A Quiet Meadow

Sundays here at the monastery are quite a bit different than the rest of the week.  The church is full of people in contrast to the sparse, quiet daily services; there is a large, mixed choir of lay people rather than a small trio of monks, and the bishop is serving with many priests and deacons as opposed to the priest-deacon duo of the weekday services.  For my part, upon the completion of the service, I was needing some personal, quiet time, so I went on a walk to explore some of the 300 acres of monastery property and this is what I found:  

There was a little cottage built out there, with a rocker on the porch, so I just sat for a while, basking in the heat of the sun and the quiet of nature.  I was re-energized for my return.  Please continue to keep me in your prayers.

More Obediences

The sun came back yesterday and I was able to do some weeding with the other guest, Artemios, who is visiting from Greece.  See our work below.  Today, I got to work in the candle factory, which was no problem for me because they make 100% beeswax candles, and I love the smell of beeswax.  The abbot of the monastery has been very understanding of my chemical sensitivities in giving me obediences; I haven't had to wear my respirator once--Glory to God! Learning a lot. Keep me in your prayers as you are all in mine.   

First Obedience

After a few days of recuperation from my travels, I have been given my first obedience.  An obedience is basically the monastic equivalent of a job, which can be as simple as helping to cook a meal or as complex as running the bookstore.  My task this morning was to help one of the brothers take out the trash.  We hopped in the truck and traveled around the grounds, emptying all the cans into bags and loading them in the truck.   After witnessing how well I could spot all the garbage cans, my workmate said I would make a good monk.  Of course, he was speaking a little tongue-in-cheek.  The weather has been very much like the NW these past few days--cold and wet.  The brothers tell me that they wanted me to feel at home.   

The Garbage Truck

Bright Saturday

Christ is Risen!

Arrived safely at St. Tikhon's last night after a 66-knot tail wind aided my delayed flight to arrive in time for me to make my connection.  I was overjoyed to be able to attend one final Bright Week Liturgy this morning in the Monastery Church, the last service of this most precious week in the year. The abbot of the monastery, Fr. Sergius, served the liturgy with Bishop Tikhon in attendance.  The choir was composed of members of the brotherhood as well as seminarians from across the street.  I have a few days to acclimate before they put me to work.  Thanks for your prayers.

A Gift

"Faith comes not through pondering but through action.  Not words and speculation but experience teaches us what God is.  To let in fresh air we have to open a window; to get tanned we must go out into the sunshine.  Achieving faith is no different; we never reach a goal by just sitting in comfort and waiting, say the holy Fathers.  Let the Prodigal Son be our example.  He arose and came."  -Tito Colliander


I was given these words as a gift this morning as I made my way to the Sea-Tac Airport in the pouring rain.

Update: Weather problems in Chicago.  Flight may be delayed an hour--not sure what that means for my connection to Philadelphia.  Please pray.

A Traveling Blessing

A traveling blessing was said over me today after our morning service at St. Elizabeth's, asking for God's blessing and protection on my journey. I ask for all of your prayers in this same vein. I fly out tomorrow morning for Philadelphia, where the monks of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery will pick me up, and we will make the two hour drive back up to South Canaan, PA, where I will begin my two week stay.

Christ is risen!