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.

Friday, July 10, 2009

More of Day 79 ST.HERMANS RELICS AND AKATHIST SERVICE AT HOLY RESSURECTION THURSDAY NIGHT

VENERATING THE RELICS

Yes that's his hat, "coffin", his iron cross (he bore privately upon his chest) -HIS RELICS. Every Thursday night there is an Akathist Service for St. Herman. We had the privilege to attend it at the very church he built on Kodiak Island in the late 1700's-The Church of the Resurrection (actually the 4th rebuild). An Akathist is a hymn dedicated to a Saint, holy event or one of the persons of the Holy Trinity. The word akathist means "not sitting". There are 13 parts to it, 7 line stanzas followed by six couplets and lots of Alleluias!


It was a beautiful service to honor Alaska's first Saint (actually the first American Saint in the Orthodox faith to be canonized). St. Herman was canonized in August of 1970 and every year there is a pilgrimage to Kodiak then over to Spruce Island- where he spent the rest of his life caring for the native people and many orphans. The native people regarded him as their intercessor before God. We are going there tomorrow with the clergy to honor St Herman and celebrate a holy feast day. This is his cross and the heavy chains he wore to "wear down his flesh". So why do the Orthodox venerate relics? We glorify the holy relics based on their miraculous nature-the mystery of holy relics is a the heart of the universal mystery of the New Testament: the incarnation of God-the embodiment of God in God-the man, the Lord Jesus Christ. Many relics have a "myrrh" stream- a sweet smell. I have smelled the myrrh on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In the desert, in a desert cave where many relics are kept, the monk opened the box and sure enough, the myrrh smell.

We also pilgrimmed to St. Catherine's in the Sinai of Egypt for the same (you know that burning bush spot) and we venerated relics there. A hand kept in a box was brought out for us to venerate and kiss. My son, Nick, was with us and was "creeped out"...well, I guess at age 17 it is understandable. It may seem a little ghoulish to you non Orthodox but it is a holy act for us Orthodox. We glorify the Saints to help us. The relics are a visible and tangible means of contact for a vehicle of miracles. And btw, several other religions venerate relics besides the Catholics and Orthodox-including the Muslims and Buddhists too! So if you're looking for a miracle consider joining us!

www.firebirdvideos.com/articles/whyrelics Gives an in depth explanation of Why relics?

After the service Father Paisius (remember he started and runs the St. Innocent's Academy for Boys) took us for a ride to the top of the mountain for an island view. Wow. We could see Spruce Island where we will also visit the Monks at Monk's Lagoon and the Sisters at St. Nilus Island. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Father and his wife Mary. Mary is also another Chicago gal. I asked her how she has done this work living with all of the boys and raising her 2 daughters? I told her that I was strong but pale in comparison to the strength she has. She shared that she comes from a family of 12 kids and was used to the chaos etc. Mary is also a convert (was Roman Catholic)-you can now officially call me a Convert Counter- and has devoted her life to God and making a difference in these boys lives. God Bless you Mary for all that you do!
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 1:04 PM