Explaining Orthodoxy

What do you say to people when they ask about the Church? I find myself tongue tied when people ask. It's such a big question. It's tempting to respond with, "Do you REALLY want to know, or are you just making polite conversation?" How do you explain it concisely and do it justice?

I found this little quote somewhere:

"The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn't non-denominational - it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago."

I have no idea who wrote it but I like it. Not sure if I would go around quoting it when some one asks me about my faith, but thought I'd share nonetheless.

So, really, what do you say?

Typical Monday

I'm being so lazy. My house got super messy this weekend, and I am feeling overwhelmed, so I'm wasting my time sitting here on the computer. I'm posting this for accountabilty. Goodbye. I'm off to clean and be dignified.

"Freshen up any old outfit with a fun, new headband."

Quoted by Jason, giver of fashion advice.

Seriously though, I've started quite a collection of headbands. I can't seem to pass them up.

New shirt? Can't afford one.

New pants? Ummm...I just had a baby. Buying pants right now would mean purchasing them in a size that has a completely unnacceptable number. I still have hope.

New dress? How can I nurse the baby in that?

New shoes? Hannah really needs a new pair more than I.

But a headband? Sure, I can get a headband. The price is right! Why not? Maybe I'll get two just for kicks. And my head never seems to vary in it's measurements!

It's Fall-like!

Oh thank goodness, the weather has been much cooler. It's perfect today. A day when the sun disappears briefly behind clouds, then suddenly reappears, doing the dance over and over. Hooray for cozy new jammies and a chance to enjoy being outdoors again!

Freshin' it up 'round here.

Today is a much needed stay at home/sweep the floors/rid the house of it's dust bunnies kind of day. So I thought I'd go ahead and give the ole' blog a face lift as well. I grew sick of the dots. This boring look was decided instead, but hey, at least it's a start. You may have noticed I changed my title too. Because, I guess after I got out of the box I was in a while back, I realized that, hmmm, maybe I am pretty normal. (Well, for the most part.)

This Liturgical year, will God willing, be the year my family and I will be received into the Orthodox Church. The reverence of the Orthodox Church is striking and beautiful, however I have a tendency to be on the irreverent side, which can make for some awkward moments. Soooo, there you have the new title.

Ha ha ha haha!

I just realized how lazy eyed I look in the picture below! I think I probably would not have posted it if I had noticed it. Oh well! Click on the photo if you want a good laugh!

Worry Free Wednesday

Random things going on here:

~I purchased some grape juice and poured myself some for a drink. It instantly brought me back to the old communion we were served in our previous church. Dude, it was weird. And sweet. Not sure I like grape juice very much. Hannah likes it though.

~We've had one of those hanging nets to go over Hannah's bed for a while, but just put it up last night. It looks very pretty and like a little princess must sleep in her bed. Just the feel we were going for. Hannah was so delighted - she got inside and giggled for five minutes straight.

~James is doing well. He's still big. And he's still a super easy-going baby. In the picture above we were at a park in his Baby Bjorn that I found on Craigslist for 20 bucks. Craigslist is awesome.

~The weather has been miserable. But I think the worst is over because today it feels Spring-like and breezy. And it's 95. I am starting to think that Al Gore is right.

~Our new routine that Jason and I talked about a couple of weeks ago is working really well. We've had much less stress by making those minor changes. Although as I type, my house just struck me as very messy. Well, happy day to you.

Wal-Mart - Always About Money. Always.

OK, here I go, a rant on Wal-Mart. They are weaseling their way into to our town right in the middle of a residential area. It's not just any Wal-Mart, it's the Super, 24 hour version. The town folk are in an uproar. We don't want it. We don't need it. Even people that don't HATE Wal-Mart know for a fact that placing this type of store in a residential area is nuts.

The City of Ontario held a public meeting, just to go through the motions for the residents. But despite intelligent and evidence-based refutes, they voted in favor 5 to 1. Nice. They are obviously in bed with the project. Isn't it always about the money?

This situation is shameful regardless of what any one thinks of Wal-Mart. I personally do not shop there. Although, it is quite hypocritical of me since I do shop at Target and buy plenty of goods that are most likely made in China by little children working 18 hour days. But it's my little way of starting small. If we are going to ever make a difference regarding these types of issues, it has to be consumer-driven. We might have to buy less stuff, and maybe more expensive goods that last longer. Our kids may just have to go without hundreds of toys full of lead paint or harmful plastics. Why do we shoot ourselves in the foot by building these massive everything stores full of dead-end jobs that destroy smaller stores that actually support families with GOOD wages and descent living, and GASP, even provide health care benefits?

*Sigh*

If this interests you in the slightest - please visit http://www.stopwalmartontario.com