My father loved fishing and this favorite pastime of his was passed down to his sons, who likewise enjoy it whenever they get a chance, especially when they are together.

To paraphrase a wise fisherman (my brother Robert) "Most people do not appreciate what fishing is really about and the special moments you spend together with family and friends. It's not a hobby but a passion, where relationships are built with one another and the challenge of the sport is shared."

So I created a little map here that highlights some of the prized fishing spots the Galante's have fished, so you too can experience some of the excitement fishing has to offer and the rewarding relationships it can foster.

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I can't think of a man more fitting to honor then my father. Not just because he was my father but more so for the kind of man he was.

Devoted faithful husband for 53 years , loving father, great fisherman, teacher, skilled artist and craftsman, jack of all trades who had a deep love for God . Just a few things that my father was.

Most importantly he was a father in the truest sense of the word. He had a fathers heart, and his first priority was the welfare of his children. He would show this in actions more then words, more times then I can remember he would always have a good word and a helping hand when we needed it the most.

My father's lasting legacy is the life he lived in the body God gave him. Nothing else matters in the end, because everything else will be left behind except what good we do while in the body God gave us. My father wasn't perfect but he was faithful and obedient to God's commandments. His life was blessed because of this faithfulness.

I praise God for giving me such an example that I can follow. I can say now looking back that I wished I was a better son but I can't say I wish I had a better father. I think I had the greatest father a son could ever have. I'll miss you Dad.

Love, your devoted son
Michael

Marion Lake is located in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness. We had a nice time hiking the 2.5 mile trail to the lake. While there we did a little fishing and caught one 11ich native brook trout.

Odell Lake is located high in the Oregon Cascade Mtn range. This lake is over 300 feet deep and holds a healthy population of Kokanee Salmon. We weren't lucky enough to catch any but we sure had fun trying.

We enjoyed camping at the Lake for a few days where we fished and swam in the cool clear waters.

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Summer Conference is held at our Church in Salem Oregon. Set up high on a hill our Church grounds known as Macleay Christian Retreat, encompasses 30 acres of land that has been put to very good use.

Every year for 10 glorious days we gather for a special time of fellowship and fun. Where the emphasis is placed on making it a blessing for the children and the young people, with many activities and games planned throughout the day, like swimming, volleyball, soccer and face painting, cookie making etc.

In the evenings we gather to hear God's word, where we are reminded of our high and holy calling in the Church and why God has given us a place like Macleay.

What spoke to me was the Church is Jesus most precious possession. It belongs to Him and He has bought it at the price of His life. He is zealous for His Church and we belong to Christ and His Church only when we ourselves live a crucified life just as He did while here on earth.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-25

April 29, 2008 will forever be a special day in my life. It is the day I became an American citizen.

That morning Michael, David and I headed to Portland to the CIS office for my citizenship interview/exam. Later that afternoon I was sworn in to become an American citizen. The ceremony was simple, yet very touching. The CIS director in Portland spoke to all of us, the 26 new Americans-to-be from 14 different countries. Then we took our oath of citizenship, and in a blink of an eye, we became American. We said our pledge of allegiance to the flag for the first time with a new meaning.

This was a very meaningful event for me. Although I have called the USA my home for almost 16 years, I am now a real American - in the words of the director of CIS - as American as the most direct descendants of the Founding Fathers.

I am grateful that I was able to move to the US together with my parents in 1992. America is, and has been for many generations, the greatest country on earth, one that people from all over the world, who are seeking liberty, opportunity, and hope, set their eyes and hearts toward. As someone who grew up in the then-totalitarian Russia, I place a great value on the freedom available to all here in the USA. The prosperity that is within reach for the average person is by far a different standard than what I am used to growing up. Yes, of course, there are problems, but as I keep in touch with some of my friends back in Russia, I understand they would gladly trade theirs for ours...

Yelena

It's written that Jesus "didn't consider equality with God something to be grasped but made Himself of no reputation". Philippians 2:8

In today's world where reputation is considered everything, we see here how much value God has placed on it. Jesus came with no reputation, nothing that would make Him highly esteemed among men.

       "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
       nothing in his appearance that we should desire him."
                                                                    Isaiah 53:2

Yet what He did come with was a body that was willing to do God's will completely in everything and this the Father found well pleasing.

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

      " Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
      But a body You have prepared for Me.
       In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
      You had no pleasure.
       Then I said, 'Behold, I have come--
      In the volume of the book it is written of Me--
      To do Your will, O God." Hebrews 5:7


It matters not if I'm gifted with many talents or if I have a status in society or what my appearance is like. God has prepared a body for us as well, to do His will. The only thing that matters is that I do God's will and for that to happen I need hear His voice and obey His word.

Praise God for His word and for giving us the Holy Spirit who is able to lead us along life's way. May each one of us glorify God in our bodies so we become a vessel of honor prepared for every good work.

Here is a good, old-fashioned recipe from Mom. She used to like making Quiche during the holidays for us to enjoy. Thanks Mom!

Ingredients:

1  9" pie crust (Pillsbury or Oronoke)
2  tbsp Minced onion
1  cup Shredded Swiss Cheese 
6  piec Cooked bacon
13oz Light cream
5  Eggs
1  tsp Salt
Pinch of  Nutmeg

Directions:

1. Sprinkle 6 crispy cooked bacon slices, crumbled.
2. 2 tbsp minced onion and 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese over crust.
3. Beat together light cream, 5 eggs, ½ teas of salt and pinch of nutmeg.
4. Pour into crust
5. Bake on middle oven rack at 350 for 35-40mins or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Let stand 10 mins before serving. Buon appetito!
Mothers note:  I mixed cheddar cheese with Swiss

Opal Creek Wilderness has the largest continuous area of low-elevation old growth forest left in Oregon. It's a remarkable place for it's biological diversity, a place where man has not disturbed the delicate balance of Gods creation.