En Via

Lauren Larsen's thoughts while traveling the Canterbury Trail...

And we shall say “Hallelujah”

It’s hard to find the words to describe my thanks for our church and the gift that it has been to my soul, but with the changing of the seasons in the Church Calendar, I am given new gifts and a new appreciation—and at times, words that describe my feelings of gratitude. I do not count tonight as one of those moments of gifted wordiness, but it is rather, a night filled with the gift of sentimentality and jumbled thoughts. And in an attempt to document what I am experiencing this start of the Easter season, I am going to try to muster up the words.

We are moving and it is more real to me with every Sunday that passes. We will be leaving our church—that beloved place that has shown me a glimpse of Heaven. I don’t want to leave, but it is what is next for us. I am both excited for the next chapter and kicking and screaming as we write the last few pages of this one. A great paradox of emotions.

Tonight as I write this, I am home with my babies as my husband serves in the Easter Vigil at Incarnation. I’m sure it is lovely—I can only imagine the beauty and the offering that it is to God. And, oh! how I wish I were there. For 25+ years of my life I missed out on the gift of the liturgy and for the last 3 years I have experienced it in more beauty and richness than I could ever imagine. The pieces of the puzzle that were once missing from my faith have come together with finding the Anglican Church and my soul has been given a great gift. I cannot imagine celebrating Easter anymore without first having Lent and Holy Week. Perhaps, tonight I am extra sentimental because our move seems like the approaching of Lent. Yearly I find myself not wanting Lent to come after Advent, Christmas and Epiphany… but when Lent has past, I look back at the season as one of my most favorite of the year because of how God works on my soul. Perhaps, our upcoming move will be a sort of Lent for me. A dreaded (yet welcomed) season filled with all good things and at the end of it, Easter.

Tomorrow I will worship with the people of Incarnation with a loud Hallelujah and I will look for His coming again in glory with new anticipation. And—oh—how I cannot wait!

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgement of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In prediction of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me.
God’s host to save me

From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and souls,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
so that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation

—The Prayer of St. Patrick’s Breastplate

Time

…goes by so quickly these days. I find myself living in a balance of chaos and peace at every moment. A tension of sorts when I am counting down the hours to my children’s bed times.

But, I am aware of the precious gift of time during this season of caring for an infant. Time goes by both fast and slow. I blink and moments continue to be over.

Life and August are growing so fast and everyday is different than the day before. But, each day I learn something a little more about our Creator.

I’m learning to live in the chaotic and peaceful one moment at a time with a thankful heart.

O Magnum Mysterium

O great mystery,

and wonderful sacrament,

that animals should see the new-born Lord,

lying in a manger!

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb

was worthy to bear

Christ the Lord.

Alleluia!

August smiles with dimples. The sweetest.

August smiles with dimples. The sweetest.

Our precious kidS.

Our precious kidS.

Garvan Byrne - What Power Displayed in Weakness

“Garvan was born with a rare disease that made him stop growing at age 5. He passed away at age 12, but not before leaving behind a video that will really touch you. He was a warrior for Christ with unshakable faith. This is a must see.”

I’m humbled, moved and grateful for his life and spirit. God’s power made perfect through weakness…

A candle for August from Life. A first.

A candle for August from Life. A first.

I don’t want something from you, I want something for you…. I don’t want you to live in the suburbs of the gospel and never drive into town. I don’t want you to end your life looking just like your neighbors.

…All your time. All your treasure. All your talent.

—Bishop Anthony Burton paraphrased from a speech he gave at tonight’s stewardship dinner.

Free…

Free…