Living In Alaska

"cabin fever"

2011-12-28T08:23:00.001-09:00

It's been a learning experience for me looking out for Mom. She could not live out her days alone because of her weakness and disorientation. There were the little things she did or didn't do that made it hard to let her be alone at her house. Then she had a stroke.

This morning I read an email from her caregiver. She needs the Medicaid medical/insurance paperwork done and approved to allow her transportation from assisted living to the senior center because she is experiencing "cabin fever."

Made me smile because she never seemed to allow such feelings to overwhelm her and expected the same from us girls. No "cabin fever", no sadness on dark, gloomy days but we should "overcome evil with good."

Now she cries at a drop of a hat.

I hope your transportation is approved soon Mom!

Wow!

2011-12-27T11:49:00.002-09:00

2011 is almost history. So many things in our lives are not good but if you decide to take your eyes off of those then you can see the good better. In 2011 I got to spend a lot more time with Kim and her kids! That has been a blessing. We flew out to visit Karla and her family in Oregon. I love knowing exactly where they are when she writes about their goings on. Mom is stronger than she was at this time last year. I have a new computer with working USB's and I have updated my iPhone for the first time since I bought it (like two years ago! ha). It's time to upgrade to iPhone 4s! We have a new grand baby on the way (Klint & Calli)!! (Coming in March.) Just a few things I am thankful for today. Hope you all had a very pleasant Christmas. We did.

Psalm 98

2011-11-14T09:56:00.001-09:00

This psalm opened my eyes to rejoicing about the future of all peoples when God will rule completely, and totally just!

Having come through dealing with the "justice" in divorce court I realized the very inadequate system that everyone encounters when thrown into dealing with lawyers and judges. I learned that you will get just as much justice as you can pay for and nothing more.

It will be a grand day that even creation will rejoice over when the evil one is cast out of our lives and our world functions as it was created to - in full communion with God Who created us! I am looking forward to that!!

Fire

2011-10-13T18:23:00.001-08:00

Must be a bonfire coming up in my future. :-)

Never, Ever, Even in all of Forever!

2011-10-12T13:54:00.006-08:00

It's a choice to be happy so I am choosing to be!

We have come through a tough year with our daughter getting divorced. She had been married for almost 14 years when her husband walked out saying that divorce was his only option. or something like that. We didn't agree with him at the time, but after many eye opening circumstances it's like we all got on a train headed for destruction, and their failed marriage was the proof.

Still, God cares and loves us - through thick and thin. That is our consolation when our hearts feel as though they are being crushed. Knowledge that this world is not the end - there is yet forever to look forward to - that truth makes me happy, does it make you happy too?

We never were exposed to the judicial system of lawyers and judges (other than the one time my juvenile daughter sued to get her savings returned after buying a lame horse sold as a sound horse, we won BTW.) and so I think we probably didn't realize or do things to the best advantage of - not our daughter or her ex... but our dear grandchildren. I conscientiously have to believe that God will "work all things out for their good"... maybe not so much in this life but in forever especially, yes. I pray that He will protect them from the continuing hurts and failures the evil one has planned for their lives, and our family's, and even my daughters ex.

Divorce feels like there was a death in the family. I don't like it. It makes me sad when I think about how things could have been IF...

Pray for the children in all of our worlds that have to live with the effects of this scourge called divorce. There are too many. Pray that we as the adults in their lives will help them to seek God first "in all things" for He never, ever, even in all of forever will change! That truth should grow to be precious to many children who have endured such a drastic change in their daily lives.

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy." I Thessalonians 2:19, 20.

Tried to upload a cool video of geese flying away from Alaska. Don't think it worked. Is blogger having problems with their video stuff? >:-\

Oh It's Blogging Time Again

2011-05-31T10:42:00.004-08:00

Lately my husband Doug and I have been listening to two speakers in the mornings that have been beneficial to us spiritually, Chip Ingram and Alistair Begg. Today Alistair's message was on the young man that Jesus raised from the dead when He had compassion on his Momma.

Made me think about my Mom and my youngest brother that passed away almost a year ago (July 28, 2010). My youngest brother with the alcohol addiction. My young brother that cried many times saying he has tried to quit drinking, and he'd call and ask me or Doug to please pray with him. So many times it seemed he was on the path to completely putting that behind him but always ended up back into it. He died drunk.

This morning I cried for him, my youngest brother. I cried because I've always been told there will be no drunkards in heaven, in God's new creation. There won't be that awful addiction... to alcohol or to anything we struggle with on earth. No addiction to alcohol, to nicotine, to food, to anger, to sexual perversion. All these are tools of the evil one and he won't be in God's new creation! I am thankful for the day that is coming we won't have to watch ourselves and our loved ones with this struggle.

Life here on earth now is so much better without alcohol addiction, I pray that if you struggle with this problem or any other addiction problem you will be able to seek help to avoid it, and then to fill the emptiness with something else of much more value. I believe we can relearn to walk in paths that help us avoid addictions. The ultimate path is determining to know God. He is a faithful and compassionate friend.

"I'm Peculiar"

2011-01-24T10:12:00.004-09:00

This morning I was reading the Daily Bread, something I have not been keeping up with. I was flipping back and reading past devotionals. The past year I have been doing daily readings out of "The One Year NIV Devotional New Testament," foreword by Alistair Begg. Doug and I also listen to and support Pastor Begg online.

Some of you know that since 2008 my Mom had become a daily part of my day, and recently has moved into assisted living needing daily care and shouldn't be left alone. The day she abruptly moved into my life was when one of my sisters called me to inform me that the Alaska State Troopers had picked up Mom at a small convenience store near her place (2 miles). The store keeper had called to report an elderly woman sitting out on their porch for several hours. Mom had slowly walked there with Odessa, their old family dog. Later Mom would tell me that Odessa had told her, "It's time for us to leave." I asked her why and she said Odessa told her that my brother might just kill them both so they needed to leave right then. So began my adventure with Mom. Never knowing if what she talked about was a true story, or if she had dreamed it.

She came to live with us that day. We could not send her back to live with my drunken brother if he had made threats to her and their ol' dogs well-being. (The day the troopers picked up Mom they took Odessa to the dog pound, she was so old.) My brother seemed to be out of hand with his drunkenness and needed help. In 2008 I felt I had my hands full adjusting to Mom living with us so felt I could not help my brother too. Mom and I were not close in the previous years. She had always made her life with my brother, and two of my sisters. They all seemed a family unit that my own family did not fit in with, but that's another story. Mom stayed with us a year, then she visited with other family members and finally made her way back "home" with my youngest brother where she was when he died in July.

One day we picked her up from the airport so that she could go to a family wedding. Mom ended up being angry and frustrated and didn't want to be there anymore so I walked her to the car. She wanted to wait there rather than be with everyone. She felt that she had been snubbed by one of our family. She said, "Because I am different, I am peculiar and people are embarrassed of me." She cried.

Just recently I brought Mom to the clinic, I saw an aloofness towards Mom from a young girl sitting in the lobby. That has stuck in my mind and it came back to me this morning while I read the Daily Bread. I don't see any reason for that and figured she must have been someones crabby little teenager.

Doug had wheeled Mom in her wheelchair into the lobby then Mom and I sat down to wait for her to be called while Doug went to run errands. The wind was howling that day and every time the door opened the cold wind made me shiver. I worried that Mom was cold even though she always says she isn't when I ask. I got up anyway and moved her. I tried to smile at this young lady while we moved and she rolled her eyes and turned her head. Stuck-up little thing - I grumpily thought. We sat down then she tossed her head, got up, and moved away for no apparent reason. Her attitude didn't bother me but I was glad that Mom had not noticed.

That little instance made me remember Mom saying that people, even her own children think that she is "peculiar" and now while I was reading the Daily Bread I thought of that day. Mom is not peculiar but she totally believes that lie. She has lived her life from that vantage point. It has colored everything she says and does and everything bad that happens to her she sees as repayment. That single day there were more "hello's" "how are you's" and smiles, even hugs than that one instance of a mad little juvenile, probably delinquent!

This reminds me that I need to check my thoughts and the lies that are tossed my way every day in the spiritual battle for my mind. Jesus Christ loves me... so much He left glory... to die! It was not a glorious death, He carried a cross of shame for me. Wow. How much He loves His Creation - me, Mom, you. Believe the words of Jesus Christ, not the Accuser telling you lies that you are peculiar or that you are worthless.

The Outcast, Our Daily Bread

Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." John 6:29

Wild Roses

2010-06-07T19:59:00.004-08:00

The wild roses in Alaska are in full bloom. They smell wonderful but I have bittersweet feelings when I look at them. I have been told that they mark the middle of our warm season. That is just too sad, isn't it?

The trip South was fast and fun! I loved every mile we went along from Phoenix to the Outer Banks, to Florida, then back along the coast that is now under the stress of the oil spew. I call it the oil spew rather than a spill for it is spewing, isn't it?

Besides the wonderful trip we enjoyed I am ~~not~~ now enjoying my husband at home much more. He has retired from the job that he worked at for so many years. I believe he said 29 years. It feels like a long weekend going on here since June 2. I love it.

Doug is not one to be idle, although every chance I get I will take a picture of him asleep! I don't see him getting "bored" any time soon. He says he just has too much to do around here and when he is done with that.. he can go up to Clear (we have land up there) and work on stuff there, not to mention work our children would like him to help with!

My sister Millie continues to recover.

Travel Plan!

2010-02-11T11:17:00.002-09:00

Doug and I are planning a trip south! I am excited because we will be doing what I've wanted to do for so many years - see more of the United States of America! Along the way we hope to see Doug's brothers and his parents and probably some others on the east coast too.

I am excited about it. We plan to fly into Arizona, then rent a vehicle and travel east! Hopefully we will have some fantastic weather by then and enjoy an early spring south side and then come back home to spring up here too! Double blessing that makes my heart so happy!

Winter has actually gone by so fast and can you believe it! It's February! It's just amazing how fast time seems to be going. I am amazed everyday when I realized that it's not yesterday... it's today, the day after yesterday and already!!!! haha

Have a great day, it's today!

Facebook'n

2010-02-03T00:35:00.004-09:00

Sharing a little stuff with anyone that may stop by while I am thinking about it, and mostly after being nudged by e-Mom at Facebook.

It seems that Facebook'n has become a big thing to a lot of people, because Facebook not only is part of my every day anymore - (I am guessing) it is a big part of a lot of peoples every day; even Apps on my iPhone connect directly to Facebook, which makes it makes it fun because it's so easy to share pictures and what we are all doing directly from our phones! Crazy huh?

We have been loving our newest granddaughter Reese. What a sweetheart she is! They grow up way to fast and before too long they don't want to sit on Gramma's lap but are off finding things more interesting than my talented fingertips tapping on the table. (Fascinating to Reese right now, ha.) Reese is already ~~four~~ FIVE months! We've had other of our grandchildren's celebrating their birthdays, time just keeps marching on... too fast!

Here is my wallpaper picture from Klinton (Reese's Daddy). She plays in a jumper ALREADY! Doesn't this picture just make you smile? I love it!

Hunting, Birthdays, Anniversary

2009-09-26T20:58:00.004-08:00

What a busy time we've had around here! Busy but we've had some fun days since I've last posted. Our other daughter Kim, our oldest grandson, my Mom, Doug's Dad, Doug's brother, my sister all had birthdays!!!! Oh my goodness. All that cake and 36 years ago Doug and I decided to be married in September too! So we got to celebrate some of these days while out hunting this fall.

Kim is such an outdoorsy person. She loves to go camping and riding four-wheelers and her family joins in her passion too. It was fun to have them along for the hunt this year, even if we didn't get a moose! We sure enjoyed her family, Klint's family, Doug's brother Mark and his two sons, and Marie and Tucker even drove out to celebrate Tucker's birthday at camp with us. Tucker's Dad Chris was around but he decided to camp up on the mountain in case he had a better chance of getting a moose. Sadly he missed out on lots of riding, lots of campfire cooking and lots of talk. It was great.

I hope you all are having a gorgeous fall!

Sharing Roses

2009-09-09T11:54:00.006-08:00

Roses are such a pleasant part of creation. I so love them. This year my grandsons sold them and I bought three of them. They have been a joy to watch grow and bloom.

I used to walk my twins to the flowers on the campus of the Bible College Doug was going to saying "lovely flowers." They made their own word and would repeat "ff-lawv-e-lee's."

Karolyn Marie and Karla Mae - you girls are always a joy to me, and just like the roses - you make my heart happy. Thanks for being that to me. God has blessed Dad and I with so much more than we deserve.

What a wonderful God to have given "Twin A" and "Twin B" to us... how many years ago now??? ha

The Twinz - They've been roses in our lives.

Run! Moto Run!

2009-09-01T11:33:00.002-08:00

Picture of Moto as he swam along side the paddle boat.

Our dog Moto, which just this morning I thought to myself I may change his name to "Rambo" for he is so rambunctious, came crashing up on to the back deck and slammed himself into the door. I was reading when he did that and I thought, was that someone on the deck, or was that an earthquake? Chewy and I watched the door.

Then crash bang again and I could see the porch swing swinging thru the window. I got up and peeked out. There was Moto, crawling along under the porch swing, panting away like crazy. I watched as he squeezed himself up between the swing and the railing.

What IS he doing? I went to the door to ask him when I saw him running past the window. By the time I got outside I only saw his tail going around the side of the house. I ran to the front door and called him. He came running, occasionally biting his back legs as he came.

I thought, "OH NO! He must be shot!" I saw my old dog Chevy coming up the hill, he was panting too! Moto had left him way behind from where ever it was that they had been and he only then had got home behind him.

I began to examine Moto who had the whole time had been going in circles on the deck biting at his haunches. THEN I saw the wasps!!!!!! OH MY WORD! This Grammaloo gave up all noble ideas of helping her tormented dog and ran inside, slamming the door on the poor Moto who tried to run in right behind her!!!! :-D

From my own safe vantage point I called to Doug (on his Tuesday working from home day) and he hurried to help Moto. It turned out there were like two or three wasps that must have clung to Moto continuing to sting him as he ran!

It's AG now. I am sure Moto is still feeling the effects of those awful wasps. He is quietly hiding under the front porch right now and I am wondering where those nasty wasps have decided to nest!

Learning to Share Again

2009-08-31T10:23:00.004-08:00

Our new grandbaby was born on August 29th, at night after Calli had two long days of labor. That was hard for us to endure! I think Calli did the best of everyone! She is such a sweet lady!

Their little family will be coming home today!

Here are pictures of Reese Ann taken shortly after birth. She is so sweet and I we all love to hold her, so we have to learn to share again!

Welcome to our world "little peanut butter cup."

New Life Comes!

2009-08-28T17:22:00.003-08:00

Klint's first birthday! LOL! He was not always so clean was he! ? ha!

New life happens and the wonder of new birth is coming to our family really soon. We are so happy for Calli and Klint as they anticipate their first born. She has begun the process of birthing today, on Reese Ann's due date.

New life is awesome and only comes from God. Not only new life physically but new life spiritually! Both are miracles that happen over and over!

"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." Job 19:25,26,27

Keep checking back for pictures of our newest grandBABE, Reese Ann. She should be here before too long, hopefully. Pray for Calli!

It's A Small World

2009-08-26T11:41:00.005-08:00

Talk It Over With God
You're worried and troubled about everything,
Wondering and fearing what tomorrow will bring.
You long to tell someone, for you feel so alone,
But your friends are all burdened with cares of their own.
There is only one place and only one Friend
Who is never too busy, and you can always depend
On Him to be waiting, with arms open wide,
To hear all the troubles you came to confide.
For the heavenly Father will always be there
When you seek Him and find Him at the altar of prayer.
Helen Steiner Rice
(From the book: "God's Promises from A to Z")

There seems to be a lot of things to think about lately, not only within my circle of family and friends but for our country and the world. I believe that being so inter-net-connected has contributed to the seemingly smallness of our world.

We always have to keep the time we set aside to spend it with God or else we can be overwhelmed. God is always the same, never has changed and He never will! And He walks before us, guiding us. I want to follow Him, not someone else, I hope you do too.

"In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other, so that many may not find out anything that will be after him." Ecclesiastes 7:14

Where Are You Setting Your Gaze?

2009-08-24T11:09:00.004-08:00

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

Whatever I set my eyes on influences me. When I continue to keep focused there, it changes me. It is important that I always stay aware of what or whom I am allowing my mind and my focus to be influenced by.

I love that we have God's word so readily available in the USA and I pray that this freedom continues to be allowed to us. It is such a treasure to have the written Word of God. I can't even imagine my life without it's influence.

I pray that you have a great day today. Read the Bible, it's influence is eternal.

Here is a good read on the miracle of the Bible. It is testimony of the heart of God to have kept the Bible going for thousands of years so I can read it today! It's a short book so get your beverage of choice! The Miracle of the Bible

The Cradle

2009-08-22T18:26:00.002-08:00

It's getting close to Calli's due date and she's ready for baby to be coming along anytime soon! We stopped at the Yamaha shop today on the 4-wheeler ride home to look at the Rhino's (dream). The owner mentioned that her birthday could possibly be in September since her due date is so close to the end of the month (28th). I never thought of that! I'm always thinking her baby will be early or right on time. If Reese Ann waits for September that will add to our already fully loaded month of birthdays in our family! What ever day she comes it will forever become a special day in our family!

