A MOTHER'S PRAYER AND APPLE CIDER

A new book just arrived and is on my desk ready for my review. Ready and waiting, since I just finished throwing ingredients into my crockpot for a batch of apple cider (recipe below) to enjoy with guests for a weekend of anticipated rain.

The spicy aroma is starting to fill my house and will keep me company as I peruse and share about the book, A Mother's Prayer, written and illustrated by Megan E. Gilbert (hardcover, 24 pages, from Ancient Faith Publishing). 

It's small in size (only 7.5 x 4.5 inches) and would make a perfect shower gift for a new mom (or for any mom, as a Christmas, Mother's Day, or birthday gift!)

Each colorful page has a different brief prayer, accompanied by Megan Gilbert's precious and delightful mixed media illustrations. 

Though this is a perfect book for moms, I think children will enjoy having it read by their mothers to them - they'll love the seeing the cozy illustrations of mothers and children, and knowing that these are the prayers their mothers pray for them.

About the author: Megan Elizabeth received a BA. in Fine Arts and Art Education from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, while also getting to study in France and Greece.  She has taught art to people of all ages in Canada, the US, and Europe.  She and her husband and their four children are currently residing at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York.

Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe

Put all ingredients in a crockpot: 

 

8 Cups Water 

4 apples, cored and quartered 

1 pear, cored and quartered 

1 cup sugar 

4 cinnamon sticks 

2 T mulling spices 

1/4 c pomegranate seeds (optional) 

Cook on low for 8 hours, then scoop out and discard the cooked fruit and spices from of the crockpot bowl. Pour remaining liquid through a strainer to remove any leftover bits. Serve warm - with a slice of apple, a stick of cinnamon, or drizzle of Jack Daniel’s (for adults only, of course.)

 

Notes: I like to use any variety of sweet apple (Honeycrisp apples are especially good!) I store any leftover cider in a large Ball jar in the refrigerator, ready to be microwaved a cup at a time! I found mulling spices at a specialty kitchen store, but you can also make your own. Recipe linked here https://inspiredbycharm.com/mulling-spices/.

Sheltering with Angels, Bluebirds, Psalms, Stitching

I've got a SHELTERING-IN-PLACE GIVEAWAY for your kids, 
an Angel by my door,
Bluebirds nesting outside my window,
Psalms on my heart,
and Embroidery kits ready to start! 

Psalm 90:11 (Septuagint)  For He shall command His angels concerning you, To keep you in all your ways... 

We mainly come and go through our side door - seeing St. Michael the Archangel there reminds me to pray for protection for myself and others on the now rare occasion I leave my home.  Psalm 120:8 (Septuagint) The Lord will guard your coming and going.

Mommy bluebird getting her nest all ready. (The father bluebird is beautiful - just haven't been able to get a photo of him yet.)

I've been reading and cooking a lot, but wanted to do something beautiful and creative, so I ordered two small embroidery kits.

Check out my dear friend Krista West's site, Avlea - her Mediterranean Folk Embroidery kits are so lovely! (You may remember the past post I did about Krista - she is a priest's wife and very dedicated and talented ecclesiastical tailor.) 

I'd love to offer a SHELTERING GIVEAWAY for your kids today: A Child's Guide to Prayer

Leave your name and contact info at the end of this post with a comment telling me what is helping you through this time of sheltering-in-place. (And for those of you who may have trouble leaving a comment here, please feel free to send me an email: wendyb[spam]1963@[spam]sbcglobal.net)

Giveaway ends Thursday, April 9 at Midnight PST. 

From Ancient Faith Publishing, illustrated by Tara Pappas 

A Child's Guide to Prayer is a beautifully illustrated prayer book for Orthodox Christian children aged 5-10 who are just developing a habit of prayer. The selection includes morning and evening prayers, prayers during the day, at mealtimes, for family and friends, and prayers of and to the saints - along with Psalms to pray and prayers that have to do with communion and confession. 

All the prayers were carefully selected by priests and youth workers to ensure their age-appropriateness. 

The 120-page guide also includes brief instructions on how to pray, why we pray, and a list of different ways to pray. The book concludes with several blank pages for personal prayer requests.

In the True Spirit of Christmas, Some Spiritual Book Recommendations For Last-Minute Shopping...

Because of my recent travels, I'm way past due getting out these book recommendations, but hey, if you're a last minute shopper in search of some spiritually edifying gifts, this post is for you!

