I'm still here

INSANELY BUSY! Yep, that's been my life since May 3...when we (sans FDR) left --homeward bound. There is a long list of menial reasons for the "no-other-way" separation, that if I begin to tell you, you may think me mad. I shall spare you the boring details assuring you that we are well, thank God. Normalcy, as we Barberg's know it, is -- well, let's just say we're on the right road--I think.

This past year has brought on it's share of adjustments--for all of us. This time last year, we were on a 2 week vacation in Destin--soaking up the glorious beach and bam! the house finally sold while away. We returned to start the frenzied packing, sorting, tossing, with worry--praying and finally handing our earthly cares to God. It's hard to believe a full year has whirled past us at warped speed. I only pray God continues to give us His grace as we continue and learn while completely trusting in His ways--His path for our salvation.

All in all, it's been good to be home up north. To be with treasured friends and solid family members who share in our fight to follow God's will for our lives. We can not thank them enough for opening their homes, in sharing their food--it's no easy feat in feeding this gang, sacrificing their spare towels and space and even some extra funds. We are truly loved. It is amazing when others can come out of their "comfort-zones" for your sake. "Every good and perfect thing comes from above" May I remain grateful in and for ALL things.

We'll return to SVS June 1 and from there--well, I'll have to tell you then...

As we travel life's road, my love and prayers dear friends.

Water Fun on a Hot day!

"I've been tagged"

8 Things I am looking forward to:
1. my husband's elevation to the Holy Priesthood in June
2. our summer vacations: Carolina Beach with the kids and the other is a 2nd honeymoon to St. Croix for 10 days (sans kids, of course)
3. St. George Camp in August
4. the next school year (going in as 2nd years is comforting)
5. eating more and more sushi (really, I am!)
6. exercising to better health and for strength
7. a return trip to Alaska (hopefully next summer)
8. heading home for the month of May to be with friends and family

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. took Emily and sweet Abigail to the airport...all by myself (a proud driving moment through this NYC mess).
2. treated the kids and mom out for breakfast (a treat for me too)
3. bought Colin new glasses and rec specs (finally)
4. visited with FDR's cousin, Micah. Haven't seen him in 10 years...he's all grown up!
5. went out for sushi dinner with hubby and our monk friend, Fr. Christopher (a treat for him and another for me)
6. watched the rest of "Little Dorrit" by Charles Dickens on masterpiecetheatre.com
7. I did not clean, straighten or tidy a thing in my house...that is something!
8. I wore flip-flops all day

8 Things I wish I could do:
1. exercise more patience with the children
2. pray more
3. trust God more and worry less
4. exercise more
5. less talking to listen better
6. spend all day sipping tea while reading book after book...one for the kids, one for me, one with hubby, one in a book club among friends (but I may want to sip some vino during that).
7. take a class in photographing/photo shop
8. love by letting go...

8 Shows I Watch (I don't watch so much any more, but we watch a few on-line)
1. LOST!
2. The Office
3. Masterpiece Theatre!
4. Nova
5. American Experience
6. PBS cartoons (with the kids)
7. Rachael Ray (rarely)
8. Yankees game

A good link...

http://orthodoxseminarian.blogspot.com/

This is a great insight into the life of the Priesthood from our friend, Michael Sakran. Not only am I baised because my husband and he are classmates but we, FDR and I, are to be the God-parents to their soon-to-be-born-twin boys: Gabriel and Michael!
May God grant them all many years!

May God give us Strength

"For the priestly office is indeed discharged on earth,but it ranks amongst heavenly ordinances; and very naturally so:for neither man, nor angel, nor archangel, nor any other created power, but the Paraclete Himself, instituted this vocation, and persuaded men while still abiding in the flesh to represent the ministry of angels. Wherefore the consecrated priest ought to be as pure as if he were standing in the heavens themselves in the midst of those powers."

"On the Priesthood." St John Chrysostom,
N&PNF, First Series, Volume IX. p. 46.

By the grace of God and the laying on of hands by His Grace Bishop ALEXANDER, Fr. Deacon Raphael, my beloved husband, will be elevated to the Holy Priesthood June 28th, at our hometown parish, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Niagara Falls, New York during the 2009 Parish Life Conference.

While trusting in God's timing, we did not have plans nor any expectations once here at St. Vladimir's. However, it came upon us peacefully, in a quiet still voice, knocking at our door.

We have enjoyed 8 years of my husband's diaconal ministry in the Church. FDR often refers to the order of the Diaconate as "the best of both worlds". Undoubtedly, his elevation brings us, our family, to a whole different level and much is to change...a struggle and a blessing, indeed!

Please keep us, as we keep you, in your prayers.

"I know my own soul, how feeble and puny it is: I know the magnitude of this ministry, and the great difficulty of the work; for more stormy billows vex the soul of the priest than the gales which disturb the sea." (p.49).

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

The angel exclaimed to her, full of grace: "Rejoice, O Pure Virgin; again I say, rejoice! Your Son is risen from the grave on the third day and has raised the dead. Let all nations rejoice!"

Shine in splendor, O new Jerusalem! For the glory of the Lord is risen upon you, O Sion; sing with joy and rejoice! And you, pure Mother of God, rejoice in the resurrection of your Son.

How pleasingly divine and sweet was Your voice, O Christ, when You promised, without fail, to remain with us until the end of time. We, the faithful, rejoice in this firm foundation of hope.

O Christ, Great and Sacred Pasch, Wisdom, Power, and Word of God, grant that we be with You in Your kingdom on the never-ending day.

HIRMOS
Shine in splendor, O new Jerusalem! For the glory of the Lord is risen upon you, O Sion; sing with joy and rejoice! And you, pure Mother of God, rejoice in the resurrection of your Son.

EXAPOSTILARION
You, O King and Lord, have fallen asleep in the flesh as a mortal man, but on the third day You arose again. You have raised Adam from his corruption and made Death powerless. You are the Pasch of Incorruption. You are the Salvation of the world.

Image of God

God-willing, from the image above, we pray that Luke will strive to be an aspiring iconographer of fine frescoes in many colorful hues and gold depicting God's perfect image. (sadly, after snapping Luke's art work, I had to use the magic eraser on the wall)

With prayers seeking patient guidance and understanding, we find ourselves blessed with Luke's many talents...talents that also make us scratch our heads in bewilderment or wanting to frantically pull out our hair!

Most importantly, may our son strive to love with a Godly love, while living body and soul for Jesus Christ, the son of God -- the giver and lover of all mankind!

Hmm, on second thought, maybe a grand chanter...