We’re thrilled (albeit tired) and grateful to God for such an incredible blessing. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we nurse this little one through the fragile initiations of life. Click the photo below for about 20 photos of lil’ Mara.
8 lbs, 5 oz. 19.5 in. Born on Jan. 31st, 10:35pm.
These are all the shots we can post for now. Mommy and Daddy are tired.
Thank you for your prayers, and thank you Lord Jesus Christ, for a healthy baby.
So acting in line with our new year’s resolution, I thought I’d post a more conversational topic to you, our readers.
It’s not uncommon for someone to tell you to quit listening to main-stream media and to “get the facts.” But where exactly are these “facts” found? I’ve got my opinions, but do you have any news sources you’ve found that you think are truthful and objective? Do you think they exist?
Leave a comment and let us know!
St. George had its Blessing of the Waters service at a lake in Edinburg yesterday. It was really windy, but beautiful. Theophany always has a bit of a childish nature to it for some reason. Getting sprinkled with water never fails to make you smile!
It’s absolutely incredible that another year is already here. We sent our New Year Letter out late last night. If you didn’t get one then either we don’t have your email address or we had an old one. So if you’re achin for a recap of 2007 with the Wilsons, leave us a comment or shoot us an email and we’ll get one out to you right quick!
May God bless this new year for you, and help you take advantage of new beginnings!
Nativity Homily by St. John Chrysostom:
“I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn.
“The Angels sing!
The Archangels blend their voices in harmony!
The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise!
The Seraphim exalt His glory!
“All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.
“Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side the Sun of Justice.
“And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed, he had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things move in obedience to God.
“This day He Who Is, is Born; and He Who Is becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became he God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassibility, remaining unchanged.
“And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him Angels, nor Archangels, nor Thrones, nor Dominations, nor Powers, nor Principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb.
“Yet He has not forsaken His angels, nor left them deprived of His care, nor because of His Incarnation has he departed from the Godhead.
“And behold,
Kings have come, that they might adore the heavenly King of glory;
Soldiers, that they might serve the Leader of the Hosts of Heaven;
Women, that they might adore Him Who was born of a woman so that He might change the pains of child-birth into joy;
Virgins, to the Son of the Virgin, beholding with joy, that He Who is the Giver of milk, Who has decreed that the fountains of the breast pour forth in ready streams, receives from a Virgin Mother the food of infancy;
Infants, that they may adore Him Who became a little child, so that out of the mouth of infants and sucklings, He might perfect praise;
Children, to the Child Who raised up martyrs through the rage of Herod;
Men, to Him Who became man, that He might heal the miseries of His servants;
Shepherds, to the Good Shepherd Who has laid down His life for His sheep;
Priests, to Him Who has become a High Priest according to the order of Melchisedech;
Servants, to Him Who took upon Himself the form of a servant that He might bless our servitude with the reward of freedom;
Fishermen, to Him Who from amongst fishermen chose catchers of men;
Publicans, to Him Who from amongst them named a chosen Evangelist;
Sinful women, to Him Who exposed His feet to the tears of the repentant;
“And that I may embrace them all together, all sinners have come, that they may look upon the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world.
“Since therefore all rejoice, I too desire to rejoice. I too wish to share the choral dance, to celebrate the festival. But I take my part, not plucking the harp, not shaking the Thyrsian staff, not with the music of pipes, nor holding a torch, but holding in my arms the cradle of Christ. For this is all my hope, this my life, this my salvation, this my pipe, my harp. And bearing it I come, and having from its power received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels, sing: Glory to God in the Highest; and with the shepherds: and on earth peace to men of good will.”
Fr. Antonio read this for the homily at this morning’s liturgy. It’s so beautiful, and it does such an excellent job of tying everything in. Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Here’s a recent pregnancy picture to show our baby’s growth progress. And to think, we still have at least six more weeks of growth to go! Ahhhh!
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
We want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. It’s definitely been an exciting year for us, lots of life changes. Thank you for your prayers and encouragements throughout this year.
Our resolution for the new year? Post more frequently!
We had a great time over at Russ and Manda’s last night carving pumpkins (Tess painted the one below), eating chili and pumpkin pie (not together) , and enjoying some nice Octoberfest and Pumpkin ales. The only thing missing was the cold weather…
…until today, that is. Yesterday it was 95 degrees as Tess and I were doing some work outside. I got some nasty mosquito bites and just about ruined my nice pants from sweat. But today, within two hours, the temperature dropped to a WONDERFUL 65 degrees. Thank the Lord! It feels like Fall now.
I was perusing the Midwest Diocese’s site today and ran across a great presentation to be used within the Church for inquirers of Orthodox Christianity. Though it doesn’t go into great detail, it provides an excellent resource and outline to begin with.
It’s available for download (from the source) in three different forms:
