People of the Gergesenes

Today's Gospel reading is from St Matthew, the story of Jesus visiting the country of the Gergesenes, where he healed two demon-possessed men. (St. Matthew 8:28-34, 9:1) You probably know the story... the demons cry out to Jesus, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?"

And then, a short while later, they plead with Jesus, asking Him to permit them to go into a herd of swine, which He does and they do and the swine perish in the sea. A miracle occurs, the men are healed and peace restored to the country road in the land of the Gergesenes.

It's a story I've known since childhood and yet, never focused on the whole story as told today in Fr. Stephen's homily. The unusual aspect of this story is the fact that, although Jesus has restored peace and healed two men of demons, the people of the city come out to meet Jesus and ask Him to leave. "And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region"

Why would they ask Him to leave?! Most people who witnessed Jesus' miracles want to be near Him, to ask questions of Him, to be healed by Him..Are they frightened? or, unwilling to embrace the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven, which, by nature, requires something of us?

Fr. Stephen said, (paraphrase) 'When Christ comes into our life and offers change that will bring us spiritual health, very often, we don't want that responsibility; we're too content in our misery.' It's easy to complain and then take comfort in the sympathy of another.....over and over and over again. Much more difficult to accept responsibility for our own behaviors and then work to change them-- to follow the narrow way, the blessed high road. Thanks Fr. Stephen, I needed to hear this today!

Interview with Jenny

Izzy

As some of you dear readers already know, my little niece, now 3 years old, is battling cancer. Thank you for those who pray for Izabella, aka, "Izzy" and I ask for your continued prayers. She is doing well; our family has seen the hand of God working in her life as well as those around her. It's amazing really, that some of life's greatest trials also hold a key to spiritual growth, peace and the endless depths of loving human hearts.

The McManaway Family

Jenny

My sister and Izzy's mother, Jenny, has been a testimony of God's grace as I've seen her strengthened through storms, calm through heartache and unwavering in the face of despair...I think her faith in God is stronger now than it was just 6 months ago before the diagnosis.

In an effort to share her inspiring words and to honor her quest to educate more people about this rare type of cancer that affects mostly children, I share this interview with you:

1. What type of cancer does Izzy have and when was she diagnosed?

Rhabdomyosarcoma; diagnosed in November 2009.

2. What led you to take her in to the doctor initially? Was she feeling bad in any way such as...fever, nasua, etc?

We noticed a hard egg-sized lump on her lower left leg while Corey, my husband, was wrestling around with her. She complained of absolutely nothing ~ no fever, no pain, no nausea....nothing.

3. Can you describe your and your husband’s reaction when you learned the diagnosis - how did you immediately respond?

We were absolutely shocked and terribly devastated to learn that she had a very fast-growing malignant tumor that was very rare. I immediately fell to the ground crying and asking the Lord to please heal her. We knew from the beginning that she could possibly die from this, but we also knew that it could be treated with chemo and radiation if we had caught it early enough.

4. Where is she being treated and can you give us an idea of her daily/weekly routine?

She is being treated at Ruby Memorial Childrens Hospital once a week with chemo (Vincristine, Dactinomycin, and Cyclophosphamide with Mesna) and she also had radiation treatments everyday for 5 1/2 weeks in February and March at Randolph Cancer Center in Morgantown, WV.

5. How has Izzy handled all this? How does she cope with all the doctors, radiologists, nurse, etc..?

Izzy is a trooper and is amazingly tolerant of treatments, Doctors, medicine, etc. She was the first 2 yr old at this cancer center to ever receive radiation without sedation. She has formed special bonds with the radiation team workers, infusion nurses, and her oncologists. She has also formed many friendships with other children diagnosed with cancer.

6. I know you’ve told me time and again that you have felt God’s presence with you, sustaining you. Can you elaborate on this? In what ways has God manifested His love and mercy to you and your family?

The Lord has shown us his presence in many ways ~ we were blessed to have such good doctors who sing to Izzy and actually bring her gifts while not on the clock to make her feel as special as possible.

The whole community has taken time to pray for a baby they don't even know ~ That's God! We knew this cancer was fast spreading and very rare ~ after many exams ~ the tumor had no spreading whatsoever ~ POWER OF PRAYER. After being told that Izzy had cancer, we had several employees to secretly ask us if they could put her on a prayer chain.

While sitting in the waiting room alone, there was a man beside me that asked why I was there. After telling him the story, he asked if he and his wife could have prayer right then. Afterwards, he informed me that he was a pastor at a church in Beckley and he was going to add Izzy to the prayer list at his church. It's easy to cry and feel sorry for yourself, but my God has given us tremendous strength and faith to never ask why this disease was put upon my child. He has told us that Izabella is safe in his hands and that we must follow his path.

