HE Lights the Night

Ending the day with Gregorian chants

About a month ago, Michael went to the Compline service at St.Stephen's Episcopal Church. You can read about his experience here. Last night, I met him and Peyton there to have my own encounter with God at the service. I had read his account but still wasn't sure exactly what to expect.

The following description is taken from St. Stephen's website: From the ancient monastic practice of ending the day in prayer and praise of God, a new weekly Compline service is held every Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. This stunningly beautiful candlelit service features a newly formed group of singers, "Sanctuary," offering Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony.

We entered the church and it was like stepping back in time to an old monastery, or how I envision one. It was utterly quiet with only candles at the front lighting what I call the cathedral. There were others there, quietly praying or contemplating, and we slipped quietly into a pew. Very soon, singers in the back began chanting hymns and for the next thirty minutes I closed my eyes and just listened and prayed. At the conclusion, I heard the singers walk out of the room and into the courtyard outside, the chanting slowly fading into the distance as they left.

I had never experienced anything like this before. It was surreal, and yet a beautiful way to end the day and begin the week.

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A Happy tub is a Happy Bob

After years of product testing, I have finally decided on the best product in the entire world to clean soap scum....making your tubs and showers sparkle.  And that product is...Easy-Off Oven Cleaner Fume Free, in the blue can.   Now you may think this an odd choice, but it is by far the best product on the market for cleaning a bathtub, even though marketed for cleaning your oven.  Safe to use.   Doesn't damage your tub.  Doesn't stink up the bathroom.  It is a miracle product.  

Now some of you may have a difference of opinion and think you have something better.  That's okay.  I am always cool with other people being wrong.  But trust Mr. Wright and his cleaning wisdom.   Once you try going the Easy-Off route, you never go back!

My kids

I truly love my kids and I enjoy things more when the entire family is together.  This summer, there have only been a handful of days when this has happened.   We have had weeks with no kids.  There have been weeks with just Rachel.  Or Rachel and Daniel.  Or just Nicholas and Patrick.  Or just Patrick, Nicholas and Daniel.  A multitude of kid combinations.

At the end of July, there came one weekend when everything aligned and we were all together for 2 days.  Nicholas and Patrick had been fishing for 2 weeks with Lisa's folks on the Eastern Shore.  Daniel finally made it home from being a camp counselor on one Friday night, so that Saturday morning Lisa, Rachel, Daniel and I traveled down to the Eastern Shore to spend the weekend with them.

Here are a few pics of my goofy kids together.  I wouldn't have it any other way.