Today, Allen got into our car and left the monastery as a non-monk with the support . This sounds like a normal thing to you, but it is an amazing situation, even for a monk who hadn’t taken final vows, to experience. Not only that, but Father Seraphim sent a huge gift basket with Allen, full of foods acceptable for the present Orthodox Nativity fast. All the monks said good-bye to him with great love and sadness, along with hope that he will one day return.
We’re on our way to Toledo where Hiram will board a Greyhound bus this afternoon and arrive in Ames tomorrow morning. Allen and I will then go to Bowling Green and spend the weekend with relatives. This presents a phone problem. Hiram will take his phone with him. My phone is on its way via mail, thanks to my friend Cindy, from Boone to Bowling Green. Hopefully by next week you’ll be able to contact me at my cell phone number.
Once again, we are so thankful for your prayers and encouraging email comments. I haven’t been able to respond to all of them because of internet access and time constraints. But all of you – Deb and Jim, Old Firefighter, Julie, Janet, Art’s #4, Harriet, Kris, Shelly, Judith, Cindy, Rita, Jacque – and those of you I’ve inadvertently omitted, continue to be our support system. Hearing from you brings reality and home into our present adventure.
