Below you'll find our most recent news about our day to day life, encouragements, difficulties, and all-around public info about our lives together.
Be sure to leave a comment on one of the posts!
*Note: Only the few most recent posts are visible - check out the Archives for older news.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Saturday, November 15, 2008
15th All American Council in Pittsburgh
We all just got back from the 15th AAC in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. It was a much more tiring trip than we anticipated (still getting used to having the third member in our family), and poor Mara ended up getting sick on Wednesday. But the level of tired didn't come close to comparing to the level of hope and joy we received from the Council.
Many people have described the events that took place as "shocking." We were all taken by surprise at the election of (now Metropolitan) +Jonah. Last year we heard recordings of Fr. Jonah speaking on several topics, including prayer of the heart. But hearing the way he spoke at the Council confirmed for everyone who the next leader of the OCA would be. Fr. David Rucker liked to say something along the lines of, "the Church doesn't make priests, it just manifests and blesses what they already are." After hearing the talk that (then Bishop) +Jonah gave on Tuesday night before the election (on Wed), the Church definitely manifested and blessed the one who already was the leader of our Church.
We are so joyful walking away from this Council. The OCA, abused and broken, now has a path and possibility of healing laid out before us. Even more than that, we have a leader who is engaged, who understands authority not as power but as responsibility, who wants to teach in a way that we can understand, and above all, urges us to love God with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourself. Glory to God!!
Here is a link to articles and talks given by Metropolitan Jonah throughout the years for your reading and listening pleasure.
We are so joyful walking away from this Council. The OCA, abused and broken, now has a path and possibility of healing laid out before us. Even more than that, we have a leader who is engaged, who understands authority not as power but as responsibility, who wants to teach in a way that we can understand, and above all, urges us to love God with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourself. Glory to God!!
Here is a link to articles and talks given by Metropolitan Jonah throughout the years for your reading and listening pleasure.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Our First Harvest
So, one thing about our new place is that it came with its own grape vine. Well, today was the day that we saw the birds out there starting to pick 'em off, so we got our plastic bags and started harvesting. (Interestingly enough, Tessi's name "Theressa" means "harvester.") We've kind of always had this dream of owning a vineyard someday, so this was really fun for us.
These are Concord grapes and, though they aren't very good for winemaking, we figured we'd give it a shot anyway. We found out there's a class in Indianapolis at a place called "Great Fermentations" on September 21st where we can learn how to make wine at home. Should be fun!
Here's a shot from yesterday (pre-harvest):
And here's a few shots from today before and after we got them:
Can you find Tessi?
The people who own this home (our landlords) just HAPPENED to have an old wine barrel in the garage. We hauled it in and it fits nicely with the icon of the Wedding at Cana!
And here's a few shots from today before and after we got them:
Can you find Tessi?
The people who own this home (our landlords) just HAPPENED to have an old wine barrel in the garage. We hauled it in and it fits nicely with the icon of the Wedding at Cana!
Friday, August 22, 2008
We're In!
Well it's been a long time coming, but we're finally settled in (with Internet installed)! For those of you who don't already know, we decided to move to Indiana in mid June to be closer to the Wilson family, and to move us one step closer toward seminary (most likely in NY). God has been so good to us, as well as our family and friends during this time of transition. We found a house to rent only a few miles from Mom and Dad Wilson's, and we're loving having a little more room than our apartment down south.
We've got a lot of photos to upload, so check back soon to see more!