Doug built this cradle and I think it turned out so beautiful. He knows where the flaws are and thinks he can do a better job --- next time! We all think it's great already!

Good job Doug! I love it and so does Klint and Calli!

Hi

2009-07-17T23:45:00.004-08:00

Pictures are from around the place.

Everything is going well here. We've been having some beautiful, sunny days here and we all are pretty tanned! My sons and husband have been doing a lot of excavating too so it's been fun watching the changes around here. Yard work included a brick wall and planting some perennials, peonies, that we hope will take and come back again next year. We plan to also put some wild iris out there too. The grand kids have been coming up to enjoy the lake and my granddaughters spend nights with us which is always fun but no time for the Internet either! We've been four-wheeling, and doing some camping trips away from home too.

Our newest granddaughter has a name! Reese Ann, she's gonna be our Lil Buttercup! Getting excited to see her. She is scheduled to arrive around August 28th! I've been knitting for her. Made a newborn hat and some booties. Isn't her Momma beautiful?

I hope everyone else is well. I try to get by the blogs but have not been doing that very well either! I think of you and when I do I say a prayer that God reveals Himself in a new way to you.

If I had my journal up here by my computer I would share some of the many thoughts I've written down all summer while I read my Bible, but... it's way downstairs. Next time!

Praises and honor to Abba Father always.

Snow in June

2009-06-25T13:23:00.003-08:00

Picture of my family in Aleknagik, along with our grandchildren Lexie and Ashlee. (We were there in May.)

Woke up to snow on the mountain tops this week. A friend of mine that used to live in Alaska mentioned termination dust! Oh my word NO! This morning I went outdoors and I have to admit that the air felt fall-ish. The sun was shining on my back but the air had a definite feel of fall in it.

I don't look forward to summer dwindling, but we live in Alaska and I must accept it. Makes me think of merino wool and how much I love merino wool! It is wool, warm like wool, but it's not itchy! I love that stuff! I think it's a good idea for people that live in the cooler areas to invest in good wool clothing, especially with the cost of fuel so ridiculous. People used to survive without oil-even in Alaska!

Mom is visiting my sister Rebecca in Pedro Bay, she asked about knitting patterns, so I did a search and found something online and while I was looking I got the feeling like I should knit again. Oh my word, it passed by the time I printed out some patterns. ha

Does anyone have a good pattern for arctic socks? She would like a pattern for those.

Hope you all are having a great summer... at least warm! I heard from a friend it was 104 F in Texas!!! Now that is extreme! yikes

Favorite Song, Favorite Holiday, Cute Duo!

2009-06-22T13:39:00.000-08:00

Cool Video

2009-06-18T12:40:00.005-08:00

I got this link from a friend and I enjoyed it so much I thought I would share it here. If you have not seen it yet it's The Great Chinese State Circus, (sonnyradio.com) Swan Lake. Acrobatics and dance combined. It's pretty cool and had to have taken hours and hours of practice!

Give it time to load, it's worth it.

It is amazing to me what the human body can accomplish if there is determination to excel. Enjoy.

Here is my favorite little dancer once again! Raegan, our daughter Karla's Babe! She is so cute! Raegan turns two and dances to Mama-Mia!

Impromtu Fellowship!

2009-06-03T10:13:00.004-08:00

We had a beautiful, refreshing visit down in Aleknagik with my sister Kotya and her family. I loved the week we spent with them. We cut it a day short to skedaddle out before the low that was threatening reached us. We decided it was best we left when we could, otherwise we could probably be out there longer than Doug should be. Life happens - and we must comply!

Chris and Kotya have an older empty house that came with the property that they purchased to build their own home on, that is where we slept while out there. We were so comfortable we could have spent the whole summer out there, well at least I could have. :-)

One of the highlights of this trip for me happened on Sunday. Aleknagik has been without a regular pastor for many years but last winter they had the blessing of someone preaching regularly all winter. (Sorry can't remember his name.) He went to Bethel for the summer, perhaps to fish? Anyway, I asked Kotya, "Will there be church tomorrow?" "No, because we don't have a pastor this summer. If there is church, the bell will ring." How cool is that?

Early Sunday morning Doug and I got up and went out to walk up to the airfield, and check out a bit more of the village. As we were walking down to the dock area the church bell began to ring! We stopped, listened, and then walked back up towards the church where we met Joe-Joe for the first time. "Is there going to be church this morning?" "If people show up, I guess we can always worship," Joe-Joe replied. Cool!

We all ended up in church together that morning because after Joe-Joe finished teaching Sunday School to the children, one of them ran to the bell and rang it before he could stop her. "I was not expecting to lead church today, the kid that rang the bell got me into a position I didn't really want to be in." We laughed. There was about thirteen of us there that morning. We sang, heard a special from Kay and heard testimonies. It was all such a blessing to me.

Joe-Joe's testimony of being pulled out of alcoholism when he was saved encouraged my heart. He spoke so well of his love for God. He said that one day he ran out of gas and the Pastor was going by and stopped to help him. His heart was touched by his care for him, which he felt he did not deserve. Shortly after that he repented of the way he had spent his life and made a turn around. He read the Bible and from his talk/testimony I could hear the salt of God's word. "God came and shined a light in the dark place where I was and He saved me." I am so thankful for the fellowship of other Believer's wherever we go.

God redeems those willing to see sin as sin; turning away from sin and daily living life challenged by the life-changing Word of God. When His Word is shined into our dark lives it is filled with Light. There is joy and peace in abundance for those that will see themselves as they are - the lost, the needy, those who Christ lovingly paid the blood price to win back from the bondage of sin. There is no other way to God the Father that God will accept - except for the gift that our True Friend came along side us to give by dying and rising again.

Pray for Joe-Joe and for the believers in Aleknagik, for we have a powerful enemy that skulks around looking for ways to dim the Light that shines, making it of little effect to those still lost in darkness. And wherever you are Believer... shine brightly, for you have been given the Words of Life Eternal! Keep getting together Aleknagik Christian's, and keep encouraging each other to stand firm until He returns.

But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do no err, my beloved brethren." James 1:14, 15, 16.

Jesus Wells

2009-05-20T12:48:00.006-08:00

Treasures in the Rain

Speaking about water, have you ever thought about what it would be like to not have fresh water at a turn of the wrist? I realize that even in the USA some people live with less than desirable water, there are villages in Alaska that the water is not good for consumption, but most of us have good drinking water.

Once Doug and I returned home late at night after being in Anchorage during a winter chinook. (This happened while we still lived in Wasilla.) The ice and snow had been melting and running all day over the frozen ground, down the hill, and finally into our ground well!

Once we got inside the house without slipping on the wet ice everywhere, I turned on the tap water to clean the children so they were ready for bed. The water was brown! I was horrified as I watched it run down the drain! Doug figured out the trouble almost immediately and had the well area cleaned up, the dirty melted water diverted away from our well by chopping a quick channel with a pick. He added Clorox to the well and we waited for the water to run clean again.

It is not good to be without clean water!

I remembered that time while I learned about Gospel for Asia's ministry of Jesus Wells, or putting in wells for towns and peoples that do not have the 'small-when-you-have-it and large-when-you-don't' luxury of fresh water. Some people are refused water because of their position in life, or because they are Christian's - refused from drawing fresh water at the existing water sites in their towns. Donations can be made at the above site if you would like to help get more wells put into those areas.

I am thankful for fresh, clean water, aren't you?

Raking & Watering

2009-05-12T19:44:00.004-08:00

I was out in the yard today checking out the trees and shrubs and raking. Looks like the robust and hardy rugosa roses suffered! Not sure if they all will be coming back. I see growth only on one. Could be it's just anxious and the others are still waking up, or not. The rhubarb even looks a bit ... questionable! (Suspicious of Moto!) The Rose Trees of China are doing EXCELLENTLY! Hooray! The mayday tree, raspberries, and two apple trees have woke up. So here we go with our growing season! The swallows, robins, geese, swans, loons, are back and the beaver are back to their wood cutting ways!!!

I got out the water hoses and began watering and watering this afternoon. Funny thing about the dried out ground, when it is really dried out and needs the most water, it won't absorb it and the water will run over the top of it and away from the plants. Time and gentle watering heals the dry ground. Allowing small splashes of water to set on top of the soil will soften it up until it finally begins to absorb water again. If the time is not spent, then most likely the plants will suffer until it rains.

Isn't this the way it is with houseplants too? "But I watered that plant!" - many of us have said at one time or another as we sadly looked at a dried up ol' twig whose soil refused to absorb. *last dead leaf falls to the floor*

Dry soil is not unlike hard hearts. Hard hearts won't accept - forgiveness, love, kindness...until somebody softens them by gently splashing them with the water hose!

Here is a verse from Ezekiel 36. The New King James Bible has the chapter titled: A Blessing On Israel.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26

Wow, a heart of stone - removed!

Diggin' Up Bones

2009-05-01T11:05:00.007-08:00

My little dog Chewy is a funny little character. I love his company. Shihtzu's are the greatest little indoor dogs. No shedding and they love people, they especially love little people! I have to watch him for he loves to give wet, juicy, kissy, licks to little messy faces! Sometimes Mommy's don't appreciate that. Chewy and I both know that babies love it though!

Chewy listens to noises and when he hears something he may get all excited and anxious or he may growl and gruff because he can't see and does not know what the noises are. This morning he was sitting with me here beside the computer. I have the window open (ahhhhh). He heard tires and assumed it was somebody we both would like to see so he wags his tail and whines and stands looking up at the window. Sometimes on long dark winter days he will sit on the ottoman and stare at the shadowy windows, and grrr.

I've thought to myself - he does just like I do. Sometimes when I only hear bits and pieces of stories my mind fills in the missing parts with maybes and perhaps and whys. Many times I will be diggin' up ol' bones from the past and tucking them into the story too. The reasons for the maybes, perhaps, and whys. Sometimes (!!!!) I will assume that my digging is probably right! I can hear my sister saying, "Heeeeeee!"

My dogs have been diggin' up ol' bones too! I have a big ol' ugly one on the lawn today! This morning they were too quiet and quiet = mischief. They've been encouraging each other to go out of the yard these warm spring days to dig up some fabulous stinky treasures and drag them home.

This morning when I checked on them - sure enough they were gone. I called and called. The first to get back all out of breath was Moto. "OH whew!" I thought, "the dog pound guy didn't catch them!" Trailing along behind was our ol' Chevy dog. I scolded them and told them not to run off. Now they are both clipped up and dreaming of finding more big bones - I know they are because their feet are still running.

Ol' bones should only be treasured by dogs who love stinky things. They attract flies, stink up the air and then we have to find a place to bury them where they won't be dug up again! Just like memories of family and friends there are lots of words said in anger, jealousy, pride... words that just keep being dug up like ol' stinky bones.

I thank God for forgiveness! He not only forgives - He gives us His righteousness, and covers up all those stinky ol' bones with His blood! He replaces my ugliness with love, mercy, long suffering... all His characteristics.

I must resist the urges to dig up those ol' bones. With His power I can. I don't want to keep diggin' them up and draggin' them back home! yuck

I wish my dogs felt the same way!

"since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him," Colossians 3: 9,10. (The Recipe for Happiness: Colossians 3:5-17.)

Alcohol Is Ugly

2009-04-21T12:22:00.008-08:00

Mom helping Dad and her only brother Raymond work on a fishing net. I believe that is me behind my Mom. (Someone gave this photograph to my brother Don to give to me and he can't remember who it was.)
Thanks _______ - for the picture - :-)

For those of us that have lived with alcohol in our lives and have seen the wrecks, hopelessness, sickness and abuses that it causes can understand why I say, "I hate alcohol."

It has robbed me of a ~~loving~~ gentle Dad in my childhood.

It robbed my Mom of peace, rest, and love in her relationship with my Dad.

My Mom's sisters, and one dear brother lost all dignity when they would drink. My memories of them are all mostly drunken.

Sadly, the ugly spirit of alcohol has toyed with our own children. It's a heartache to be woken up when called in the middle of the night or early morning for help to get out of a hard situation. Then follows the aggravation of months of dealing with the aftermath of one "fun" time somewhere - drinking.

Alcohol is the ugly reason my Mom is ousted from her home and made to live in a new situation - with us; just people that time and neglect have made strangers. Year after year she's spent "helping" my alcoholic brother to walk with Jesus. The amount of time she's spent with him, is the same time that she's been oblivious to the rest of her family.

Alcohol robbed me of my own front teeth!

Alcohol was the inhibition-reducing reason for Dad's violent behavior towards his family and friends. When he was not drinking, he was a great Dad and friend.

Alcohol robs bank accounts. Thousands of dollars are wasted - not on things needed for a home, but for more, and more alcohol.

Alcohol makes people become just like it is - ugly.

I hate alcohol.
Who needs it?
...drunks and the weak.

"Now wine today is not like that. Wine today comes straight out of the fruit, particularly the grapes as most wine comes from that, and as it comes it is purposely fermented, that's the whole point of it, to make it somehow intoxicating to one level or another, and it is consumed that way." John MacArthur

Years ago I listened with great interest to a tape as John MacArthur spoke about wine and strong drink in relation to being a deacon or elder or older woman in the church. We are not supposed to drink alcohol. I found a transcript of his message here. I listened because I was told that "it is okay to take a little wine for your health's sake." So to hear the breakdown of what wine actually was in Bible times was awesome! Their wine was nothing like the wines and certainly not the strong drinks of today.

We do not need alcohol, we have other great things to drink and so much to keep and to gain in our lives as families and friends.

COMMENT NOTES:

Connie M. - I was never an alcoholic. My write may have given that impression but was not meant to say that I personally have struggled with alcohol abuse. Sorry for giving that false impression.

Connie BBF - I have wondered that myself. Why do American Natives struggle so much with alcohol abuse? I don't have a reply for you. When my Dad became a Christian, he didn't drink anymore. P'ing T L. I've heard so many say the same thing. I was reading about drinking this morning, and studying scriptures. I read that 1 out of every 10 persons that tries alcohol will become addicted to it. I don't know how so many of those 1's are in our towns and villages in Alaska! It is a wonderment. I can only guess that the evil one uses it - very successfully - to turning our People away from trusting in God, to trusting in a substance for comfort. Not a very good or lasting trade I might add. Perhaps that is the key to why alcoholics have become addicted - for the way it makes them feel: accepted, welcomed, comforted, numb, etc. etc.

Tanalian Bible Camp

2009-04-17T11:17:00.004-08:00

I've been to this Tanalian Camp once a very long time ago when my husband was a student at what used to be called Arctic Bible Institute. I vaguely remember giving my testimony ---and CRYING!

I get to return to Port Alsworth's Tanalian Bible Camp (Site includes webcams.) with the Alaska Freedom Band today. (Lord willing!) I'm hoping to see my sister there! My younger sister, Bec. I have five sisters. Millie is my oldest, then there is my almost twin (we are the same age right now, I'm just almost a year riper) Kotya, and Ruth, and Becca and then our youngest sis is Rachel. Mom is visiting Rachel this weekend while I will be away.

Doug and the team went to the camp last year and they are invited back again this year, so that is a good thing! I am looking forward to spending time with the Christian's out in the Iliamna area. I am thankful that I get to tag along once again with the AFB! (Last time was to Togiak.) May Jesus Christ be praised all weekend and may we all become even readier for Christ's soon return!

To be together and worship Jesus Christ is a good thing. To worship Him in one Spirit, is a gift from God! Paul says "being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." This is what Christ began! We are one. Is that not amazing? No more divisions. Many kinds of peoples coming together, becoming ONE through Christ, and praising Him. Ah, but the evil one comes around blindsiding (catching unawares, especially with harmful consequences) those overcome by the flesh who have lost sight of their salvation and been persuaded to cause divisions among God's people. Though sad when it happens, there is always forgiveness and restoration through Christ. Help us all to be aware of the evil ones tactics. Guard yourselves against his wily ways!!!! He is a destroyer, nothing good comes from him.

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." Paul. (Ephesians 4: 1-6.)

Have a great weekend!

Big sad P.S.!!!!! I was setting up the Following thingy on the side, deleted all my regular bloggy visiting links and now I have to go to Dashboard everytime I want to see my regulars blogs! And sometimes I am in such a rush I don't go. I need to get you all using that following thingy like e-Mom, Faith and Joy... and ME!!! I accidently followed myself when I was trying to follow someone else and have not had time to figure out how to remove me from my own following list! arrrrrrrr! ... Follow me, hey hey.... I'm the pied piper... follow me!

My Strength My Redeemer

2009-04-13T08:34:00.003-08:00

Today this verse has been busy in my mind.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. Everything I say today, may it be filtered by that standard. For it's not my thoughts or my words that bring everlasting life, but it is those words sent from our God and our Lord that dig deep into the depths of our hearts and whisper, "This is the Truth" when it is read.

