Joel & Tessi News

Our First Harvest

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:00:00 +0000

So, one thing about our new place is that it came with its own grape vine. Well, today was the day that we saw the birds out there starting to pick 'em off, so we got our plastic bags and started harvesting. (Interestingly enough, Tessi's name "Theressa" means "harvester.") We've kind of always had this dream of owning a vineyard someday, so this was really fun for us.

These are Concord grapes and, though they aren't very good for winemaking, we figured we'd give it a shot anyway. We found out there's a class in Indianapolis at a place called "Great Fermentations" on September 21st where we can learn how to make wine at home. Should be fun!

Here's a shot from yesterday (pre-harvest):

And here's a few shots from today before and after we got them:

Can you find Tessi?

The people who own this home (our landlords) just HAPPENED to have an old wine barrel in the garage. We hauled it in and it fits nicely with the icon of the Wedding at Cana!

We're In!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:24:00 +0000

Well it's been a long time coming, but we're finally settled in (with Internet installed)! For those of you who don't already know, we decided to move to Indiana in mid June to be closer to the Wilson family, and to move us one step closer toward seminary (most likely in NY). God has been so good to us, as well as our family and friends during this time of transition. We found a house to rent only a few miles from Mom and Dad Wilson's, and we're loving having a little more room than our apartment down south.

We've got a lot of photos to upload, so check back soon to see more!

A Mother's Day Study

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:58:00 +0000

What a Mom is worth in today's fast-paced world. Just thought this article was worth sharing for all you Mothers out there. Thanks for all you do. :)

Our First Year

noreply@blogger.com (Joeliver) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:51:00 +0000

Today we have officially been married for one year! Looking back on our time together, it seems like it's flown by, and so much has happened - Mara will already be 3 months old on Thursday!

We are so blessed to have each other, and want to thank all of our family and friends for the kindness and generosity shown. It makes it easier when others before us have set such a good example.

We also had someone who was kind enough to send us footage they shot at our wedding! So here's a short and sweet version of our wedding in commemoration of our one-year anniversary.

P.S. Christ is Risen!

Pascha!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:54:00 +0000

"This is the day of Resurrection; let us be illumined by the Feast, let us embrace each other! Let us call "brother" even those who hate us, and forgive all by the Resurrection. And so let us cry:"

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

Death is overthrown and Life reigns! All things are new again in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What an awesome and loving God we have.

Great & Holy Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:33:00 +0000

These were just a few verses that we sang in church last night and this morning that really kind of blew my mind (bold emphasis my own):

From the Canon of Great & Holy Saturday:
"The Life of All accepts burial in the tomb,
And the tomb becomes the source of resurrection
Unto the salvation of us who sing:
Blessed are you, O God, our redeemer!"

This verse hit me because, not only did Christ defeat death by His death (paradoxical enough), He made it His slave (essentially) by wielding it to be a new source of life. That even though we all die, we're no longer held captive by death. Whoa!

From the Liturgy on Great & Holy Saturday:
"Today hell cries out groaning:
I should not have accepted the Man born of Mary.
He came and destroyed my power.
He shattered the gates of brass.
As God, He raised the souls that I had held captive.
Glory to Thy cross and resurrection, O Lord.

"Today, hell cries out groaning:
My dominion has been shattered.
I received a dead man as one of the dead,
but against Him I could not prevail.
From eternity I had ruled the dead,
but behold, He raises all.
Because of Him do I perish.
Glory to Thy cross and resurrection, O Lord."

Fr. Alexander Schmemman of blessed memory describes Christ's time in hell as an "active repose." Interesting contrast.

Have a wonderful Pascha!

St. George Choir on Good Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:22:00 +0000

Tonight is Orthodox Good Friday, so we got a little video snippet of the choir during one of the songs at church. What a beautiful service it is! This is the night when Christ's death is recounted and brought to the forefront of our minds. An icon of Christ in the form of a shroud is brought out and placed in the "tomb". At the end of the service it is processed around the Church with all of us following and singing with candles lit. We then reenter the Church underneath the shroud as it is held above us. The songs, scriptures, readings that are done . . . they all make you feel like you are in the moment when Christ was actually crucified and buried. You can see a brief moment of Joel, Mara and I as we sing in the choir too. Mara will be a great choir member some day! :)

Please Pray for Father Antonio

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:54:00 +0000

This week is Holy Week that leads up to Pascha (Easter) for those of us in the Orthodox Church. It is packed full with beautiful services each day to help us draw near to God, recounting so much about His death and resurrection. However, this Tuesday our priest, Fr. Antonio, was diagnosed with pneumonia! The doctor wanted him to go the hospital, but Fr. and Matushka Elizabeth told him about all the services he has to do this week for Holy Week, so they just gave him shots of antibiotics to allow him to go home. Out of the whole year, this is the most inopportune time to get sick for Fr. Antonio. He must feel so burdened wanting to perform the services for the sake of his flock, not being able to rest fully because of it. The church is trying to do as many parts of the services as we can without him having to be there to allow him to rest. Please pray for him, that he would recover and would not be too overwhelmed by it all. It seems that SOMEONE did not want us to participate in Holy Week this year, but God is still using the efforts of his faithful that are picking up the slack to work in the lives of those in our church. God will always prevail and can use all things to draw us closer to Him. May He be glorified this Paschal season!!!

