This is read aloud at every Orthodox Church on
Pascha Sunday. It was written by St. John Chrysostom, and is simply beautiful.
Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!
If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hades when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!
This is what my kids did the ENTIRE service.
You know you are Orthodox when you give candles to four year olds. At 1 in the morning!
It was supposed to be a shawl for me, but stupid me, did not check the gauge on the pattern. So now Peaches has a shawl. She looks super cute though!
And here is what I have so far:
Super cute right? I love it! Here is what the finished product will look like: 
I really hope that Hurricane will sport that goofy smile too!
I am totally hooked on woodworking. Can't wait to tackle my next project! But that will have to wait until the patio gets done!!!
Our first load of stone. That is 600 lbs. We did four loads total.
Laying out the stone...
We also built another stair, since someday we would like french doors leading out. 
Next, Hurricane framed in the patio, making sure it was even and level:
Ready for cement! This was actually cheaper than our normal mode of operation: going to Home Depot and doing it ourselves. Saved our backs from hauling all those bags of concrete mix too!
Quite a few wheelbarrow loads later:
BRICKS!
or, this one, called Lone Pine Gold Flagstone.
Opinions are welcome!