The singing at church yesterday was a blessing to me. I love the music filled with the truth of Christ's Resurrection. The triumph of Christ over death and sin's at Calvary is such a satisfying and relieving truth! The bright hope on Easter morning when I woke up with the everlasting truth beating in my heart - KRIS TOS WOS KRIS! WIES DE NOS KRIS! (written and pronounced as I remembered from childhood) Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

We should search for wisdom diligently and with hope! Just like my grandchildren did yesterday searching for eggs! They knew there were prizes and they scrambled for the hidden eggs. Some of the eggs I had numbered to match a small prize which they "fish for" after they found the eggs. What a happy time as I sat hidden behind the doorway tying on the matching prizes to the numbered eggs! They were tickled for every little gift! We had so much fun.

My daughters brought over so many goodies to share with the lamb and beef roasts I had in the oven to celebrate new spiritual life. After the fishing fun we all prayed and thanked God for the gift of His Son, willing to die to pay the price for our sin. All we have to do is choose to believe that this is the Truth, and repent for all that separates us from God, and that LIFE begins. Incredible!

To top off this beautiful day we watched our oldest grandson Tucker get asked two seriously important questions. "Tucker do you believe Jesus Christ is God's Son, that He came as a baby, He died, He rose again and He is sitting at the right side of our Father in Heaven, and that He is alive today?" Tucker said, "Yes." "Tucker, is Jesus Christ your Lord and your Savior?" Tucker said, "Yes." Tears came as we watched him submerged into the baptismal and come up completely wet.

The Truth goes on...and I am incredibly thankful.

With Christ beside me I am ready for death, are you?

But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me." Jesus (John 8:45)

Facebook'n

2009-04-09T10:50:00.012-08:00

I've been busy... elsewhere!

Do you Facebook? I would like to be in contact with those that come here regularly. I put a badge up in case you would like to add me to your friends list.

So how is everyone? I need to make the rounds here at the blogging world to catch up with you.

The volcano Mt. Redoubt and earthquakes have been part of our lives up here recently. Nothing like an earthquake to get your mind focused where it should have been the whole time, hah? Gets me every time! I always remember this guy that used to come and sing up here at our church - Dan Whittemore during a quake. He said something like earthquakes are just our God shaking things up a bit to remind us to always be ready because He will be returning soon! I never forgot that advice. When I am experiencing a quake, big or small, I always remember that. Thanks Dan, where ever in the world you are. Okay, I found a website for him. Cool! (d a n wh it t emo re . com) (4/13/09 - Removed hyperlink to get rid of pop-up???)

And here is the song he was introducing, he wrote it too. :

Trumpet Song

Lately when there's no one around,
it seems I hear this strange little sound,
it sounds like a distance trumpet softly blowing.
And everytime that trumpet blows,
my heart jumps for joy,
because the louder it gets
the closer I am to going home

At first it really obsurd,
until I started reading the Word,
and the message that it spoke it spoke so clearly.
Now everytime that trumpet blows,
my heart jumps for joy,
because the louder it gets the closer
I am to going home

Going home to see my savior,
going home to claim my crown,
oh when the trump of God starts calling
you know I won't be standing 'round.
So trumpets keep on blowin'
while my heart jumps for joy,
because the louder it gets the closer
I am to going home....

All the news just is kind of unnerving and then the earth shakes and the volcano erupts and settles ash all around, makes me think ever so much more that we may be meeting our Savior face to face in the near future. That is so exciting!

My sister Millie had a bout with a urinary tract infection that put her into intensive care this past week. She is on antibiotics and recovering. Her daughter said that she was more responsive in her new surroundings while in the emergency room and then in the Intensive Care Unit. She should be close to being ready to return to the Providence Extended Care Hospital.

UPDATE: I tried to alter the Dan Whittemore url link to see if I can get rid of the sparrows songs pop up. I have no idea how they are linking to this site with that. That's a bit agressive isn't it?

April Fool'd!

2009-04-01T19:24:00.004-08:00

This day is always fun! As long as we don't take anything seriously it usually can be a day filled with laughter. I don't usually fall for the lies that can be freely told on April 1st, but I've been able to fool others pretty good a time or two! Not quite sure what that says about me either!

This audio was from 2006. A recording taken early in the morning BEFORE I've even had time to think! I'm always sure to remind everyone that I was not in my normally fully aware state of mind. The phone had been ringing repeatedly when I finally woke up and staggered over to answer it (it's not beside my bed!!!!). Because it took about five rings to even rouse me it had gone to the answer machine by the time I picked it up. So that is why we even have this recording! It was funny so I snagged the recording off of the phone recorder with my computer recorder. haha

Anyway! Go a head ---- have a laugh on me!

I had another fun, fun day! This is one of my favorite days - especially if I can fool someone!

Along the Way

2009-03-26T10:20:00.004-08:00

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted" Isaiah 53:3. (Ravi Zacharias, A Slice of Infinity, Upon Holy Ground)

God Incomprehensible. Lord how great is our dilemma! In Thy Presence silence best becomes us, but love inflames our hearts and constrains us to speak. Were we to hold our peace the stones would cry out; yet if we speak, what shall we say? Teach us to know that we cannot know, for the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Let faith support us where reason fails, and we shall think because we believe, not in order that we may believe. In Jesus Name, Amen. (A.W.Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy)

"I'm learning that people who get mad and upset do because of pride - I'm learning that from my own reactions." (Klinton VanWingerden)

Mount Redoubt volcano erupted for the second time this morning [THURSDAY,TODAY] with a huge explosion at 9:24 that sent a cloud of ash to 65,000 feet above sea level, higher than any explosion yet. With ash drifting east, Alaska Airlines has already canceled a flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks and is considering canceling more. 11:30 AM (ADN.COM)

In a hospital's Intensive Care Unit, patients always died in the same bed, on Sunday morning, at about 11:00 am, regardless of their medical condition. This puzzled the doctors and some even thought it had something to do with the supernatural. No one could solve the mystery as to why the deaths always occurred under the same circumstances, so a worldwide team of experts was assembled to investigate the cause. One Sunday morning, a few minutes before 11:00 am, all of the doctors, nurses and other experts nervously waited outside the ward to see for themselves what the terrible phenomenon was all about. Some were holding wooden crosses, prayer books, and other holy objects to ward off evil spirits. Just when the clock struck 11:00, Kenneth Roberts, the part-time Sunday sweeper, entered the ward and unplugged the life support system so he could use the vacuum cleaner. (My E-Mail, from Sandi)

I hope you're having or had a better day than those patients did!

Twisty Kink

2009-03-25T09:30:00.004-08:00

Ashlee, our granddaughter.

Cleaning and scrubbing
Can wait 'til tomorrow
For babies grow up
We've learned to our sorrow
So quiet down cobwebs
Dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my babies
'Cause babies won't keep.

That used to be a good reason to put off some cleaning back in the old days. "As long as your kitchen and bathroom are clean then that's good enough" was advice Mom gave to me once when I was so busy with little ones. You've also heard that "cleaning up with little ones around is like shoveling snow before it's stopped snowing." My little ones have grown up long ago! I never thought it would ever happen, but it did! I can clean and clean and clean but still the dust/dirt/cobwebs ends up winning.

Yesterday I pulled off the bedding and stuffed my down pillows into the washer. I've done it before and they've come through very nicely. Yesterday, I sat out on the deck in the sun with Mom (51F!) and I completely forgot about sticking the pillows into the dryer. This morning my back is a bit twisted. Thanking God for Tylenol!

The twisty kink in my upper back could be from the missing down pillow (I used one of the firm pillows that Doug likes) or it could be from trying to shake the heavy down comforter yesterday. Anyway, I slowly sat up this morning and groaned.

Spending time with children is better than trying to keep a perfect home when they are young. They grow up and are gone, but the house is still here waiting to be cleaned! Learning them how to help with the cleaning is a very good thing though. When I heard my kids say - "I am bored!" I would ask them "Would you like me to help you find something to do?" Boredom did not last long in our home!

Can you guess who this scripture is referring to?
"So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel." (The Gospel According to Luke).

Thar She Blows!

2009-03-23T09:19:00.005-08:00

Mt. Redoubt on March 15, 2009.

Mt. Redoubt has vented. Here in Big Lake I have not noticed any ash fall, so that is good. Skwentna has some fallout I've heard. Not sure who, where if any else are being affected by Mt. Redoubt's eruptions last night and early this morning. Keep track of any other activity here. NOAA

If you get ash on your vehicles you have to clean it off or else the acidic ash may wreck the finish. So the guys in my family are very interested to keep track of which way the fallout is heading. I am watching. Doug has a truck out there (covered with a protecting layer of snow); my car is safe and snug in the garage; Klint, Kris and Marie keep their vehicles outdoors too.

I was in Togiak with the Alaska Freedom Band two Sunday's ago. I went to high school with others from Togiak so it was fun to see this village/town way out in West Alaska. Boy was it COLD! "The day before you got here was so warm we were out smelt fishing without our coats on." I had a hard time believing that! The wind was blowing and I felt like if I stopped moving for very long I would freeze solid where I stopped! We had some great times of worship and sharing. Thanks to Paul and Laura Frost for their hospitality!

Anyway, I took some pictures of Mt. Redoubt as we flew past on our return from Togiak. She was only steaming (March 15). Last night she finally blew off some pressure! Just like we all do sometimes huh?

Out comes the pent-up frustrations and everyone in the area knows it too. After that rumbling and venting we have to take a look-see around to see where the 'ash is falling' and THEN the hard part --- gotta try to clean up the mess before it hurts any deeper!

I've been physically tired and emotionally worn. I sit down and fall asleep and sleep really hard! I've never done that since I was pregnant! I've thought maybe it's because I am old. ha But no, I've had a full plate lately - learning to get along with a new person living in our home has been a challenge for me -- for us all.

There are many aspects of that challenge, not only the daily change of having my Mom in my house day and night. We also have to deal with my siblings that chose not in years past to be part of my family or my life but now because Mom is here I hear from them. Certain ones more than others - strong opinions of Mom's care; the things that have gone on with with Mom that are wrong - helping her to see it as wrong; the fact that my relationship with my children is being adversely affected by the troubles Mom has is very hard on me. I'm learning that dealing with a troubled elderly parent coming into ones home will affect every aspect of life! I consider it all invasive! I didn't expect this ever in all my life!

Dealing with Mom's physical problems is much easier than dealing with family/sibling issues. My family (my own siblings) issues can be like the acidic ash that is falling out there. Words that are spewed into our hearts are not so easy to clean up. So we hurt and we struggle.

But Christ...

is faithful!

I am learning to put my burden back on Him for He cares.... again! And again! And again!

Doug shared with me that one his drive home on Friday he listened to Alistair Begg speaking about the unexpected cross that Simeon was called on to carry for our Savior as He was being led to Calvary. (Do Not Weep For Me, Part A) Luke 23:26-31. Simon had been making his way to Jerusalem to worship God at the Temple and he was chosen from the crowd to carry this cross for Christ. It was unexpected, it was hard, it was heavy. I would imagine that Christ's cross was covered with His blood, and I would imagine that Simon was cleaned-up and ready for visiting the Temple. So unexpected. So it is for some of us in this world. We are called on to carry a cross sometimes, like Simon did, unexpectedly.

What cross have you been struggling with? Even though it may have been unexpected, hard, messy and heavy you can determine to carry it in such a way that it will bring praise to Jesus Christ. Listen to the sermon by Alistair Begg, it will encourage your heart like it did mine.

"Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus."

Musicale, Gathering, Ravi Zacharias

2009-03-07T15:42:00.005-09:00

(Sorry I don't know the name of the worship team.) What a busy week and a half of meetings and messages. It was refreshing. Sixty miles of riding back and forth in snow storms, slick roads, and through car after car in the ditches was exhausting!

The Anchorage Native Musicale went by so fast! Alaska Freedom Band was scheduled to be the very last group on the very last night. They had problems. It became funny. First, our lead guitar (Steve) got messed up on his guitar solo; my brother (Don) sang his solo all wrong (a new song written by a good friend of ours); then Doug's solo voice just disappeared! My son Kris was playing drums that night and he said he was waiting for his drum sticks to go flying through the air next, but he held on to them! lol Through it all, I believe Jesus Christ was still glorified. I tell everyone that mentions the troubles they had that night that they always sound exceptional in my basement!

I was able to make it to the Anchorage Leadership Gathering for two days of the three and enjoyed the messages by Lance Kramer. We went home with a booklet with a test to see where our spiritual gift, gifts are. I am still filling it out.

Oh my goodness, how wonderful it was to be able to sit under the teaching of Ravi Zacharias, especially to see him in person! What a brilliant man of God! As he began to speak I actually wondered if I was going to even be able to understand him, I did and he was edifying. It is always a wonder to me how the Holy Spirit leads our teaching shepherds to build on each others teachings. It was good and so was the musical worship prelude.

I know I have been quiet on blogging lately. Personal relationship issues squelch the sharing urge and my heart is just not into writing - I only seem able to sit quietly, recover, and heal.

So it goes with us all from time to time, right? I do not wish to run away from anxieties but ask that God will strengthen me spiritually, draw me closer to Him each day, and make certain that there is no place for bitterness.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.Romans 5:3 - 5

Question for Grandpa

2009-02-23T11:27:00.007-09:00

Aunt Marie was babysitting for Karla this weekend and the kids were here a lot. It's always fun when they come, but it's always so peaceful when they go! ha

On Saturday Doug was on his way to get a load of wood and Tucker and Gunner wanted to go (for the four-wheeler ride) and "help" Grandpa. So they got into their snow gear and they all rode away.

When Doug cuts wood, he goes into the woods that the fire in 1996 left behind. (Link to an old story.) The wood is good and dry and what hasn't fallen down is still good for burning. Doug usually cuts the wood, then tosses it out of the woods towards the trailer for loading. Depending on how far he is cutting from the small wood trailer he may heave wood several times. When it's near the trailer then I can pick it up and load it. That's where I usually am when I "help" and that is where the boys were.

So, Doug cut the wood, heaved it out several times, and when he got to the trailer where the boys were loading it, Doug stood to catch his breath just when Gunner took a look at him and said, "Grandpa? Aren't you gonna do anything?"

eLa-La-Land!

2009-02-18T11:07:00.004-09:00

I've had continuing problems with my email account for as long as I can remember. It can go on for days without a hitch, then one day I get error messages saying my ISP does not accept my password. So it does not work for hours.

I call our ISP, they say it's a problem in my settings.(????grrr) So we go through the settings. They click on a MAGIC RESET HER EMAIL button every time because then it works again ---- for a while. Then sure as I have to breath to live, my mail goes down. I just got in the habit of waiting a few hours because by then it will be back.

Yesterday, Doug called our ISP because of a change coming down the line and they said that we needed to do some manual changes. While he had them on the line he told them to talk to me about my email problem. GRRRR. Again? So I talked to them.

The technician looked at our account and asked, what is your user name? I told him. "I don't see your email address, tell me again your user name..." (!!!) "Strange, there isn't an email address in your account like that." He went on to tell me that there is another account with that email address and her name is Laura.

HOW CAN IT BE? I've been getting mail via that account... (on and off) for years! How can we both get email with the same user name for years?

He put me on hold. When he got back on the line he was bold enough to tell me that I won't ever have that problem again. (Okay, yes sir.) Doug spoke with him again and asked how I could get email if my email was not on our account? He said, he didn't know and that my account was just floating around out there in eLa-La-Land and somehow getting my email to me anyway. (!!!!!!)

So! If you've written to me and I've received it, consider it all eJoy because it's been an ongoing eMiracle for us to even eCommunicate!

Today's Fire - Video

2009-02-16T19:28:00.006-09:00

Wow, it's been 16 days since my last post! ha

Here I sit with nothing to write. What's wrong with these fingers! Usually I can sit down and my hearts spills out of my fingertips. My mind is full of thoughts, but my thoughts should not be shared.

There was a big fire and I could see it right from my house. I don't know what was burning but it was burning a long time. A few fire engines were there keeping a lid on it.

This fire was burning a long time. Perhaps it was a planned fire. I didn't hear any fire engines previous to seeing the fire that's why I think it may have been a planned fire. I think firemen do that sometimes.

Doug was a volunteer fireman on the North Slope for many years. Because he is quiet and does not speak up for things that have been overlooked, he didn't get his recognition until years after the fact! That just made my blood boil! He didn't share with me that this had happened until I asked.

Doug VanWingerden
1981 - 1996
Tanker No. 9 --- Firefighter
In recognition and appreciation for 15 years of dedicated and loyal service with the Greater Prudhoe Bay Fire Department.

I want to mention all those ever faithful people - - husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, parents, grandparents, daughters, sons, firefighters, pastors, cleaners, care givers.... and on and on. People like Doug who have been there year after year, never paid, overlooked, and many times forgotten. Quiet and unassuming they certainly are not receiving the recognition and care that they deserve but do not expect.

For you is this forever faithful thought: God never, ever forgets and He will reward those that are faithful - maybe not in this world, but for sure it will be done someday.

Thank you Dougie, you are the best firefighter I know!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galations 5.

Worth Passing On

2009-02-05T16:06:00.005-09:00

Some things are just worth the trouble to pass on! I thought these things that came in email were funny.

Hundreds Protest Global-Warming!

Are YOU Ready to Switch?

Now laugh.. because it's good for the body to laugh!

