Catching Up!

Okay, okay! I'll do it! I will, once again, write entries in what many have called their "favorite writing of mine." I started a different blog last year, but it never really caught on, so I'm back! And besides, I love looking back at all of the pictures and history recorded here on the pages of this blog!

If you are a new reader to The Pelikan Brief, welcome! And, welcome back to our many friends from around the world who were faithful readers in the past! I look forward to hearing from many of you! Please consider being a follower of The Pelikan Brief.

Yesterday, was a significant day in our lives, and an appropriate time, I think, to begin making entries again. It was nine years ago, on January 27, 2008, that Fr. Philip was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.

It was an amazing day! Family and friends made many sacrifices to be with us for Fr. Philip's Ordination in Jacksonville, Florida. We are so very thankful and humbled for their participation and witness, as well as the swift and timely decision made ultimately by Metropolitan Philip (of Blessed Memory), to bring it all about so promptly. It wasn't to be long before Fr. Philip deployed to Afghanistan for one year; therefore, time (and training) was of the essence. 

Those days are a story within themselves. Our youngest son was unable to attend with his wife and daughter, since he was still with the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan, himself, at the time! Thank God he and his dad weren't both there at the same time! 



John did join his family, and our eldest son, Jesse, and his family, to be received into the Orthodox Church that following Holy Saturday, the day before Pascha (Easter), April 26, 2008. Thank God!

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It's hard to believe that nine years have slipped by since that Ordination Day. So much has happened in our family since then. Elijah, our third grandchild, had just been born that previous November in California. In just a few days from now, our sixth grandchild will be born! We are blessed to have our sons and their families living within a few hours of us and each other, here in North Carolina. Our oldest is 12 now, and the youngest will be three in May. Here is one my all-time favorite group Christmas pictures of the *nestlings*:

Much of what has happened over these past nine years I've written down on the pages of this blog, so how can I just let it sit here being neglected? Bad Mimi!         

Just to name a few of my favorite amazing things over the past several years: My father miraculously recovered from very serious skin cancer; my mother made it through several serious surgeries; my nephews have graduated from college, gotten married, started amazing businesses, had babies, and my brothers, our sons, and those they love, are successful and happy in each of their fields of endeavor ... life is good!

So much is happening, and so much will happen! Let's share the joyful journey together, shall we?

Affectionately,

Mimi and Papa+