One of the joys of arising in the morning is to step outside and to take a deep breath of fresh air. This morning, however, was an exception for, as I opened the door and took a step forward, a familiar barnyard smell greeted me. From time to time our neighbouring farmers have to spread […]
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THURSDAY 10 MAY 2018
Father Moses and I saw a delightful sight as two Canada geese slowly waddled their way along the side of the road together with two tiny goslings. Soon we will see more such sights, as for example, the herons and various summer birds. Of course there will be sad moments as well when we discover […]
WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 2018
This day unfolded quietly and I was not in a rush to drive Vladika Lazar to the clinic, but we were somewhat pressed for time. Just as we approached the main road, several large gravel trucks , a truck loaded with logs and a slow tractor blocked our way so, that by the time we […]
TUESDAY 8 MAY 2018
Summer tires were put on the Jeep in addition to a general tune up and change of oil, so that it should be in fine condition for the summer. The newly planted trees were watered, with water being carried in buckets to the field. Christian, thank you for your email from Germany; it is always […]
MONDAY 7 MAY 2018
After yesterday’s excitement, today seemed to be quiet and even uneventful. In the afternoon both Vladika and I went to town to do some necessary shopping, each one on his own. I used a large cart while Vladika used his walker, as it has a large container for carrying things. After the shopping had been […]
SUNDAY 6 MAY 2018
We had been promised a beautiful day and so it was. In fact it could not have been any better. It was sunny and warm, at times almost hot, with a few scattered cloud that made the main event of the day most pleasant. At the end of the Liturgy we set out on a […]
SATURDAY 5 MAY 2018
Today has been a sunny and warm day, just right for the work party. Some people arrived before nine o’clock, while others came throughout the rest of the day. I have never seen the windows sparkle as they did today, floors wee scrubbed, washing done inside and outside, with a group in the kitchen preparing […]
FRIDAY 4 MAY 2018
While driving Vladika Lazar to the clinic I had to turn on some heat in the car, as it was chilly. In fact, the entire day felt chilly but we have been promised better weather for the weekend. I was really quite proud of Vladika, as he got into the car and out of it […]
THURSDAY 3 MAY 2018
I set out to photograph some of the radiantly blooming bushes only to discover that the camera setting was wrong which means, of course, that I shall have to make another effort. I have no difficulty, in fact I can excel, in drawing or painting but, for some reason, cameras are not my forte. Could […]
WEDNESDAY 2 MAY 2018
Once in a while the person sent out by Home Care to help Vladika in the morning is a man and today a young man came for the second time. Little did he know what he was getting into in his discussion with Vladika, for I am certain that he thought that he was conversing […]
TUESDAY 1 MAY 2018
The sun has returned and there are smiles on people’s faces again. A kind lady brought us soup and, before we could get to it, our neighbourhood boys ate most of it, proof that it was very tasty. Vladika had two sessions of therapy, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, both of […]
MONDAY 30 APRIL 2018
We have reached the last day of April and, even though we are surrounded by flowering bushes and an array of colourful flowers, it still does not entirely feel like spring. Perhaps May will give us the results we so desire. Vladika Lazar and I both visited a clinic in New Westminster with Thomas driving […]
SUNDAY 29 APRIL 2018
Since this is the last Sunday of the month, the Liturgy was served in Church Slavonic and I was surprised to find fewer people in attendance than usual, since usually the church is filled for this Liturgy. Whatever the reasons, it was great to see baby Taisia, whom we baptized last week, and baby Sophia […]
SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2018
What a sudden change we experienced in the weather, for today the wind was brisk with light rain falling throughout much of the day. It definitely did not feel like spring, even though more and more flowers and shrubs have burst into bloom. Still, we have been promised more sun and warm weather next week. […]
FRIDAY 27 APRIL 2018
This must have been both a busy and enjoyable day for many because I received only two phone calls and not a single email, not that I am complaining, no, it is rather nice to be left alone for a change. We completed one of the annual reports, the one that is most tedious and […]
THURSDAY 26 APRIL 2018
It was as hot today as it gets in summer and I think that is why I had only one phone call. Everyone was outside gardening or else enjoying the weather. I am afraid that my gardening days are over, but some kind people have come to my rescue by promising to plant flowers and […]
WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL 2018
We could feel the heat today, so that when the neighbours came to visit Vladika Lazar, they sat outdoors, shaded from the sun and breathing the scented air. Jon began building a pathway for Vladika to use from the cottage to the main building through the back door, thus avoiding the many steps that would […]
TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018
