Reflecting on Titus 2 and Doulas

While expecting my second child, I had a vision of being a postpartum doula in future years. Now, of course, I'm more of need of one than being one. I will be fine without the expense. However, I do hope that our prayers for a new church home will be answered in the next few months or years. Last night, I even dreamed this came true. From that home, I would hope that a role I can fulfill would be in assisting new mothers and younger women. God's will be done.

Mountains of Baby Laundry

Usually on shopping day, I have a break from laundry. Instead, I'm making the most of the spring sunshine, and getting all the baby laundry from storage washed and line dried. I'll sort, rewash and organize for the new baby.

Also, yesterday I was given a virtually unused baby sling. I'd only seen the Balboa once, and thought them delightful. Never did I imagine that I'd receive one myself. This new baby will be so spoiled, as will I. Five total at my disposal, I imagine I'll use the two newest the most.

A Beautiful Spring Day

The new baby is growing well, and eagerly awaited. We're enjoying the spring weather, kicking back and counting the leaves on the vines. It's time to relax and ease into the rhythms of early childhood.

The Last Library Storytime for Summer

Today will be our last library story time for the summer. While the library only takes off for May, our new baby will arrive sometime in June. We won't bother with the library until the September session begins. Our only activity will be swim lessons in August. It's time to pull back, and stay home after today.

A Return to Laundry Drying Outside

Over the last few days, I've returned to my springtime and summer habit of hanging out the laundry to dry on racks. While I have done it year round, it was a bit much with this pregnancy. I imagine that I'll restrict my dryer use to only rainy days, despite the advancing weeks, and a new baby soon. It smells so fresh and nice. Plus, it's a small testament to the little pleasures that only a homemaker can provide.

A Labor of Love

The work I do every day is no moil; it is a labor of love. I have the privilege of fleeting moments of kisses, hugs, comfort, discipline and watching my own children grow. The Vintner doesn't have this joy. His work is draining, boring and difficult. He doesn't get to push the children on a swing for an hour, observing the progress of the grape vines. He doesn't get a rest when the children rest. Granted, he doesn't get covered in bodily soils too often at the office. I know that I'd rather have my challenges than his any day.

Planting anew

I've planted a few seeds this morning. It felt so good to get into my garden and put in something. It looked so bare and forlorn. While nothing may grow, and with a new baby soon, I'm not attending it much, I'm happy. Whatever grows is a blessing. It's not a year for intensity in the garden; there will be other years for that. The season of my life is in making new babies. There will be other seasons for elaborate attention to the garden and vines.

I'm also resting as much as possible, and wrapping up preparations. We have all the essentials, despite what the world considers essentials. There's no nursery, and not likely to be one. While there are parts for a crib, I don't care if it's ever assembled. It's not the crib I wanted for my baby, and I have no inclination to reorder my entire home around the style of someone else's choice of a crib. I'll just make the best of things.

I am very much enjoying the new Ladies Against Feminism, and hope to improve my own blog accordingly.

Growing Vines

Our vines continue to grow. The one that gave me the most concern last year is the one thriving this year. The other vine doesn't quite get as much sunshine, and is a bit behind, but doing well. While in general I don't want too many photos on this blog, I intend to take a few of the vines and post them.

Our attempt to visit a new place of worship did not go well. We chose a neighborhood church, instead of where we felt led. I was stressed for the rest of the day. I realize that it may be a very long time indeed before we find a home.

New Leaves of 2010

Both of our vines have young leaves on them. Amen! The vineyard is coming along. We pray for a healthy, happy year for them, and for finding a new church home this year, as well.

Possible help with the children

Grandparents are coming to occupy the children's attention this morning. I'm remarkably stressed about it. I fear it will not go well, and I will not receive the help I need. Perhaps it won't be as I fear: disrespect towards me.

I pray for compassion and patience on my part this morning - and fortitude against any well-intentioned but painful comments. The pregnancy hormones are making me rather vulnerable to comments that I ordinarily find annoying, but now find enraging.

Easter Tuesday

For Easter Tuesday, we have prayer, library story time, toddler play time and possibly errands. We do also need lots of rest and quiet, both for the new baby, and not to exhaust our little ones. We yet await the budding of our vines.

Easter Monday

It's a quiet day here at the Cottage. Our vines have yet to sprout new leaves, but the other plants are emerging. The roses are already blooming. It's a beautiful, quiet day. After the excitement and running around of the new minivan last week, we're tired and needing a quiet day at home.

Easter Monday

O GOD, whose blessed Son did manifest himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread; Open, we pray thee, the eyes of our faith, that we may behold thee in all thy works; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Easter

We celebrate with Joy, Love and Praise today. We'll have time for family, fun and feasting on this Holiest of Days.

Good Friday

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

Maundy Thursday

The Collect

ALMIGHTY Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, did institute the Sacrament of his Body and Blood; Mercifully grant that we may thankfully receive the same in remembrance of him, who in these holy mysteries giveth us a pledge of life eternal; the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle
1 Corinthians xi. 23.

I HAVE received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

The Gospel
St. Luke xxiii. 1.

THE whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate . And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves. And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: no, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him, in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

Or else this that followeth.


The Gospel

St. John xiii. 1.

NOW before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Sold the car; Buying a Minivan

Two very busy days: sold one car, buying another. We should be back to a two car family this evening, if we like it. We're getting through a day of one car, and busy activity. Fortunately, the kids have grandma and grandpa for this afternoon. I somehow managed the shopping, and we'll work monthly errands in two. Plus, we have preparations for hot cross buns tomorrow, and Maundy Thursday prayers. Whew!