7. Have any charitable organizations helped Izzy and your family and, in what way?

The Fayetteville Junior Woman's Club, New River Woman's Club, The Shag Club, several gracious churches, individuals and Timmy's Fund which gives a gift package which includes money, gift cards, etc. to every pediatric cancer patient every time they receive chemo at Ruby Memorial.

8. What words of advice do you have for parents whose child has just been diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma?

I would plainly tell them that "rhabdo" is curable and children are very resilient. But don't be afraid of it or let it get the best of you ~ fight it with God on your side.

******************************************************

Just to add a few updated tidbits:

If you are so inclined, we welcome you to join Izzy's Facebook page where you can read her story, leave a message and receive updates.

Thanks to Calabria Salon, a hat-drive for Izzy is underway for the month of May! This event was recently covered by our local news station, WOAY in West Virginia. This was such a beautiful gesture on the part of many kind-hearted individuals. As Izzy now faces losing her hair from the chemo, it sure brings a smile to her face to see the new hats and play wigs she can try on =-)

Snapshot ~ May morning

I am reading: J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion

I am listening to: Howard Shore’s “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” soundtrack

I’ve been watching: a male cardinal bring food to his mate sitting on her nest

I am thankful for: good friends, my work and WV sunrises...

I am smelling: Fred Soll’s Piñon incense

I am praying for: my niece to be healed of cancer and God’s grace to be evident in me

I have discovered: that simple acts of humility* can remove the sting of conflict

I am thinking: that I really should make an effort to hike and catch a sunrise more than once a year...

Some favorite things: listening to our son tell his grandpa about his homerun, watching our daughter swing beneath the pine tree and smelling the home cooked meal my husband made

* I take quite literally Jesus' example of washing his disciples feet and practice this in my home on occasion for my children and husband. As an act of service and humility, it really brings home for me the wise words of St. Anthony:

"I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said groaning,

"What can get through from such snares?" Then I heard a voice saying to me,

"Humility" ."

Last, but certainly not least...Congratulations to John of PA for being the winner of my first book giveaway! I hope it will be the first of many such drawings. Thanks to all of you who responded.

Book Giveaway

Becoming Orthodox: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith by Peter Gillquist, revised edition published by Conciliar Press 1992. Soft-cover, 187 pages.

This was one of the first books I read upon my introduction to the Orthodox Church; it’s a great place to start, especially for those like me who have a Protestant mind-set. I could easily relate to Fr. Gillquist’s journey from his time with Campus Crusade for Christ through his many questions and stumbling blocks in searching for the church of the apostles.

On this quest with his fellow christian friends to discover the New Testament Church, he discovers Orthodoxy and works through issues such as Tradition, the nature of worship, venerating the Virgin Mary, and general history of the church.

This book is an easy read and would be suitable for anyone curious about Orthodoxy or on the journey to the ancient faith.

Just leave a comment here or email me @ heartjoys2002 (at) yahoo (dot) com if you’d like to be entered in the drawing set for Monday, May 3. (Limited to US participants)

Mocha Smile

Walking into the store that day,

A weary mom found solace in a lonely

Grocery aisle...

Blessed peace of

A quiet space

Did much to ease a throbbing mind.

Funny the things you find

When heartache

Renders emotions raw...

Lifted beyond the great

Clouds of grey,

A stranger beheld

My face

And paused in kindness

Speaking seas of understanding

With the embrace

Of friendly eyes, a benevolent smile

And gentle nod.

I wonder what bewilderment

He saw that day...

Hoping his memory

Holds a glimmer

Of a thankful woman

With mocha smile.

©2010 ALT

This is part of a creative writing challenge from Magpie Tales

Byzantium: The Lost Empire

I’ve just watched the 2 part series, courtesy of Netflix, of John Romer’s fascinating program produced by The Learning Channel (1997). This is the type of documentary I enjoy most, feeling as if I’m not just a passive observer, but intensely engaged in the commentary and scenes opening up before me. And, in the case of Romer, it’s like following a friend along the ancient streets of Constantinople, over 15 centuries ago. A gentle speaking friend who knows the place well and is anxious to share it with you in that most pleasing British accent.

This was the perfect introduction to the ancient empire of Byzantium, which was the center of Christendom on earth for over 1,000 years. I’ve had a keen interest in Byzantium since converting to Orthodoxy... the icons, architecture, the court, including such notable figures as St. Justinian and his beloved wife, St. Theodora. Mr. Romer is so gifted in this work, displaying not only his thorough historical research, but presenting it with such care, ...even poetic at times. His love of ancient peoples and this era of Christendom in particular is obvious throughout the film.

