"Smiling so much"

A great weekend... Friday off... slept in, the whole bit. Finally some rest and relaxation with Krista after she finished her exams and before her clinicals start this week (today!). We were out every night last week [well... actually several of those nights Krista was at home studying while I was out doing various things], so it was great to just be at home and relax. After being awoken by reps. of the Watchtower Society on Saturday, we had a leisurely Saturday morning... then later I picked up Nelofer Pazira's new book A Bed of Red Flowers that Karen set aside for me at Greenwoods, as I'll be interviewing her for Beyond magazine. Krista's sister Annika stayed over at our place (just for fun) on Saturday night and we watched the movie Bewitched, which we quite enjoyed. Then we woke up an hour early 'cuz we'd forgotten about the "Fall-back" to standard time. So an extra hour to chill out on a Sunday. Nice to have the time. Made butter chicken for the big shin-dig at Fr. Phillip and Barbara's (a.k.a. "Mom and Dad" - still working on that one) last night. Over thirty 'young adults' from St. Herman's came, and it was great. Good talks with Alexei and several others I'm just getting to know, or getting to know better. We feasted and sang and prayed and played Kaisar (like Rook but with normal cards). Krista's godmother Hazel was even in town and surprised us with a beautiful ceramic pitcher and plate. A good time was had by all. And when we left at 10:30, there was still a house full.

Digression

A couple of years ago now, I was visiting with Fr. Vasili Kolega, who usually serves the parishes out in the countryside around Edmonton, but occasionally (to our delight) appears at St. Herman's. Fr. Vasili was mentioning to me that he had seen a documentary on TV that was discussing the old conspiracy theory that the moon landing was a hoax, filmed on a Hollywood soundstage. He couldn't believe that people would even be slightly suspicious! Fr. Vasili said to me, in his sweet Ukrainian accent, "I couldn't believe it, I was smiling so much." Ever since then, this has become a sort of in-house code for something that makes us laugh. Krista and I say it sometimes just for fun. Another really beautiful thing that Fr. Vasili says, when we come to him for Communion, is, after the normal prayer, "God bless you, thank you so much!" He thanks us! It's really humbling and hospitable and generous. Once you meet him, it is hard not to think of Fr. Vasili without a great deal of warmth and affection.

Anyway, there are times in Orthodox services when I cannot help but smile. For instance, last week our Church served the Akathist Hymn To Our Sweetest Lord Jesus. And there is this line in it that almost cracked me up right there in Church. "We behold the most eloquent orators silent as fish before You, O Jesus our Saviour, for they are at a loss to explain how You are both perfect man and immutable God." I thought, well, yes, fish are silent. But I'd never really thought of them as sort of models of silence, as in, like, hesychia. Beautiful.

Digression #2

Krista and I were thinking about getting those orange-and-black Halloween candies (the kind no kid likes) as a sort of gag treat... and then, just when the kid looks all forlorn for being so treated, we'll give them something good.... haven't decided yet. Ah!

Peace for now.

Prayer

A few weeks back when I was at the women's retreat, Matthew gave me 2 cards....One to open that Saturday morning and one to open that Sunday morning (he is so great and romantic :). I just had to share that, because in the Sunday morning card...he had put this following poem/prayer. How beautiful it is and how much more I can come to understand, through this poem, the type of romantic love that exists for my Lord and Saviour :)

As well, I can say......AMEN! So with that here it is.......

Stories are long, too long; the moral is short - one word.
You are that word, O Word of God. You are the moral of all stories.
What the stars write across the heaven, the grass whispers on earth.
What the water gurgles in the sea, fire rumbles beneath the sea.
What an angel says with his eyes, the imam shouts from his minaret.
What the past has said and fled, the present is saying and fleeing.
There is one essence for all things; there is one moral for all stories.
Things are tales of heaven. You are the meaning of all tales.
Stories are your length and breadth. You are the brevity of all stories.
You are a nugget of gold in a knoll of stone.
When I say your name, I have said everything and more than everything;
Oh my love, have mercy on me! Oh my Might and Truth, have mercy on me!

Poem 13, "Prayers by the Lake," Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich

Yeah, I guess I sorta like N.T. Wright...

