ON THE ROAD AGAIN

A friend of ours heard about our "journey of faith, fisher, forests, family, friends and fun" and suggested we set up a Blog. A what? So here we are....on the road again with Bocahontas and Buba. Blessed with the freedom of time, we were inspired by two of our favorite causes. So we organized a road trip to Alaska which should not only be fun but also an opportunity to spread the good word about The Fisher Houses , The Orthodox Christian Mission Center/Programs and some of our National Parks. We are participating in a 2 week Mission in Tyonek, Alaska with the OCMC group in June. Feel free to check out the planned trip on the calendar link. Caribou Cabins? Blue Moose? Tundra Lodge? and our soon to be "favorite" Motel 6. Any and all suggestions, prayers and good karma are welcome and very much appreciated....poor Buba, in a car with Pam for 5 months. Lions, and tigers and bears oh my! Toggle down to the calendar and see where we are over the next months. We ask for your prayers.

Grab yourself a cold one and come along for the ride. Enjoy and laugh along with us viewing the daily blogs which are archived on the left side of this page in chronological order. We started April 22- Happy Trails!

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD

The Fisher House

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The Fisher House Foundation, through the kindness of donations received, provides "comfort homes" that are built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable America's military families to be together during extended treatment for serious illness or lengthy physical sessions....very much like the Ronald McDonald homes for families of children in a similar situation. We were first introduced to Fisher House while visiting Brooke Army Medical Center (Burn Center) in San Antonio. We were so moved by the dedication and love of the staff and volunteers that we returned for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Currently there are 44 Fisher Houses (more in the works) and our goal is to visit all of them and spread the good word to family and friends. Please feel free to peruse their website for a detailed explanation about the Fisher House Foundation and programs. Perhaps you will be inspired by the work this group does on behalf of our Armed Forces.

Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center is the official foreign mission agency of all the Orthodox Jurisdictions (i.e. Greek, Russian, Serb etc.) The goal of the OCMC is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ where it presently does not exist and to establish vibrant Orthodox Eucharistic Communities throughout the world. We have had the privilege and pleasure to admire the work of this organization (headquarters located in St. Augustine, Florida) for years and now that we are retired we have the blessing to participate. We are on the road to Alaska to join a Mission Team in Tyonek for a couple weeks to do some construction and teaching in an Athabascan Indian Village. "If I had a hammer"...you'll be happy to know I deep sixed the acrylic nails in anticipation of caulking and painting. :) Please take a peek at the OCMC web site for details on all of the programs they are involved with throughout the world. And do stop in to see Father Martin and his kind and loving staff when you are in St. Augustine! We will also be visiting family, friends and Orthodox Churches while on the road to share the marvelous work of the OCMC.

National Parks

Most people know that the National Park Service cares for national parks, a network of nearly 400 natural, cultural and recreational sites across the nation. The treasures in this system – the first of its kind in the world –have been set aside by the American people to preserve, protect, and share, the legacies of this land.


People from all around the world visit national parks to experience America's story, marvel at the natural wonders, and have fun. Places like the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Gettysburg are popular destinations, but so too are the hundreds of lesser known yet equally meaningful gems like Rosie the Riveter in California, Boston Harbor Islands in Massachusetts, and Russell Cave in Alabama.


The American system of national parks was the first of its kind in the world, and provides a living model for other nations wishing to establish and manage their own protected areas. The park service actively consults with these Nations, sharing what we've learned, and gaining knowledge from the experience of others.


Beyond national parks, the National Park Service helps communities across America preserve and enhance important local heritage and close-to-home recreational opportunities. Grants and assistance are offered to register, record and save historic places; create community parks and local recreation facilities; conserve rivers and streams, and develop trails and greenways.


We hope to see you soon in a national park and invite you to explore the ways we can help you preserve what’s important in your hometown.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Day 54 Everything You Wanted to Know About Alaska But Were Afraid To Ask!