Marriage Mondays - The Surprise of Christian Marriage

2009-02-02T21:30:00.005-09:00

Want this button?
Meeting at Lynn's Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

It's been many moons since I've participated at Marriage Monday's. The topic this month reminded me of my own big surprise when Doug and I were first married. It is not geared only to a "Christian" marriage though, it's just something that --- surprised me!

It's about the first night we slept together - I was woke up all night from the bed shaking! It's not what you probably are thinking right now! Well, it was not non-existent, but then too it was not the reason! The reason? My new husband has been blessed with an incredible heart and when it beat that night (and ever since) - it shook the bed!

His big, strong heart was the reason that the first few weeks of our marriage I had wild dreams! I remember lying there listening to him sleeping, shaking, and wondering if I would ever be able to sleep ever again! My wild dreams were the result of being kept half awake all night!

Not anymore. I sleep like a baby - well no, I'm not up all night anymore! :-)

Don't you think we kind of smile the same? ha

Mama-mia!!!! She's Two!

2009-01-29T09:26:00.009-09:00

We had a fun family time together with RaeRae for her second birthday. Karla decorated musically and we all watched "Mama Mia" with Raegan! This was the first time I watched the movie. I had so much fun watching Raegan dancing throughout the whole movie! I probably could watch the movie again and see more of it that I didn't see!

The movie is a fun movie! I loved it. I couldn't accept how the movie industry has been promoting homosexual behavior and continued to do so in this movie too. That way of life is not according to how God created us to be related sexually to each other. I can't accept it as normal - just as I won't accept as normal someone with a disabling mental disorder, diabetes, a cleft palette, out of control anger, obesity, cancer, or any sickness! God did not create mankind with sickness but sin and dying did. When we died to God then sin over-powered us - in so many ugly ways.

To me, homosexual behavior is not any different from any other sins that so easily beset us. We all sin. I can't agree with the casual way our world accepts sleeping together without a commitment to each other of marriage (or jumping over a broom) too! There should be a commitment made towards one another previous to sex because the act of sex is very overpowering. Once its' desire has been accomplished then the anxious need is gone, and so many times today, so is the fleeting commitment and the 'I'll love you forever' partner. It's sad but it's true. Focus on the Family has many helps for dealing with the results of promiscuity. (Live Free Series)

Anyway, here is a little bit from our time with Raegan. I cannot believe that she is already two! I guess I've been busy!

The video is kind of dark, but you can still see her cute pig tails and how she was dancing along! haha (My favorite is the first one.)

More Poppin' Buttons!

2009-01-23T11:48:00.006-09:00

Here is a man!

He has had some big shoes to fill all through his short life! I realize that it's not easy to be the one at the tail-end of a large family. He has grown up hearing the accolades given to his older siblings as they too succeeded first in high school and then at the University of Alaska. (Marie and Klint were both on UAA's Dean's List.)

Kris has proven himself to be disciplined by earning a spot on the University of Alaska's Chancellor's List , not the Dean's List... the Chancellor's List! He did it by knuckling down and studying hard. Today, we are all proud of my youngest son Kristopher David (link is to the actual Chancellor's list).

BTW, there's been talk from some (haha) quickly claiming a bit of credit for the passing down of smart genes in the family? (All in fun of course). After I've watched Kris diligently and with impressive discipline work very hard to earn his spot on this list, I won't even try to claim any credit for his accomplishment. It is his and his alone!

To those struggling out there with studies, I encourage you to keep on! Kris is proof that hard work pays off. Well done Kris! May God continue to bless your efforts as you work towards an Electrical Engineering Degree.

"I pray that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense, till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Phil. 1: 9-11.

Happy Birthday Bec!

2009-01-21T11:02:00.006-09:00

My little sister has a birthday today and I thought I would post this beautiful sunrise picture I took this morning for her since it is her day.

Happy Birthday Rebecca Ann, we love you.

There are so many birthdays this month in our family --- and I think I posted all about that before!

Wonder what kind of weather is in store? Red sky in the morning... sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight! Only thing is up here in South central Alaska we are landlubbers, so maybe it means nothing for us.

There is a bug with the Labels for the post: feature of BLOGGER.COM. When I try to add tags for my posts it automatically puts in previous tags, so weather becomes warm weather or whatever I had posted before. I have to leave a space between the new word and the comma. Kind of irritating.

P.S. Rebecca didn't like the picture of me below when I emailed it to her (the Face Melter picture). She said it scared her and she had to delete it. hehehe

Almost Snapped An Owl

2009-01-20T14:39:00.006-09:00

I was vacuuming my bedroom and had walked to the open window (so spring-like here right now) to look outside. I saw an owl sitting in a tree watching me! I ran ~~from~~ FOR my camera but decided to tell Mom about it first, so that she could get a peek at it too.

Anyway, by the time I got my camera, got Mom, showed her where it was and finally got my camera turned on, this is all that I got (See the bottom right corner of the top picture). awwwwwwwwww :-(

After doing some looking online, I believe that it was a Northern Hawk Owl. At first I thought maybe it was a Northern Saw-whet Owl, but they don't hunt during the day according to the National Geographic Society book: "Field Guide to Birds of the North." This guy was hunting and may have caught one of the little Common Red Polls that I've been feeding. :-(

You know the saying, "be careful what you say because a little birdie might tell on you!" Or sometimes my friends would reply "A little birdie told me," when trying to figure out how they knew something that was supposed to be secret. It must have come from this scripture:

"Do not curse the king, even in your thought; do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a bird in flight may tell the matter." Ecclesiastes 10:20.

Hmmmmm...the wisest man ever, wrote that.

I Was Thinking (uh oh)

2009-01-19T10:37:00.008-09:00

Picture of me from my iPhone and the App Face Melter.

Faith, trust, believing.

Have you ever seen a toddler set down on the floor and coaxed to walk -- stop, then wonder if the floor will hold him/her up?

Do you wonder each time if that chair is worthy to set your whole weight upon before you sit?

For most of us it is just a minute, fraction of a second we will choose to or choose not to venture forth in pursuit of anything. Whether it's the process of learning to walk or setting oneself down into a chair - a minute but complete trust, faith, and believing is necessary.

Such a small effort! A fraction of a second when we choose to or choose not to trust, believe, or have faith in something or someone.

A toddler won't ever walk if he wobbles in one place - afraid that the floor won't hold him up.

A chair's comfort/rest won't ever be enjoyed if one stands beside it unable to believe it will support.

Without trust, belief, or faith there is much we would choose not to do.

When we strike a match, it fires up in a minute second then it can be used to start fire elsewhere. It is like faith in God. When we choose to exercise faith in God, there is a flash when He fires up inside of us.

A small faith; a minute trust; a flash of belief. That's all God requires in order to begin His work in our hearts and lives. As one walks with Him and learns of Him, faith is increased, but our initial faith is granted by God, when we have chosen to trust, have faith and believe all that He claims to be, all that He is, all that He will do. He leaves that minute faith, trust and believing to us.

...the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:22 - 27

How incredible and beautiful that is to me!

Pictures

2009-01-17T14:57:00.013-09:00

Picture is of Kodiak Harbor, November 2008.

Mom and I were talking about wedding days after my daughter Karla called (she's a wedding coordinator). Oh, BTW, Karla called to ask if I was interested in beading 100 bracelets for a client. I told her that such a monstrous endeavor might just sink me into a deep drepression!

Mom's graduation picture.

I mentioned to my Mom that I wished I had a picture of her and Dad when they were married. "I don't remember seeing any pictures of your wedding day, Mom?" She said she used to have a couple, not many. "The Saxton's took a few pictures of our wedding and gave me copies." "Who were the Saxton's?" "The teachers."

I did a search on the Saxton's name from my iPhone. I found this awesome story from the time of the 1964 Earthquake and Tidal Wave and read it to Mom:

"Curtis Saxton, local teacher and skipper-owner of the boat Gary tells us about seeing his crewless boat ride out of the harbor on one great surge of water during the tidal waves and disappear into the darkness headed in the direction of the Naval Base. He never saw the Gary again that night and figured it was among the missing sunk boats. However, at 6:00 a.m. the next morning while looking out a window of their house which sets above the beach down near where Pearson's boat storage used to be, Curtis and his wife Grace were amazed to see Gary come slowly sailing out from behind Near Island. As they watched Gary, which was riding high and dry, the boat came across the channel and finally rested quietly - right in front of their house! Skipper Len Helgason on his Foggy Cape put a line on her and towed it on up further in shore where Curt said he found almost no damage whatever to Gary. The Saxton's, who witnessed several vessels sink in the Near Island Channel near to their home, expressed gratitude to Skipper Helgason for his assistance in getting Gary back unharmed." City Hall Emergency Bulletin #19, WWW.KADIAK.ORG

Once again, I am impressed with the internet and the information that we can find now-a-days!

The Kadiak.org site was very interesting to find and then explore. I read historical information about the evacuation of Old Harbor there. It is funny how our minds work - I can only remember bits and pieces of the evacuation from Old Harbor to the Kodiak Naval Base, and then on a big military plane to Anchorage. I suspect that when anyone had stopped to survey the whole scene back then they saw me as one of the many children tired out and asleep on a pile of stuff somewhere - quiet and out of the way.

I wonder if maybe the Saxton's still have pictures from my parents Senafont and Vera Shugak's wedding day in Old Harbor? These are the Saxton's (Curtis and Grace) who taught in Old Harbor for a while. Maybe they have a picture or two of Mom and Dad somewhere in the bottom of an old photo box that makes them wonder who in the world are these people? I would be very interested in acquiring these pictures.

It's Not Cold!

2009-01-16T15:27:00.004-09:00

Not "how cold is it there" Jettie, rather you should have asked "how warm is it there?" ha! It's raining now.

Yesterday we went out in my husband's truck and just before we got home... we slowly, ever so gently slid right off the road into the ditch! There we were for over an hour as Doug and my son Kris worked to get us up out of the gentle slope of a ditch onto the very icy, wet, slick road!

I am thankful my son Klint (who is away with work) had studded up his four wheeler before he left as my son Kris' truck lost it's four wheel drive and he's been working on it. Kris got the trailer and filled it up with gravel before he came. I should have got out of the truck to take pictures, but... it was wet outside, and slickery.

It was an exciting evening although I did not like sliding into the ditch even if it was a small ditch and we went in so gently. I am a major 'fraidy cat! I'm thankful we didn't slide into the ditch further back which could have been a wild ride down a steep hill! whew!

This rain may continue a few more days. Since it's supposed to be winter time right now, I am not putting any stock into what the weatherman says.

Refreshing Counsel

2009-01-13T08:05:00.005-09:00

A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength. For by wise counsel you will wage your own war. And in a multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 24:5,6.

Doug heard Alistair Begg on the radio the first time and on the Ten Commandments. He came home and told me about him and then he got online and ordered the Ten Commandments series, Pathway To Freedom. So I knew his teachings had to be good, and they are! As we rode home from Homer on Sunday we listened to him. Pastor Begg teaches from Cleveland, Ohio and from a non-denominational church. Listen to Truth For Life online.

I am happy to report to Mom's fans, to those that prayed for this situation - Mom has come home! I am sleeping much better with her here too. We are in the process of applying for a room for her at a local senior home. This process could take years to complete. "We have a ten page waiting list with about twelve applicants on each page and your Mom is on the bottom of the list."

Mary told me not to even worry about getting the financial side of things figured out yet since its going to be a long while before they even get to Mom, then Susanne in Juneau said to fax it into them now so that she does not incur undue debt should they get a room for her immediately. I am getting mixed feedback! ha UPDATE: I just spoke with Susanne and she said Mom won't be eligible for help from the State until 2011.

Here is a poem from (I hope this link works.) Violet Able; a steadfast follower of Christ, a good counselor in the ways of the LORD.

How To Find Peace Of Mind
We listen to the newscasts that come daily to our ears,
We read alarming headlines that intensify our fears,
We grow more and more dissatisfied and feel less and less secure
As our days become more anxious and the future more unsure -
For with violence and dissension and chaos all around
We no longer feel with certainty that we stand on solid ground -
But in place of reading headlines that disturb our peace of mind
We should once more read the BIBLE & on its pages we would find
That this age is no different from the millions gone before
And that in every hour of crisis God has opened up a door
To all who seek His guidance and trust His all-wise plan,
For God provides protection beyond that devised by man -
And while God's Almighty Power is not ours to understand,
We know Who Holds the Future & we know Who Holds Our Hand.
And to have the steadfast knowledge that we never walk alone
And to rest in the assurance that our every need is known
Will help dispel our worries and in trusting Him we'll find
Right in the midst of chaos God can give us peace of mind.

Isn't that a great poem? Violet sent that to me when I was a teenager in high school. I have kept it all these many, many moons. When I take down my old Bible, the one that she picked up for me when I was a new Christian, I read it again and am refreshed.

iPhone Reading

2009-01-09T21:09:00.004-09:00

Doug gave me an iPhone for Christmas and I have been enjoying getting to know it. There is so much one can do with this little gadget besides talk on it. It is amazing. I even downloaded "Pilgrim's Progress" and without carrying around a book I can pull it out of my purse and read while I wait for Doug in the car.

Here is a part that I really enjoyed reading:

Now I saw in my dream, that the highway up which Christian was to go, was fenced on either side with a wall, and that wall was called Salvation. (Isaiah 26:1) Up this way, therefore, did burdened Christian run, but not without great difficulty because of the load on his back.
He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending, and upon that place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do, till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.
Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said, with a merry heart, "He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death." Then he stood still awhile to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him, that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden. He looked therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head sent the waters down his cheeks. (Zech. 12:10)
....
....
Then Christian gave three leaps for joy, and went on singing--
"Thus far I did come laden with my sin; Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in Till I came hither: What a place is this! Must here be the beginning of my bliss? Must here the burden fall from off my back? Must here the strings that bound it to me crack? Blest cross! blest sepulchre! blest rather be The Man that there was put to shame for me!"

Does that bring back the first day of your salvation? It did for me! Salvation is incredible when you think about it. God planning a way to bring mankind back to Himself after mankind stepped away from Him. He is so loving. I hope that your heart can realize that too.

We have been in a deep freeze here and it just does not want to let up! Hoping for it to get warmer in the next few days.

Dis-R-E-S-P-E-C-T

2009-01-05T14:32:00.004-09:00

Aloha to Christmas decorations for 2008. I have been busy all day putting things away. Putting the tree away, putting the new lamps (I found a great deal!) into their new places ....and finally - putting away my Mom's room.

My intent was to provide a happy, peaceful and safe place for Mom to live. A place that she would eventually be able to call home. I did hear her say a few times, "Oh, it's so good to be home." That made me smile.

She woke up in a mood the other morning which I did not understand. Maybe she "woke up on the wrong side of the bed." As I thought back over that morning I wished I had stepped away and left her to fuss alone instead of staying and trying to make her feel better. BUT...I didn't.

Now she has gone to my brothers house. The house none of her daughters (including me) wanted Mom to return to. But it is the house - the one that she apparently considers "home."

She came in July to live here, and while she was here, he had eventually sobered up. Mom had the money to pay for his habit and he took it while she lived there. While she was here (or my sister's homes), he lost his easy money and sobered up. Now she is home and we worry for her safety. When he sobered up again this time Mom's never-dying hope that he had finally changed revived and she began to be more and more discontent to be in my home.

"That's what she does," said my sister. She has to find a reason to go back and when we don't agree that my brother "has changed," she becomes agitated --- which I now see worked brilliantly for her. *kicking myself*

I don't know how to fix problems like this, even though we all learned to cope with Dad's alcoholism when I was young. I know of the abuses that alcohol can cause in families, but I still don't know how to help Mom get over my brother or my brother to get over alcohol.

I didn't think I was being disrespectful when I tried to contradict Mom's accusation "You are just tired of me and you don't want me here anymore." "No, no. That's not the truth." As she went on this way I remembered the little story "Lies" that I wrote awhile back about listening to wrong words. She was determined that I didn't want her here. I walked away in defeat, and she had us take her back to - that house.

I spoke with my brother today. He was growl-ly and disrespectful. He said, "You never called me before - now all of the sudden you are going to call all the time?" I thought to myself - I still am not calling you, I am calling Mom. I asked for Mom and bit my tongue.

So many people all over the world suffer just like this and worse, coping with alcohol habits that consume families. Why do people like alcohol anyway? Grape juice tastes so much better! I've seen the havoc that alcohol does to whole families. Too many Alaskan villages suffer with this ugly behavior. We should not consume it if we can't control it.

I commented to a good friend (my high school counselor) that I can't please everyone I guess, and she being the wise counselor commented back "Let's just try to focus on pleasing the Lord." Yes! That is exactly what I needed to be told and what I needed to read! Thanks Carol!

I do respect my Mom - by sharing this heartache I pray that it will help those in Alaska and other places that are unwillingly having to deal with alcohol abuse. I ask that you won't think I am being disrespectful of my Mom in sharing it.

I love my Mom. I want the best for her. I wish she was here with me right now. I am praying and trusting that God will bring the best into her life... and especially that it will include the changed heart and life of my brother. May it be so, Lord Jesus. Until then, I pray that God will protect her and give her wisdom about when it's time to come back here, or to my sister's homes. I will always have room in my home for Mom.

