Tending the Garden of our Hearts

Religion & Spirituality

About

Weekly meditations for families, with stories about the saints, Scripture readings and lessons designed to open up conversation and to enrich the family Little Church.

Episodes

  • Nugget: We go to Heaven Together

    Kristina and Elissa consider the importance of our relationships with each other and how they help us grow closer to God?

  • Nugget: Bear Each Other's Burdens

    Kristina and Elissa contemplate the Good Samaritan and the wonderful nugget of wisdom to bear each other's burdens.

  • Give Thanks in All Things

    Elissa and Kristina consider what St. Paul taught about giving thanks in all things, and how remembering this nugget of wisdom can fill our lives with joy and love.

  • Nugget: They Are Icons of Christ

    Elissa and Kristina continue their “nuggets of wisdom” series by considering that not only are YOU an icon of Christ, but everyone else is too!

  • Nugget: You're An Icon of Christ

    Kristina and Elissa discuss how this “nugget of wisdom” can improve your life: You are an icon of Christ!

  • Why Not Me?

    Elissa and Kristina are back, after taking time off to deal with some health struggles. In this episode, the talk about a nugget of wisdom that can really help in the midst of difficulty.

  • Brief Announcement

    Kristina explains the reason why the Tending the Garden podcast will take a short break from episodes.

  • St. John Maximovitch of Shanghai and San Francisco

    Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger tell about a beloved saint. You can send your prayers to: St. John Maximovitch c/o Holy Virgin Cathedral “Joy of All Who Sorrow” 6210 Geary Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94121

  • Re-Release: St. Porphyrios

    This week, we get to know St. Porphyrios, the modern saint from Mt. Athos whose wisdom has enlightened so many!

  • Re-Release: Saints Cosmas and Damian

    Elissa and Kristina tell about Saints Cosmas and Damian from Asia Minor. They were brothers and doctors who helped people get well without charging any money.

  • Re-Release: Bishop Basil Rodzyanko

    Bishop Basil had a very interesting obedience — one that you might want to consider too!

  • Re-Release: The Holy Myrrhbearers

    Christ is risen! Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger consider the real meaning of myrrhbearing and incarnation, both for the Holy Myrrhbearers and for us today!

  • Re-Release: Life of the Theotokos, Part Three

    In the final part of their Dormition series on the Life of the Theotokos, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the details of her passing from earthly life.

  • Re-Release: Life of the Theotokos, Part Two

    In part two of their Dormition Fast series on the life of the Theotokos, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the role of the Theotokos during the years of her Son's public ministry, and look at what she did and where she went afte…

  • Re-Release: Life of the Theotokos, Part One

    As we begin the Dormition fast, we will spend some time learning about the Theotokos along with Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger. In this episode, we learn about the miracle of her birth, how she spent her childhood, and what prepared…

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Two Debtors

    This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich discuss The Parable of the Two Debtors, from Luke 7: 36-50. What is Jesus trying to teach us about forgiveness?

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Two Sons

    This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich read the Parable of the Two Sons. Which is better? Saying you won't go to work but then going anyway, or saying you will work but not showing up?

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Good Samaritan

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger discuss the Parable of the Good Samaritan. There are many ways to react when a person is struggling -- how can we react as Christ wishes?

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Rich Fool

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger take a look at the Parable of the Rich Fool, and ask how we can avoid being fools ourselves!

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger talk about the very rich man who just kept stepping over poor Lazarus, as he lay suffering at his gate. Is it that God wants to help the poor, or that He's actually using the poor to help the…

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Tower Builder and the King who Would Go to War

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger talk about how one goes about building a tower or preparing for war. Are you prepared?

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Unjust Steward

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger talk about the unjust steward. It's bad to be unrighteous, right? Does God always want you to be honest and exact -- or would He rather see some mercy?

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Servants Waiting for their Lord

    This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich Davis consider the Parable of the Servants Waiting for their Lord. We'll be thinking about the Second Coming, and about how important it is for Church leaders to do a good job of watching ove…

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Tenacious Widow

    This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich Davis ask what we can learn from this tenacious widow.

  • Parable Series: The Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin

    This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich Davis take a look at the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin. How interested is God in bringing you home?

