Even in the midst of the boxes and piles and generalized mess causes by unpacking, bits of home are coming together. I’m making little pockets of peace: a clean countertop, an organized bookshelf; a folded pile of laundry. Focusing on these pockets instead of the chaos helps me keep my sanity.

Of all the rooms in the house, Michael’s nursery is the closest to being set up. I still have shelves to hang and books to sort, but otherwise, it’s safe for him to crawl around in and explore.

I’m so proud of the work I put into his room. My goal was to create a space that nurtures delight and imagination, evoking nature and its Creator. It’s nowhere near perfect, but I’m incredibly happy with the result.

The ceiling is my favorite part. I hand-painted stars in gold leaf and interspersed them with verses from the Orthodox Sunday morning prayers (The Song of the Three Holy Youths). I used a stepladder and I’m sure the angle contributed to my wrist pain over the last few weeks. It took me quite a few hours, but what better use of the time while waiting for PG&E and the county?

I remember singing these verses as a catechumen at St. Michael’s and being awed by the beauty of the words. They reminded me of the prayers of Saint Patrick in how they invoked all of Creation in their praise.

I painted them with Michael in mind, praying he grows up with these words etched on his heart, falling asleep dreaming of the stars singing their celestial hymns to their Creator.

However, I didn’t foresee the blessing they would be to me. We’ve only been in our house for a few days, but already I’ve read these verses over and over as I rocked Michael back to sleep at all hours of the night.

It’s been rather humbling to exhausted, middle-of-the-night me. I definitely don’t feel like praising the Lord at 3 am when I’ve hardly had any sleep. But through the fog of weariness and frustration, I still have the refrain in my head, barely visible in the glow from the nightlight, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt Him above all forever.

It’s inspired me to cultivate intentional reminders to pray throughout my home, whether it’s an icon of our Lord placed above the sink or a prayer taped to the wall of my laundry room. If you have ways you keep prayer in the forefront of your mind, I would love to hear them!