"The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity." Benjamin Franklin

"Men are respectable only as they respect" Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture." Abraham J. Heschel

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, [My note: evidences of being filled with the Spirit are:] speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:17-21

Happy 2009!

2008-12-31T13:10:00.006-09:00

For Christmas this year Doug's folks sent us a book "In Search of...The Real Spirit of Christmas" by Dan Schaeffer. I sat down to read it shortly after.

"Christmas seasons come and go, often leaving us with vague pangs of regret. Why does the Christmas spirit seem so elusive? What is the real Christmas spirit anyway? Even those who know the Reason for the season can find themselves wondering if they've missed something."

Last night I read this and the glory of Christmas is the fact that because of Christmas we are so blessed!

We have fallen into favor. And the Christmas spirit will fill our hearts when we realize that each of us receives the gift of Christmas the same way Mary did. Our faith is not an accomplishment; it is a "gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The grace we have received is not payment for good behavior, but an act of mercy.
As Jesus was born physically in Mary, so we have been born spiritually into Him. Gabriel's announcement echoes in us as well. We have been highly favored. The Lord is with us!"

That is just incredible!

We are in a deep freeze up here. BLEAH! Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what we are enduring right now. haha

Many blessings to your and yours - my fellow Believers. May our God comfort you too in this sin-sick world; may He prove His never-ending love in your lives daily; may He strengthen you; may He make aware each minute of 2009 that He will soon return as the victorious King and Lord of all that He is! Stand firm in His righteousness to the end.

Happy New Year from us up here in cold, cold Alaska. (I'm looking or maybe I should say LONGING for spring already!)

P.S.!!!! Not to worry - all dogs pictured are indoors and toasty warm!

Whirrrs and Brrrrs!

2008-12-29T12:50:00.006-09:00

whirrrr-rrrr, slow, speed up, whirr-RRRR-rrrr

The new noise on my laptop the last few days has me concerned. Last time that happened on my desktop computer... the hard drive fried. So I am kind of concerned.

So while I sat out this awful cold spell up here in Alaska I opened the laptop the other morning just to see if I can get to the fans easily. No, not without some instructions to back me up, so I have been reading online and have printed out a lot of information. I have ordered parts from Parts-People.COM and now I am anxiously waiting for them! I've never ordered from this company before so I hope my experience is good. (They are in Austin, TX)

HOPEFULLY... my laptop won't klunk out on me before I change some things. ha

IF it does... I have a new iPhone! So no worries. Little bit slower, little bit harder to type on the screen but I won't be totally cut off from the internet, haha.

The iPhone is so much fun! I love it. Doug gave it to me for Christmas and I've been sitting around in the living room looking at this small gadget like my son and his wife did before me. I have downloaded Mahjong and a pirate game called Booty Blocks and even a book, Pilgrim's Progress so I can read when I am stuck waiting somewhere! It is an incredible little gadget! I was looking for a good Bible to download to it too, but there are so many to choose from, I could not decide.

I let Moto out the front door a few minutes ago and just standing in the doorway, my nose got nipped! That is just crazy cold. It's blowing pretty good in Wasilla I hear (gusts to 70 mph), no wind here at home... just cold, cold, cold!

We drove to Wasilla last evening to have dinner with Kris before he left for Arizona, and it was twenty degrees warmer than it was here (12 miles away)! That is what wind does there... brings up the temp for them. But the high winds get irritating afer awhile. I think I might rather have extreme cold than strong winds.

Nothing Traditional but Devotion!

2008-12-27T12:09:00.009-09:00

"Roam," "ramble," and "meander" all mean to move about from place to place without a plan or definite purpose, but each suggests wandering in a unique way. "Roam" refers to carefree wandering over a wide area often for pleasure (as in, "I roamed over the hills for hours"). "Ramble" stresses carelessness and indifference to one’s course or objective (for instance, "the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point"). "Meander," which comes from Greek "Maiandros," an old name for a river in Asia Minor, implies a winding course and lazy movement, and it is still sometimes associated with rivers (as in, "the river meandered through the town"). "Meander" can also be used as a noun meaning "a winding path."

For Christmas we (me, Doug, Kris and my Mom) did something so foreign to my family. We had a lazy day absent of the usual cooking and baking for a robust Christmas dinner for a whole army! Instead, we got up late, ate fresh baked cinnamon rolls (I prepared the night before) with broiled ham and boiled eggs, Doug read a Christmas devotional to us by Margaret Manning (A Slice of Infinity), we opened gifts, and enjoyed each others company. Later in the afternoon Kris drove us in a super, duper snowstorm to Anchorage where we MEANDERED through Anchorage looking for a place to eat (Sicily's Pizza), for homes dressed in holiday style and a movie that we all would like to watch together!

(I caught my happy Mom with her hair a mess after she took off her knitted cap! hehehe)

Even though we left so much of our Christmas day to chance, we had fun! After we ate, we went to see Seven Pounds (I give it my thumbs up, but it is a tear jerker) with Will Smith (great actor!) at Century 16. We got home late that night! We did not realize how many people go watch movies on Christmas day! That is most people I've seen at the theater - EVER!

This was a very different Christmas for us all...but we enjoyed it a lot! One can celebrate the birth of Christ no matter what is done together.

Why? Why didn't we do the usual? Because of conflicts in the family - family plans were changed - and to keep the peace. Sometimes we as loving family members have to do things like this. It's all good. At first I tried to be depressed about it all, but that is no way to REJOICE over my salvation through the birth of Jesus Christ!

"O, Come Let Us Adore Him"

Our horizons have been exposed to the possibility of perhaps, maybe next year... meandering around a different town, maybe even in the Lower 48 for Christmas! I am open to change! It can be fun, if you keep your heart where it should be - adoring Christ Jesus --- my LORD Jesus!

It's been two years today since my sister Millie was hospitalized. I sure miss you Sis, Ahka, Chamai, ... Mil.

Mary & Women & Christ's Love

2008-12-22T17:54:00.006-09:00

I was overdue a week, and as Doug and I were attending a friends wedding I could feel that contractions were beginning. I ignored them for a while thinking that these things take time anyway. Besides, we were poor Bible students at the time and my husband was so looking forward to the reception where there was going to be a feast fit for a king!

As the ceremony progressed I knew the contractions were leveling out and becoming very regular! So I asked Doug for his watch. He looked at me in horror and whispered to me "No!" But yes, Kim was on her way and she was not going to be considerate for anyone's wishes but her own!

It turned out that this birth was very hard. Not hard because it took long but that it happened way too fast! The doctor did not make it to the hospital in time. Kim was born as I cried out in pain while being pushed through the swinging delivery room doors by two night nurses! They held Kim and then looked at each other and one said, "Now what?"

I always recall that night and say that she was the worst pain and delivery I ever went through of all five deliveries!

The hard trouble that came on women in childbirth is a curse that came with death at the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. Mary also suffered in childbearing.

I watched a movie (can't remember the title, sorry), a movie on TBN about the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. I could imagine the fear of Mary, the pregnant young girl, living in a culture where she would be stoned for being in this condition outside of marriage. Joseph was going to put her away for having become pregnant when he knew that they had not been together. I would have to guess that both Mary and Joseph had many sleepless nights!

Listen to Ravi as he answers a question a lady asked about a friend who chose not to believe the Bible/Christianity because she had read the curse to women. Pain in childbearing. "I can't believe in something that does not believe in me."

What a great response from Ravi - speaking of the great value that Jesus Christ placed on womanhood.

"Go and sin no more."

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends.

Just About Merry Christmas!

2008-12-19T16:18:00.003-09:00

Like sand through an hourglass.... Christmas shopping days are almost over!

...Then we will feel like we need to shop for all the great-after-Christmas-deals. If I was smart as some... I would do next years Christmas shopping after Christmas! But... I won't.

Yesterday Doug and I went to the Christmas dinner/get-together for Doug's work group at O'Malley's On The Green in their banquet facilities. We had so much good food! We don't normally eat so richly. Since I am feeling really tired today and my bones ache more than usual, I am blaming the diet. Too much fat, too much sugar, too much salt ---- but boy was the food YUMMIE! From crab cakes to prime rib roast beef and rich, black chocolate cake to an extremely good key lime pie with blueberries, who could resist? Had to try everything. I did eat my fresh veggies though, so I was not all bad!

It was fun getting to see the people that Doug works with everyday. I enjoyed watching him interact with each one. We are not the social butterflies though, so we didn't flit from table to table like others do, but we still enjoyed the evening.

Then as we were finishing up the evening together Doug's boss tells us, I will okay a hotel room if you two would rather spend the night than drive all the way home. Wow! We did it. We stayed at Residence Inn! We got up today and went out to do some Christmas shopping. First I had to get shopping shoes because the ones I wore to the dinner were not meant for walking and walking! OUCHIE!

In two more days, we will be thankful for the shortest daylight day of the year --- then we approach the daylight gains to glorious SPRINGTIME! One of my favorite days of the year!

Just about Merry Christmas to all!

Nativity Around The World

2008-12-15T12:14:00.007-09:00

A troubled woman in Germany left her newborn baby boy in a Nativity manger and hoped that someone would find him there. Now the church is taking donations to help her take care of her baby. KTUU

I surfed the internet for Web Cams of the Nativity scene but I have been finding story after story of disgruntled fighting to prevent people from even using the Nativity scene publicly. The spiritual war becomes more evident to me during Christmas with the stories of those that don't/won't realize why they become so ready to fight Christmas, the Nativity scene, and other Christian celebrations.

Baby Jesus Stolen at the Cheviot Nativity. :-(
Nativity scene in Grossarl, Salzburg. :-)
Graceland Nativity Web Cam. USA. :-)
Cow Fled Nativity Scene - Norway. :-D
A Knit Nativity. Tasmania. :-)
"Presepe" Creators - Nativity Makers, Italy. :-)
Nativity Show (video)- Missoula, USA. :-)
350 Nativity Collection - Echo Bay, Canada. :-)

Wasilla Bible Church, the building, was damaged due to what is alleged to be arson. It was damaged enough that we cannot meet there for services until it is fixed. Pictures at ADN.COM. We met at Wasilla Middle School on Sunday instead. This fire cemented in my heart the truth that God's church is not found in buildings, but it is found in the hearts of those who know, love, and worship His Son, Jesus Christ.

My daughter was the first to call me about our church building. I could hear that she and her children were troubled. I reminded her that God's church is still intact. The building that we worship TOGETHER in was damaged but the Church wasn't! It lives on where ever we all may be, here and after this life.

The world may take away all that remind us of that story long ago --- God sent His Son. They can take all the tangible things away, but what will remain? Continuing faith in God --- in our hearts. They can even place their words beside the scene, but God will continue to brings honest and sincere seekers to Himself, regardless.

Our Pastor had a very good admonition to us on Sunday and his sermon is online now. He spoke on I Corinthians 13:13. After the Fire: faith, hope and love.

"And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

Just as we can't see Sleeping Lady during a heavy snowstorm, that does not mean that Sleeping Lady is not there. Someday everyone will see spiritual things as they really are! Everyone will realize that the Babe in the manger long ago was the triumphant Messiah that the Jews looked for! But He came first, as a Babe, then He will come again - soon - as the triumphant King of kings and LORD of lords that they mistakenly thought would be His first coming! He came first to become the Savior and not only of the Jews, but also the Gentiles ---- that's me!

I am so thankful that He loved not only the Jews... but that He loved me too! I was born in the wrong place, but it was not my choice to be born there, but if He came only to be the Messiah for the Jews, I would have been an outcast. But He didn't forget me! He compelled me ---and YOU too, to become one of His own!

In a way, I was like the little baby left in the manger in Germany. I was helpless and could not save myself. Until Christ found a Way for me to be right with God I could not celebrate Christmas with Joy unspeakable and Peace in my heart.

Christmas will continue to be a time when my heart praises God for including me in His salvation plan. I am forever thankful that God sent His Son, as a Baby long ago. The World with all it's righteously-indignant organizations may take/forbid the Nativity in public view but Jesus story still rings in my heart, and His living Church forever.

Seven Random Things

2008-12-09T21:29:00.005-09:00

Seven things I did before I was a Mom?

1. Worked my first ever job at The Loussac Library with my sister Kotya.
2. Shared an apartment with my friend Karen, who is now also my sister-in-law.
3. Learned to crochet.
4. Oil painted.
5. Learned to knit.
6. My husband and I flagged mobile homes on the highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks for more money to pay bills.
7. We also delivered floral bouquets to help make ends meet.

Seven things I do now that I know Jesus really loves me:

1. I want to please Him.
2. Try to learn more about Him so I know how to please Him (Bible reading).
3. Try to be a light to those I come in contact with so they can know Him too.
4. Go on the occasional gospel team trip with my husband and share my testimony.
5. Let Him be my defender by not being defensive when wrongly attacked.
6. Sharing the blessings He has given to me.
7. Go to church.

Seven things I would like to do!

1. Travel the Lower 48 with my husband (while we are still mobile).
2. Visit more of Alaska.
3. More bead work.
4. Be with Millie when she first begins to talk again.
5. Be with Millie and see her smile again.
6. Totally landscape (or hire it done) our 13 acres!!!! haha
7. Go on a Mediterranean cruise with my whole family!

Seven things that still attract me to my husband!

1. His sincere gaze, and then his awesome smile.
2. How he is so careful of me, and so worried when I fall down or hurt myself!
3. When I see him studying God's word.
4. When I see him spend time with the kids and the grand kids.
5. His love for the outdoors and me being in it with him!
6. He always considers my opinion as important when decisions need to be made.
7. How he plays his guitar even though he has one useless finger.

Seven favorite foods?

1. Coffee
2. Cookies ... with coffee.
3. Bacon and eggs with coffee.
4. Fried chicken!
5. Mashed potatoes.
6. Apple pie with fresh ground kona coffee.
7. Baked salmon with rice.

Seven things I say most often:

1. "Oh my word."
2. "Who called?"
3. "Hi"
4. "Bye - bye"
5. "What you wanna eat?"
6. "Wanna go out to eat?"
7. "I'm so hot!" (Doug always says, "Yes you are." haha)

Seven people I would like to pass this Creativ Blogger Award to:

Slimpickin's
Jettie
Marie
Karla
Sandi
Faith
Joanne
Farrah

I got this award from e-Mom. thanks e-Mom! Now I am passing it on to seven. Like e-Mom said, only do this Seven Random Things "if you have the time." I know it's Christmas time and hard to do even more, but hey... you're already just sitting there at the computer anyway! Oh my word! I listed EIGHT, hehehe.

Another Chance!

2008-12-08T11:28:00.006-09:00

I bought RaeRae this cute skirt while I was in Hawaii. Her Mom was still changing her outfit when I asked RaeRae to say "CHEESE." She didn't. Instead, she quickly ran to the rocking chair, climbed up, turned around and then gave me her CHEESIEST smile!

Many times in our families or with our friends we wish some words never were said. Our selfish actions or reactions make us fear our good relationship is totally bombed to smittereens. Thankfully time has a way of healing those unhappy words, quarrels, and strife.

Jesus shed His blood in order to clean my sorry heart from all sin. I'm thankful for that because many times, daily, I must repent for inserting my own will in how things should be. Hearts are God's work. His will is done on Earth. Prayer is my work.

Thankfully, family blood is binding! Family is family! Daugher will always be a daughter, son will always be son, brother is always brother, sister is always sister, Mom and Dad will always be Mom and Dad. Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers, great.... great.... and on and on. We must forgive to make life what we want it to be - peaceful.

Thank God for blood, hah?

"I think I just said, 'Thank you Lord' ... for us to have another chance!" said the child's father.

These thoughts were brought on by the wonderful story I read today. Puppies save three-year-old boy lost in freezing Virginia woods.

I can understand what Jaylynn Thorpe's Dad meant when he said that. Many times, as a Mom, I felt like "uh-oh" I should have kept my mouth shut. It was always when I took my eyes/mind off of my ever-loving Jesus, and my worried heart became overwhelmed with questionable situations then I spoke when I should have quietly prayed.

I am thankful for the Holy Spirit's work. He knows so much more than I how to touch hearts and lives. I know there are times we do need to speak to those that call themselves Christian's about their actions, but most of the time prayer is the best way to deal with those situations.

As word went out that the child was alive and well, family members cheered and cried for joy. "Praise the Lord! Welcome home, Jaylynn!"

I am happy for the joyful end to Jaylynn's adventure! Merry Christmas to the Thorpe's in Virginia!

What Is Good?

2008-12-04T09:22:00.007-09:00

Does mankind have a right to define what is good and what is evil? Have you never heard this refrain in culture after culture: "What right does any culture have to dictate to another culture what is good?" Embedded in that charge is always another charge: "The evil things that have happened in your culture deny you the prerogative to dictate to anyone else."
Anyone living at this time and old enough to recall will never forget the outrage of some members of the media when President Ronald Reagan denounced the Soviet Union as an "evil empire," or when President George W. Bush branded three nations as forming an "axis of evil." Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran, in the meantime, remained well within his own comfort zone when he pronounced the United States as a "satanic power," according to the same members of the media.
Such moralizing goes on, always with the same bottom line: "Who gives whom the right to pronounce the other evil?" I have heard this question countless times. The very word "morality" has become a lightning-rod theme. "Who is to say what is good? How audacious that anyone lay claim to an absolute!" This lies at the core of our entire moral predicament, and it is truly fascinating, isn't it? But we find an interesting twist here, because this selective denial of absolutes in morality does not carry over into the sciences. [Quoted from Ravi Zacharias book: "The Grand Weaver"]

wow, I typed all of that without one mistake to fix! I usually have many to correct.

