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.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

DAY 112 THE DOOR

Yes, the midwestern version of the Hamptons and the Cape- but in a good way! Pleep is reading up on Door County and cherries as part of his preparation for the day's activities.


HOLY TRANSFIGURATION CHAPEL

Holy Transfiguration Chapel, Sister Bay, Door County Wisconsin, can serve you as your "home away from home." Always open, the Chapel is available day and night. Many visitors and others have found the Chapel to be a special place "apart," dropping in to pray, light a candle, attend a Service, or just to be quiet before God. Additionally, the visitor finds an extensive lending library and informative tracts.

The Chapel is a functioning part of the St. Matthew Orthodox Church of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is served and maintained by Reader George ("Pat") Mangan, A.I.A, a long-time resident of Sister Bay, who designed and built the Chapel as an outpost of Orthodoxy in Door County. It is located in the woods at 912 N. Bay Shore Drive in Sister Bay.

Oh yeah. Now Boca wants one in her backyard thinking this may help in her repentance mode. Buba said no problem as he will be happy to build one on THE FARM. Pleep loved visiting this sweet private Chapel in Sister Bay. Boca wouldn't let Pleep inside the chapel but he enjoyed the incense and the chanting music he could hear from a nearby tree. And yes he keeps asking if there is a "pet" heaven. Well Pleep, while my favorite Priest says no his wonderful and fabulous wife says YES!



CHERRY MANIA OUT HERE

They are crazy for cherries out here - pies, jams, fresh, dried. You name it and they seem to be able to do it with cherries. We went cherry picking. Pleep loved swinging from the trees and pitching the cherries down to Buba & Boca. Actually, we weren't quite certain if he was trying to help pick them or just throwing them at us.


We lost track of Pleep at some point, only to discover he had found the local cherry winery. He seems to be on a mission to find wineries in every state we go to and to find ones that make wine out of anything but grapes. He insists there is a cherry white lightening they make in Serbia or Croatia that he wants to find in Wisconsin. We chased him all around that winery. Boca did have to sample several varieties and found them quite interesting.

Buba finally caught up to Pleep only to find out that he had already ordered a couple of cases and was having them loaded into the car.

While Buba was busy supervising the loading of the car Pleep & Boca did a little more shopping in the winery's gift store. So much merchandise to choose from, it was very difficult. Pleep picked this cap out for Boca. He told me it would be very stylish and nice for evenings out when we hit Chicago.

Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 8:09 AM