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Wicked Husbandsmen

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger take a look at the Parable of the Wicked Husbandsmen who refused to pay their rent, and attacked their landlord's representatives. What does that have to do with us?

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Talents

    This week, Elissa and Kristina explore the parable of the talents.

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the the Laborers in the Vineyard

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger explore the what Jesus means when He says, "The last will be first and the first will be last."

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Marriage Feast

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger explore the parable of the marriage feast, and how God calls all of us into a wonderful banquet, even if He has to go find us in the highways and the hedges!

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the The Ten Virgins

    This week, Elissa and Kristina take a look at the Ten Virgins, and why five of them could not just give the others some oil!

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger consider the unmerciful servant and the lesson he learned about how only a forgiving heart can receive forgiveness.

  • Parable Series: The Parables of the the Treasure, the Pearl, and the Dragnet

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore three short parables. What is Jesus saying about how we enter into the Kingdom, and how we can stay there?

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the The Leaven

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the meaning behind Christ's parable of the leaven which completely and permanently transformed three measures of meal.

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Mustard Seed

    This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich explore the multi-layered meaning behind this simple, one-sentence parable! How is the Kingdom of God like a mustard seed?

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

    This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the big question of why bad things happen in this world through a look at the simple and understandable Parable of the Wheat and the Tares!

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Sower

    Kristina and Elissa are re-releasing their series on the Parables, just in time for the Triodion! This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich begin this unit on the Parables of Christ with a consideration of what parables are, and a lo…

  • Parable Series: The Sheep & The Goats

    Kristina and Elissa are re-releasing their series on the Parables, just in time for the Triodion! This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger take a look at the Parable of the Last Judgement (or the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats)…

  • Parable Series: The Parable of the Prodigal Son

    Kristina and Elissa are re-releasing their series on the Parables, just in time for the Triodion! This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich take a look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Which brother are you?

  • The Publican and The Pharisee

    Kristina and Elissa are re-releasing their series on the Parables, just in time for the Triodion! Throughout Great Lent and into the summer, we’ll be learning the Parables and exploring the wisdom they contain! We begin with the Publican a…

  • Three Teammates: Feelings, Thoughts and Actions

    In our last episode, we looked at our Heads and our Hearts, considering ideas from the book Bread and Water, Wine and Oil, by Archimandrite Meletios Webber. This week, in part two, we’ll think about how exactly our feelings work, and how t…

  • Our Hearts and Our Minds

    In this episode, Elissa and Kristina talk about a really big idea: the Nous. What is your heart, what is your mind, and what is your soul? With some help from the book Bread and Water, Wine and Oil, by Archimandrite Meletios Webber, we’ll…

  • Re-Release: Saint Seraphim of Sarov

    Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate Holy Nativity! Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger tell about St. Seraphim of Sarov.

  • Re-Release: The Magi

    Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate Holy Nativity! Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich Davis consider the Magi: who were these wise men from the East, and what made them decide to seek out the Baby Jesus?

  • Re-Release: The Nativity of our Lord

    Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate Holy Nativity! Kristina and Elissa read St. Luke's account of Christ's birth, stopping along the way to consider the many ways that God communicates His love to us.

  • Re-Release: Jesus' Family Tree

    Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate Holy Nativity! As the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers approaches, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger look at the first chapter of Matthew's gospel and discuss the meaning of…

  • Re-Release: St. Nicholas

    Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate St. Nicholas Day! As the feast of the very beloved St. Nicholas approaches, Elissa and Kristina tell his life story, and consider the significance of giving in secret.

  • St. Valentina of Minsk

    Let’s get to know a little known saint from Belarus! Her prayers saved a soldier and his friends, and we think you’re going to find the story very interesting!

  • St. Ia of Cornwall

    Today we consider the amazing story of St. Ia, an Irish Princess who wanted to preach the word of God!

  • St. Ypomoni

    In the final days of the great city Constantinople, God sent a wonderful Empress to comfort the people as they struggled through really hard times.

  • Saints Cyprian and Justina

    In this amazing story, one of the devil’s most powerful servants becomes a Christian because of the example of a teenage girl!