I've run into that question in my world. Who's right is right and according to which right standard is that person qualified as being right? When we chose not apply God's standards of right from wrong to our living, we are then "doing that which is right in our own eyes" and there is no more standards that people can live up to anymore. Too much of this is going on in the USA today.

Here is a video I made of something good to do! Practicing aloha - resting. I took the video when Doug and I were in Hawaii.

It's Doug practicing ALOHA in Hawaii.

Moto & Moose

2008-12-01T13:15:00.005-09:00

Moto came home from the vet in the evening and he whimpered, awwwww. He is just a baby dog. Now he is pretty much back to himself but is still wearing the cone if he is alone. He tried probably the first day to investigate the incision area, but when I said no he obeyed! :-)

Now he looks pretty healed up and is doing very well. Thanks for asking to those that did. Noticed the """orbs""" in the picture? I did!

Now here is a moose video I just made. We saw this guy this past week. Since he is a legal bull the guys wondered how he made it through the hunting season so close to people! I think it just was not his time to be all 'burgered up'!

Moto

2008-11-25T13:14:00.003-09:00

It's hard to get Moto to show up in pictures he is so black! He is our new puppy. He was born the end of May. His mother was a Sharpei/Rottweiler mix and that is who he mostly looks like. His Dad was a Blue Heeler/Husky mix, and you can see a bit of the blue heeler in his white blaze on his chest.

Today Moto is being neutered. I hope he is not mad at us when he gets home!

6,602,224,175

2008-11-23T18:26:00.005-09:00

That number is the number of the world's population as of 2007. I've wondered when I read Revelation if this number of a man could possibly have anything to do with the world population? But according to this site the population has already exceeded 6,660,000,000. Some have suggested 666 is just showing the imperfectness/adequateness's of mankind, attaining only to six! six! six! (Complete/Perfect is the number seven.) Like God being described as Holy! Holy! Holy! It is truly a riddle, isn't it? So on to wondering again. I am just not wise enough to figure out the riddle, but I am watching, and praying.

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. Revelation 13:18.

The great harlot is also a mystery. With harlotry - money is involved. I was listening to Ashley Dupre's interview with Diane Sawyer on 20/20. Ashley spoke of her relationship with former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer, father of three daughters, in a way that that made herself appear almost noble, for only being an escort and not a prostitute. When questioned by Diane as to whether or not both words mean the same thing, Ashley said something like - no, because we talk. I read more online and learned that she and other escorts received between $2,000 and $5,000 an hour for "talking." She said - her reason for "escorting" had nothing to do with money. Give-----me-----a-----break!

Down through the ages since the fall of Adam and Eve, we've been making excuses for our behavior, actions and reactions. We cunningly devise reasons for why we continue to sin. We give nicer names to old sins. Escort = prostitute = harlot. We don't want to be held responsible for our actions. It's always someone elses fault for the way we behave. In this sad story, Ashley spoke of her biological father who was not there for her as a possible reason for wanting to be an escort. I would guess that she was intoxicated by her God-given beauty. She loved the attention men gave her when she was dressed to kill. She forgot the heartache another woman would have to bear for her silly daring acts of indiscriminate intimacy. I don't only hold her responsible, but him. He is the one that was throwing money around, and money that was not rightly his to throw!

Oh, but we are all sinful. All of us. There is no one that is good or without sin. I definitely am not good. Billy Graham is not good. That sweet lady down the street from you - even she is not good.

Here is what Corrie ten Boom had to say about it all.

"Sometimes I get a headache from the heat of the halo that people put around my head. Would you like to know what Corrie ten Boom is really like? Then I told them what happened the evening before --- how my own sleep had been more important in my eyes than the salvation of young people. "That," I said, "was Corrie ten Boom. What egotism! What selfishness! But the joy is that Corrie ten Boom knew what to do with her sins. When I confessed them to the Father, Jesus Christ washed them with His blood. They are now cast into the deepest sea and a sign is put up that says, NO FISHING ALLOWED. But Jesus in Corrie ten Boom is just the opposite of all these things." Corrie ten Boom, Tramp for the Lord

Thank God for His forgiveness. There is nothing He will refuse to forgive when we repent (turn away from) of our sin. Praise the LORD for forgiveness and for peace!

Peace in our hearts is a richness of great value and only can be placed deep inside by God when we believe Him.

Prayerful Caring

2008-11-16T15:14:00.010-09:00

Photo of the little thermometer gadget that Doug brought home for me. Shows the inside and outside temp's with a little guy that puts on clothes (or takes them off) depending on the outside temperature.. He's all bundled up - it's cold today!

What about our loving and caring people, huh? Those that keep a foot in the door for some of us. The door of salvation, the door to eternal life, the door to a personal relationship with God. Holding the door ajar for some who appear to carelessly have shut the door on the face of Jesus Christ.

Quietly they've kept trusting because they know that God too dearly loves someone dear to their own heart. They've never lost hope that one day their heart will be softened, their ears unstopped, their minds enlightened - and all by the merciful reach of God. You have a friend like that? A Mom? A Dad? Aunt, Uncle, cousin?

They just keep on praying.

For those who in anger shut the door;
In ignorance, walked past the door;
With disbelief, laugh at the door.
In busyness, are oblivious of the door.

Yesterday I read "The Shack." In my humble opinion the author (William Paul Young) of The Shack makes our incredible, awesome, powerful God just too man-like, and way too common. Actually the author presented God the Father as a black woman; Jesus as a homely Mid-Eastern man in saw-dusty work clothes; and the Holy Spirit as an Asian woman.

This large and oh-so-stereotypical matronly African-American woman is God (or at least an anthropomorphism of God she chose to take on in order to communicate with Mack). Throughout the story she is known as Papa. Near the end, because Mack requires a father figure, she turns into a pony-tailed, grey-haired man, but otherwise God is this woman. Jesus is a young to middle-aged man of Middle-Eastern (i.e. Jewish) descent with a big nose and rather plain looks while the Holy Spirit is played by Sarayu, a small, delicate and eclectic woman of Asian descent. By this point many people will choose to close the book and be done with it. But for the purposes of this review, let’s just assume you are able to get past seeing God and the Holy Spirit portrayed in this way and let’s press on. Read more by CHALLIES.COM.

This holy three-some banters with each other as they cook together, spend the day together, do things for Mack together. The read was interesting and many times emotional. I talked with Mom this morning (she read the book) and mentioned that I felt the way the author presented God was a lot different than the way John writes about God in Revelation, so majestic. Previously she had said of the book, "It's just too different."

Young's fiction novel hints at teachings from the Bible but does not quote any. Eugene Peterson's quote: "This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for his. It's just that good!" Even though it appears to be popular in Christian circles, I feel this quote is an exaggeration.

There are redeeming qualities about this write that I will acknowledge. It will make people more aware of the ever-present God - the Holy Spirit we can count on everyday. He is always with us and never leaves us. The fact that life continues, spiritually, even though we cannot see those that have passed away, they are still alive, spiritually. Another idea I came away with is that God did not come to establish organizations, but He wants to grow relationships. I totally agree with that. We don't need more committee's, more clubs, more churches, but we do need a relationship with God and even with others "of like precious faith."

This is where the heart to pray over and over for someone that we love comes from. The relationship we have - or want with someone we love. This tugs at our hearts because the relationship we have with God (via His Son) is precious to us and we want that for others. It is comforting when we need comfort. It is Truth where there does not seem to be truth around us. It is grace in daily life. It brings us the promise of Life eternal. We want all that and more for our family and our friends who have not met our Savior this way ---yet.

Today, I've thanked God for friends and relationships, ones that included prayer for the Holy Spirit's gentle wooing to continue in my life.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20.

Circumspect

2008-11-14T07:35:00.003-09:00

Picture is Doug walking the dogs in Teklanika, Alaska.

Before I left to enjoy Hawaii with Klint and Calli I signed up for Merriam-Webster's Online Word A Day and I have been enjoying reading definitions. If only I could remember to use the words ---in the right place ---at the right time! I could sound so smart, ha.

To refresh our memories: Merriam is the last name of brothers George and Charles, booksellers and printers. When Noah Webster died (1843), these guys bought the rights to publish revisions of the 1841 edition of Noah Webster's An American Dictionary of the English Language, Corrected and Enlarged. Thus we gained Merriam-Webster.

At the beginning of the 19th century, when he was 43 years old, Webster decided to write a dictionary because people in different parts of the country pronounced and used words differently. He wanted to create a common source of accuracy. But, in reflection of national revolutionary sentiments, he did not believe the American people should speak and spell in the same ways as people in England. He was quite willing to adapt his version of the dictionary to accommodate American users, and to distinguish them from their fellow English speakers in England. He added words that were distinctly American, such as, skunk and hickory, and he changed the spellings of many words and turned such words as neighbour into neighbor, centre into center, and plough into plow. A Noah Webster biography.

So, now I know why UK friends spell some of their words different. To Noah Webster it was a "proud to be an American" thing. It was a strong and common feeling in Noah's day ("national revolutionary sentiments") to be different from England in language, for they (USA's forefathers) had won our freedom from England's interference into our daily lives.

Sharing the Word-A-Day:

Did you know?

"Circumspect," "cautious," "wary," and "chary" all imply looking before you leap, but each puts a unique spin on being careful in the face of risk or danger. "Circumspect," which descends from Latin “circum-” (“around”) and “specere” (“to look”), implies the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding (as in "he is circumspect in business dealings"). "Cautious" suggests fear of danger and the exercise of forethought that it prompts (as in "a cautious driver"). "Wary" emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in sensing danger and cunning in escaping it (as in "keep a wary eye on the competition"). "Chary" implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely (as in "she is chary of signing papers without reading them first").

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15,16.

And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth. Exodus 23:13.

Just Say NO to Oprah!!!!

2008-11-13T12:43:00.006-09:00

So I've been hearing the *M%E#D@I!A^ says that Governor Sarah Palin has all these offers coming in for *M%E#D@I!A^ interviews and that her popularity has not waned since the Obama win (DUH!). I'm saying to Sarah - "Just say NO to Oprah!" I just hope she does not get on the Oprah show. Every show but ---not Oprah! Please!

The *M%E#D@I!A^ also says --- we (Alaska) have a gas line to be approved and she needs the public exposure. I say to the *M%E#D@I!A^ - "Go fly a kite!" I have had enough of the *M%E#D@I!A^'s opinion the last two years, give us a break and you know what? Sarah will continue to do fine without all of your stupid input.

Please Sarah.... "Just say NO to Oprah!"

Let's Go Fly A Kite!

I'm Back!

2008-11-10T10:30:00.002-09:00

...but not willingly.

Unspotted

2008-10-27T10:41:00.004-08:00

As I sat down to read in James this morning I remembered what I heard Saturday night at a singspiration meeting in Anchorage. Some of Alaska's Natives (and others I suppose) believe that the King James Bible version was written by James (James, Jesus half-brother who penned the epistle James), therefore they wrongly believe the mistruth that since James wrote the King James version it is the only right and true Bible version.

Mistruth. You know what that word means? I tried to look it up, it's not in the dictionary. Haha!

But mistruth is listed with other words that have their meanings changed by the prefix mis.
1 a: badly : wrongly (misjudge) b: unfavorably (misesteem) c: in a suspicious manner (misdoubt)
2: bad : wrong (misdeed)
3: opposite or lack of (mistrust)
4: not (misknow)

One can say that mistruth is - bad truth, wrong truth, unfavorable truth, suspicious truth, lack of truth, not truth. ?

Like all of USA (and via the internet much of the world!) I've been seeing too many TV political commercials and much of it is MISTRUTH! I don't believe everything... and I consider the source!

ai yi ya.

I did vote early, so I cannot be swayed anymore! ha I wish the political commercials were over now!

I will be winging my way to Hawaii soon. I think it might be hard "to keep oneself unspotted" on the beach! But you know what? Sand is such a hard thing to avoid there. Sand. Sand. Sand. Warm, beautiful sand. Sand between the toes, sand on the knees, sand in the shorts.... I am looking forward to this sandy problem! (I know it's not the same as what James was talking about.)

James said, "to keep oneself unspotted from the world." What does that mean? Unspotted from the world?

Prayer

2008-10-21T09:55:00.004-08:00

We are blessed to have God's Word aren't we? It is my lifeline to the next life! Many times I think of God's Word as a hints to God's secrets. Or like kids and those cheat books to games that they play on computers; books that give out the secrets places/actions of the ways to win a computer game. God's Word reveals secrets, to those willing to search for them, of how to be like King David, a man or woman "after God's own heart" and the One Way that can be found directly to God the Father and Eternity.

It is amazes me how such small needs can arise that will distract me from taking the time to study it. Or troubles that will steal the time I would take to gain comfort from it. There is nothing more important in my day as making sure my connection to Christ remains solid - for from it flows the ability to love one another; know right from wrong; search my heart to even know when I am wrong; remain strong in the face of trouble; be filled with the Holy Spirit.

One can become fretful with the coming election and with the fears of the unknown. I know this feeling. I was online listening and reading so many disturbing things of this political campaign. I feel troubled for our Governor and her family and many times have found myself praying for their emotional well-being through all of this.

Here is a prayer from Philippians - Paul wrote. I wrote the prayer on the back of a note from Kris to me. He wrote it when he was a little guy and I love it. Each time I open my Bible to where I am reading, there it is and I pray for him and all my children this prayer. Today I put Sarah's name in the blank space. You can put your family, husband, wife, Mom, or those running for office in the blank space.

"I pray that ________ love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that _____________ may approve the things that are excellent, that __________ may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11.

Amen!

You Will Do Fine!

2008-10-16T10:24:00.005-08:00

Yesterday, Mom was visiting my sister in Wasilla when I left home to pick her up and bring her to the clinic for the first shot I would give to her. The day before Nurse Ned had shown me the proper way to fill the syringe, to hold the needle and to poke a stuffed paper-box filled with cotton.

Always be careful of the needle. Never put your hand or the syringe in a position that you may accidentally poke yourself or your patient. Always think ahead to what you will need before you will need it. He demonstrated to me how he opens a bandage and hangs it on his shirt just in case the needle causes some bleeding.

He said, "It's easy and you will do fine!"

So when we got to the clinic, I let the ladies behind the counter know that Mom was there. We waited and I tried to watch Disney's Aladdin on the television. "Look there is a good movie on the t.v.," Mom said. Visit this site for a quick Aladdin Character Quiz.

I was Abu, the little monkey. lol (Alert: I had to sign up as a member to recieve the results in my email.)

Soon we were walking down the hallway and into the room with Nurse Samantha. She said, "What are we doing today?" I told her, "Mom gets a Vitamin B-12 shot." "Are you going to do it?" "I am supposed to," I said and laughed. "Oh, you will do fine!" she said.

So she laid out all the things and I did it all. I filled the syringe, swabbed Mom and before I could think long enough to get intimidated I moved the syringe like I was "playing darts." "Well," Samantha said, "you are a natural born nurse!"

It was all over - Mom an exceptional patient! "I reminded myself to relax," she said.

What a relief and everyone that said it would be easy were right! It was easy and now I can do these myself, at home, no driving to get shots! Now I repeat the words my sister Millie always used to say to me, "Thank the Good Lord, Sis!" And thank YOU for praying for me!

As Mom and I worked to get her in the car and buckled in, I heard knocking on the clinic window. I turned to see what was going on and there was Nurse Ned and Nurse Samantha at the window smiling, waving, and giving me the thumbs up sign!

So if you are giving a shot for the first time, let me encourage ya... you don't have to worry, it is easy and .... you will do fine!

Oh No! Do I Have To?

2008-10-15T10:32:00.005-08:00

Summer/fall time with Mom has been mostly quiet and uneventful. Getting to her Dr's. and dentist appointments were do-able. I do not like to drive but have been when needed. Now that it has been snowing and the roads are getting slick I cringe every time her Dr says, "Bring her back in a week."

It is harder to make myself drive in the winter. I find myself thinking about the nursing home application in the file drawer. I think about all the others that make themselves drive when they don't want to, and it encourages me to go. So, like you, I will go again.

We did a visit to the home (early July) when she first realized she should not live in her own home anymore. Alcohol has made her life challenging there and the last binge had filled her with unsaid fears. I can see it and hear it when she speaks of how she should not return home anymore.

My sister called, "We need to find a place for Mom, maybe a home? She can't live in her house anymore." I agreed. My very good friend Myrtle said, "Oh bring her here, she will love it here!" "Here" is a home with in-house 24-hour assistance and freedom - residents are free to come and go.

She would have her own private room with access to many services she may need (including nurses who administer shots beautifully); she would have three meals a day prepared for her; in the last few weeks as I've watched her health/strength fail something else I am growing to love - emergency care at a moments notice if she needs it.

