A Second Recommendation

I've just finished reading Mere Christianity. I must recommend it again, as I did when I first listened to part of it, and posted it on my side bar. It's worth both listening to (since it was originally meant as a radio broadcast) and reading. Either way knocks one's socks off.

A Morning Out

We'll be getting out this morning for an appointment for me. I missed it last week, and will get back on track this week. Then, we've got lessons and a bit of cleaning. I also want to think of needlework sometime today. I've let it go for weeks now, and am itching for something new and fresh.

Budgeting

Every month here at the Cottage, we have a budget meeting for the next month's spending. We plan it all out on paper before the month begins, and then we track our spending both for tax purposes as well as to help with budgeting analysis and future planning. We've done very well, although not as well as others. We meet our goals and no longer have crises or undue surprises. The stress on our household is greatly reduced, and we never fight over money. Truly - we never, ever fight over money. This month, we have yet to have the meeting for February. We are awaiting the electric bill, and hope to receive it today. If so, tonight's schedule includes the budget meeting.

The Conversion of St. Paul

O GOD, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world; Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness unto thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle
Acts ix. 1.

AND Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

The Gospel
St. Matthew xix. 27. PETER answered and said unto Jesus, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

A Quiet Day

With no mail, today is a bit quiet. We'll have lessons and the food factory and fun for the boys.

Ordinary Time

Today, we return to the ordinal counting of time, or Ordinary Time. No more easing into homeschool lessons, or fitting in the house work. It's regular days until Lenten fasting. We anticipate a bit of rain, and hope to get in all the shopping before then. With luck, I'll get both a nap and housecleaning. With the kitchen drains fixed, there is much cleaning in the kitchen as well.

New Washing Machine

We have a new washing machine this morning. We purchased a "scratch and dent" model, damaged at a warehouse. We came in under budget and saved so much. There is no way we could have afforded to buy such a nice machine otherwise. I'm not bothered in the least. My laundry room is not for entertaining.

Now, we are dealing with a plumbing problem in the kitchen. It's been a rough few days with both laundry and dishes in crisis, while trying to begin new lessons. We're in a bit of a financial annoyance, but a few years ago, this would have put us in financial crisis. Thanks to Dave Ramsey and our faith, we are merely annoyed.

Three Kings and New Lessons

Today we begin Epiphany season with new homeschool lessons. We are starting kindergarten since we blew through preschool in the autumn. We'll focus on the Three Kings for today, and revisit the manifestation of the Christ to the Gentiles, until Candlemas. Also, we'll be baking a King Cake, and fingers crossed that it turns out well. Yesterday, we didn't make it on reading Twelfth Night, but aren't too worried. We don't properly begin Shakespeare until the autumn of this year, anyway. We did read the first two chapters of the Wizard of Oz for my older son, as a special I'm-outgrowing-naptime treat.

Propers for The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles

The Collect

O GOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
< > This Collect is to be said daily throughout the Octave.

The Epistle
Ephesians iii. 1.

FOR this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

The Gospel
St. Matthew ii. 1. WHEN Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Twelfth Night

In future years, we'll read Shakespeare's Twelfth Night on this day for lessons. However, the children are so young, I don't know if we'll get to it today. Plus, I'm a little worn down this year. I don't mind waiting until tomorrow to read it either. I'm shopping for supplies to make my own King Cake this year, and making puff pastry from scratch. It may be too much to add on more.

A Birthday

Today is my birthday. It's a busy, if cold day here at the Cottage, with lots of fun and merriment and eating.

Happy New Year!

We welcome the new year with prayer and rejoicing. It's a time for family and time away from the computer.