Mara's New Bonnet

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 03:01:00 +0000

We're on our way to San Anton this weekend and Tess just finished
knitting this at our first stop along the way. Thought you'd enjoy. :)

Please Pray for Grandpa Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:19:00 +0000

Grandpa is currently in surgery having cancer removed from around his pancreas. The doctors are having to remove parts of several other vital organs as well, and will make for a long recovery. Please remember him in your prayers today.

UPDATE: Grandpa had a successful surgery (or so we're told) and the doctor is saying he's four to five days ahead of schedule in his recovery. Thank you so much for your prayers! Once he gets home it will be a long six or so weeks to get back to normal physical shape, but at this rate, maybe only two or three!

Please Pray for Renee

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:14:00 +0000

Renee is 34 weeks pregnant and went into the hospital at 4:00 this morning after going into premature active labor. They've given her magnesium to try and slow the labor down, and apparently it's working so far. Once they get her contractions to stop they will be transferring her to Abiline where there is a Neonatal ICU. They're hoping to keep her for another two weeks.

For those of you who don't know, 36 weeks is considered "safe" to deliver the baby, but not too much before that. Please remember her and Joel and the baby (and Calvin and Donny) in your prayers today.

UPDATE (10:15 P.M.) : Renee was able get the contractions stopped long enough to be transferred to Abilene. Once she got there the labor started up again and progressed entirely. Little Josephine was born around 10:00 tonight! They don't know much about her yet, as she was whisked away to the Neonatal ICU, but we know that she's doing well at this point. We're hoping to go up this weekend to see them all. Thank you everyone for your prayers - please continue them for the Duffield family these next few days.

Smilin' Mara

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:04:00 +0000

(Click for more)

St. Tarasius • Archbishop of Constantinople

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:39:00 +0000

Today is Tessi's namesday! Upon her Chrismation into the Orthodox Church, she chose St. Tarasius as her patron saint because of his significance in the Seventh Ecumenical Council in dealing with the heresy of iconoclasm. Today is the first time for her to be able to celebrate her namesday as a newly illumined Orthodox Christian. Here is the icon and story of St. Tarasius' life:

Saint Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople was of illustrious lineage. He was born and raised in Constantinople, where he received a fine education. He was rapidly promoted at the court of the emperor Constantine VI Porphyrogenitos (780-797) and Constantine's mother, the holy Empress Irene (August 7), and the saint attained the rank of senator.

During these times the Church was agitated by the turmoil of the Iconoclast disturbances. The holy Patriarch Paul (August 30) although he had formerly supported Iconoclasm, later repented and resigned his office. He withdrew to a monastery, where he took the schema. When the holy Empress Irene and her son the emperor came to him, St Paul told them that the most worthy successor to him would be St Tarasius (who at this time was still a layman).

Tarasius refused for a long time, not considering himself worthy of such high office, but he then gave in to the common accord on the condition, that an Ecumenical Council be convened to address the Iconoclast heresy.

Proceeding through all the clerical ranks in a short while, St Tarasius was elevated to the patriarchal throne in the year 784. In the year 787 the Seventh Ecumenical Council was convened in the city of Nicea, with Patriarch Tarasius presiding, and 367 bishops attending. The veneration of holy icons was confirmed at the council. Those bishops who repented of their iconoclasm, were again received by the Church.

St Tarasius wisely governed the Church for twenty-two years. He led a strict ascetic life. He spent all his money on God-pleasing ends, feeding and giving comfort to the aged, to the impoverished, to widows and orphans, and on Holy Pascha he set out a meal for them, and he served them himself.

The holy Patriarch fearlessly denounced the emperor Constantine Porphyrigenitos when he slandered his spouse, the empress Maria, the granddaughter of St Philaretos the Merciful (December 1), so that he could send Maria to a monastery, thus freeing him to marry his own kinswoman. St Tarasius resolutely refused to dissolve the marriage of the emperor, for which the saint fell into disgrace. Soon, however, Constantine was deposed by his own mother, the Empress Irene.

