One month and Michael's antics.

Just wanted to check in at the end of our first month here in Trumau. The weather is cooler now, with occasional windy evenings. Very pleasant days with sunshine, usually.

 

The adjusting continues. Andrew, to classes and much reading outside of class. Me, to long days alone with Michael with no car, limited cookware and no hobby materials = challenges my creativity with how to occupy ourselves! Michael has by now explored every inch of our small apartment and knows it well down to every light switch and heater knob. He and I are learning it's necessary for us to have a little routine so we don't go stir-crazy. I think his molars are coming in, from the amount of drool production and nose running, accompanied by a pretty constant cough lasting a month now. The cough worries me - I hope he is not allergic to something in the apartment. He is chipper enough though, or I would be extra concerned.

I'm back to baking our bread, both to give me something to do and to ensure we are eating as few additives/preservatives as possible as I still struggle to read the German food labels!

 2 zucchini squash from the ITI garden (compared to a beer bottle for actual size) made some nice hearty zucchini bread.

A delicious olive oil raisin bread.

Michael enjoys being master taste-tester - he's easy on me.

This is how yeast, baking powder and baking soda come packaged here. Guess we won't be using baking soda for homemade general purpose cleaner... flour here is still a mystery to me. Austrians seem to take flour quite seriously as there are many different types and grades, all Greek to me at this point but I look forward to experimenting.

A whole wheat bread. Even without my precious Kitchenaid mixer and the strange oven settings here, so far, so good!

 

Michael has been making the most of his small collection of toys. Lately, he enjoys finding the matching animals in this block set and has learned to line them in a straight row.

 

 He enjoys working on his utensil skills.

And utilizing a chair to attain his desired object(s).

 

 Guilty face!

 Taking apart the dishwasher...

Oh, it has wheels!

 He enjoys watching trucks go down the street and the older children playing around the living quadrant.

 

 Sometimes we walk down to the town park.

 Michael likes climbing the small hill the park features...

 ...and running down.

 

Taking it a day at a time, learning to adjust and be thankful for what we do have. Lessons in faith and trust are hard, but fruitful! Truly this is a season in our lives that is free from many distractions, and so for me it is a call to focus on the simple life, and to put more love and purpose into the (sometimes) mundane domestic works. There too can holiness blossom if we remain open...

 

"Holy is the dish and the drain, the soap and sink, and the cup and plate and the warm wool socks, and the cold white tile, showerheads and the good dry towels... and frying eggs sound like psalms, with bits of salt measured in my palm. It's all part of a sacrament, as holy as the day is spent..." -Carrie Newcomer

 

On to the second month!

A way of perfection.

From the journal of Blessed Pope John XXIII - six maxims of perfection:

1) Desire only to be virtuous and holy, and so be pleasing to God.

2) Direct all things, thoughts as well as actions, to the increase; the service and the glory of Holy Church.

3) Recognize that I have been set here by God and therefore remain perfectly serene about all that happens, not only as regards myself, but also with regard to the Church, continuing to work and suffer with Christ, for her good.

4) Entrust myself at all times to Divine Providence.

5) Always acknowledge my own nothingness.

6) Always arrange my day in an intelligent and orderly manner.

A good rule to follow during this Year of Faith (as proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI). I particularly like how Blessed John places emphasis on the fact that we must remember that we are here to serve and to help build up Christ's kingdom, the Church. I also appreciate that after reminding us to strive for personal holiness and humility, his last maxim contains practical advice - just my style - a bit of Martha with the Mary, if you will. :) These are going up on our fridge for the year!

A new Blessed & a wonderful Holy Father!

Today in England, Pope Benedict XVI beatifies a man who sacrificed all in his quest for truth and in order to follow God's will in everything.  A former Anglican converted Catholic, ordained priest, and later cardinal, John Henry Newman is appropriately being honored as an example of perseverance in the path to sainthood.  He said, "A good man seeks to please himself, not necessarily seeking to offend God, but a saint is one who seeks to please God in all things, no matter what the cost."  The Holy Father used Newman's life as an example as to how we should be answering Christ's call in our own lives.

"Newman's life also teaches us that passion for the truth, intellectual honesty and the genuine conversion are costly. The truth that sets us free cannot be kept to ourselves; it calls for testimony, it begs to be heard, and in the end its convincing power comes from itself and not from the human eloquence or arguments in which it may be couched."

"We know that in times of crisis and upheaval God has raised up great saints and prophets for the renewal of the Church and Christian society; we trust in his providence and we pray for his continued guidance. But each of us, in accordance with his or her state of life, is called to work for the advancement of God's Kingdom by imbuing temporal life with the values of the Gospel."

"Christ had need of families to remind the world of the dignity of human love and the beauty of family life.  He needs men and women who devote their lives to the noble task of education, tending the young and forming them in the ways of the Gospel."

"Ask our Lord what he has in mind for you. Ask him the generosity to say yes. Do not be afraid to give yourself totally to Jesus.  He will give you the grace you need to fulfill your vocation."

 

These are only a few gems from this amazing address; read it in its entirety here.  What a wise and holy pope we have in Benedict XVI.  I have not had an opportunity to read much of his writing yet, but this short speech alone is peppered with Benedict's great humility, strong desire for the continuous conversion of souls, and an overflowing love for Christ and His Church - I believe I will be reading much more Benedict in the future.  A great affection for our dear late Pope Paul II was fostered in my heart during my childhood thanks to my father's constant praise of, and explanation of his documents, faith, and love for God's people.  And now another spiritual giant to lead us - much needed strength and wisdom during this time when Christ's Church and people are under so much attack.

 

Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for us, that we will seek to please God in all facets of our daily life in order to become saints.