Fellowship

We are already half way through February. It's still chilly around here, but some days are a little warmer than others. The snow seems to come and go, but the boys have had many chances to enjoy it. We are doing well. Our wonderful little newest family member, baby Baldwin in the womb is keeping Veronika tired. It's exciting to think about April being around the corner and to see baby Baldwin for the first time.

We are trying to have a lot of great moments of fellowship in our last semester here. We are trying to get together with the other families. Mostly, this happens on Sunday afternoons. It's a great blessing to be able to do this. There are a lot of seminarian families here and we have shared some great times with them. It is a huge support to be able t spend time with other seminarian families. We share our struggles, our joys, our plans, stories about our kids, our lives. We are forging bonds that will, God-Willing, help strengthen us on the journey to come, once we leave seminary.

Being as how I grew up in Mississippi and that this past Tuesday was Mardi Gras and that I miss my home, I just had to pay homage to my roots. We had a little get together at the house for Mardi Gras. Of course, I had to start the morning off right with a traditional New Orleans breakfast Calas and a Cafe Du Monde Cafe au Lait.

Left: Calas, a deep fried sourdough-esque rice doughnut covered in powdered sugar

Right: Cafe du Monde Cafe au Lait, Half Coffee and Chicory-Half hot milk

King Cake. It has the Mardi Gras colors, Purple=Justice Gold=Power and Green=Faith. They are said to have been chosen by Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovitch Romanoff of Russia during a visit to New Orleans in 1872. 

Blackened Catfish 

 Gumbo and Rice

We are thankful for all the prayers and support that we have received during out time here are St. Tikhon's. Even on our last semester, Veronika and I have been blessed to continue working in the kitchen here at St. Tikhon's cooking meals for the Seminarians. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and if you have any prayer requests, let us know. We visit the monastery everyday and are happy to keep your intentions in our prayers. If you would like to help us by donating, please click on the “donate” on the right. Your donations to our paypal account will help us get through this last semester. Whether small or big, every donation help tremendously. Thanks!