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.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Day 33 What A Day...talk about Yin and Yang -from Mormons to Cher!

MORMONS
St. George, Utah....it looks mostly brand new....housing developments from mid to high end, new shopping centers, strip malls, schools, churches, restaurants, hotels.... right down the road from Zion and less than 2 hrs to Vegas. What is this town? They claim to be the fastest growing area in the US (doesn't take much to claim that these past couple of years) - it sure seems like it, but how and why? Lots of retirees moving here, people from Calif and commuters to Vegas

The front page of their local paper, The Spectrum "Polygamous talks Hit Snag"...remember the guy on 60 mins. Warren Jeffs-(old mister I love 12 year olds)Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (splinter group from the regular RLDS) well there he was...I begged to stop by Colorado City....no soap. Troy stopped there on his way to canyon something and was asked "You don't live around here, do you? What is it you are looking for so I can help you find it so you can be on your way?" Gee, this guy Warren gives the "regular" Mormons bad press.....

So I ask what about the "regular" Mormon's? I was corrected and told RLDS (Revised Latter Day Saints) is the accurate name. We attended "chapel" at St. George 4th Ward. We were not allowed in the Temple where they do their sacred covenants (nothing associated with death). A family friend's daughter married a Mormon (last year) and they were not able to attend the wedding in the Temple. If you are not a member in good standing you are not allowed in The Temple...only the chapel. There are 145 Temples world wide. They only build after they have the funds to do so...very different than us! And a good idea I might add.....

They have a beautiful Visitors Center which gives a very thorough explanation of the Mormon Faith. Keith liked several of the "beliefs", for example they do not believe in welfare. They believe helping people help themselves-they have a Desert Industry Store which will provide plenty of food but a person must work there to be eligible for the food. Hip Hip Hooray. Needless to say they are quite conservative politically (another plus for Buba), have a very, very clean town and the young people are required to do 2 years of missionary work. As a matter of fact there was a full page article with pictures explaining who went where and what they did for their missionary work. We heard a young man talk about his missionary work in Texas. Of particular note i.e. politically, in the newspaper they interviewed the loacals about Obama's stimulus package and all 6 interviewed were 100% not in support of the stimulus package....back to that old no public welfare thought. Keith is looking for a vacation home....

RLDS emphasizes the importance of family relationships-we are talking long term here. As in your family relationship is not limited by death-the marriage is eternal! I hear some of you groaning right now...hence the big genealogy program. It was really interesting to attend the service an learn first hand about the Religion and beliefs.


Cher - still rocking!
Saw the Queen of Glitz tonight- at the last min. we bought best available and got lucky-4th row at Caesars. This up close and personal seat enabled me to check out her "work". I chided Buba with "hey, she's your age!" Now he thinks we need to find out who is doing Cher's plastic surgery work. I said great, if you can guarantee me you'll look as ripped as the Julius Caesar statue in the lobby. He replied that would be fine if I would guarantee to fit into Cher's clothes when my surgery is done. Yes, that's me standing next to her show outfits.

We hadn't been to Vegas since my 5oth Birthday party in 2002 (yikes). Wow this place grown....looks like an explosion....more hotels, new housing developments, shopping centers and more shopping centers. We tried to do a birthday bash for Buba's 60th and he chose to get 2 new knees. Looks like another birthday party is needed to get the old gang back together. All ideas and dates are welcome. We're not much for the gambling side but love to watch people loose I mean play with their money, see the shows and the outstanding people watching. What recession?

What was really amazing....I wore the same outfit to the Mormon church as I did to see Cher. Jewish JC and Roman JC...it all works!
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 12:45 PM