Greetings to the lower 48 (it's quite hip to say that here...)
Well a few weeks ago, I wished I could be paid a quarter for everytime I heard "MOM!"... now, I wish I could get a quarter everytime I hear "AWESOME!" It's got to be the word of choice by the kids to describe so many experiences (even with the physical work that is being done!) The kids are doing wonderful works and you as their parents - should be most proud.
So... just some quick snapshots from my personal experiences...
* Upon our approach to Kodiak airport... all I can see are clouds. Apparently, that's all the pilot can see too because he announces " Well folks, we have heavy clouds, rain, about 2 miles visibility... shouldn't be a problem. But, if it is, we'll just go back up and try again." That's when I decided to take a leave of consciousness for my good and everyone else... and isn't engine number 3 shaking too much? I close my eyes... and several accelerated Jesus prayers later... we are on the ground. Safely.
* We load into cars... it's foggy, rainy and there is nothing to see. After all the anxiety of take offs, landings, turbulence... I'm feeling pretty relieved. Then we almost go off the road on the way to the Seminary. Now that would have been a real bummer.
* We go on a wonderful tour of the island - thanks to our gracious hosts - and an old friend of Father and Matushka... Hazel! A lovely woman with a wonderful sense of humor and ginger altoids... we go to Abercrombie Park and I discover bear scat. (Yea... that's what it is.) Father Ishmael looks kind of concerned when I share my news... "You did?.... hmmm, that's not too good"... I perk up and say "Yes, I think he was eating berries!" Father says, "let's hope he had enough". Gives me pause for thought, and then I decide to go towards the cars with everyone else. Quickly.
* Sometimes the kids remind me of being at home. One of the adults within our party is trying to distribute valuable information and no one is listening. It's like being with toddlers that are 5 feet or taller. Then we pull out something shiny... and they stop and listen. ;-)
* We tour the docks in Kodiak and Fr. G gives us some local history... he starts to tell us about the 3 saints - to which I interject "the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria?" He gave me a good guffaw then dismisses me. Lucky for me, I didn't end up in the harbor.
* Native custom here is for the men and women folk to bathe via a steam/sauna bath as there are no showers in the villages. Quick definition - pouring water over rocks which cover a wood burning fire contained in a stove in this wee little 4x5 (approximate) hut. It can get to be 300 degrees! The seminarians have hand crafted their own here on site. The invite was extended and I decided to go. But, you know when you're in a different place, where a different language is spoken... you're certain they're talking about you... Ah, smiling, giggling and birthday suits. It's always good to be able to laugh at yourself. That experience will always give me a giggle... and I'll leave it at that! OH! I forgot to say... they bathe separately... hahahahhaha. Had you!
* The new day brings glorious weather for the trip to Spruce Island to help prepare for the pilgimage. It's majestic and moving in so many ways... I'm going to be selfish and keep those thoughts to myself. But ask me about clearing kelp? After lot of physical work, punchiness kicks in... I can't stop the kelp jokes... "KELP! I've fallen and I can't get up!" "Someone, Kelp me, please!" "Kelp... it's salad from the sea" "I just can't kelp myself". The kids are kind, give me a token laugh and then move away from me... hmmm. Incidentally, Father Innocent never mentioned that there would be maggots in the kelp. He's a very wise man.
Well... the prodigal sons and daughters have returned... and silence quickly leaves the building. Everything is going well, the people are lovely and the kids are terrific. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers across the miles... sending you love and His Blessings in all things!
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IT SOUNDS AWESOME!!LOVE,HANNAH
ReplyDeleteKelp! I need somebody. Kelp! Not just anybody. Kelp, you know I need someone! KELP! Won't you please, please, kelp me? Kelp me! Woooohoooo!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should adopt this as your team's theme song?
Way to go M. "Kelpy" Kelly O!
You're all in our prayers and we were especially thinking of you as we sang the verses for St. Herman during Saturday evening vespers. Metropolitan Theodosius was recalling for us what it was like to be there (as Alaska's bishop) for the canonization. Hope you're taking lots of pics!
Aloha!