Church was really good yesterday. I had started the day with dread at the thought that I would be going to church with the kids on my own, but Bruce ended up feeling well enough to come with us. But that’s not the only reason why it was good.

Usually at the Orthodox Church our kids tend to be distracting and it’s hard to pay attention to the liturgy. We normally let them bring a toy and a book to keep themselves occupied during the two hour service, and they often have to be reminded to be quieter and not distract others, as well. When they get bored they want us to hold them, and they are not little babies anymore. However, yesterday, for the first time, both our kids went willingly to other people in the church. I think it was the first service where I was able to actually listen to most of what was going on. Was that ever nice.

Then I was talking with someone at Living Hope Church about the fact that the Orthodox Church is, in some ways, more kid friendly. When she asked why, I amended that statement to say it is kid friendly in a different way. The Orthodox Church is trying to be more community oriented. Since there aren’t pews, the kids aren’t limited to sitting in one spot and are fairley free to roam as long as they aren’t being very distracting. And if they start to get out of hand or need some help, almost anyone is willing to step in and don’t just give the parents a look like they should be getting their kids under control. Now, that doesn’t mean that no one at Living Hope does that. There have been many times when I am wandering around the church in search of my kids because I have no idea where they are but I know that they are being played with or looked after. It’s during the service time that there is a difference. And, to be honest, I think my kids are getting better at knowing how they are to behave in church. There was a point when I thought I was always going to have hooligans in church, but they’ve actually come a long way. (I’m just hoping that now that I’ve said this we don’t have a disastrous experience the next time we’re at church where they are running around all over causing major mayhem)

I had also had a chance to chat with someone about how Bruce and I are working things out by going to both churches. I think it helps when I'm trying to not be so antagonistic about everything in the Orthodox service and instead try to see it as a form of worship. And I'm glad that I finished "The Way." I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is Protestant unless they are totally disillusioned with the Protestant church and want to hear someone tear it down (in a completely unfair fashion). I'm looking forward to hear what Fr. Bernard thought about the book and the reasons why he gave it to us. I'm also looking forward to telling him what I thought about it.