The LV luggage is being left behind. Buba picked up "new and improved" at the Army Navy store. Yep, there is one right here in downtown Anchorage. Well, they call it a downtown. I don't think these folks have heard of urban planning. You would think when that bad boy earthquake hit in 1964-a 9 pt something...worse ever in US history-they had an opportunity to put a plan together and regroup. On the other hand, maybe they thought what the hay? The town is rather hodge podgey....I am sure they are of the mantra "we don't need no stinking planning ". We do love the Moose theme....here a moose there a moose everywhere a moose moose...except when there is a salmon. Had another Wild One last night....mmmmm. Which just reminded me of how Buba overcooks his salmon and dries the heck out of it....so I made him go into the kitchen at the Moose Nuggets and find out how the "chef" makes his salmon so moist. Somethings are better left....unseen.
Guess WHAT! I found a Nordstroms. All that messing at the Sears and they had a b
aby Nordstroms right here. So I decided I needed a Northern Exposure Make Over. Leaving that Dior behind I had Leah the sweetheart make up artist at Bare Essentials go for it...actually I told her they should call it BEAR Essentials here! I said is this that stuff they show on late night tv infomercials? Yes Mam. Let's give it a rip Leah. Not only was she an artist-practically a face lift- with all that powder she was a miracle worker. She sucked me in hook line and primer....keep an eye out for Leah with her own infomercial. It was worth the fun we had laughing about the MEN OF ALASKA. As if the MEN OF BOCA are a picnic? Well, truth be told I was jonesing for a Nordstrom Buzz and Bag. Thanks Leah!
aby Nordstroms right here. So I decided I needed a Northern Exposure Make Over. Leaving that Dior behind I had Leah the sweetheart make up artist at Bare Essentials go for it...actually I told her they should call it BEAR Essentials here! I said is this that stuff they show on late night tv infomercials? Yes Mam. Let's give it a rip Leah. Not only was she an artist-practically a face lift- with all that powder she was a miracle worker. She sucked me in hook line and primer....keep an eye out for Leah with her own infomercial. It was worth the fun we had laughing about the MEN OF ALASKA. As if the MEN OF BOCA are a picnic? Well, truth be told I was jonesing for a Nordstrom Buzz and Bag. Thanks Leah!After a very late check out due to the packing dilemma (What is appropriate garb for the village/forgot my babushka and long black skirt, Will my lap top work over there? My blackberry can't send or receive emails here now what? How much bug spray will they allow on the plane? is there a Deet 200%? Why did I bring 8 white T shirts from Hospice Camp Good Grief? Shorts? what was I thinking? The 2 Nieman "rain coats" I brought are in fact starting to look foolish (on that rare occasion Buba can be right), How will I unwrinkle my blouses in the village? Will I stick out in Tyonek with my Gucci bag? Diamond stud earrings are my everyday-now what? and never mind those hideous underwear I bought at Sears, I have never seen flowers stretch so much-and on and on). We headed over to the Church to meet the Mission Team.
Greeted by Father Leo, his wife and darling daught
er Nina we started to get acquainted, orient and plan for our Mission work in Tyonek. Keith has been practicing all night with the construction paper making paper crosses and learning all about glitter, paint, markers and all kinds of arts and crafts. I participated by shouting "I'll buy whatever we need and don't have." Doesn't that count for Team spirit? We are all sleeping here at Father Leo's Church, Holy Transfiguration. (We're glad we are here after the snow melted.) Makes showing up for services on time a breeze. Father is from the south side of Chi town-like me! He was raised a Catholic, then became an Evangelical (born again) and years ago came to Greek Orthodoxy-went to Seminary in Thessaloniki, Greece. He has served in New Zealand, Oregon and now Alaska. His church is the only Greek Orthodox church in the State...the many and rest are Russian Orthodox (OCA). You can bet they come from miles for his Greek Festival.
er Nina we started to get acquainted, orient and plan for our Mission work in Tyonek. Keith has been practicing all night with the construction paper making paper crosses and learning all about glitter, paint, markers and all kinds of arts and crafts. I participated by shouting "I'll buy whatever we need and don't have." Doesn't that count for Team spirit? We are all sleeping here at Father Leo's Church, Holy Transfiguration. (We're glad we are here after the snow melted.) Makes showing up for services on time a breeze. Father is from the south side of Chi town-like me! He was raised a Catholic, then became an Evangelical (born again) and years ago came to Greek Orthodoxy-went to Seminary in Thessaloniki, Greece. He has served in New Zealand, Oregon and now Alaska. His church is the only Greek Orthodox church in the State...the many and rest are Russian Orthodox (OCA). You can bet they come from miles for his Greek Festival.Father Leo also took us to Chugach State Park right behind the church,up to Flattop Mountain for a view of the city. Quite spectacular and quite chilly, at least the wind blew the mosquitos somewhere else or maybe it's the head to toe spray of Deet I am drowning myself in.....Buba brought tubes of sunscreen. Ha Ha Ha.
FORGIVENESS
I found one of the Father's Church messages on Forgiveness (something I have been hard at work learning). "To forgive means to restore a bond of love and communion when there has been a rupture. When a bond is broken with other people, we tend to objectify them and judge them, not seeing them as persons, but only as objects of our anger and hurt." Yep that's me- a sinful reaction. Categorizing people in terms of their transgressions against me. The longer I nurture the anger and alienation, the more deeply the resentment takes hold in my heart and the more it feeds on my soul. I am learning that forgiveness means overlooking the transgression and restoring the bond of love with whoever... .laying aside my judgements. I ask God to forgive me every day (for known and unknown deeds/sins). How can I NOT forgive others for the same? I know the root of my unforgiveness is pride and arrogance. Blaming others and blind to my own faults...a bit delusional I'd say. So one of my prayers for me during the Mission is to take Forgiveness to the next level. So dear family and friends, please forgive me your unworthy friend and relative. Know that I love you and am peddling as fast as I can to be forgiving. Amen!
P.S. How are you doing with your forgiveness?