Does this image of parcels, snow, and Mr. Tumnus' furtive glance as he talks with Lucy Pevensie in the movie adaptation of C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, make you think of the angst that often accompanies Christmas shopping?

Thank goodness we're not in a land where it is "always winter but never Christmas". However, in this final countdown towards Christmas, we need to take time to slow down and remember to pray, or we might experience "always December but never Advent".  Christmas Eve will suddenly be here, but we'll be too stressed to even remember what we're celebrating!

And consider, what better time than Christmas to give spiritual books, as presents that can help our loved ones remember His Presence!

Today I'm sharing some nice gift offerings, especially for my Orthodox followers, from Ancient Faith Publishing...I'm always excited to see which review copies from AFP will show up on my front doorstep - they're like new friends who I look forward to meeting. (If you're not familiar with this Orthodox Christian publishing company, go here.)

CHILDREN' BOOKS:

A CHILD'S GUIDE TO THE DIVINE LITURGY

For my Orthodox readers: this little gem is the perfect size to fit in a child's Christmas stocking! Compiled and edited by AFP, this book is beautifully illustrated with mixed media by Megan Gilbert.

A Child's Guide to the Divine Liturgy is just what it's title states: as opposed to an exact "follow-along-with-every-word-in-the-service-booklet", it's a nice little volume that is a perfect "pocket companion" to help guide kids through what the Orthodox Divine Liturgy is all about.  Colorful illustrations showing children in a variety of traditional Orthodox settings (many jurisdictions' traditions, vestments, etc. are represented) are featured on every page - making this book engaging for children from about ages two to ten. Each section of the guide is color coded, so even beginning readers can easily navigate the contents.  The book includes liturgical prayers, explanations and icons of the 12 major Orthodox feast days, a glossary, and more.  A grand guide in a small package! Ordering info and a look inside this book feature here.

FROM GOD TO YOU, The Icon's Journey to Your Heart by John Kosmas Skinas.  

This book is a follow-up to the popular PICTURES OF GOD, which I posted about here.  In his new picture book, Skinas delves into the history and sacred role of icons.  The first page sets the tone of the book beautifully with this quote: "The icon is a place of meeting where you and God can gaze at each other from the two sides of eternity."  The author relates the story of how God sent the first icon ("The Icon Not Made by Hands", also called "The Holy Napkin") and we are introduced to many other icons and traditions that have been handed down throughout our church's history. With scripture references and a "Notice This" feature for every holy image, this book is a wonderful help for children ages 4-10.  Can be ordered here.

BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS/ADULTS:

THE MYSTERY OF ART, Becoming an Artist in the Image of God by Jonathan Jackson.

If you know a young adult Christian artist who is pursuing music, dance, acting, or painting...please consider this book!

Do you know about Jonathan Jackson?  Besides his career in Hollywood and music, he's an Orthodox Christian (short bio here).

My 25-year-old musician son is devouring this book! He commented, "I really needed to read this right now.  It's speaking to a lot of things that I'm currently dealing with spiritually."

I really wanted to give you my own book review of The Mystery of Art, by Jonathan Jackson, but I couldn't pry my review copy from my son's hands long enough to read it myself!  Instead, I'm sharing the book description from Ancient Faith Publishing's website:

Emmy Award-winning actor and musician Jonathan Jackson explores the profound implications of human creativity in the image of God, along with the process of becoming an artist (of any sort) dedicated to practicing his or her art from the context of a deep relationship with God. The true Christian artist is not necessarily one who treats religious themes, but one who creates through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God.
Can be ordered here.

NEARLY ORTHODOX, On Being a Modern Woman in an Ancient Tradition by Angela Doll Carson.

Here's one for the girls (18 and up)!  Not to be missed.

Open this book, and you'll find yourself traveling with Angela along what is for her a new, yet Ancient Road on her journey towards chrismation into the Orthodox Church.

Her style - intentional, yet free flowing, is full of poetic metaphors - she puts you right there with her.  Smack.  In the midst of whatever struggle she is facing, and whatever emotion she is feeling.

In the Introduction she tells us: "The mapmaking of this book, my spiritual geography as it were, depends on those intersections of the past, the present, and the future.  They are intricately woven. They are sometimes congested and confusing."

Not chronologically, Angela's pilgrimage begins "in the middle, the muddy middle" to East from West. The stories she tells intertwine, like her winding journey from Catholicism to Protestantism to Orthodoxy.