Even though this home is too far from my home (one hour) I loved it. I loved the staff and I thought she would love it too... but when we got back to my home she asked, "Can I just live with you? I am afraid of those people."

"Those people" ?

I thought back to the tour of the home. I remembered the jigsaw puzzle corners. The private telephone areas. The sitting rooms with open windows over so many blooming roses. The tame birds that look amply fed. The fish that slowly sailed in their tank. The nurses roaming the halls visiting with each other and their friend-residents. I remembered watching that cat walk in and out of resident rooms looking for a gentle scratch (she had become every ones cat). I remembered the resident cars in the parking lot and how I felt relieved that Mom could come to stay here at my home whenever she wanted to. I remembered how restful I felt knowing she would be cared for every day and... night.

I smiled and I said, "Of course Mom, you can live with us as long as you want to."

I love my Mom. I want her to be happy and comfortable. I don't want her to be somewhere that she does not feel comfortable. I asked that God will give me strength to drive, and courage to care for her each day. I ask that God will strengthen and heal family ties to my brothers and my sisters, between my brothers and sisters, all because I know that this would bring joy to her heart. I ask that God would bring her children to see her, to be a comfort her in what nags at my heart are probably her last years here with us. I also have asked that God would fit her into my own husband and childrens lives - beautifully. That her quiet fears would be vanquished and she would be able to accept "those people" that make her feel threatened. Fears that she has not spoken of but I know are there each time she hurries off to her bedroom. I thank God that I have been given a time to learn to be a helper to my Mom ...what ever that may mean. He will give me the wisdom and strength to accomplish each task, pleasant or hard. I ask that my eyes will be opened to the joys that having a Mom like her brings each day and that we would laugh and love more and then be closed to those things that irritate.

Today I stand and watch the threatening snow clouds and I know I will have to drive myself and Mom and I will both experience a new way to get a shot today: For the first time - me giving it, and my Mom getting it from her daughter.

Again I softly hear whispered words: You... "can do all things through Christ who will strengthen you."

Jesus Christ is Lord!

2008-10-12T13:59:00.006-08:00

[Top picture: Old Harbor Boat Harbor, and the Old Harbor dock at sunrise.]

“We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s Amazing Grace and Glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.” Romans 5:2

This was the verse at the Kodiak's Crusade for Christ that we were privileged to attend last week. We spent time with Kodiak Christian's as they took a week to praise and worship Jesus Christ and honor the memory of a dear friend of theirs Nadia Mullan.

[First picture:Alaska Freedom Band, Adam, Don and Doug (missing Steve), Bottom: Me pointing at the Tustemena leaving Kodiak.]

The reason I got to go to Kodiak/Old Harbor was The Alaska Freedom Band was invited to lead the music and Doug is part of that gospel music group, and Doug invited me to go along with him. *big smile* A big THANK-YOU to my daughter Kim for visiting with my Mom the week I was away!

I was also asked to share my testimony. This can lead me to many days of fingernail-biting anxiety but it didn't! I found myself quietly asking God to fill me with His Holy Spirit and give me words to bring honor and glory to His Son... and He did! I praise the Lord for that. Besides that my Mom and my grandchildren were praying for me too! God is good.

Besides Kodiak we also flew back to my hometown Old Harbor. It was great to be back near the ocean and in the place that I spent my growing up years. I got to see many friends and relatives that I have not seen for so many years. It was a blessing and I ask that God will bless them with the knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ and what He accomplished for us all at Calvary, which is the very best blessing that I can ask be given to them or anyone else.

"Jesus Christ is Lord!"

These are the words on a plague seen in the Windbreak Cafe in Wasilla and was a delight for Mom to see for the first time today as we sat down for breakfast after attending the early morning service. Everyone was out for breakfast today as we don't normally go to Windbreak on Sunday mornings but because the Mat-Su Family Restaurant was plugged we ended up eating there.

Mom had some medical challenges lately and we've been to see the doctor too many times. Her blood work showed that she has a Vitamin B-12 deficiency and I will be learning how to give her shots next week! I am hoping I do not fail the test of poking my Mom with a needle for her own good and just faint on Tuesday morning!

Blessings to all.

Our Refuge

2008-09-29T21:31:00.004-08:00

Pictures are from the last few weeks Around Home With Mom.

What a blessing to know that whatever comes - God is our refuge.

The people of Old Harbor, "your relatives" my Aunt would say, had a place called Refuge Rock. I remember Dad telling the story of Refuge Rock and the way that our ancestors had fought their wars there. Previous to the Russian's and their guns they felt secure enough to bring their families to this rock for safety as they fought off attacks from other Peoples. But the Russian's new weaponry would bring a sad end to the log-rolling and rock throwing the Alutiit People had been using successfully from the top of Refuge Rock for years.

In 1784, an incident at Refuge Rock became a turning point in Native-Russian relations. A crew led by Grigorii Shelikhov attacked a group of natives on a small islet off the shore of Kodiak Island. Shelikhov's crew was more numerous and better armed than previous fur-trading expeditions. Seventy-one Russians stormed the rock with muskets while others fired cannons from shore. Nearly five hundred native men, women, and children were killed and hundreds more were captured. Tina Pamintuan, A Living Heritage

With all the ugly news that comes, with the unsettling accounts of the stock market, whatever health issues we may face - we can rest assured that God - knows all. What a blessing!

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:10, 11.

Sharing the Love Award

2008-09-22T11:39:00.007-08:00

This award is created by Crystal at Memoirs of a Mommy in honor of Noah and the donor of this sweet little heart who ENCOURAGES us to SHARE THE LOVE. The rules for this award are to pass it along to some people whose blogs you love. They make you laugh, smile, leave encouraging comments on your blog. You would like to share some love with them because they have uplifted, inspired, encouraged or prayed for you. Please include this paragraph with the link to Memoirs of a Mommy so that everyone know where this award originated.

Be sure and check out the story of Noah. He had a heart transplant and this award is to raise awareness of the need for organ donors.

My drivers license has a heart on it. Does yours?

"Presently there are 342,500 citizens on the Alaska Donor Registry (ADR) representing 51 percent of the state population and 70 percent of licensed drivers. Citizens with the new driver's license who are on the registry will have a "red heart" on their license. What has been learned about first-person consent and donor registries is that when asked, most people want to donate organs and tissues for transplant but don't complete donor cards or join a registry unless the process can be coupled with a required step such as license issuance / renewal or obtaining a vehicle registration. Greater than 97 percent of citizens who join the ADR have done so during a visit to a state DMV." (KTUU.com). This is the way I became a donor, while renewing my drivers license.

Always remember, it is important to tell your family members that you have decided to become a donor so that they will understand and support your decision. Register in Your State

I've heard people wonder if it's a good idea that one should give permissions to take organs if we should get into a bad accident, etc. "Maybe they'll just take organs/tissue and not even try to save me?" I suppose, that perhaps, in a very rare case that could possibly happen. But I've decided to offer myself as a donor anyway. If there is anything that this old body can give to someone else who may have a lot more life to live I will trust the EMT's and all emergency workers would be working to save my life first, if possible. If not, what a wonderful gift to be able to donate something that would give life to someone like Noah --- with so much more life a head of him.

God bless you Noah and the organ donor's family that gave so much to you.

51% of Alaskans have said "Yes!" to donation. Alaska Donor Registry

Thanks so much to e-Mom for "sharing the love" with this award.

...share some love ...because they have uplifted, inspired, encouraged or prayed for you. Thanks to these bloggers for being in my life... I pass on this award to you.

Doug
Marie
Karla
Doris
Connie H.
JoJo
Sandi H.
Connie M.
Nancy
Faith
e-Mom

Greater love has no man than this...

Hunting

2008-09-20T14:52:00.005-08:00

Moose hunting season up here is almost over. I feel like I missed out this whole week. Doug's brother and his two sons traveled up here from North Carolina to go out hunting. So this last hunt was a guy's thing. So far the moose have been very elusive.

I suspect that having all those ATV's out on the trail have given the bulls ample warning that it is probably best not to be found in the same area. Even so, I know that Dave and his sons have thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of Alaska for the last week and all was seen while enjoying a very nice ATV ride.

Speaking about hunting... how about hunting for your spiritual gift or gifts? I have often wondered what my gift is. Everyone that is a Christian has a gift, or gifts. I found it interesting while continuing to read Billy Graham's book today, The Holy Spirit - Activating God's Power in Your Life that he said -

"In I Corinthians 12:7, the apostle Paul says the gifts are given "for the common good" so we are not to use them selfishly. Instead, we are to use them to help each other."

Well I knew that, but here is what I thought was so very good; Billy Graham continued:

"God has also designed the gifts to help "unite" the body of Christ." ....There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace [a special gift] was given according to the measure of Christ's gift." ... Thus the gifts of the Spirit should never divide the body of Christ; they should unify it."

Are your efforts within the body of Christ bringing people together, or dividing people? This is a big indication of whether or not we are being filled with the Holy Spirit, or being filled with ourselves!

While hunting for our spiritual gifts, we can narrow it down by asking ourselves - what is it that I do that helps/works to unify Christian's around me? Our goal should be the same as the Holy Spirit's - making the body of Christ a living, healthy, and useful being that will be effectively reaching out to a lost and dying world ---rather than struggling with envying, fighting, angry words --- divisions within the church. Those actions are not evidences of the Holy Spirit, but only ---selfish ambitions.

Nothing New But...

2008-09-16T09:25:00.008-08:00

"Governor Palin: An American Woman," which aired last Saturday on Fox News, was the highest-rated prime-time documentary in the network's history, with 2.7 million viewers. ALASKA EAR

This morning my son Kris called and asked me to find out what lastbridgetonowhere.com was about. "Why?" I asked him. "I want to know if they are FOR or AGAINST Palin. There are signs hanging on the bridges everywhere." So I Googled it. It's a new book out about the corruption stuff going on in Alaska's politics."

Corruption and politics - - - so what is new?

But...my Mom had a dentist appointment yesterday so we did that, had lunch, then visited with Millie. Before heading back to the "Great Valley" (despite media negativism about our Wasilla we still consider our Valley home GREAT) Mom spent part of her PFD on a brand-new, Lazy Boy, leather recliner for her bedroom ---- so she has a new chair!

Millie continues to slowly recover. She has not spoken a word to us yet but in her eyes, we can see --- her. She raises her arms, she turns her head when we ask her to "Look!", but not too much was new with Millie yesterday. We all love seeing a bit of her when she does decide to look out at us.

How about the nine-year-old girl who helped her Momma deliver her new baby boy??? BRAVO! BRAVO! Jaidan Lujan!

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

TEXAS

2008-09-12T10:13:00.006-08:00

May God demonstrate His mercy to all in TX right now. Praying for all in the direct path of IKE.

I took these pictures while we were in Houston in 2006. We also drove down to Galveston and Palacios to enjoy the coast. May God give miracles of grace and mercy now, and may Texas praise His holy name as they trust in Him for deliverance.

Happy birthday to my daughter Kim!

Progress? and Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!

2008-09-09T12:02:00.008-08:00

Today my husband sent me a YouTube link to watch. It was a video pro-McCain. It was a good video done by an Iraq war veteran. Watch it, Dear Mr. Obama.

As I watched the video I saw another video of Obama, while he spoke he was heckled by a group of pro-lifers. I watched that video, then I saw another video of Gianna Jessen, a saline abortion survivor. She speaks for giving babes the right to live. I watched her interview and then saw another which I was actually afraid to watch, but I did. It is a video done by Gynecologist Dr. Bill Lile and he demonstrates how a partial-birth abortion is done.

Oh my word! I knew that these procedures were awful, but to actually see how it is performed has me shuddering for the future of America! American women!!

Those little, helpless ones are our babies! We must at every time we can - stand up for the oppressed. Our defenseless, unborn babies are being quietly oppressed ...and because of our personal rights to happiness?. Is having the right to kill our babies progress for women? If so, it is the wrong way to progress! I can't understand how a person (doctor) who has gone through so much schooling to learn how to protect life can actually stand there long enough to snuff life away like that!

The late 60's and early 70's were the days when our women were becoming liberated, ha! I remember enough of those days to know that I felt guilty for being "just a stay-at-home Mom" then. I agree that many women were kept under the thumb of men before being "liberated" and that is not right either.

Today, as I watched Dr. Lile I wondered, is this women's progress? Has women's progress given us the liberation, the freedom to kill our babies while they struggle to live 90% outside of our bodies? Is that progress? No, it's not!

Babies are a blessing! Don't let the evil one sway you to believe otherwise! Women, you can have your liberation ---by keeping the choice to prevent being impregnated, but the liberation to kill what life has already come from poor choices - that is not a right we should claim. We must protect and nurture our babies, they are depending on us!

Today we celebrate our twins birthdays. What a blessing they have been for Doug and I. I was a new 20-year-old Mom when they were born. When friends would ask - "How did you do it? Two babies at once?" I answer that I didn't know any better. If I ever thought that it was difficult I probably put off as -this was as it was for all women down through the ages and I will just have to do it too. ha! Two years after having twins our third daughter Kim was born. Her birthday is September 12th, in just a few days too.

I realize now when I look back on the early 70's that I remember hardly anything of what went on in the world during those years! I was oblivious to anything other than caring for babies --- for years!

I've said this before when speaking of my babies: My children are the greatest accomplishments of hard work in my life today, and I pray that they are also our greatest contributions to the world's good today! I wonder how many blessings have been taken from the USA by women's liberation?

My heart goes out to any woman that may be reading this with regrets. What an incredible God we have that forgives through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. God gave His own Son to die for any and all sins that we have committed, knowingly or unknowingly. Seek Him for comforting your heart. Jesus Christ gave His own life - willingly, nobody killed Him against His will, He did it willingly so that we could claim Him as the reason we can stand with a clear conscience before God. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3 READ IT!

Happy birthday Marie and Karla, and happy birthday Kim. We love you.

(L to R: Kim, Karla, Marie)

Marriage Monday-Why Romance Matters

2008-09-08T05:43:00.003-08:00

Picture is of Doug and I before we got married.

It's Marriage Monday with e-Mom today. Join us for this months topic "Why Romance Matters."

Consider writing about your favorite restaurant, your favorite song, or the little things you do for one another throughout the week. What tones down the tension, and tunes up the tenderness? How do you encourage your husband to nurture the romantic side of your marriage? I want to know! C H R Y S A L I S

Doug is my fantastic husband and if you've been reading along at my blog you have probably already picked that up. Doug is a man of integrity, hard-working, a great Dad and Grandpa that is loved, conscientious in all aspects of married life and work, dedicated to our family, loves God with his whole heart - but I've noticed that he needs some help in the romance department!

When I was young.. that was a problem. Because when I was young I did not value the more important character traits my husband was developing as a married man! As time happened I realized, oh my word... what a splendid husband my God has blessed me with!

With time, I have valued my relationship with Doug above others and found that I must work to protect it from ruin. Previously, at times I became disgruntled and ungrateful and began to keep track of those things that were not in our marriage such as... romance! Long walks on beaches, lingering glances over candlelit dinners, quiet moments alone, etc., etc., while they can be fun the other more important aspects of marriage should be valued more than those movie-style romantic encounters.

What ever in the world is romance anyway? My idea of romance (and it's absence in our marriage) was triggered by the worlds movies; TV shows; even advertisements. Those ideas did not build up our relationship but made me feel like something was missing in it. Romance is elusive and when I think we have something like romance it just makes me giggle and feel silly.

There was a time in our relationship when Doug and I seemed to co-exist. Do we all go through such times as that? I believe we both took our marriage for granted, and we did not realized it needs to be protected. We both did things that jeopardized our continuing marriage relationship. In my own case, and without realizing the consequences of developing my own friendships, my faithfulness was tested. The evil one works to destroy all that God has called good. He called our marriage good and the evil one worked hard to destroy it while I made relationships outside of my marriage too important. I am happy today to say that both Doug and I realize the value of each other and our marriage relationship. I am thankful and grateful that God protected us from evil - when we needed to be protected.

My advise today is that we, as couples, must value the relationship we have with each other above the silly notions of romance. There is nothing better away from each other, there is just more of the same. We need to keep on building on what attracted us to each other and made us get married in the first place. And there are more important things in a relationship than romance.

Yes, romance does matter, and a bit of it can bring happiness... but we also need to examine what we think is romance and whether or not we are letting this notion interfere with the wonderful marriage we may already be blessed with!

I've helped my husband with romance by buying roses for myself and then telling him what a wonderful guy he is to think of buying me roses! He loves it. He says that I make him look so good! Then we have a good laugh together and I get to enjoy the beautiful roses while they last. When our children see the roses and ask, "Who are the roses for and for what?" For me, just because... from Dad." They giggle and say, "Ahhhh Dad, how romantic!"

This week... he brought roses home for me all on his own, for no reason at all!

That is romance, isn't it? I love you, Doug.

I also love the verses that e-Mom posted and post them now again for you.
"There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden." Prov 30:18-19

Alaska's Own Sweetheart

2008-09-03T22:53:00.010-08:00

Baby Palin and her Mom. (Picture found online.)

Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin.

