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 25, 2009

Day 65 Tyonek: 3 SHEETS MISSION NEWS

Bell Tower Update

Still pounding nails. Bringing new meaning to "3 Sheets in The Wind"-the ice and water barrier sheet, the felt sheet, the black roll of scratchy stuff sheet (looks like what the lady who does my pedicure uses, I'll have to let her know she can get it in big sheets). We don't need no stinking scaffolding. We use rope tied to a truck as our OSHA obedience. My job? Praying like heck that none of the guys would fall off, cut their hand, put a nail through some body part, splinter, twist their back or just a plain old concussion. Hey guys, from down here it doesn't look that high? I had to run for the hills with that remark.


Team Dynamics

Still chugging along. It's interesting to get a group who don't know each other together in a day or two to "getter done". And there's always one who can be a Prickly Pete. There must be a Biblical reason for that. :)


NEW BEST FRIENDS FOR PLEEP!


He is making many new friends. Maggie the Moose (Pleep's new sibling) is not so sure. She's heard about the Moose Stew. Pleep loves making Icons and playing on the beach. He is teaching the children how to cross themselves Orthodox style....one of my dear friends Chad shared a story about a Catholic Priest blessing the crowd with a Catholic Hand Cross Blessing...trouble was it translated to "take your tepee and go home". Now I understand how all this Orthodoxy got going in the hood. :)





WE STUDIED THE ALASKAN SAINTS
Hello Florida any Saintly folks down your way??? 3 of my favorite......

St. Herman: St. Herman of Alaska, wonderworker of all America. Born: around 1756-1760 (Serpukhov, Moscow Diocese, Russia) Died: December 13/25, 1837 (Spruce Island, Alaska) Glorification Date: August 9, 1970 Commemoration Dates: August 9 (glorification) December 13 (repose)

As a young monk at the Trinity-St. Sergius Monastery near St. Petersburg, Russia, a large abscess appeared on his neck. He prayed before an icon of the Mother of God and went to sleep. In his dream, the Mother of God appeared to him and healed him. When he awoke, the abscess had miraculously disappeared. After five or six years, St. Herman moved to the Valaam Monastery. He was one of the monks selected by the pious abbot Nazarius in 1794 to go to America for missionary work. Abbot Nazarius blesses Monk Herman for the journey and evangelical mission. Here is the icon of the arrival of Russian missionaries (Archimandrite Joasaph, hieromonk Macarius, Hieromonk Juvenal, Hieromonk Athanasius, Hierodeacon Nectarius, Hierodeacon Stephen, monk Herman, monk Joasaph) on Kodiak Island September 24, 1794 after a journey of 7,327 miles lasting 293 days. It was the longest missionary journey in Orthodox Church history. St. Herman gives thanks for their safe arrival. On a night in winter, St. Herman walks barefoot and carries a very heavy log as his disciple Nazarius looks on astonished, for it was hardly possible for four men to carry it.


St. Herman cares for the natives stricken by a terrible smallpox epidemic which swept the area. For a whole month he visited the sick, prayed with them, urged them to repentance, or prepared them for death. He did not spare himself until the epidemic died out. Father Herman deeply loved the natives, especially children, as he preached to them and cared for their material needs. The children, especially, were attracted by his gentleness.


During a forest fire on Spruce Island, St. Herman digs a ditch to protect his hermitage, predicting that the fire would not go beyond it. The fire extinguished itself as it approached the ditch. St. Herman's death on December 13/25, 1837. His body remained in the warm home of his disciples for a whole month with no sign of decomposition. He was buried by the natives on Spruce Island.


In 1842, St. Innocent's ship was in extreme danger in the waters off Kodiak. After he prayed to St. Herman for help, the wind became favorable and the waters miraculously became calm, allowing the ship to reach port in safety. St. Innocent served a panikhida for St. Herman at his grave, thanking him for his deliverance. On August 9, 1970, St. Herman was glorified as the first American saint. Metropolitan Ireney of New York, Archbishop Paul of Finland,and Bishop Theodosius of Alaska presided at the canonization service.


Because of the holiness of his life, St. Herman was able to converse with angels and live in harmony with the wild animals. When someone asked him how he could live alone in the forest, St. Herman replied, "I am not alone there. God is there, as God is everywhere. Holy angels are there. With whom is it more pleasant to converse, with men or with angels? With angels, of course!"



