Children's Compline

One of our influences over the years has been the prayers of the Northumbrian community. You can see their links to Evening Prayers (Compline) at the side of this blog. A couple of years ago I modified them (greatly, trying to capture the essence but making them simple and brief enough for children). That product sat on my computer desktop waiting to be printed all this time—a little commentary on my ability to procrastinate. Anyway, I recently printed it up and we've been using it. Eventually, I'd like have the kids illustrate it and in a few weeks, when they have become more familiar with them, add parts as is traditionally done at Compline. I have included the text below for any of you who have children to use as you wish.

Sunday

The Ita Compline

Father, may our lives be focused on you.
King Jesus, may we follow you.
Spirit, may we be strong through you.


The peace of all peace be ours this night, in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit.

Monday

The Aidan Compline

God you are great.
May we like mirrors reflect your love, justice, wisdom, generosity and hospitality.


The peace of all peace be ours this night, in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit.

Tuesday

The Cuthbert Compline

O God, may every part of our lives, from our toes to our head,
Be yours entirely, O Father, Son and holy Spirit.
Be our safe shelter tonight.


The peace of all peace be ours this night, in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit.

Wednesday

The Felgild Compline

Calm us, Father, and help us to be still.
We rest today’s play and work in your care
And ask that you give us peaceful rest to be ready for tomorrow: in which we will show our love for you and for our neighbors.


The peace of all peace be ours this night, in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit.

Thursday

The Ebba Compline

May the Father be in our sleep
May the Messiah be in our dreams,
May god’s Breath be in our rest.


The peace of all peace be ours this night, in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit.

Friday

The Boisil Compline

Father, protect us,
Jesus, direct us,
Spirit, strengthen us for your work.


The peace of all peace be ours this night, in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit.

Saturday

The Patrick Compline

The peace of the joyful Father
The peace of the hopeful Messiah
The peace of the graceful Wind


The peace of all peace be ours this night, in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit.

A New Home

So, last week our offer on a new home was accepted. Mind you, we offered quite a bit lower than what they were asking for it, but at the upper limit of what our budget could afford. There was never even a counter offer! Our realtor did a great job, evidently, telling them about how that was the only house the kids kept talking about, how cute our kids were, what a great family we are, etc. So, despite the fact that we were below what they had said was their bottom line, they felt we were the right family for the house. Yay. Some pics below.

One of the best aspects is the beautiful view, but we were so intent on getting pics to help us plan projects and maintenance, etc., we forgot to get some. It's a wonderful place to visit, and we have some pretty awesome guest quarters. Just sayin' . . .

Moving In Day

We moved into our town-home apartment 01 August 2012. Besides the smell of old cat pee and cigarette smoke that the poorly applied fresh layer of paint and new carpeting throughout couldn't mask, we are glad to have this place. It is walking distance from work for me (0.5 miles), really close to the Y, and is a month-to-month lease. We are now actively looking for a new home to buy, although, we would like our home in WI to sell first. When we first pulled up there were three different reactions from the children. Aedyn wanted to know how we would be able to tell which one was ours (they all look identical); Justice was thrilled to have his on 'ding dong' (doorbell), and Eliyah couldn't understand why there were so many people around us. Our farm-kids!

Westward Bound

So, we have been here in Oregon for 1.5 months and are starting to adjust. Here are some highlights from our trip out here:

Grandma Debbie and Saba Art visited us just before we left and we had tearful goodbyes. We also got to say goodbye in the last hours to our good friends the Boyarskis. Justice is obviously happy (and hot). It was stressful on the kids, and broke our hearts to see how they each dealt with feelings of loss in their own ways. We were certainly sad to leave such a beautiful place so full of great moments.

Our first day took us to Cherokee, IA, where we had a great visit with Heidi's Uncle Mark and Aunt Jill. We rested a day there, but forgot to take any pictures. Our visits with them are always so refreshing; they are wonderful hosts.

Then we left for Gering, NE to visit Heidi's folks, Aunt Jane and her Grandma Peggy. These first fotos are from one of my morning runs near the park (Scott's Bluff).

Yes, sometimes each of the children were having as much fun as you see Justice is having below:

This must be feigned happiness on the part of the children, because I don't remember these moments quite the way the fotos appear.

We were able to go with the grandparents to the local zoo, which the kids enjoyed.

After a couple of days in NE, we headed out to cross WY on our way to Jackson Hole:

Stayed the night in Jackson Hole and set out early to see some of the Grand Tetons. It really is as spectacular as Ansel Adams tried to capture.

These are what our nights usually looked like as we put them to bed. Then for the next 2-4 hours they were awake with the discontent of an unsettled journey. They were extremely sleep deprived by the time the trip was over. I think this one is in Idaho Falls after our Teton seeing.

Crossing ID the next day we stopped briefly to view Craters of the Moon National Preserve. The fotos don't do it justice:

That night we stayed in Burns, OR, and then the next morning we left for Grants Pass, arriving in the afternoon. Our wonderful family from Medford came to great us, but that's part of the next bit of the story saved for tomorrow (or next month, at my rate).

Bittersweet

Lots of sadness as we plan to leave, but having great joy visiting with friends and family we will miss. Packers come tomorrow and Movers on Friday. We will leave Sunday for our next great adventure out West. We will miss Pleasant Land Farm.

Goodbye picnic with our great neighbors, the Wrights.

Goodbye picnic with families of the ladies from Heidi's Gathering. This is E with her friend Ellie.

Our dear friends Jim, Colleen and Josie from Madison.

Boat ride with Captain (Uncle) Caleb.

On the boat with Grandma Debbie.