A Quiet Wednesday

After all the business over the last few days, we're having a quiet day at home. We've got cloudy weather, and it just feels right to curl up with a good book. Today I'm reading Common Sense during nap time, along with the crochet. This evening should be mostly reading after the little ones are in bed, too. I don't think I'll have time for too many projects around the house. The children are coming first these days, after all that grieving on Monday.

Propers for Saint Michael and all Angels

The Collect

O EVERLASTING God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels always do thee service in heaven, so, by thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle
Revelation xii. 7.

THERE was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

The Gospel
St. Matthew xviii. 1. AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Little Vivian's Funeral

On the Eve of the Feast of All Angels, I went to Little Vivian's funeral. How appropriate. The Littlest Angel is where she belongs.

The Psalter

Psalm 148

The One Hundred Forty Eighth Psalm

Laudate Dominum.

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O PRAISE the LORD from the heavens: * praise him in the heights.

Praise him, all ye angels of his: * praise him, all his host.

Praise him, sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.

Praise him, all ye heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens.

Let them praise the Name of the LORD: * for he spake the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.

He hath made them fast for ever and ever: * he hath given them a law which shall not be broken.

Praise the LORD from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and vapours, * wind and storm, fulfilling his word;

Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;

Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;

Kings of the earth, and all peoples; * princes, and all judges of the world;

Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the LORD: * for his Name only is excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth.

He shall exalt the horn of his people: all his saints shall praise him; * even the children of Israel, even the people that serveth him.

Psalm 150

The One Hundred Forty Eighth Psalm

Laudate Dominum.

---

O PRAISE the LORD from the heavens: * praise him in the heights.

Praise him, all ye angels of his: * praise him, all his host.

Praise him, sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.

Praise him, all ye heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens.

Let them praise the Name of the LORD: * for he spake the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.

He hath made them fast for ever and ever: * he hath given them a law which shall not be broken.

Praise the LORD from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and vapours, * wind and storm, fulfilling his word;

Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;

Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;

Kings of the earth, and all peoples; * princes, and all judges of the world;

Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the LORD: * for his Name only is excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth.

He shall exalt the horn of his people: all his saints shall praise him; * even the children of Israel, even the people that serveth him.

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The First Lesson

Daniel 12:1-3

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

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The Second Lesson

Revelation 5

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

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The Collect

St. Michael and All Angels

O EVERLASTING God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels always do thee service in heaven, so, by thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ or Lord. Amen.

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Playgroup and Visiting

We had play group this morning. We may have our social call this afternoon.

Little Vivian

Yesterday afternoon, little Vivian was born. She lived all of fifteen hours, and passed away early this morning. She was baptized, and experienced much love in her short life. I'll suspend any needlework for her now, and refocus on comforting her parents. Today is a day of mourning for their dear family. I'll take a casserole and a gift basket to her family, as soon as they are home from the hospital.

A Commendatory Prayer when the Soul is Departed.

INTO thy hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend the soul of thy servant, now departed from the body. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech thee, a sheep of thine own fold, a lamb of thine own flock, a sinner of thine own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of thy mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of-the saints in light. Amen.

Exploring Head Covering

Today, I'm learning about head covering during prayer. I'm not motivated out of submission, but out of reverence. I'm interested in how to make prayer more involving, and less about the words I use. I'm also interested in the modesty aspect.

The Screwtape Letters

I've just started reading the Screwtape Letters. If you haven't read this delightful book yet yourself, please consider it.

Propers for Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

The Collect

O ALMIGHTY God, who by thy blessed Son didst call Matthew from the receipt of custom to be an Apostle and Evangelist; Grant us grace to forsake all covetous desires, and inordinate love of riches, and to follow the same thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle
2 Corinthians iv. 1.

THEREFORE seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel
St. Matthew ix. 9. AND as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

A routine, but rainy day

It's a routine, rainy Wednesday around here. I had hoped for more time at the sewing machine, especially now that it's in it's proper place of the laundry room. It will have it's permanent home there (and in future years, a proper cabinet just for sewing.) Alas, the rain has backed up my laundry, and it's piled all over the machine. I just can't face it after all the rain we've had. So, I'm curling up with my hand work for this afternoon. I need to clear the slate from my hand work, anyway. I have more serious machine work as the autumn goes forth, and need to be done with all this.

Library Story Time Resumes

I'm exhausted: a morning at library story time. We'll be doing an hour every week, and I'm sure to need naps every week, too. I re-checked out What Your Preschooler Needs to Know. We'll enjoy that again until the Kindergarten book returns to the library. Busy days! It's all about reading and playing and learning and growing.

Still Celebrating

Tomorrow is the actual party, and today was fun with friends. It'll be lots of birthday fun around here for the next few days.

A First Birthday

My youngest son turns one year old today. He's a healthy, happy growing boy, and I'm so proud of him. I'm so lucky to be his mother.

Trying to get photographs of the children

Photographs are not my strong point, but I'm trying to get some done of the children and send them to a relative. I'm sure others are confused, angry and frustrated as to why I'm not giving them their photographs. However, I don't have any to give out! This is received with disbelief - surely I must be lying or exaggerating. I've never taken my younger son to a professional photographer, and I've only taken my elder son, once, when he was five months old. I'm also the woman who did not have a photographer at my wedding. So there you go; what for others is an absolute given and as much of a must as food and shelter - for me is difficult and a struggle.

The First Official Day of Homeschooling

Although my elder son is well accomplished in his preschool lessons, today is the first official day. He'll progress quickly, I suspect - more quickly than I had planned. Even so, it's not up to my plans. He'll go at his own pace, and I just have to do the work set before me. I rejoice at all my blessings and my childrens' good fortune.

Also, I'm reading In Praise of Stay-at-home Moms, a delightful book for which I've waited for months at the library. I'm also exploring head covering during prayer.

The Holiday Weekend Begins

It's not much of a holiday; it's not even a holy day. Still, we'll enjoy having the Vintner at home for an extra day off and the unofficial end of summer. We get down to work come Tuesday, so we'll put our feet up and socialize this weekend.

Mere Christianity

Mere Christianity

Isn't This Just a Silly Little Blog, by a Useless Little Woman, or...

One might say that a woman dedicating blogs to homekeeping, cooking and needlework is just a silly little occupation of her time. One might also say that it's a battlefront in the House of War or against the psychological warfare theater of the KGB. There are many ways to fight evil, and a devotion of faith and hearth and home is no less important than a general in the field.

No Longer an Abecedarian

My son is progressing quickly with his lessons. He's already learned several poems, songs, stories, science lessons, art lessons, history, numbers and the alphabet. Most importantly, he's memorized the Lord's Prayer. We don't even officially begin homeschooling until next week, but his mind is already learning.

Alas, no more swimming

Swimming has ended for the summer. Our friend's pool was too cool, and tomorrow they go back to school. We enjoyed their hospitality very much, and look forward to reciprocating as we can.

We rejoice in the beginning of September. The younger son will turn one next week. Plus, there is more pleasant weather and autumn fun just beginning.