We travel with her as she fights "Giants in the Road", and we follow as she leads us "Into the Roar."  She honestly observes and confronts her modern experiences and outlook on life as she sees them in juxtaposition with ancient Eastern Orthodox spirituality.

Along her journey she has passed landmarks that must be confronted: her parents' divorce, her inner punk rocker, and feminism, to name a few.  She begins to encounter and consider the Orthodox Traditions of liturgy, icons, prayer, confession (and some not universally practiced "small t" Orthodox traditions as well), as she travels toward the day of her chrismation, and realizes the road and journey don't stop there.

The appeal of Angela Doll Carlson's book (besides her engaging, poetic writing) is that Angela's intimate and honest questions, struggles, fears, and reflections about herself and her faith make you more aware of your own!

She reminds us that the Ancient Road, "a long lifetime road", though full of struggle, will help lead us to our destination, a true and healthy dependence on God, not ourselves. After all, aren't all of us just "nearly Orthodox", trying to live out our faith?  Ordering info here.

FAMILY DEVOTIONS

THE ANCIENT FAITH PRAYER BOOK, Edited by Archimandrite Vassilios Papavassiliou 

This beautiful green prayer book would make a festive Christmas gift; but order a few extra volumes for wedding, baptism, namesday, and birthday gifts! It's small enough to tuck away in a purse.  And I have to mention, besides a collection of some of the most beautiful ancient prayers of the Orthodox Church, this devotional includes some helpful and compassionate prayers for marriage, family life, pregnancy, childbirth, and miscarriage.  You can order it here.

Last but not least, Ancient Faith Publishing has a beautiful selection of Christmas cards, ornaments, icons, jewelry, and more in their CHRISTMAS STORE!  Go here to see their wonderful offerings. Remember, there are 12 Days of Christmas in which to give gifts...December 26 - Epiphany, January 1.

One for the Mamas

Just in time for Mother's Day - Annalisa Boyd has put together a beautiful collection of devotional thoughts, prayers, and saints' stories, for you Mamas, in her newest book The Ascetic Lives of Mothers. [Update:  I'm giving away THREE copies - leave a comment to enter! Winners announced 4/3/14] 5/3/14 - Giveaway now over.  Winners: Sophia, Chris, and Adriel.  Congratulations!

 Annalisa opens the first chapter with this reflection:

"I heard it said once that motherhood is a type of asceticism.  Like the ascetics, mothers find themselves in a situation that requires their utter devotion, self-denial, daily emotional exercises, facing extreme challenges, and much prayer."

A Quick Note About the Title:
What is asceticism?  The word comes from the Greek word for "training" or "exercising"; but pursuing an "ascetic lifestyle" is not just for monks and nuns!  As Orthodox Christians, the purpose of disciplining our minds and bodies through prayer, reading of Scripture, and fasting is to help us draw closer to God and bring us back into communion with Him.

The fruit of asceticism is something all Mothers strive for, in themselves and their children: the fruit of the Holy Spirit... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. [Galatians 5:22-23]

What You Will Find in this Practical Book:
After a discussion in Chapter I of the Virtues - or "good spiritual habits" - taught by the Church, Annalisa moves on to a frank look at despair in Chapter III, "Tea Time at the Abyss: Prayers in Times of Trouble".  She offers Scripture verses and prayers about everything from anger, anxiety, and difficult pregnancy to envy,  financial strain, and infertility.

I especially appreciated Chapter VII, "Prayers Through the Stages of Motherhood" (it included prayers for Grandmothers),  and Chapter VIII, "Prayers for Godchildren and 'Bonus' Children" (with lots of good tips regarding the responsibilities of Godparents.)  She includes an honest look at Stepmothers and "bonus" children, asking: "Did you ever think of the fact that the Theotokos was a stepmother?"

This prayer book would make a perfect Mother's Day gift for Mothers, Stepmothers, adoptive or foster Mothers, Grandmothers, and Godmothers.  These Mamas would all benefit from the Orthodox treasures found in this wonderful new offering from Ancient Faith Publishing - here.

Annalisa Boyd knows motherhood!  Married for 21 years, she and her husband have 8 children (through birth and adoption) and have fostered 31 (so far.)

Mid-Lent: Finding Comfort in the Cross

This past Sunday - the third Sunday of Lent - Orthodox churches everywhere celebrated the feast day of the "Adoration of the Cross".  And today I happen to be reviewing the book, Every Time I Do My Cross, from The Orthodox Children's Press about the ancient Christian practice of making the sign of the Cross as we pray.