Right now... over in Manchester, at the College where I lived and studied, one of my favourites New Testament scholars, The Rt. Rev. "Tom" Wright, is giving the annual Didbury Lectures. For those of you who don't know who this guy is that I've got a link to, he is more than just an ivory tower academic. He is a truly pastoral Bishop (for the Church of England's Diocese of Durham), and a serious public intellectual on a whole host of issues. He also likes the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day, which just fits in with his overall excellence. I was going to say "awesomeness," but that would be taking it too far.

Nevertheless, Wright's whole theological approach is one that I value a great deal as it offers this sort of breathtaking vista of God's whole, unfolding economy with Creation. It is this precisely this cosmic perspective that seems so true to me. While I don't agree with every word Wright says, I agree profoundly that God is not just involved in an individualistic or disconnected way with you and/or me, but is rather intimately involved not only with all of us, but with the whole of His creation as well. In that way, it reminds me some other things I've heard about a Christian approach to ecology from Patriarch Bartholomew and what I look forward to reading in Dr. Wee Chong Tan's book. And all of that directly relates to both the Creation and Incarnation, and, in some mysterious way that I have not yet nor perhaps will ever understand - the Resurrection. For St. John Chrysostom says in his Paschal sermon that the whole universe has been founded upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ! I may have to attempt Torrance's Space, Time, and Incarnation and Space, Time, and Resurrection to begin that journey. Others, with more of a physics background, would no doubt be better prepared!

For those of you who know my appreciation for Bishop Wright's scholarship - my painstakingly transcribing 100s of hours of his taped lectures and my treasuring of the letter he once wrote to me (c'mon don't we all do that!?) - you get the idea. Clark Pinnock delivered the Most Moved Mover as his Didsbury lectures when I was over there, and they were excellent, but I'd love to have experienced Wright doing the Didsbury Lectures and just being around the College. (Okay, feel free to accuse me of extreme theological nerdiness or idolatry now).

I am just imagining all the excitement that must be going on right now around the College, and it brings back a lot of good memories. One good thing is that these lectures are always published, so I'll look forward to getting the book. Wright's topic is "Life After Life After Death," which sounds intriguing, but I want to hear more. His last major book, The Resurrection of the Son of God was an epic treatment of the whole Biblical understanding of life, death, heaven, hell, and - of course - resurrection. So I sit here on my lunch hour in the Old St. Stephen's building in Edmonton (it's now Government Offices), where I work (and where G.B. Caird, Wright's mentor began his career), and pray for more servants of God like N.T. Wright to come along. Any Manchester folks... let me know how it's going... I'd love to get the full story.

To be or not to be!?!?! :)

Matthew was telling me about this thing on the internet that you can translate sentences into, in this case Japanese, and then translate them back to English and the wording is significally transformed. A friend of ours, Tamara, introduced it......it's neat, so I thought I'd try it....

Sentence I chose: "To be or not to be, that is the question"

Translated to and from and ended up as........

Because of a certain or because it is not, it is question

It's fun......nice study break....I have a final in about 3 hours....yikes!!!....well back to it :)

Joy Will Find a Way: Ecclesiastes & Irish Setter Breath

Last night Krista and I started reading Ecclesiastes. This is one of my favourite books, mainly because its tone is so different from a lot of other Biblical writers. And perhaps because my Mum would sometimes mix in it with Proverbs around the breakfast table when we were kids. Qoholeth, “the Preacher,” writes in a sort of sardonic way that can sometimes be a sort of tonic for the soul. And one particular passage made us laugh because it reminded Krista of a story I’d told her about Red, the Browers’ much beloved Irish Setter:

“I said in my heart with regard to human beings that God is testing them to show that they are but animals. For the fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and humans have no advantage over the animals; for all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 3.18-19)

A little background. When I was studying in Manchester, Dr. and Mrs. Brower would often invite me to house-sit for them when they went away, primarily to take care of Red. By this time Red was entering the twilight of his earthly life. He was pretty frail, had trouble getting up and down, and I used to have to soften his crunchy food with hot water because he also was having some dental problems. But he did like to get out in the fresh air, and I loved to take him for his walks in the morning and at night in Fog Lane Park. Jamie and Julie Ann have some nice pictures of Fog Lane Park posted under "Autumn" over here.