St Tarasius died in the year 806. Before his death, devils examined his life from the time of his youth, and they tried to get the saint to admit to sins that he had not committed. "I am innocent of that of which you accuse me," replied the saint, "and you falsely slander me. You have no power over me at all."

Mourned by the Church, the saint was buried in a monastery he built on the Bosphorus. Many miracles took place at his tomb.

Finally, More Pictures!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:43:00 +0000

We're thrilled (albeit tired) and grateful to God for such an incredible blessing. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we nurse this little one through the fragile initiations of life. Click the photo below for about 20 photos of lil' Mara.

(Click for more)
Thank you to everyone for your congratulations and prayers. This world would be a very difficult place to bring a new life into without the love of God expressed through all of you. Thank you!

Mara Breigh Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:21:00 +0000

8 lbs, 5 oz. 19.5 in. Born on Jan. 31st, 10:35pm.

These are all the shots we can post for now. Mommy and Daddy are tired.

First hair rinse.

Getting her hair combed.

A tired team.

Thank you for your prayers, and thank you Lord Jesus Christ, for a healthy baby.

Ask the Readers: Best Objective News Source?

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:51:00 +0000

So acting in line with our new year's resolution, I thought I'd post a more conversational topic to you, our readers.

It's not uncommon for someone to tell you to quit listening to main-stream media and to "get the facts." But where exactly are these "facts" found? I've got my opinions, but do you have any news sources you've found that you think are truthful and objective? Do you think they exist?

Leave a comment and let us know!

Blessing of the Waters - Theophany 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:35:00 +0000

St. George had its Blessing of the Waters service at a lake in Edinburg yesterday. It was really windy, but beautiful. Theophany always has a bit of a childish nature to it for some reason. Getting sprinkled with water never fails to make you smile!

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Joeliver) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:13:00 +0000

It's absolutely incredible that another year is already here. We sent our New Year Letter out late last night. If you didn't get one then either we don't have your email address or we had an old one. So if you're achin for a recap of 2007 with the Wilsons, leave us a comment or shoot us an email and we'll get one out to you right quick!

May God bless this new year for you, and help you take advantage of new beginnings!

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:24:00 +0000

Nativity Homily by St. John Chrysostom:

"I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the Shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn.

"The Angels sing!
The Archangels blend their voices in harmony!
The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise!
The Seraphim exalt His glory!

"All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.

"Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side the Sun of Justice.

"And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed, he had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things move in obedience to God.

"This day He Who Is, is Born; and He Who Is becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became he God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassibility, remaining unchanged.

"And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him Angels, nor Archangels, nor Thrones, nor Dominations, nor Powers, nor Principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb.

"Yet He has not forsaken His angels, nor left them deprived of His care, nor because of His Incarnation has he departed from the Godhead.

"And behold,
Kings have come, that they might adore the heavenly King of glory;
Soldiers, that they might serve the Leader of the Hosts of Heaven;
Women, that they might adore Him Who was born of a woman so that He might change the pains of child-birth into joy;
Virgins, to the Son of the Virgin, beholding with joy, that He Who is the Giver of milk, Who has decreed that the fountains of the breast pour forth in ready streams, receives from a Virgin Mother the food of infancy;
Infants, that they may adore Him Who became a little child, so that out of the mouth of infants and sucklings, He might perfect praise;
Children, to the Child Who raised up martyrs through the rage of Herod;
Men, to Him Who became man, that He might heal the miseries of His servants;
Shepherds, to the Good Shepherd Who has laid down His life for His sheep;
Priests, to Him Who has become a High Priest according to the order of Melchisedech;
Servants, to Him Who took upon Himself the form of a servant that He might bless our servitude with the reward of freedom;
Fishermen, to Him Who from amongst fishermen chose catchers of men;
Publicans, to Him Who from amongst them named a chosen Evangelist;
Sinful women, to Him Who exposed His feet to the tears of the repentant;

"And that I may embrace them all together, all sinners have come, that they may look upon the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world.

"Since therefore all rejoice, I too desire to rejoice. I too wish to share the choral dance, to celebrate the festival. But I take my part, not plucking the harp, not shaking the Thyrsian staff, not with the music of pipes, nor holding a torch, but holding in my arms the cradle of Christ. For this is all my hope, this my life, this my salvation, this my pipe, my harp. And bearing it I come, and having from its power received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels, sing: Glory to God in the Highest; and with the shepherds: and on earth peace to men of good will."

Fr. Antonio read this for the homily at this morning's liturgy. It's so beautiful, and it does such an excellent job of tying everything in. Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Pregnancy Belly

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:40:00 +0000

Here's a recent pregnancy picture to show our baby's growth progress. And to think, we still have at least six more weeks of growth to go! Ahhhh!

