Each year I set goals for myself that are in line with my four priorities: faith, family, work, and personal growth. At the beginning of each month I sit down and take a look at the progress I have made (or not made!) on those goals so that I can create a plan for theRead More
December Reading Challenge: A Fantasy
Hello Readers! It’s time to make the December recommendations for the 2016 Reading Challenge! I can’t believe that this is the final month of our challenge. Where has the time gone? This month we will close out the year by reading one of my very favorite genres–a fantasy. Take a look at theseRead More
The Ultimate Guide to Orthodox Christmas Presents
If you are at all like me, you are beginning to make your Christmas shopping lists. I generally wait until the last minute to purchase Christmas gifts. I do this for three reasons: During the Nativity Fast our family tries to keep the focus on prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and anticipating the Nativity. So, weRead More
How Do You Give Thanks?: The Akathist of Thanksgiving
How do you express your thanks to God? Do you sing? pray? write? create? As we approach Thanksgiving, I have been mediating upon this question. How do I express my thanks to my God? The Christian life is one that is characterized by thanksgiving. In the institution of the Eucharist, Christ “took bread,Read More
Ways to Celebrate the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
This coming Monday (November 21), Orthodox Christians celebrate the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. When my husband and I were first considering becoming Orthodox, this was one of the feasts that I had a hard time wrapping my mind around. If that is you, or if you are an OrthodoxRead More
