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, June 4, 2009

Day 46 June 6 Honey Reunion, Seattle Style

40th ANNIVERSARY 1969-2009


Can you believe not only am I in contact with my high school sweetie old Nelsie Moo but still friends. The truth be told Keith covets Nels farm and animals and would love to be his assistant. When Buba saw Nels tractor he reminisced about his old Kubota (tractor) that he misses so much.

While Nels and I went to neighboring high schools (Thorton and Thornridge/ South Suburban Chicago class of 1970) we were high school honeys....Senior Prom and all. Our interest in the same college got us on the same page and we both ended up going to Colorado State Univ (he for the Rocky Mountains for the Forestry program, hiking, biking and camping and me for the skiing and fun). Nels graduated with a degree in Forestry and I transferred to the University of Texas as my interests changed from the snow to cowboys. My family was always/still very fond of Nelsie Moo. His charm and smile won them over easily. After college Nels moved to the Seattle area met Kayleen in 1977 (his beautiful wife/they married in 1982) and settled in to a lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest. Ah....lots of trees and mountains to climb and camp in. My Mom and Chris even visited them on their travels through Washington. Keith and I and the kids have visited as well. We are still waiting for a visit to Florida from Nels and Kayleen but I don't think it's in the cards....unless we grow a mountain or two.


I think they started off as an earthy weekend hobby of "green and chicks" and over the years of living in the country now currently starring sheep (yes that's Kayleen feeding them) shearing and spinning her own wool to make hats, ducks (special eggs), geese, 2 kind of chickens which lay brown eggs (Nels takes on the train to Seattle and sells at the hospital), 4 cats (2 outdoor working cats-what the hay is a working cat?) and various vegetable gardens....recycled lumber used to build everything out there- by Nels no less. All of this digging, plowing, hoeing, hammering while holding full time careers. No wonder she's still a size 6! We are talking close to self-sufficient out there. We don't need no sticking Gym Membership or Aerobics Class!

Keith begged for a small piece of dirt to drag a trailer to....he would be an excellent assistant. And on June 12 when the analogue TV goes- there goes the TV. Buba what would you do without FOX News? I know you're thinking what did Pam and Nels ever have in common....back then I was a little more earthy myself (read that as hippie) and Nels was a little more-naw, he's just the same old wonderful Nels.
While we may have lived in opposite sides of the country pre-internet we stayed in touch by snail mail for years....Nels is also a poet and a cartooneer so it was always a joy to receive a card from him-home made, clever and funny. And sometimes we don't get "it" but loved the communication anyway. So it was with great joy we spent the day and eve with them....

Thank you Kayleen and Nelsie Moo. You still are cuter than Harrison Ford!!
SO WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL SWEETIE?

btw- if anyone is wondering if Seattle is still out there on the edge..Do you want to gain mastery in the accelerated human change technologies of nero linguistic programming, time empowerment and hypnosis? No sweat we have just the seminar for you. Trekers, climbers, bikers (not a toy!), get a degree in Ecopsychology? huh?, Gay Bingo, Homelessness 101 offered at the local community center, adventures in community gardening (we're talking metronatural here), Wiener-Dog races, and one I hated to miss "Bare Bun Fun Run"-clothing optional 5k-run up the side of Tiger Mountain!
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 1:48 PM