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 35 Las Vegas....speaking of Entertainment....Morale Entertainment

MORALE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC. in association with Armed Forces Entertainment is sponsoring the second annual Coaches Tour to the Middle East. The tour runs from May 27th - June 4th. The 2009 tour will be led by Tommy Tuberville (Coach Emeritus, pictured on the right) and will include six active NCAA FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) coaches, including the 2008 Coach of the Year Mack Brown (Texas), Jim Tressel (Ohio State), Troy Calhoun (Air Force), Jim Grobe (Wake Forest), Rick Neuheisel (UCLA) and Houston Nutt (Ole Miss). This year's tour will launch from McConnell Air Force base near Wichita, Kansas, the home of the 22nd Aerial Refueling Wing. The majority of the air transportation will be handled by a KC-135R, four engine transcontinental aircraft. The tour is expected to visit U.S. military installations in Germany, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Djibouti and Spain.

This wonderful group has invited Nick Collins along to help with the tour and do some filming. He arrived in Wichita yesterday and has already found 5 Citadel Grads on the base. This opportunity (thank you dear family friend Tom Lee!) affords Nick to be around 3 of his loves...football, military guys and filming. Looking forward to hearing how this tour unfolds.

Check out this year's tour: http://www.coachestour2009.com/


OCMC DEDICATES NEW BUILDING IN HONOR OF ARCHBISHOP ANASTASIOS AND ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS

The new Orthodox Christian Mission Center’s Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Missionary Training and Administration Building was dedicated during the two-day festivities of May 20-21. Archbishop Anastasios brought as a gift, a small silver reliquary containing relics of Saint Kosmas Aitolos, known for his missionary work in the 18th Century. Metropolitan Jonah of the OCA also brought a small container with relics of Saint Innocent of Alaska. Archbishop Demetrios presented to the OCMC board an icon of Saints Cyril and Methodios. The new 12,000 square foot building, which is now the headquarters of OCMC, is located near Interstate 95 just north of St. Augustine, on a wooded twenty-acre site. It has two floors which include space for worship, training and meeting rooms, overnight accommodations for visiting missionaries and mission team members, a kitchen, and administrative offices and work areas. State of the art technology infrastructure is installed throughout, to support communications with OCMC’s Missionaries around the world. The facility is the first permanent building designed, constructed, owned and operated by a SCOBA agency.

One of the things I love about this "venture" is the coming together of all the ethnic Orthodox. Since immigrating to the US the various ethnic Orthodox have pretty much stuck to themselves along with their ethnic customs, interpretation of liturgy, culture and yes superstitions! It is beautiful to see the vision for the Missionary work bringing us together rather than just a Greek Festival! Keith and I are so privileged to a be a part of the group in some small way. I am stressing a bit about the upcoming 2 week mission in Alaska. We will repair a church during the day and in the evening teach classes (Sunday School type class). I am in charge of the Arts and Crafts. Hahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahaha! All ideas are certainly welcome. Am I worthy to do this type of work? Am I prepared? Will I make a difference? CAN I SLEEP IN A SLEEPING BAG FOR 2 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We wish we were able to attend the OCMC Dedication. Our family dedicated a "room" in the center in my Dad's- Chris Gousetis' honor. Chris was a strong Believer and loved his church. His humility and generosity were a role model for us. Chris' kindness and optimistic way in helping others was second to none. We are thankful Chris was able to travel to Mount Athos (with my cousin Bob Pavich) to make the holy pilgramge-shortly before he passed away. While I know he would not want his name on any plaque, I also know he would be pleased with the new OCMC Training Center. MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL!

Check out press release: http://www.goarch.org/news/ocmcbuilding-2009-05-25

For photos of this event visit: http://photos.goarch.org/main.php?g2_itemId=2636
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 11:13 PM