Report from the 2009 My Life in Christ Conference in Des Plaines, IL

For the last week we’ve been having our 2009 MLIC Youth Conference. We have had a truly blessed and wonderful week, kicked off by our dearest Dedo Vladica who spoke to us encouraging us to live an orthodox life especially by sharing some of his personal experiences when he was first tonsured.

We had two other wonderful speakers Fr Moses Berry from Ash Grove, Missouri, and our own Fr Patrick Tishel from Holy Resurrection in Boston. Fr Moses gave a presentation about his heritage and his personal path to orthodoxy with numerous anecdotes, spiritual principles and tangible and practical advice mixed in. Fr Patrick gave a wonderful presentation followed by answering lots of our questions about the basics of spirituality and following the commandments as orthodox youth in a modern society.

Major highlights of the conference were the opportunity to have a fantastic trip to downtown Chicago followed by a boat tour of the lake and city shortly after sunset on Tuesday and a fantastic barb-Q hosted by father Gruiou out at park near Busse lake Thursday. We have also been incredibly blessed with amazing weather. God is truly taking care of us.

This year we had a slightly smaller group due in part to the economic crises of late, and yet despite those difficulties, we had a beautiful group of young men and women for across the nation who have become closer as brothers and sisters in Christ; developing new friendships and refreshing and deepening older ones while living an orthodox lifestyle together. This is the greatest blessing of our Youth Conference.

It was also our extreme pleasure and wonderful blessing to have our dearest Dedo Vladica here with us the entire week; we are deeply thankful. On behalf of all the 2009 MLIC YC attendees I would like to extend a very special thank you to our dear Fr Gruiou and his Popadia Paraskeva and everyone here at St. Sophia’s for all they’re kindness and hospitality and wonderful food. We would like to thank our own Fr Philip & p. Junia Tolbert for they’re guidance and direction and all the wonderful help in making this week possible. And finally thanks you all of you for your love, prayers and support in the past, present and future.

Your humble servant in Christ,
John Tolbert
Conference Coordinator