When the missionary candidate is well on his or her way to completing the support building, one of the last events to schedule is the Commissioning Service. On February 8th we had the Commissioning Service, during which special prayers were prayed over me. At my home parish of All Saints Orthodox Church, His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, and visiting priest Fr. David Rucker, Associate Director of OCMC, along with the parish rector Fr. David Cowan and the faithful, all celebrated the Divine Liturgy together. Then, at the end of the Liturgy, was the Commissioning Service.

God opened our hearts that day and in flowed the love of Christ. I felt the synergy flowing through the Divine Liturgy. That day, God showed me the joy that comes from stirring up our hearts to give honor and glory to Him. It made me aware that God is truly merciful to me, unworthy though I am. It seemed that worshiping in that Divine Liturgy were far more than those visibly present. Through the love and prayers of everyone I had met on my travels this year, I sensed that we were all united in that Divine Liturgy. Is this different from any other service? That unique experience made me aware of the intensity and significance of the Divine Liturgy. It is truly a gift from God.

One of the parishioners at All Saints compared the Commission Service to that of a wedding. Oh what joy that brought to my heart. It’s probably the cheapest wedding a daughter could ask for from her parents. But being serious, our Bridegroom, Christ, unites us together as His bride, the Church.

I want to say thank you to all who I met, and all I have not met, for your decision to participate with me in the work of the Holy Spirit in Romania. I am grateful for my family and friends who gave me assistance. My thankfulness extends to those who gave me hospitality and support in various ways which encouraged me to continue on this missionary path. Everyone’s prayers and embraces are vital to me because they provide me spiritual and physical strength. I know that I am not alone in this mission field. Thanks be to God!