The first impression one receives as they drive onto the monastery grounds is the profusion of blossoms on the ancient cherry trees and the much smaller but sturdy pear tree. The two apple trees next to them have not yet put forth their blossoms. Today’s hot weather certainly will affect the shrubs and flowers everywhere. […]
MONDAY 23 APRIL 2018
Having had to drive into town twice today, I could not see a single person with a frown on their face, for the spring weather has delighted everyone. For a while I sat outdoors, looking at our gigantic cedar trees that stretch up into the heavens, with their lower branches touching the ground; how tiny […]
SUNDAY 22 APRIL 2018
I did not have to dress warmly when I walked to church this morning, for I usually have had to wear a couple of sweaters to protect myself from the cold. There were last minute preparations for the baptism of Taisia who is about three months old. She behaved marvelously and then slept well during […]
SATURDAY 21 APRIL 2018
Vladika Lazar and I went to Maple Ridge for a memorial dinner on the occasion of the repose of Vitaly six months ago.We arrived somewhat late but everyone had been patiently waiting for us. The house was crammed with people eating in every room on the main floor, and the dishes were largely Kazakhstani, that […]
FRIDAY 20 APRIL 2018
The male nurse who came to see Vladika Lazar this morning reminded me of how, a number of years ago, he had come to buy some of the candles that we made and how he had prized them. That was a kind compliment but I told him that we no longer made them, although I […]
THURSDAY 19 APRIL 2018
Today’s warmth has brought out countless dandelions that are covering the lawns like a carpet. The intense yellow of the dandelions, combined with the rich green of the grass present us with a living picture. We no longer think of them as weeds, but as dear friends that can be gathered [and even eaten]. While […]
WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL 2018
What a great difference a bright, sunny and warm day can make, as it did today. I made two trips into town, the first for Father Moses who had his broken tooth examined and who will have it repaired tomorrow, while the second was for Vladika Lazar who visited his family doctor who had encouraging […]
TUESDAY 17 APRIL 2018
Today is commonly known as a memorial day when people gather to pray for the repose of their loved ones and to visit their graves at the cemetery. Although we had done this on Sunday, nevertheless some people came to the monastery today for this purpose, bringing flowers and blini, as is customary. Then we […]
MONDAY 16 APRIL 2018
I had some difficulty with my computer so I am using Vladika’s, which feels so different and so this entry might end up being brief. The foot nurse came again today, bringing a bouquet of daffodils and a pot of sorrel that will soon be transplanted among the herbs. Two boxes of candles arrived at […]
SUNDAY 15 APRIL 2018
We were excited to see Vladika Lazar walk into the church during the Divine Liturgy, at the end of which he gave a short sermon and blessed the Holy Well and the addition to it that is almost finished. We also served a memorial litany today for all the departed rather than on Tuesday when […]
SATURDAY 14 APRIL 2018
We have had many visitors today, starting early in the morning and ending in mid evening. Kyril and Vanya came later than usual, yet still managed to complete a number of tasks. Then, Lija came with Olga, bringing food and groceries for us, followed by Marina and Sergei who also brought food. After Vespers we […]
FRIDAY 13 APRIL 2018
Superstitious people claim that any Friday the thirteenth of any month is certain to bring bad luck and, if that were so, we should have experienced such bad luck today, yet I cannot recall a single such incedent, unless one thinks that a rainy day constitutes misfortune! I baked two prosphoras using different techniques in […]
THURSDAY 12 APRIL 2018
As it so often happens, upon reflecting on the events of the day, there seems nothing worth mentioning. And this is what I thought tonight, until I began to recall the interesting events of the day. A young nurse, a man from Manitoba originally and of a Mennonite background, came to tend to Vladika’s dressings. […]
WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL 2018
Although it has been cool and damp, spring is evident everywhere. Driving through residential areas is much like driving through a park. Flowers, shrubs and trees are bedecked with the bright colours of spring. In fact, as I walk out of my door, I am greeted with the spicy fragrance of the mahonia bushes and […]
TUESDAY 10 APRIL 2018
Father Vasili’s visit came to an end and we were sorry to see him leave, but he undoubtedly will be back before long. I cannot say that we were exceedingly active, as we are still recovering from the services of Holy Week and Pascha. It seems almost unusual to have fewer services now. We had […]
MONDAY 9 APRIL 2018
How quiet it has been today after all the services of Holy Week and Pascha, and how welcome this has been. We discovered that we ran out of candles and barely had enough for the main service. Although we quickly reordered candles, they will not arrive in time for Thomas Sunday so we shall have […]
SUNDAY 8 APRIL 2018
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! We greet everyone on this holiest and most joyous feast of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I was pleased that I was given enough strength to serve the Paschal Matins and the Liturgy. At 9:30 the readers began reading in various languages and at midnight the Cross Procession […]
