tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35551873.post9065658060228322221..comments2024-01-15T19:54:20.929-08:00Comments on Close to Home: SentimentalMolly Sabourinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289593743687415065noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35551873.post-39063047025054753652007-11-20T14:18:00.000-08:002007-11-20T14:18:00.000-08:00Hey Molly,I cannot find the Grand Duchess book any...Hey Molly,<BR/><BR/>I cannot find the Grand Duchess book anywhere! I have searched the internet and I am stumped. I am also interested in what OrthodoXCircle is.<BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/>Michele<BR/>catechumen in AlabamaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35551873.post-42968324370323192732007-11-19T19:51:00.000-08:002007-11-19T19:51:00.000-08:00Good for you Michele for being persistent! I find ...Good for you Michele for being persistent! I find that even though it is a stretch for me to be outgoing and initiate conversation, especially regarding something as important as my faith, the results of such boldness can be so very encouraging. The St.Elizabeth book I'd recommend is called: "Grand Duchess Elizabeth of Russian, New Martyr of the Communist Yoke" written by Lubov Millar and published by Nikodemus Orthodox Publication Society, Richfield Springs, New York. <BR/><BR/>I was quite touched by your son's interest in the life of Father Arseny. What an extraordinary experience to share with him!Molly Sabourinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289593743687415065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35551873.post-9783460115996075862007-11-18T12:00:00.000-08:002007-11-18T12:00:00.000-08:00Molly,Thank you, I will check out all of these. I...Molly,<BR/><BR/>Thank you, I will check out all of these. I asked for a subscription for "The Handmaiden" for Christmas from my husband. I have borrowed all that my friend has so far. I have read 2 of Frederica's books and I ABSOLUTELY loved the book Father Arseny. My 11 year old son begged me every morning to tell him some of the stories I had read the night before. He would say before bed, "Mom, don't forget anything you read tonight because I want you to tell me all about it in the morning." My husband loved it as well. Is there a specific book on St. Elizabeth? By the way, I have become friends with Frederica and some ladies in her parish. In the beginning of my journey I was bold enough to email everybody and anybody to ask questions. Even an author like Frederica. She put me in touch with some other ladies and I have made some cool friends because of her. I was starving and needed help. It is funny to look back on those days. They were probably thinking, "Oh no, here is ANOTHER email from that Michele in Alabama."<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your suggestions,<BR/>Michele<BR/>catechumen in AlabamaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35551873.post-71252230538630618222007-11-16T21:31:00.000-08:002007-11-16T21:31:00.000-08:00Hi Michele,I understand what you mean about differ...Hi Michele,<BR/><BR/>I understand what you mean about different personalities complementing each other. My husband is the complete opposite of me in the emotions department and that works quite well for us. Let's see...good books for a busy mom. I tend to lean toward biographies or lives of the saints. My two favorite stories being Father Arseny and St. Elizabeth. Federica Matthews Green's book, "Facing East" was very helpful to me when I was a catechumen. I also enjoyed "The Orthodox Church," by Bishop Kallistos Ware (we went through that one in my catechumen classes). There are compilations of convert stories like "Our Hearts True Home" by Ginny Nieuwsma at Conciliar Press, and my husband says that MAtthew Gallatin's book, "Searching for God in a Land of Shallow Wells," is good too, especially if you are coming from a Protestant background. Do you get "The Handmaiden?" It is a beautiful journal written especially for women in the Orthodox faith and published by conciliar press. It comes out quarterly and is theme oriented. I devour mine when it comes (and not just because I write for it, I promise!). Anyway, I hope that helps! Take care!<BR/><BR/>Love,<BR/><BR/>MollyMolly Sabourinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289593743687415065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35551873.post-14543609902354343502007-11-16T19:37:00.000-08:002007-11-16T19:37:00.000-08:00Molly,I have to say I really enjoyed this post. M...Molly,<BR/><BR/>I have to say I really enjoyed this post. My personality is totally the opposite of you. However, I have found that since studying Orthodoxy and becoming a catechumen that I am a sap myself. All I do is cry or hear myself saying "Awww!" I have to say that I have noticed over the past few years that usually my best friends usually tend to be the romantic, "touchy feely" type and we always seem to balance one another out beautifully. I yearn to be more that way. I can't wait to learn more and more every day about this wonderful journey called Orthodoxy. It is exciting to know that it never gets old even after many years. Sadly Protestantism gets old quickly. All this to say, could you please recommend some good books for a new Orthodox Mom. Women saints? An easy read please for a mom of 2 VERY busy boys. <BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>Michele<BR/>catechumen in AlabamaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35551873.post-59900149011983908502007-11-08T06:19:00.000-08:002007-11-08T06:19:00.000-08:00My parish, here in Indiana, is St. Elizabeth's. It...My parish, here in Indiana, is St. Elizabeth's. It was so affirming when we moved to the area because I, too, have always been fascinated by her for the very same reasons you mentioned. I never got the sense that she was born with a sort of supernatural propensity for sainthood. Her martydom, rather, was the end result of a gradual transformation that took place as her circumstances demanded that she either move forward in her faith or give in to despair. We, too, have to make such a decision every day...who knows where it will lead us in the long run. Oh, St. Elizabeth pray to God for us!<BR/><BR/>p.s. Your husband gets major points for his romantic gift idea!Molly Sabourinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289593743687415065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35551873.post-10905866255084974422007-11-07T16:57:00.000-08:002007-11-07T16:57:00.000-08:00Molly,Your words express all that is (and was) in ...Molly,<BR/><BR/>Your words express all that is (and was) in my heart.<BR/><BR/>From the sound of it, I came from a very similiar background. I have found home, finding an eternal home with Christ. Orthodoxy is so new to me (even 12 years later) but yet so familiar. <BR/>It asks of you BUT gives back so much!<BR/><BR/>You mention the Romanov's and Grand Duchess Elizabeth. It is by her intercessions that I am Orthodox. After reading her autobiography...I had to have what she had, had to do this -- for if she could -- I certainly needed to taste and see. Much, Much more to this story -- someday I shall write it down. I'm afraid that my words cannot express the way yours do -- You have a God-given gift. Glory to God for all things!<BR/><BR/>Our Hannah Elizabeth is named after her and our church has a relic of St. Elizabeth mounted on a beautiful icon written by one of our own parishioners. It is truly a blessing!<BR/><BR/>To make you feel sentimental, my dear, dear husband knows that I am intrigued by the Romanov's, so one Valentine's Day, he presents me with the collective Love Letters of Alexis and Nicholas. Just to hold the book...I can't breathe but yet I feel their love and my husbands for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com