images from Pascha

through the prayers of the Theotokas

Odyssey of the Mind

Luke's team of seven students from the Langley Fine Arts School recently won gold medals at the Odyssey of the Mind B.C. Provincial Championships. Their win provides them with the opportunity to travel to Ames, Iowa for the World Finals Competition from May 24th – May 28th. Teams from more than twenty nations attend this phenomenal event which embodies the spirit of international creativity.

The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students creative problem-solving methods while having fun in the process. Students learn how to think divergently by identifying the real challenge in problems without limiting the possible solutions and their potential success. They learn to work together and develop team-building skills while finding solutions to open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of interests. This creative problem-solving process rewards inventive thinking so often seen in gifted children.

Luke's team is made up of seven boys between the ages of eight and eleven. This is their first time working together and their first time entering the Odyssey of the Mind competition. These students will represent Langley, British Columbia and Canada at this world event and they deserve the chance to interact with other bright minds to compete in the area in which they excel.

For more information about the World Finals, visit the website at http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/wf2006/default.php

If anyone has any good ideas for fundraising lots of money in a short period of time let me know. They will be leaving on May 24th.

preparations

Great and Holy Thursday

“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” - Luke 22:19-20


Luke 22:1-39
Jeremiah 11:18-12:5,9-11,14-15
Exodus 19:10-19
Job 38:1-23; 42:1-5
Isaiah 50:4-11

nothin' but dirt

Today we "Thomasized" the backyard. What is that you say? We rented a rototiller and Thomas was one with the machine. We dug up the back yard and we will plant more lawn seed; we sectioned off a piece of garden strictly for Calla Lillies; Hostas and Lavendar. Beauty for they eye and the nose.

We moved the Gunnera - we created a bed for my veggies... maybe Bright Monday I will get to plant....

We are exhausted. We are old. It was a good day for us cerebral types to use our bodies.

kairos vs chronos

Kairos - is an ancient greek word meaning the "right or opportune moment".

Before the Divine Liturgy begins , the Deacon exclaims to the priest "It is time (kairos) for the Lord to act, indicating that we are about to crash into the Kingdom.

I have often marvelled at the two ways to mark time. In my normal day to day life - I live in the world marked by chronological time. Monday, I do this. Tuesday we do that. We go through our days following a schedule - life often becomes hectic and we seem pressed for time.

Holy Week is entirely different. I take Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, Holy Saturday and Bright Monday as holidays. We no longer mark time by the world and our external obligations. We mark time liturgically. The first time we did this was when we travelled to the Island to spend Holy Week and Pascha with our good friends Andrew and Susan and their children Rachel and Ben. They were received into the Orthodox Church about three years ago. This was a life altering trip for Thomas and myself. We could focus on the liturgical services and prepare to go to church. We were not rushed and scattered. It sets the time apart as Holy. We remove Hannah and Luke from school on Holy Friday and we try to eliminate all other obligations as much as we can. It was easier when we were away from home; but that is what we strive for.

See you at Church!

The Raising of Lazarus

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, 0 Christ God! Like the children with the branches of victory, we cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! (Troparion).

prayer request

Please pray for our Hannah. She has the FLUE. And she has it bad. I think it is the first time she has experienced the brutality of the virus as a conscious adolescent. She finally conceded she will not be going to school tomorrow. I am hoping that no other Wildeman falls victim to the VIRUS.

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I thought church was wonderful today. I was so delighted to meet Thomas and Elizabeth Chattaway. I hung out with Owen L. The fellowship room looks wonderful in yellow. I got to visit with people. I am excited about the rock climbing club. I am so looking forward to Holy Week and Pascha. I can feel the tension in the air. We are making plans.

the spine

I did some gardening on the weekend.
Can you say back spasm? Pray for me.
Pretty much self-inflicted. I went for accupuncture today.
It helped. I just can't stay in one place for any length of time.

Crazy.