And Red was nothing if not affectionate. Whenever, for instance, I’d settle in with the Guardian on the couch, listening to Dr. Brower’s old Gordon Lightfoot LPs (Summertime Dream was the soundtrack of my Summer 2001), Red would want to come over and visit, and share his very unique breath with me. So on this one, I’d have to say that Qoholeth was wrong. We do not all share “the same breath.” Red’s was special. I don’t even think it would be in the same category with other Irish Setter’s or animal or human. While Red himself was a blessing, his breath was downright ‘demonic.’ May he rest in peace. (I should mention the Irish Setter above isn't Red, but rather a model representing the Platonic Ideal of Irish Setter-ness).

And then another passage struck me:

“This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us; for this is our lot. Likewise all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them, and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil--this is the gift of God. For they will scarcely brood over the days of their lives, because God keeps them occupied with the joy of their hearts.” (Ecclesiastes 5.18-20)

The notes in my Oxford Annotated NRSV Bible (3rd Edition) mentioned something about joy being “the antidote to our obsessions.” I wholeheartedly believe this. It is often said that joy is not mere happiness, but something more akin to a capacity for thankfulness that somehow transcends circumstance. This also is true, if not easy. Things I've read about Fr. Alexander Schmemann always remember him being permeated with a sort of eternal and unshakeable joy. But that is totally different from a banal "happy-go-lucky" quality. Qoholeth here puts joy in the context of being able to enjoy whatever material goods we our entrusted with. We may have them, we may not. Poverty is only glorified or romanticized by those who have not really experienced it. And wealth is not ideal in and of itself, either. Whatever our circumstance, many if not most of us do the opposite and search out various things to brood about. Or we are just sort of swamped and overwhelmed by the immensity of suffering. Qoholeth took that route for a while, too, and then changed his mind. According to Ecclesiastes none of that really matters anyway… the point is that we cultivate some sort of way of being present to life - with all its dismaying complexity - that allows us to discover joy. And the best way I know how to do this is to be thankful. I have a lot to be thankful for. In Greek, the word is eucharisteo - “I give thanks.”

So for starters: Thanks Qoholeth, and thanks Red!

Dinner in Edmonton: Late Supper at the Flamingo

I've always dreamed of being a restaurant critic, or at least like reading restaurant reviews, so here goes nothing:

So last night after the service Krista and I went with her Mum and Dad and Fr. Dennis to the Flamingo for pizza. This is a sort of 'family restaurant' in the plaza across from Meadowlark Shopping Centre in West Edmonton. It was pretty good, but that's as far as I'd go. Spicy Italian sausage with a slight hint of anise. The Greek salad was sub-par, though. Too oily and there were only tiny shards of feta. I wouldn't suggest that if you try out the Flamingo. Fr. Phillip's souvlaki looked awesome. It was especially enjoyable to have Fr. Dennis come out because him and Krista's Mum and Dad have known each other forever (he's even distantly related to Krista's Mum somehow)... so it's a nice family atmosphere, and he always has a good story to tell. If you are looking for restaurants in Edmonton, I would recommend:

1) Churros King - Fantastic Chilean food. We went here with Derek and Sandra last Christmastime. Excellent fish and sandwiches... and of course the best Churros in the world for dessert, sometimes full of sweet dulce de leche.
2) Happy Garden Chinese - right around the corner from our house. Cheap, delicious, not greasy, and brilliant service. $1.75 for excellent won ton soup. This is where we go when we're not up for cooking after work/school.
3) Dadeos - great Cajun diner on Whyte Ave.
4) Flavours Bistro - Also on Whyte, a bit high end but worth every penny... Krista and I went here for a celebratory supper when I got the job I have now. Absolutely amazing food.
5) Gino's (great authentic Italian).
6) Oh yeah, the best Hot Chocolate I've ever had is at the Pomegranate Cafe attached to the Tree Stone Bakery on 99th Street. I used to work there. It is incredible. French or Belgian.

Okay, I won't quit my day job any time soon, but if you live here or are coming, these are the places to go.

Mucho gusto!