SATURDAY 7 APRIL 2018
Today there was a combined service for the feast of the Annunciaton and for Holy Saturday. Father Alexey served the lengthy service after which there was a rush to clean up the church, hall and kitchen for the great feast itself. We were amazed to see a donation of one hundred sturdy and attractive folding […]
FRIDAY 6 APRIL 2018
This is Holy and great Friday for Orthodox Christians, a day of fasting and preparing oneself for the great and sacred feast of Holy Pascha. Father Vasili arrived from Florida, although there has not been much time to visit with him, and David and Anna came from Edmonton and have already visited Vladika Lazar. The […]
THURSDAY 5 APRIL 2018
Since I have less and less energy, I was grateful that Father Alexey served the Divine Liturgy this morning. During the day I spent time correcting the books to be used for tonight’s service and really had no time to rest, so when the evening service began I felt weaker than usual, and finally had […]
WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL 2018
With each passing day we come closer to the Feast of Feasts, Holy Pascha. Tonight’s Healing Service brought many out to hear prayers and readings in various languages. Father Alexey and Father Moses served together with me, while the readers were encouraged to do more than they usually do. It was also pleasant to see […]
TUESDAY 3 APRIL 2018
I was grateful to Thomas for driving me to the hospital to visit Vladika Lazar. Usually I use a walker to navigate the long corridors and halls, but his time Thomas got me one of the hospital wheelchairs and pushed me all the way to Vladika’s room. I must admit that it was enjoyable scurrying […]
SUNDAY 1 APRIL 2018
On this first day of the month of April we celebrated the feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem, often simply called Palm Sunday. The palms, brought by Gerry a couple of days ago, were blessed during Matins and so many people attended the service that we soon ran out of palms. The […]
SATURDAY 31 MARCH 2018
It took a bit of thinking about which tables stood where in the hall, but I think that they eventually were returned to their proper positions. The carpet in the hall looks so fresh, while the one in the new church actually beams with new life. The two Natashas together with Georgy and Kyrill rushed […]
FRIDAY 30 MARCH 2018
I went to town to do some errands and it suddenly dawned on me that today was a public holiday, that is, Good Friday for the non Orthodox, but one could hardly realize that there was some sort of reverence for this day, as the only thing one could see were chocolate bunnies and candy […]
THURSDAY 29 MARCH 2018
A work party has toiled this day. The pantry was emptied, washed and cleaned, then the cans, jars, etc were returned while whatever was past the due date was set aside. Some things had been sitting there for about four years. Carpet cleaners came to clean our carpets, some of which needed more attention than […]
WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH 2018
This evening I heard, for the first time, the pleasant croaking of frogs in the distance and I suddenly realized how much I missed their vocal serenading. At the Presanctified Liturgy Altita came with her two youngest sons, one of whom, Augustus [Paul], had just returned from Scotland where he and his older brother Nicholas […]
TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018
Many bushes, among them the camellias, have budded forth informing us that spring is definitely here, even if we think otherwise at times. We served a memorial service at the request of a woman living here for the repose of her mother who suddenly died in Russia. Later in the afternoon I visited Vladika Lazar […]
MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018
As soon as I had my spinal decompression, I hurried to the hospital to visit Vladika Lazar who was pleased to see me. I felt sorry for Vladika, as no one had dropped in for even a minute to see him on Sunday, the previous day. Of all the dozens of us in church, not […]
SUNDAY 25 MARCH 2018
Dima Gusev baked a number of loaves of pure rye bread that were used as a fund raising event. They were quickly snapped up because he bakes an exquisite rye bread that cannot be done better by anyone. The talent must run in the family because his father, Yuri, bakes a different type of bread, […]
SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018
This was one of those few days when we had fairly normal weather, while areas closer to Vancouver even had some snow. Thomas drove me to visit Vladika Lazar at the hospital and we found him in good spirits, having been told that his healing was coming along well. The new procedure was not only […]
FRIDAY 23 MARCH 2018
I visited Vladika Lazar who finally has been moved from Emergency to the ward where he should be, although the wait was quite long. The room is semiprivate giving him a beautiful view of nearby nature. The procedure that was intended for him has begun and we pray that it will hasten the healing of […]
THURSDAY 22 MARCH 2018
As a reminder that winter can still play tricks on us, even though we are officially in spring, the mountains around us are covered with a light blanket of snow that should disappear by late tomorrow. I spent much of the day in the hospital with Vladika who again was lying in a corridor, waiting […]