"The leaves on the trees are falling, to the sound of the breezes that blow..."

Matthew is in New Jersey today, for our dear friend’s Diaconal Ordination (Yay, Deacon Theophan!). While I have some time to myself, I am watching the leaves fall in our big backyard with a cup of coffee in hand, and Buster at my side. By the way, Buster LOVES it here! I am reminded everyday how blessed we are and am thankful for the prayers we receive from so many.

This is what I am currently looking at :)

Living in Waymart is something else. It is always peaceful and quiet. I have noticed changes in myself after only a short time living here. My constant need to be busy is turning into time for reflection, because well, there isn’t much to do! Life is simple, which is a welcome change.

During my reflections one thing comes up constantly. I’ve realized that I have spent far too much time being unhappy. The past couple of years, I have had many happy moments, but underneath the surface, I have felt a lot of fear, anxiety, and at times, depression. I remember telling myself that those feelings would go away once I started student teaching, because I would finally be applying what I was learning. When I still wasn’t feeling better, I thought graduating would make me happy. Graduation came and went, and guess what? I was disappointed again. I finally realized the reason I was battling feelings of depression, was I never allowed myself to take chances. I had stuffed myself into a box and wouldn’t look outside of it. That is a horrible way to live. I knew that I had to make some big changes. I began asking God for help, which is what I should have been doing all along.

When the opportunity to pick up everything and move came around, I jumped on it. It was completely out of character, and crazy!! I had some second thoughts after committing to the move, and found myself wondering if I was being a little overzealous, but it has turned out to be the best thing I have ever done. For the first time in my life, I feel peace and joy all of the time. Living so close the Seminary and monastery has a lot to do with that. The people there are closer to God than I will ever be, and I am humbled that I have the opportunity to learn from them.

Lesson learned? When God has laid it out for you, never be afraid to do something crazy awesome. For you that may not look like dropping everything, quitting your job and moving 600 miles away from home, but I bet it is equally as good J.

Please continue to pray for our journey, and let us know how we can pray for you!

-Ashley

"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

One of my favorite films of all time is the Godfather. It's a classic film, and takes place in Long Island, New York.

Two weekends ago Ashley and I were able to have our own Long Island adventure!

No, we didn't get caught up in a mafia movie, or get surrounded my mob guys in a toll booth.

The St. Tikhon's Seminary Mission Choir, of which I am a member, was invited to sing at the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America in Syosset. To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of St. Tikhon's and St. Vladimir's Seminaries, choirs and representatives from both schools came to the Chancery and celebrated a wonderful outdoor Liturgy with many distinguished clergy, including Metropolitan Tikhon, Bishop Michael, Bishop Mark, and Igumen Sergius, Abbott of St. Tikhon's Monastery.

The outdoor setting gave folks a chance to see more of what goes on behind the Altar than what they normally would. In place of an iconostasis, a few large icons were placed on stands, giving a full view of the Altar area, and all the activities of the clergy.

The Liturgy was beautiful, and we could not have asked for a more lovely day to celebrate outdoors. It was a humbling experience to sing "We have seen the True Light..." while watching the sun come through the trees, and the Autumn leaves fall on us while we sang.

St. Tikhon's Seminary Mission Choir
(Photo by Chris Patton, STOTS Media Office)

My first Mission Choir trip was a great success, and I feel grateful and privileged to have been a part of it. I'm looking forward to meeting Priests and their congregations all over the Northeast in the years to come through our Mission Choir outings.

Finally, to St. Tikhon's and St. Vladimir's Seminaries, I wish a happy 75th Anniversary, as well as a happy 50th Anniversary to St. Herman's Seminary in Kodiak, Alaska. May God grant you many, many years!

-Matthew