Housing Projects

Well, since our first day in our new house, we have had LOTS of projects. As we are frequently reminded, such is the life of a home owner. While we've been quite busy and have had to put off our "open house" for a few months now (we're hoping for Labor Day weekend), we've finally made significant progress. Here are some before and after pictures for our two biggest projects: the exterior paint, and the basement (please excuse the mess in the basement; it's still not 100% done, but at least you can see the new floor).

Before painting: http://picasaweb.google.com/julianadancer1/BeforeHousePaint?authkey=Gv1sRgCLG_48rB4bSh_wE&feat=directlink

After painting: http://picasaweb.google.com/julianadancer1/AfterHousePaint?authkey=Gv1sRgCOu34tK9vuSSowE&feat=directlink

Before basement (after the flood): http://picasaweb.google.com/julianadancer1/BeforeBasement?authkey=Gv1sRgCL6o9s3w6_nWJw&feat=directlink

After basement: http://picasaweb.google.com/julianadancer1/AfterBasement?authkey=Gv1sRgCMbWyY33uPyfaQ&feat=directlink

Oh, and here are some pictures of our backyard in bloom:
http://picasaweb.google.com/julianadancer1/GardenAndBackyard?authkey=Gv1sRgCMeq4Ya82YzaEQ&feat=directlink

House Blessing Pics

So, since it's been so long since I've written, I guess I have some catching up to do picture-wise:

Here are some pictures from our house blessing. It was a beautiful service for the blessing of a new home, done only once when a family first moves in. Our house was blessed with incense, oil, and holy water, and we even had the cars blessed :)

http://picasaweb.google.com/julianadancer1/HouseBlessing02?feat=directlink

I don't know why, but somehow knowing the house has been blessed changes the feel of living here. I am so thankful our Church offers us these prayers to sanctify every detail of our lives and dedicate it all to Christ. That being said, if anyone is in the neighborhood, please do stop by, we'd love to see you! We even have a new guest room for overnight stays :)

Saints Peter and Paul

While I have been out of the blogging practice for a while, I truly am going to try to get back on the wagon, and I feel today is a particularly appropriate day to begin.

In the Orthodox Church, we commemorate today two of the greatest saints - Peter and Paul. What I personally love about the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul is the hymnography - it is pretty much dedicated 1/3 to St. Peter, 1/3 to St. Paul, and 1/3 to both of them together. While we were unable to make liturgy this morning, Frank and I did read through parts of the Vespers service from last night, and I would just like to share the following hymns that stood out at me:

With what wreaths of praise shall we crown Peter and Paul?

Separated in body, they were united by the Spirit;
they rank first among preachers:

one was the leader of the Apostles,

while the other labored more than them all.

Truly, Christ our God, Who has great mercy,

has adorned them with the crowns of immortal glory.

Let us praise Peter and Paul, the two great stars of the Church.

They shine brighter than the sun in the sky of faith.

Let the nations follow the rays of their preaching,

and be led from ignorance to the knowledge of God!

One was nailed to the Cross and received the keys of the Kingdom from Christ in heaven.

The other, beheaded by the sword, departed to the Savior,

and is worthily counted blessed.

Together they proclaim to Israel:

“He Who was stretched out on the Cross is the Lord of all!”

By their prayers, O Christ our God,

strengthen the Orthodox Faith and destroy our enemies,

as you are the Lover of mankind!

I think it was Fr. Thomas Hopko who said once that Peter and Paul didn't always see eye to eye. Even so, they both humbly worked together for the benefit of the Church. I think this is a great example for all of us as we strive to work within our parishes for the same goal - the spreading of the Gospel!

God bless you all on this feast!