Nikki* vs. The Refrigerator

   “Next up on the containment list is a bicycle lock!” my wife exclaims.

   We came down this morning, wondering about what we were going to see downstairs.

   We’ve tried the Safety First fridge lock, and Nikki just broke the Parent’s Choice/Toys-R-Us brand lock. She is a very determined little 11 year old gal!

   After I installed the last lock, my wife tugged and tugged on the fridge door, and the lock held fast. We both thought, “maybe THIS time…”, but we both had secret doubts!

   At first, we didn’t mind her forays into the fridge while everybody was sound asleep. I thought it was cute when she grabbed a bowl, poured cereal into it — and on the counter … and with some spilling onto the floor. She’d also leave the milk jug on the counter, and she doesn’t bother cleaning up after herself. I even began to think that just maybe, Nikki would start to become more independent. She already dresses herself, so this is a good thing. Right?

Yes, it is a good thing.

So, why a refrigerator lock?

A carton of eggs was cracked open with their insides missing. 

 Some of the egg white and yellow was in the sink. 

Some was on the counter.

Some was in the trash, 

and on the table, 

and on the floor. 

The rest was strangely, and disturbing unaccounted for! 

Where had it all gone?? 

Surely it was not in her stomach! 

Oh God! What more? 

   A morning soon after that one, my wife and daughter were greeted with chocolate syrup chair cushions . Of course, we had returned the carpet cleaner to the grocery store just the day before. 

   This morning, we came down to check on our most recent attempt to lock the fridge during the night. The lock was broken, and on the counter was a 10-count empty box of frozen waffles. The remaining 2 waffles were next to the empty box. A butter knife was in the margarine container, with traces of jelly. I suppose Nikki decided the the jelly squeeze bottle was better left in the fridge. 

   I can't believe she ate frozen waffles!

   Nikki has experimented with Siracha (asian hot sauce) and all other sorts of things she finds in the fridge and the pantry. Hopefully, a bike lock on our side-by-side refrigerator will do the trick this time. I just hope she doesn’t break the door handles trying to get in...

My dear sweet child, please wait till we get up!!

*Nikki is our eleven year old daughter who is autistic and has seizures. She is always smiling, jumping up and down, and moving. She enjoys her little world that MUST be super interesting to her. I'm so glad that she allows us into it!

Morning Prayers - short version

A Prayer Book for Katie

In all places and at all seasons you may sing with the mind. For whether you walk in the market place, or begin a journey, or sit down with your friends you may rouse up your mind or call out silently. So also Moses called out, and God heard him. If you are an artisan, you may sing sitting and working in your shop. If you are a soldier, or if you sit in judgment, you may do the very same. One may also sing without voice, the mind resounding inwardly. For we sing, not to men, but to God, who can hear our hearts and enter into the silences of our minds.

— St. John Chrysostom

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  This is how I started my fourteen year old daughter's prayer book. My hope and fervent desire is that she would develop a strong relationship with our Creator God, one that would sustain her and remain with her for the rest of her life, long after I am gone. 

   For my choice of texts, I chose our Bishop's translation from the Greek, and that which is found in the Holy Protection Monastery's Orthodox Prayer Book.

  Her Morning Prayers should take all of maybe two or three minutes, while her Evening Prayers should take a little longer, maybe eight to ten minutes. Following is the first section, the Morning Prayers.

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 Morning Prayers

Immediately after arising from sleep give thanks to God for giving you another day, and make the sign of the Cross.
Then after washing up, pray in front of the holy icons:

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, present everywhere and filling all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, cleanse us of every stain; and save our souls, O good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us of our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who are in the heavens, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Then the following Trinitarian Hymns:

Having risen from sleep we fall before You, good One, and sing the angelic hymn to You, O powerful One: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God; through the Theotokos* have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having aroused me from bed and sleep, Lord, enlighten my mind, and open my heart and my lips, that I may sing to You, O Holy Trinity: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the Judge will come, and the deeds of each will be exposed; but with fear we cry out in the middle of the night: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.

Prayer of Intercession

Loosen, forgive, remit, O God, all of our transgressions committed willfully and unwillfully; of deed and of word; those done in knowledge and ignorance; those of the night and of the day; those of the mind and of thought; forgive us of them all, for You are good and the Lover of mankind.
Forgive them that hate us and do us wrong, Lord; do good to those who are good to us. Grant all those requests which are unto eternal life and salvation to our brothers and sisters and our relatives. Visit and heal those who are ill. Guide those who travel by sea, in the air or on land. Direct our civil authorities to do good. Forgive the sins of those who serve us and who have mercy on us. Be merciful, according to Your great mercy, on those who have asked us to pray for them. Remember, Lord, those who have fallen asleep before us: our fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters, and grant them rest where the light of Your face surrounds them. Remember, Lord, those who bring gifts and do good works for Your holy churches, and grant them all their requests unto salvation and eternal life. Remember, Lord, us, Your unworthy servants and sinners. Illumine our minds with the light of Your knowledge, and guide us along the way of Your precepts, through the intercessions of Your most pure Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and of all Your saints, for You are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

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*Theotokos: This is the title that Orthodox Christians give to Mary. It is a Greek word that means "Birthgiver of God." We call her that, because Jesus, even in Mary's womb, was truly God who took upon our humanity. Another way to translate the Greek word is "Mother of God." Of course, we don't believe that she was the origin of God, only that God chose her as the vessel through whom He would enter our world as a human.

אשת חייל

  אשת חייל

   Jewish people who faithfully observe the Sabbath sing a certain song to honor the women in their lives. A husband sings it to and for his wife. If there aren’t any women present, Eishes Chayil is sung in praise of women everywhere. If there aren’t any men at the table to sing this wonderful song, the women sing it.

  This song is called “Eishes Chayil” in Hebrew or “Woman of Valor” in English. It is sung every Friday night around the supper table around the world. The song closes the book of Proverbs, and Solomon was the wisest man in the world!

  Bottom line - women deserve to be reminded just how important they really are. To my wife, especially, you are the most important person in my life. And I thank you for everything that you continuously and selflessly do for our family.

  I really wish us Christians had a tradition like this. The women in our lives deserve it!

This link is the prettiest version I have ever heard. Enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBc2SXfZRJg


   Here is a translation:

  Who can find a wife of excellence? Her value far exceeds that of gems. The heart of her husband trusts in her, he lacks no gain. She treats him with goodness, never with evil, all the days of her life. She seeks out wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands. She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is still night, gives food to her household, and sets out the tasks for her maids. She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds her loins with strength, and flexes her arms. She realizes that her enterprise is profitable; her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands on the spindle, and her palms grasp the distaff. She holds out her hand to the poor, and extends her hands to the destitute. She does not fear for her household in the frost, for her entire household is clothed [warmly] in scarlet. She makes her own tapestries; her garments are of fine linen and purple. Her husband is well-known at the gates, as he sits with the elders of the land. She makes linens and sells [them]; she provides the merchants with girdles. Strength and dignity are her garb, she looks smilingly toward the future. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She watches the conduct of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise and acclaim her, her husband --- and he praises her: Many daughters have done worthily, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty is naught; a God-fearing woman is the one to be praised. Give her praise for her accomplishments, and let her deeds laud her at the gates.