Day Four of an Amazing Experience

Today we went to Spruce Island to clear up for the Pilgrimage. It was a great boat ride. The skipper, Nick, had just finished building it with his dad and they gave us a great, thrilling ride. The beach was utterly cool- it was black sand, like a really fine gravel. It would have been the most beautiful sight in the world had kelp not been scattered so much it resembled the clothes on a teenage boy's room floor. But we raked out a path, enduring the smelliness so pilgrims could travel up the beach. We ate lunch on the island, which consisted of Subway and awesome cookies. then we took a path in the woods, and got to visit the chapel on the island, as well as St. Herman's grave. It was unbelievably beautiful at the chapel and was extremely amazing to stand there. We literally got to walk in the steps where American Orthodoxy started. That is a long history for us, and I felt very privileged to be there.

We came back in boats, and then as thanks for our work on the Seminary we were treated to seafood, where Peter (D) went on a journey of discovery to learn "Fish and Chips" was fried, breaded fish and french fries. We all joined him on the journey of discovery that that place makes an awesome milkshake- except Emili. hers tasted like medicine. Then we walked to Holy Resurrection Cathedral for the akaphist to St. Herman of Alaska. Now we get to chill.

Its been amazing for me because I feel like a part of our church history when I am up here. I feel closer to my fellow Orthodox teens than any of my other teenage friends, because we all have this deep spiritual connection. It is truly amazing and one of a kind. God has truly blessed me and i would like to give a shout pout and personal thanks to anyone who even donated a cent to send me and my friends up here, and anyone who gave words of encouragement and prayers. Thank you so much. I in turn will pray for you. I feel closer to God than I have before.

And on that note I'm going to Wal-Mart with Emili and Abby... because Wal-Mart ROCKS.

<3 Sally.