St. Innocent: Born: August 26, 1797 (Anginskoye, Irkuts); Died: March 31, 1879 (Moscow, Russia); Glorification Date: October 6, 1977; Commemoration Dates: October 6 (glorification) & March 31 (repose). As a young priest at the Annunciation Church in Irkutsk (1821-23), Fr. John Veniaminov also taught children their faith in school. When all other clergy refused to go, Fr. John accepted assignment to Unalaska. His journey there from Irkutsk with his family took 14 months. He traveled tirelessly throughout Alaska as a missionary. Preaching to natives in Alaska as a priest.


St. Innocent translated the Scriptures and other spiritual works into native languages. Building Holy Ascension Church in Unalaska with the assistance of natives whom he had taught construction techniques (1825-26). On Dec 15, 1840, following the death of his wife and monastic tonsure with the name Innocent, he is consecrated Bishop of Kamchatka, the Kutile and Aleutian Islands at Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia.


In 1842, Bishop Innocent was in a boat in very stormy seas off Kodiak. He turned towards Spruce Island and prayed to St. Herman for help. Within minutes the waters turned calm. As Bishop, he consecrated his diocesan Cathedral - St. Michael's in New Archangel (Sitka) on November 20, 1848, which he had previously built. In 1868, St. Innocent is elected Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna. The Dormition Cathedral in the Kremlin is in the background. Following his death on March 31, he is buried in the Church of the Holy Spirit at the Holy Trinity - St Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad on April 5, 1879. Following his canonization in 1977, the Church of Russia (personified here by the late Patriarch Pimen) and the Church of America (personified by Metropolitan Theodosius) pray to St. Innocent, whose image is borne by angels in heaven, at the Church of the Holy Spirit.



Peter the Aleut, Commemorated on September 24; Saint Peter the Aleut is mentioned in the Life of St Herman of Alaska (December 13). Simeon Yanovsky (who ended his life as the schemamonk Sergius in the St Tikhon of Kaluga Monastery), has left the following account: "On another occasion I was relating to him how the Spanish in California had imprisoned fourteen Aleuts, and how the Jesuits (actually Franciscans) were forcing all of them to accept the Catholic Faith. But the Aleuts would not agree under any circumstances, saying, 'We are Christians.' The Jesuits argued, 'That's not true, you are heretics and schismatics. If you do not agree to accept our faith then we will torture all of you to death.' Then the Aleuts were placed in prisons two to a cell. That evening, the Jesuits came to the prison with lanterns and lighted candles. Again they tried to persuade two Aleuts in the cell to accept the Catholic Faith. 'We are Christians,' the Aleuts replied, 'and we will not change our Faith.' Then the Jesuits began to torture them, at first the one while his companion was a witness. They cut off one of the joints of his feet, and then the other joint. Then they cut the first joint on the fingers of his hands, and then the other joint. Then they cut off his feet, and his hands. The blood flowed, but the martyr endured all and firmly repeated one thing: "I am a Christian.' He died in such suffering, due to a loss of blood. The Jesuit also promised to torture his comrade to death the next day.


But that night an order was received from Monterrey stating that the imprisoned Aleuts were to be released immediately, and sent there under escort. Therefore, in the morning all were sent to Monterrey with the exception of the dead Aleut. This was related to me by a witness, the same Aleut who had escaped torture, and who was the friend of the martyred Aleut. I reported this incident to the authorities in St Petersburg. When I finished my story, Father Herman asked, 'What was the name of the martyred Aleut?' I answered, 'Peter. I do not remember his family name.' The Elder stood reverently before an icon, made the Sign of the Cross and said, "Holy New Martyr Peter, pray to God for us!"


We know very little about St Peter, except that he was from Kodiak, and was arrested and put to death by the Spaniards in California because he refused to convert to Catholicism. The circumstances of his martyrdom recall the torture of St James the Persian (November 27).


Both in his sufferings and in his steadfast confession of the Faith, St Peter is the equal of the martyrs of old, and also of the New Martyrs who have shone forth in more recent times. Now he rejoices with them in the heavenly Kingdom, glorifying God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, throughout all ages.


OK ENOUGH OF THAT. TIME FOR TREATS!!!


P.S. NEXT WEEK KEITH AND I WILL SPEND THE WEEK AT ST. HERMAN'S SEMINARY ON KODIAK ISLAND. I know you are wondering "What is she thinking? As if sleeping there will help make her more saintly?" Yep, pretty much that's what I'm thinking!

Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 8:30 PM