose St. Nicholas and Gabe chose St. Herman.

Journey through Lent - Week 2

Sorry, I forgot to post this yesterday!

Monday
Do something nice for your Mom and/or Dad. Draw a picture of what you do and put it in your box.

Tuesday
Look up John 3:16. Read the verse out loud 3 times. Write it down and try to memorize it. When you've memorized it put it in your box.

Wednesday
Make a list of the people in your life that you are thankful for. Remember to thank God for them!

Thursday
Do your homework right away when you get home from school today. What a nice surprise for your Mom & Dad that they didn't have to ask you to do your schoolwork!

Friday
Give up sweets for today. No pop, candy or dessert. Use your "No TV" sign today. Make sure and put your sign back in your box at the end of the day.

Saturday
Tell someone in your family how much you love them. Write down why you love them and add it to your box.

Sunday
What special saint did we hear about in church today? Write down his name and add it to your box.


We've now spent two weeks preparing for Pascha, open your special box and look at what's in there. Look at all the ways you gave of yourself and showed God how much you love Him.

Icon Corner

My friend, Jenny, asked people to share photos of their icon corners - so here's ours. She asked ages ago but someone in the family like to dump other things here and I finally took a couple minutes to move everything that didn't belong, dust and arrange things.

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Ok, so going back and looking at her post she didn't actually ask for pics of other icon corners. I must have just been imaging things.

This is a common sight these days...

Journey through Lent - Week 1

Last year Lily's Sunday School class was given a packet of activities to do each day during Lent. It's much like an Advent calendar in which we count down to the BIG DAY. I just remembered it and am adapting it for this year for both Gabe and Lily. I thought I'd share.

To start have the kids decorate a shoe box. Here's the first week:

Monday
Write a card to someone you love and send it to them in the mail. Write down their name and add it to your box.

Tuesday
Look up the verse John 13:34 in your Bible. Read it aloud 3 times. Write it down and try to memorize it. When you've memorized it put it in your box.

Wednesday
Don't watch any TV or computer today! Make a sign that says "No TV Today" and put it on the TV. Put it in your box at the end of the day.

Thursday
Do something nice for someone in your family today. It could be reading a story to a younger sibling or setting the table or taking out the garbage. Use your imagination. Write down what you do and put it in your box.

Friday
Make a list of all the special people in your life that you’d like to pray for. Put is beside your bed and use it when you say your prayers.Add it to your box at the end of Lent or make another copy of it so you can continue to use it after Lent.

Saturday
Clean your room without being asked! Make yourself a star and put it on your door when you’re done. Add it to your box at the end of the week.

Sunday
When you get home from church tell your parents 3 things you learned or observed in the service.Write them down and add it to your box.

Take a minute to look through your box.We are a week closer to Pascha.

If you decide to do this with your kids let me know how it goes and how you adapt it for your family. Happy Lent!