I was amazed to know that the great Hagia Sofia, the famous cathedral of the ancient Byzantines, is still standing. Originally built in the 4th century, after the Turks conquered Byzantium in 1453, it became a mosque and then a museum. The entire history is fascinating; thankfully we still have relics, icons, sculpture and other artifacts to provide a glimpse, a window back into this glorious era.

The music in the documentary is a nice touch, too as we travel from busy, modern day Istanbul (ancient Constantinople) back to the days of Emperors worshipping in some of the most splendid cathedrals our world has ever known.

Five Stars.

This is what I love about West Virginians...

As many of you probably know, there's a lot of heartache here, right now, in southern WV due to the mine explosion that took 25 lives. The rescue operation is currently ongoing in hopes of finding the 4 remaining miners alive.

In the midst of such pain, the notorious Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas has scheduled a protest at our state capital as well as near the mine site. In case you're unaware, this is the group that protests at US soldiers' funerals, believing that God is punishing the USA because of homosexuality. Here's a shot from their latest hate filled protest:

I was happily surprised... although, not completely, because I know my fellow West Virginians to be some of the most hospitable and compassionate people on the planet, when I read this:

"Charleston Flashmobbers Prepare to outdo Westboro Baptist Church"

In a hastily put-together 'anti-hate' display, hundreds of people were organized at the sites of the Westboro groups in order to counter them, to respond to their hate-filled tactics with love, with celebration and dancing. Yes, dancing.

You've got to see the video:

Charleston Flashmobbers

And, in other areas of our capital city, the anti-hate groups, out-chanted, out-maneuvered, and in essence, shut-out the voices and displays of Westboro Baptist Church.

Sweet.

Cat and Mouse

Mr. O'Malley

I am blessed to live at the edge of the forest, I really am. Except for sometimes. Ninety-eight percent of the time I love seeing the wild critters just outside my door ...fox, squirrels, deer, opossum, rabbits, turkey, chipmunks, coyote, raccoons...lots of songbirds and an occasional bird of prey, too. I take a lot of joy in our entertaining neck-o-the-woods.

Two percent of the time, however, like today... well, I am forced to face my nemesis: Fear.

It’s just this: outside of my door, the critters are cute, inside my door, they somehow become my enemy and greatest concern. I’m not sure why this is...why I lose all rational thought and can hardly function. You’d think after living here for 8 years, I’d be over it. I’m not.

This morning it seems Mr. O’Malley caught a mouse in our basement and brought it upstairs for sport. We were in our normal hustle and bustle heading out the door for the ride to school and so, I didn’t take notice of the cat’s antics ~ even though wee one said “Mr. O’Malley is pawing at the carpet in a funny way”

I arrived back home to find the cat & dog sitting together in the den, making curious faces at the basket near the bottom step. Upon closer investigation I spot the mouse, trapped - or hiding- behind the basket. I feel the blood drain from my face...

From 7:30 am until 12:30 pm the mouse remained in the same spot. The cat had lost interest and I was trying to figure out how to remove it. Silly, I know. I have no strength in this area...this is a “hubby job” only he’s not going to be home for 6 more hours and I have work to do. And I can’t get my work done until this critter is OUT.

I pray: “Lord, help me not to be such a weak vessel... please give me the strength to move this dead mouse outside”. I am such a coward.

I find the broom and a large box to scoop him into and ...what do you know.... when I move the basket to get at him, he AWAKES. He gathers himself and ambles behind my little bookcase. I freak, calling Mr. O’Malley to PLEASE come and finish the job! “Lord, have mercy!” I cannot believe I am paralyzed by a mouse.

I grab a flashlight and shine it into the dark crevasse behind the bookcase. There he is, sitting in a pile of dog hair and dust, seemingly resigned to his fate. Curiously, my thoughts went to St. Ciaran and his affinity with animals.. a prayer went up and then a strange thing happened -

As I maneuvered the little bookcase out of the way, the mouse didn’t move. He sat there .. so small. He could easily fit into my cupped hand. His ears were laying against his head, little eyes staring forward, feet tucked up under his body. My heart & mind transformed... I had not fear and anxiety, but pity.

I put the dog & cat out of the room, grabbed my box, bent down and said - out loud- to the mouse, “If you’ll just help me and go into this box, I’ll take you outside; I’m sure you’ll be much happier out there.”

He went.

Calmly, I carried him outside to the St. Francis garden at the far end of the yard. I knelt down and to my surprise, instead of scurrying, the little fellow walked out and I could see the scratch on his leg the cat had made. I think he’ll be ok. He settled into the clover, turned a bit into a semicircle, as if readying himself for a nap. And, then, as I watched him, he looked up at me - I kid you not, the little guy looked up at me as if to say, ‘thanks’.

Wonders never cease.

*That is Mr. O'Malley at top; the cute field mouse is not my photo, it was found here.