HAPPY EASTER! CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
Although the two and a half hour, Russian midnight Easter Mass was amazing, the real feeling of Easter came with the warm reception that Yana, the State Adoption Rep, gave me when she saw me in church, "sharing the Peace" with parishioners, and attempting to say "Shast LEE vee Pass kha!" or "Happy Easter," to the hotel lobby and cleaning staff. It was in those small exchanges, plus the opportunity to say "Thank you" to God for our abundant blessings, that brought the meaning of Easter home for me.
The church itself looked curiously unfinished on the inside with bare, unpainted walls and plain, wooden benches. Sixty-five of us packed the pews on both sides. The young Priest had a gentle demeanor and the service was a mixture of the traditional Catholic Mass with intermittent scripture readings by parishioners and songs lead by a soloist and followed by a common refrain. There were no bibles or hymnals though people brought their own and shared with one another. At the end of Mass, two plates of halved, hard boiled eggs were passed. The only word I KNOW that I knew was, "Ah MEEN." It was a rich experience and a meaningful Easter service for me.
I talked to both my boys on line this morning and they sound happy to be home and together! They emailed me a short video of our cats, Katie and Buddy! How cleaver! I felt like I could reach right in and scratch their furry little heads. It's a HUGE relief to know they're okay!
Julia babbled up a storm today! She also seemed less frantic when the food arrived for breakfast. Perhaps she's beginning to trust that I am there to feed her and at a slower pace than she's accustomed too. You can't imagine the sound of nine hungry babies or the competency and agility of the two adult caretakers at mealtime! Julia wanted to stay and play with her friends in the common room today so we hung with Nikoli, in a swing and Natasha, in a walker. I see God revealed in each little face and am comforted to know that there are more families wanting children than children available for adoption at the Delfin Baby Home.
My love to all of you! I pass the "Peace" in a hug from my heart! Carrie
3 comments:
Dearest Ones, "Shast LEE vee Pass kha!" Though you are so far -We feel close. Most delicious to have heard from Bruce at HOME. We look more hungrilly to your arrival. Having your spirit lifted, yet again, on Easter Sunday sharing with other loving souls warms us. Seeing Julia first thing Easter Sunday morning brings new meaning for us on this day. We share in this Most Happy Easter especially with and to you. God's smiling on us all. Mom is here visiting with us and we all send Love to you-the Home Team and Mom- T&D
Hi, this is Emily and I would like to tell you that the Easter picture you sent us, well I love it! I hope you have more picture to snd us. Love Emily
Hi, this is Zachary, the pictures look beautiful. I hope you have some more pictures to see again. I hope you have a Happy Easter. Love Zachary
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