The Latest on Mariana: January 2013

Monday, January 28, 2013

Release Date

Conciliar Press has slated the release of the book for December of 2013. (Maybe it will make a great Christmas gift???) God willing, this book will be useful to people who are struggling.

As I was compiling and reworking the blog posts into a book, I used the title, Mariana's Mom. In the hospital, that was my name (it seems that it's too much for doctors and nurses to learn the names of family members, and that's ok -- it's good that they focus on the patient!). It felt particularly appropriate because that's how I'm addressed around the schools too. You Moms know what I mean -- to my girls' classmates, I'm "Andja's Mom", "Vasi's Mom", "Helena's Mom" and "Stefi's Mom". When we lost our Luka, I was sorry to have missed out on being "Luka's Mom", and when Mariana was dying in the hospital, I was grateful to have the chance to be "Mariana's Mom".

With each child, we learn special lessons, unique to the particular child's needs and interests. Each of our children challenges us in a new way, and in the process of mothering them we must master new subjects and skills. Mariana's Mom learned all about livers and transplants and patience and peace.

That said, Mariana's Mom will not be the title of this book.

I'm really looking forward to hearing the titles that Conciliar's excellent team will suggest for this book. God willing, the title will invite readers inside, promising them the very things they'll uncover in the text. I'm also eager to see the artwork they develop for the cover. Many of the most beautiful books on my shelf come from Conciliar, so I trust that it will be excellent.

I submitted my manuscript to Conciliar because they have published most of my favorite contemporary Orthodox authors, and I am excited to have my name on one of their excellent books. Their website is www.conciliarpress.com; you can see from a quick glance at their offerings why I'm so happy to be counted among their writers.

The process of publishing this book lead me to Ancient Faith Radio and to create my Raising Saints podcast there, and now I'm working on a book that will focus, like the podcast, on the education of our young people in the Faith.

Mariana and her sisters are doing well, thank God, and thanks to your prayers.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Mariana 2013

Glory be to God!

Mariana's good health has continued into 2013, and we are thanking God and kissing the big, beautiful scar on her belly which reminds us that Mariana's life and all of our lives are especially precious gifts from God.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and love!

We have so appreciated your concern and your prayers throughout our experiences with Mariana and her liver transplant.

This blog has been collected up and cleaned up; I've edited it, taking out some boring parts and putting in some of the things I couldn't tell you while they were happening, for fear of scaring the siblings and the grandparents beyond what was necessary. Now that the work is complete, Conciliar Press will be releasing it in book form soon. We hope that our meditations in those dark days might benefit other families in similar struggles.

I'll post a release date when we have one, and more details as they come.

Once again, thank you for your prayers and support. Even today we can feel them.

A Prayer for Mariana

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who came into the world as a little child, and Who, although being God, was subject to Your earthly parents: grant Your child, Mariana, to bear cheerfully that which You are pleased to lay upon her, and readily to obey those set over her by You. We beseech You, look mercifully upon her, and in Your great love grant her relief from her pain. Yea, O Lord, Son of God, send Your holy Angel from heaven to guard, cherish, protect, visit and defend Your child, Mariana, who is sick in her tender age. Stretch forth Your holy right hand upon her, that restored to the vigor of health, she may reach the fullness of years, and serve You faithfully and gratefully all her life, and become an heir of Your Kingdom. For You are the Physician of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

(Prayer for a Sick Child from The Book of Needs)

Prayer for Mariana's Donor

Lord of my salvation, You are a merciful and loving God, Who have invited this little child into your Kingdom. Be good to this child, who is sinless and beautiful and ready to partake in your heavenly Glory. I believe O Lord that you have prepared a special place for all your little angels, whom You invite to join You soon after their birth, for You Yourself have said, "Let the little children come to Me, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven." To that place of peace, O loving God, establish this soul. Help this family, who has generously shared life through the donation of organs, to accept their loss and to carry their burden which is heavy. Walk with them, O Lord, for You are the source of strength and comfort, and unto You are due all glory, honor and worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.