Each year during the service mentioned above, I can't help but notice how the children especially are so reverent, bowing down low in prostration as the Cross is brought in a solemn procession to the center of the church (where it will remain for the entire week), a reminder and encouragement that we have reached the "halfway point" of our journey towards Christ's Resurrection.

Children understand the Cross, with its deep message of power and comforting assurance, and I think they will want this brand new picture book that reflects just that on their bookshelf!

With simple, yet charming text and illustrations, Every Time I Do My Cross, by Pres. Angela Alatzakis, seeks to show children the reasons for making the "sign of the Cross" as they pray.  The author brings us along to watch a little boy using the sign of the Cross during his various daily activities as well as at church.

Every time I do my cross it's for a different reason;

whether to thank God,

or to pray for help

with a big decision.

It doesn't matter the time or day

or even where I am,

when I need to say a prayer, 

doing my cross is where I begin.

Every Time I Do My Cross is available here from The Orthodox Children's Press.  Presvytera Angela (Married to Fr. Thomas Alatzakis) started this publishing company and Every Time I Do My Cross is her first book.  She has been a teacher for many years, and has always loved reading children's books.  She attended Hellenic College, receiving a degree in Human Development; Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, with a Masters of Theological Studies; and The University of Massachusetts, with an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education.

DIG IN...To Lent...With Books!

(photo from Gwinnettmagazine.com)

Lent is a journey toward the Hope and Joy of Christ's Resurrection. It is a chance for us to slow down with our families and to focus and examine the condition of our spiritual life - which like a seedling plant, needs to be cultivated through prayer, fasting, acts of charity, and repentance.

A lovely new book from Jane G. Meyer illustrates this examination and cultivation perfectly: The Hidden Garden, illustrated by Masha Lobastov.
Within every heart is a hidden garden. We can neglect it until the weeds take over and the flowers wither and die. Or, with the help of Christ, we can care for it and make it a place of beauty, grace, and joy. This charming parable will encourage children (and adults) to open the gate to Christ and tend the garden of their heart with loving care. -Product description from Conciliar Press (update 12/13 - now Ancient Faith Publishing).

Don't miss Jane's new picture book - here just in time for Lent!  Through the eyes of an old man we learn how our heart can be like a desert, where we wander all alone with our anger and selfishness, not even willing to open the gate to Someone who knocks.  

How can we find the key that will let Him in to show us "how to turn the desert into a place of color and beauty"?  You'll have to get the book to find out (and I guarantee it's a beautiful place you'll want to step into over and over again!) 

Children will also like the practical tips "To Help Tend Your Garden" at the end of the book - reminders for everyday, but especially as Lent starts.

BE STILL...

This is a photo of my dad, Fr. Peter Gillquist (of blessed memory),
as a little boy - taken in the 1940's for a church bulletin.

The gift of Lent is that it is a time of preparation - to draw closer to God and to acknowledge that He is the reason that we exist.  We need to seize this opportunity with our children to grow spiritually, so that it doesn't become just a "what-food-are-you-giving-up-for-Lent?" experience.

Books About Prayer for Kids...

Prayer For A Child
by Rachel Field

The Monk Who Grew Prayer
by Claire Brandenburg

Anytime, Anywhere: A Little Boy's Prayer
by Marcus Hummon

Give Me Grace... A Child's Daybook of Prayers,
by Cynthia Rylant

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book,
by Annalisa Boyd

Hear Me: A Prayerbook for Orthodox Teens

    

More Lenten Reading:

FOR KIDS & TEENS:

The Tale of Three Trees, by Angela Elwell Hunt

The Book of Jonah, by Niko Chocheli

The Life of St. Brigid, by Jane Meyer

Saint Patrick, Enlightener of the Irish, by Zachary Lynch

The Blackbird's Nest, St. Kevin of Ireland, by Jenny Schroedel

Song of the Swallows, by Leo Politi

Saints: Lives and Illuminations by Ruth Sanderson

Letters to St. Lydia, YA Novel by Melinda Johnson

FOR PARENTS/ADULTS:

Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann

The Lenten Spring by Thomas Hopko

The lenten spring shines forth,

the flower of repentance!

Let us cleanse ourselves from all evil,

crying out to the Giver of Light:

Glory to You, O Lover of man!

-from Cheesefare Wednesday Vespers