Detached from the rest of us in the lower 48 we are anxious to see our largest state. Bringing new meaning to FBI-Full Blooded Indian-there is much to teach us of it's native culture. We look forward to our mission in the tiny village (130 inhabit it) of Tyonek and learning much about the indigenous people and their age old traditions. No road to get there...must fly in. I am also looking forward to visiting as many Russian Churches as possible and seeing the remnants of Alaska's Russian past. As some of you know we renewed our vows in St. Petersburg/Kazanski Cathedral a few years ago and have an appreciation of the Orthodox Church and Russia's history. To refresh your history brain cells, in the 1700's the Russian Orthodox church followed the trappers to Alaska and converted many of the indigenous peoples. Many towns still retain these strong Russian influences. This state has been defined by cycles of prosperity and stagnation. In Alaska's Gold Rush days, men outnumbered woman by a landslide. There were seven men to every woman in Alaska. This gave rise to a local saying the odds were good, but the goods were odd. Maybe they needed a Klondike Match.Com service? The Gold Rush followed the Russian Trappers with a bust followed by the discovery of North Slope oil in the 1960's...which continues to effect the state and its fortunes today.

So how did the good ol'USA end up owning Alaska? Secretary of State William Seward nagged the Congress to buy the territory from the Russians in 1867 for $7.2 million (about 2 cents an acre). Despite the cheap price most Americans thought it was a waste of money calling the purchase "Seward's Folly", "Seward's Icebox" and "Uncle Sam's Attic". As they say location, location, location. Way to go Uncle Bill!

We are really thrilled to be here for the big party- Alaska's 50 Anniversary of being a state. I can hardly wait to hear "Hobo Jim" Alaska's Official State Balladeer break out in song. The state's 700,000 or so residents are throwing a party. Everything leads up to July 4th when they celebrate raising the US flag on that day in 1959. A state with more coastline than the continental US....a state with enough lakes to make Minnesota seem like a desert. Hey, I'm catching on, what other state pays residents a dividend just for living here? Buba is getting more endeared by the minute. This is a place where the major city/Anchorage has Watch For Moose signs around town. Hey Alaska, Happy Birthday! You really do ROCK! And P. S. Don't forget 50 is the new 40.....

Another thing I noticed, these Alaskan Anglers are something else-EAT WILD, CRAZY OVER KINGS, FLY TACKLE, SPIN EQUIPMENT, FLIES, PLUGS AND LURES. A language of their own. Looks like these folks are quite serious about fishing. The upcoming Slamin Salm'n King Derby and The Jackpot Halibut Derby have the locals in a lather. Buba is all of this legal?


We have quite a jam packed visit planned over the next several weeks. While the natural beauty and the road trip have been a blast the pinnacle for us is the Mission in Tyonek Village. We meet our Missions Team on Tuesday afternoon for orientation and planning. One suitcase Pam. Buba didn't understand the need for the steamer trunk. Duh. And then they asked how much I weighed? ARE YOU KIDDING ME! I don't even want to know how much I weigh. Then Presbyteria said "Pam, it will be between us...I need it for the plane company manifest". Oh hell no Pres. I will catch a ride some other way. Once you put something like that on the Internet THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER has a way of finding out. So I told Pres I thought I was bigger than a size 10 these days. Bless her....she didn't bother me again.

BY THE WAY we are back to Boca Style Civilization- The Sheraton! This is Anchorage's answer to the Amanpuri. Amen and raise the flag. Buba wanted to go out to dinner tonight and I said no way. I am in heaven- spa , Gold Fish and a bottle of Chardonnay. Hee haw. No bugs, no crusty oil men, no ice cold or burning hot showers, no killer mosquitoes, no having to wear shoes on the shag carpeting, no paper thin towels, Kleenex, a mini bar where I recognize what's what, a real desk for my lap top, a non plastic ice bucket and best of all BELL MEN AND ROOM SERVICE!!!

Anyway, back to the Mission. I am starting to twitch and get very nervous. Me on a Mission Team? The unworthy Bocahontas? Pray for me (us) family and friends. You know I need it! By the way what is an Organic Hair Design?????
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 1:45 PM