Creation Calls in Saints Known and Unknown

O Lord, how lovely it is to be Your guest.
Breeze full of scents--mountains reaching to the skies -
waters like a boundless mirror,
reflecting the sun's golden rays and the scudding clouds.
All nature murmurs mysteriously,
breathing depths of Your tenderness.
Birds and beasts of the forest bear the imprint of Your love.
Blessed are you, mother earth, in your fleeting loveliness,
which wakens our yearning for happiness that will last forever in the land where, amid beauty that grows not old, rings out the cry: Alleluia!

Ode 2, from "Glory to God for All Things," a liturgical poem found, in 'samizdat' underground printed copy, among the papers of a prisoner who died in Soviet Russia. His name was Gregory Petrov but the whole poem is now known to be the work of a Bishop Trypon.

No Direction Home

The new Scorsese film about Bob Dylan is a powerful testimony to Bob Dylan's gifts as a poet and performer. Our friend Anna Altmann shared with us her copy of No Direction Home, and we've just watched Part One. Old footage from Newport and the clubs in Greenwich Village are juxtaposed with Dylan now. Is it fathomable that Bob Dylan wrote "Blowin' in the Wind" when he was 21 years old? That song, as one o the interviewees says, could have been written yesterday or two hundred years ago. It is timeless.

Why is it that so many of my closest friends are songwriters? When I was watching the film I was thinking of Ryan Wugalter (because in some shots he somewhat resembles the young Bobby) and Krista (thankfully no resemblance). But also Mike and John, Amy, and Alex. This is part of who they are... digging down deep or just hearing it from somewhere that is near their spine or aorta or cerebellum. Or soul.

I'd listened to Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits since I was thirteen or fourteen, but I remember the first Dylan song that really got to me was "When He Returns" off Slow Tain Coming. Matt Friesen gave me a taped copy of his parents' record the summer I was seventeen. The first chords of Gospel piano just slayed me....

The iron hand it ain't no match for the iron rod,
The strongest wall will crumble and fall to a mighty God.
For all those who have eyes and all those who have ears.
It is only He who can reduce me to tears.

Later Emmylou's version of "Every Grain of Sand" did the same.

But of course that was written 1979, when Dylan was quite close with Keith Green. This part of No Direction Home focused on the early years... when he was learning the folk idiom and chanelling Woody and playing with Pete Seeger and Joan Baez. "Well my name it is nothing, my age it is less..." Such purity of vision and soul. Liam Clancy said Dylan was "possessed..." and Ginsberg says it was the American collective unconscious that possessed him, if you believe in that sort of thing. In the interview Dylan almost always has a mercurial laugh just below the surface, as if he's not quite sure about all that. He says he just had to say something, and so he had to write the songs so he could play them, say them.

What are your thoughts on Dylan? Love him? Does he grate on you? What are your top 3 Dylan songs and why?

Still Today

The Sky is flying
while the sun is smiling
into my eyes
I think of the twilight
I saw last night
and I remember
that as the moon marks the seasons
and the sun sets
our eyes met
as if
it were
Still Today

~ Krista F.
(Written April, 2002)

Tell me what you want, what you really, really want!

I honestly don't know where that title came from... dat da da. Looking for more weddings pictures? You can find some by clicking right here.

Wild Dry Flowers

Look at them,
still in time
they'll never breathe again.

They look so beautiful!
They are trapped in time,
looking back
to the day they were picked.

So unimaginable
that one person
can have so much power,
power that is scary
to the wild dry flowers

~ Krista
Wrote this back when I was 16 yrs, don't have the exact date :)

Archives

Hey Everyone,

If you're new to our blog, don't forget to check out our archives....that is where we have some photos from our wedding, etc.... We may eventually put it all on one page, but for now just wanted to let you know that you have to go to the archive section to bring up some of our past entries. Thanks and hope you enjoy!...ciao!

Poem

I wrote this last october, 2 days after Matthew and I got engaged....:)

Sitting in a stairwell
making pankakes in the sand.
Pretty Princess flowers
trying to understand
what they stood for, if anything.
Life is but a kiss goodbye
and until that comes
find an alibi
so that nothing goes unnoticed
no rock goes unturned.
Love of fortune
hate surprise
Love of disguise
Love Surprise!
Don't need to know what the new dawn brings
cause this dawn already brought the new king,
Our Lord Jesus Christ
In HIM can we trust!
He is past, present, future
and moving
and still
still here
always Is and ever shall Be
Amen!
Goodnight....

~ Krista