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:12:00 +0000

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

We want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. It's definitely been an exciting year for us, lots of life changes. Thank you for your prayers and encouragements throughout this year.

Our resolution for the new year? Post more frequently!

Fall In the Valley

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 22:23:00 +0000

We had a great time over at Russ and Manda's last night carving pumpkins (Tess painted the one below), eating chili and pumpkin pie (not together) , and enjoying some nice Octoberfest and Pumpkin ales. The only thing missing was the cold weather...

...until today, that is. Yesterday it was 95 degrees as Tess and I were doing some work outside. I got some nasty mosquito bites and just about ruined my nice pants from sweat. But today, within two hours, the temperature dropped to a WONDERFUL 65 degrees. Thank the Lord! It feels like Fall now.

An Introduction to Orthodox Christianity

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 18:10:00 +0000

I was perusing the Midwest Diocese's site today and ran across a great presentation to be used within the Church for inquirers of Orthodox Christianity. Though it doesn't go into great detail, it provides an excellent resource and outline to begin with.

It's available for download (from the source) in three different forms:

Powerpoint (Editable) • Powerpoint Slideshow • PDF

Tummy at 25 Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Joeliver) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:42:00 +0000

Just 3 1/2 months to go!!

Oh and one more thing...

Our beautiful baby girl! We plan to call her Mara Breigh.

"Prayer of an Expectant Mother"

noreply@blogger.com (Joel & Tessi) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:38:00 +0000

A painting by Dimitri Petrovthe
Today I found that my mind could not stop reflecting on the fate of so many babies that have been lost in our culture, both wittingly and unwittingly. I couldn't stop my heart from being saddened by the situation our culture is in, where life is so flippant and only given a chance when it's convenient to those being affected by it. I kept thinking of so many babies that had been thrown away, little ones that started just like Mara, before they were even acknowledged for having existed. It grieved my soul to think of how this apathy has wormed its way into the very heart of the Church, those in the body of Christ who have been deceived by this culture in which we live.

But then something struck me. As I was mourning the havoc reaped by so many others' choices that I wished I could change, and as I was wishing I could inform people so that they would not be ignorant of what they were doing, I then began to reflect on my own heart.

. . . God has granted we mothers such a mystery of a gift. The first level of the mystery is the amazing miracle of a life inside of us. Just as Mary, who carried the very life of God within her, pondered these things in her heart, we also, in a similar sense, ponder the miracle that is taking place within us. Each step of the process we cherish in our hearts because we have been given a chance to participate in the beginning of life. Even the most uncomfortable, inconvenient and downright painful parts we cherish in a sense because it all is part of our opportunity to give life. Each sleepless night from too much kicking we secretly smile about endearingly, each level of physical pain we willingly undertake because of the beauty of what is really taking place. We give up governance of our very bodies to be able to have a part in God's mysterious giving of life. When it is all over and done, most of us even ask for more chances to feel a new life within us, not shying away from all of the inconveniences because we are in awe of what has taken place in the ultimate reality, the creation of an eternal being.

In light of this mystery that has been granted to us women, I began to think of the second level of the gift God has given us in bearing children. He has given us a window to see into even greater things. This approach of willingly taking on pain and suffering for the sake of a human life is the same thing that takes place within the spiritual world on all levels. No life can ever be brought to fruition, except through sacrifice and suffering. Christ Himself showed us this truth by offering Himself. Then He called us to follow in His ways, denying ourselves and taking up our own cross. But how many times do we look on these daily, commonplace sacrifices in disdain, dreading or begrudging them. Each moment we have a chance to lay ourselves down for another we are again given a chance to participate in God's mystery of giving life. But that life is not just the creation of another new person, but of the very life of God, His Love, His Light within another person. What a mystery to be given a chance to take part in God's creation of life! We willingly take on the challenge when it means a child within our womb because we can so easily see its mystery. But we have been given a window to see the mystery in all of our suffering in life. Even when we are having to persevere through tribulations that are not directly for someone else, they still bring character in ourselves, the Character of Christ Himself within us. I was blown away by the gift God has given us women to be able to take any pain or struggle we encounter and see it in its true light - an opportunity to create life in this world around us.

Then, as I considered this, I realized how many times I had fallen short of this noble thought, how many times I had not only begrudged an opportunity to lay myself down, but had flat-out refused it. How much life have I refused? How much of God's amazing Love and Light have I prevented from being a part of this world we are in? How many times has my own selfishness kept others from truly living, not just their physical bodies, but in an even greater sense, how many times have I blocked them from being in communion with God? I discovered I may not have been as "Pro-Life" as I imagined myself to be. May God, who is Love Itself, grant us all the mercy and grace to be able to say "yes" to the chance He has given us to give life to all around us instead of taking it simply for ourselves.