As we watched Sarah give her VP acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention - we could not help but be touched many times. Maybe because we know her, maybe because she is one of Alaska's own, or maybe just because of the sweetheart that she is ---we all feel a close bond to McCain's choice for a running mate tonight.

I was especially touched when she spoke of her special needs baby -Trig- and the connection that having had a baby born with Downs syndrome created -to all those in the USA who also have a special needs child. We all laughed when her youngest daughter Piper rubbed on Trig's hair after licking her own hand, and then we wondered where Piper had learned to straighten Trig's hair that way - Mom? Dad? We wiped away tears when she spoke of and to Tom Moe, blowing him a thank-you kiss. Tom Moe, the POW in North Vietnam who McCain would smile at then give the thumbs-up sign to before passing his cell after his daily interrogations.

As the story is told, "When McCain shuffled back from torturous interrogations, he would turn toward Moe's door and flash a grin and thumbs up" - as if to say, "We're going to pull through this." My fellow Americans, that is the kind of man America needs to see us through these next four years.

My family and myself continue to be impressed with our beautiful, hometown girl getting nominated to go all the way down to Washington D.C.! Her speech today was great.

e-Mom emailed to ask me a few questions about Sarah. Visit her site if you would like to read that interview.

Check out Meghan McCain's blog here!

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29

Useless Chasing

2008-09-02T14:50:00.005-08:00

Picture of ChewChew with fall seeds in his fur.

Chevy has been chasing after little critters with big teeth. I take him, Chewy and Moto for a walk and when we go down by the dock he hears those beavers slap their tails in the lake. He runs, jumps in and swims and swims until I get worried he won't have the strength to return to shore!

Those beaver appear to be working together to tire him out. One critter will swim out in front of him, then veer off so that he follows, then slap his tail and dive. That seems to excite Chevy so he swims faster. He swims in a circle and sniffs the water. A second beaver, which is a ways off, will slap and Chevy swims off in that direction. When he gets closer the second beaver slaps its' tail and dives. Chevy swims in a frenzy again. Back and forth, back and forth. Today I learned there are not only two of them, there are four beaver!

Doesn't this tree seem to be keeping an eye on you?

These beaver have been cutting down trees in earnest! I told them to leave and not come back if they want to know what is good for themselves. But... they haven't yet. So - when their fur get just right and thick from the cold winter, they shall be no more.

Fall colors were fantastic!

As I watched Chevy today I thought to myself, we people do that too. We all chase after things that bring no lasting - anything! Chevy isn't even happy in the process! He sounds like he is sucking down water more and more as he gets tired out. It's not necessary for life that he chase after those elusive beaver! But he runs to chase everytime they slap their tails. I've watched him jump up from the deck, leap over the edge of the hill, and race down to the lake and jump in - ker-plosh! Then he'll come home later all tired out and barely moving - with nothing to show for all that effort. I don't know, maybe it's fun... in a dog sort of way.

Doug and I went out riding trails this past Labor Day weekend. We had fun together. We saw (before hunting season opened) one bull, one cow with two calves. After opening day - nothing! But we had a great time out there, together, riding.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11.

SARAH! SARAH! SARAH!

2008-08-29T09:09:00.002-08:00

Woohooo! I was excited to wakefulness this morning when Doug came upstairs to ask if I could hear what my sister Kotya and her husband had been watching on the morning news - "McCain chose Sarah as his running mate." "Wha...??" "Our Sarah?" "Yeah!" OH MY WORD - "Did she accept?" "Yup, I think she has."

We are so happy with Sarah's abilities to govern and we don't doubt that she will be doing her best to work for us in the White House too should they become the next President and Vice President.

May God continue to give her wisdom and a love and passion for her work. May He bless her family as they share her with us! May He protect her and her family from the evil ones attacks.

I am happy for Sarah!

360 North

2008-08-28T10:39:00.007-08:00

Our fairly new television station airs programs of interest specifically to Alaskans. I have found many interesting documentaries and programs being aired on this station whenever I've sat down and took a look-see.

This morning we watched a show about Canada's World War II Veteran's "Lest They Be Forgotten." (More show times and more "Lest They Be Forgotten" programs).

I appreciated being able to watch as these honorable veteran's remembered their part in that war. They encouraged us to remember their buddies and chum's who lost their lives during that conflict. It is a good thing - to observe the two-minute silence held on November 11th, each year in honor of all those fallen, brave men. We should stand at respectful attention lest we forget what they and all our veterans secured for us - freedom from a dictator. They forged on ahead to this likely death - so willingly!

Mom reminded me of the Bible verse: "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Thank you to our "friends."

And thanks 360 North for showing such a fine documentary.

Aren't we all saddened to see the awful treatment one human being can inflict on another? Inhumane treatment was at an evil extreme inside the concentration camps of World War II.

I wanted to find a website on how many WW II veterans still remain alive today. I did a Google search and got side-tracked at REMEMBER.ORG, a website for the holocaust victims of WW II instead. Then and Now. The website has a collection of artwork created by concentration camp survivors. Stop by to view this exhibit of artwork along with actual photographs of the places they survived.

Author Terrence Des Pres described it as an "excremental assault" and wrote: "How much self-esteem can one maintain, how readily can one respond to the needs of another, if both stink, if both are caked with mud and feces?" [Terrence Des Pres, The Survivor: An Anatomy of Life in the Death Camps (Pocket Books: New York, 1976) p. 66.]

As I sat and listened to these guys and women speak of freedom, I began to think... what is freedom and do I realize what I have? I have thought of this before and don't ever want to stop thinking on this.

So I asked myself again... what is freedom to me?

It is going to sleep at night, turning off the light and knowing when I wake up in the morning there will be --- breakfast to be made. Dogs to be cared for. Bills to be paid. Air to be breathed. Beavers to be watched. Birds to listen to. Grandchildren to laugh with. Education, when I want it, where I want it. My God worshipped when and how I know is right. All these things done without someone with more power holding a club over me, demanding his/her way any of these should be done --- or not done. Freedom is so much more than what I think everyday! It's like breathing... we all should have that right, we die when we are not free.

After viewing the concentration camp art exhibit, I am even more aware of the many, many freedoms I enjoy each day. Clean water to drink, to wash in! I am thankful for these freedoms secured by men and women who gave up their freedom for a time.

I cannot speak of freedom and not mention that I am very thankful for the spiritual freedom secured by Jesus Christ giving up His own freedom. Freedom from the slavery I had to death - via sin is mine because of His sacrifice. Thank God for His willing Son! Because of the love Christ in us shows to all mankind, we are able to even be sane enough to remain free! Apart from Christ, all evil will be free to abound. He was the only Way our freedom from bondage could be won. All you have to do is believe it and you'll be made free too!

360 North also has a blog!

Alaskan Basket Weaver Now Blogs

2008-08-26T10:38:00.003-08:00

Jill Choate, our basket weaver instructor and fantastic artist now is blogging about her life here in Alaska. Stop by her blog for her interesting life writes. She continues to bring basket classes to all those interested in learning to weave.

My last basket weaving attempt continues to sit unfinished in the bay window of my dining area. I just have been too busy this summer to get back to it. (Basket of messy stuff are all of Chewy's toys, and now been seriously chewed on by Moto too.)

Visit Jill's blog now.

Overflowing

2008-08-21T10:51:00.005-08:00

My house has been overflowing with friends and family. Howling Huskies happened this past weekend and Kene and Millie Jackson spent a few nights with us. My sister Kotya and her family stopped by (but I didn't take pictures!) and will be spending some nights with us. We also met Kris' friend from Arizona - Heather. They have been communicating now for probably a year +. It's nice to meet her finally - in person as she plans to spend the next two weeks visiting here in Alaska. First impressions of Heather? She is tall and has a beautiful smile!

We went to Chepos yesterday, a place our family likes to go for Mexican occasionally. Mom and I shared a chicken enchillada dinner and the rest of the couples each shared the deluxe appetizer plate.

Klint and Calli

Kris and Heather

Marie, Matthew.

My Mom and I.

The sunrise a few mornings ago. I've been seeing some sunrises since I've been getting up early to bring Moto outdoors before he overflows. House breaking is coming along alright.

We have been seeing the results of a very industrious beaver along the shoreline here too. He slaps his tail and does a very loud plunge into the lake when he is around. Chevy cannot resist jumping into the lake to chase him around then the loons come over for a closer look.

We have not had time to be bored at all lately. Doug has been busy as a beaver himself trying to keep Meadow Creek open and flowing with that beaver around. The beaver dammed up the creek so well that the lakes water level has risen and overflowed its banks to the point of flooding Marie's cute garden! Between the little critters that have been eating things up and now the water her garden is in poor shape.

Our Most Constant Comfort

2008-08-18T20:36:00.005-08:00

Rapid Deployment Kits for our troops via Campus Crusade for Christ International.

I received an email from Focus on the Family asking for support of our troops being deployed overseas by giving to help provide Bibles for them. I can't think of a more perfect way to bring comfort in times of troubles, can you?

God's word saves - eternally.

??????

2008-08-18T13:09:00.003-08:00

Can someone that can't/won't swim because she can't trust that she WILL float.... possibly know what it means to ----TRUST?

What Am I Keeping An Eye On?

2008-08-12T10:03:00.002-08:00

My grandchildren watching t.v. on Easter day.

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord: and He will give you the desires of your heart."

I am reading Billy Graham's book "The Holy Spirit, Activating God's Power In Your Life" and found what he wrote about delighting myself in the LORD and what that mindset will do for me, it contradicts what the world says delighting in the Lord will do which is give me riches, happiness, prosperity. Sadly, many "christian" preachers on television push a health and wealth philosophy. They sit in riches on their television programs. They buy extravagant riches in their lives. That is their god... riches/wealth.

Billy Graham wrote about St. Augustine's quote, "Love God and live as you please." When I truly love God I will want to do what pleases Him, and not myself.

Delighting in the Lord, will alter my desires. I have to ask myself, what are my desires right now?

When I delight in God, my desires are no longer riches, happiness, prosperity as the world has been teaching are my desires ... it is Christ in me the hope of Glory. I believe that people use that verse and others like it to promote riches, and wealth for the "christian" in this world below.

Also, it is whatever my heart keeps on eying that I will delight in. When I keep focused on Christ and pleasing Him that will be what others will be seeing in my daily walk, if it isn't, then others will see that too - it is whatever I have been focusing on.

Our minds ----- a powerful ally or a powerful enemy in our daily spiritual walk. It is our choice what our minds will dwell on - God gave to us that freedom.

WOW!

2008-08-09T00:38:00.002-08:00

How about the Olympic opening ceremony in China, huh? Incredible.

It's hard to believe that Christian's are persecuted there from what we watched tonight. China did a great job with this opening ceremony and I am very impressed, but as I watched I could not help but think of where some of our Christian brothers and sisters are over there and what sort of fiery trials they are enduring.

Remember to pray for China's persecuted Christians as you watch your favorite Olympians, PERSECUTION.COM While you are there remember the Russia and Georgian troubles too. It was a wonder to me to see President Bush and Putin in the same place while Russia and Georgia waged war... if not, it was war-like activity. USA Today.

Check and Recheck

2008-08-06T09:31:00.004-08:00

So - as I worked in the laundry room a few days ago I dug through a box that had been used as a catch-all for a while. All sorts of things were in it by now. Mismatched socks, little shirts that I have no idea who they belonged to, a broken bracelet, a broken clothespin, one side slipper which I silently wished I knew where the other side was, volcanic rock (yes, taken from Maui) that dropped out of my hand and down to floor with a loud crack. I had stooped down to make sure the ceramic tile was not chipped but I didn't bother to pick up the rock.

If only lost and misplaced things could talk, they'd tell us where they last saw the other matching sock, who might like that small shirt back, how did the bracelet get broken, who broke the clothespin and then didn't dispose of it properly, where that nice other side slipper might be found, and why in the world was that rock in the box anyway?

Once again I was in the laundry room this morning after having spent early morning chasing after my puppy Moto. Today will be THE day that he totally understands "potty" I thought to myself while I got up refreshed and ready to face another early morning taking him outside.

"Okay Moto, potty. Let's go potty." I said cheerfully as I coaxed him out of his kennel.

Out the door we went and I set him down near the woods and said, "Potty." He did and I praised him "loudly and profusely." "Very good Moto! Good boy! POTTY!"

Back inside we both went and I ran upstairs to get a load of Doug's jeans to throw into the washer. He followed me happily out to the laundry room. Okay good, I thought, he can eat his breakfast while I work in the laundry room a bit, and I can keep a close eye on him. So I began folding laundry.

I could hear the puppy sniffing around and then he began to whine and I thought that he was just bored and wanted to go into the house. (My laundry room is off of the garage.) I spoke to him and said, "Wait 'til I am done and we will go back inside."

Suddenly I thought I smelled something and looked down. Oh my word!

"Moto! No!"

"Come!"

He came up from the garage floor and yes, he did look very sheepish. I said, "No potty!" Then I took him to the offensive pile and sat him down to look and sniff at it. "No!"

Then I took him outside and put him near the trees again. "POTTY!" I said rather madly and feeling like bonking him on top his head.

I left him outdoors and went back inside to clean up AGAIN!

I got tissue paper and went to the laundry room and began to clean up the volcanic rock. Ha!

I laughed and laughed as I held the volcanic rock in the tissue paper. I went to Mom's room to go share what I had just done. We laughed and I apologized to Moto, then I went back to work in the laundry room. I suddenly stopped. One thing I have been blessed with is a good snout and I did smell something after all! Moto had gone down on the garage floor and did leave a mess, and I did smell it, and he was whining for that reason. So, perhaps we are coming along with the housebreaking.

Ah well. Live and learn. Learn to check ....and recheck!

Marriage Monday - Recreational Companionship

2008-08-05T14:37:00.002-08:00

e-Mom is hosting Marriage Monday's once again and I did get time to create this video to share with everyone. I have been busy and playing with my Handycam videos has been hard to get to lately.

My husband and I love to go out for rides on our ATV. It's a Polaris Sportsman and I get to have my very own queen chair! It is pretty comfortable. Sometimes the whole family will be able to do an outing together and that is very fun. It ends up being a picnic and all the grand kids get to come and we love that so much as a couple.

So here is the video of us doing something that we both love. Doug loves the machine part of it all, and I love the beauty of outdoors. He is getting to appreciate that also more and more as we spend time together.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

One With God

2008-08-04T08:45:00.003-08:00

My friend Sandi shared this cute story with me this morning:

A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby , and said, "Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today." After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. "Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together."

Get Jesus back where He belongs, USA! In our hearts. Helping us via the Holy Spirit to make the right choices, to do the right things. I don't subscribe to the theory that if we walk with God He will make us rich with money... I believe that He will make us rich in joy, peace, love - long suffering, gentleness, meekness, kindness - contentment with daily bread.

A righteous prosperity - sadly it is dwindling in our country.

Don't forget to read the Bible today.

My Look At Sharia Law

2008-07-30T10:47:00.006-08:00

One of my Bebo friends had posted this prayer:

Lord jesus i ask that you use all things at your disposal and not allow sharia law to be established in the uk. i pray lord that you overthrow the judge who says its ok and that britiain will once again know that there is a God who reighns. in jesus name amen

I realized I've heard of this sharia law stuff but I don't know much about sharia law - so I did some reading about it.

Sharia law is the Muslim law, sharia means "the path to a watering hole." Apparently, there are different degrees of sharia law and judgments for straying/error - passive to extreme. All sharia laws come forth from the Quran, and some from the sayings of Mohammad and even his acquaintances. Sharia law has been likened to the Judean law and to the Christian's Biblical laws, where we get a lot of our (USA) judicial wisdom from, at least we used to base our justice on God's word.

According to this website, "for the last fifteen years more than one thousand women have been stoned to death." (In Iran.) Stoning, what a horrible and slow way to die. I was revolted by the description of this stoning carried out in our day (!) ...in Iran. This stoning came about because of a man wanting to be relieved of his marriage who accused his wife of adultery, punishable by stoning. The God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob's wrath and revenge rest on his head, and all those in authority that threw stones at her and all the many other innocent women. http://www.geocities.com/hammihanirani/soraya.html (WARNING: Very graphic and detailed account of a stoning.)

Stoning was also part of the God of the Bible and of the Torah's (The five books of Moses) remedy to sin in the Old Testament. Sin is so revolting that we should flee it like we are fleeing for our lives! God hates sin that much... that He would allow stoning to keep sin from permeating His people's lives.

That brings me to realize what a wonderful Savior we know if we know Christ Jesus. We were born into the day of grace! We through Christ have freedom from these awful laws, and live in this wonderful period of grace! Freedom from punishment and to live sinful? NO.. just like Paul said. (Romans). I am so thankful for Christ Jesus, and the sacrifice He was willing to become for me to pay the awful price for my sin, and all those that also choose to believe.

Sharia ultimately degrades society and diminishes freedom. American Thinker

My heart is heavy for women born into the Muslim faith, pray for them today. Pray for the UK government, that God's will be done so that His word can continue to reach all those that have not heard the Gospel yet. Stand in Christ every day, every moment. Be vigilant. Keep praying for God's will to be done in the UK and on earth.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. Jesus. (John 13: 34,35)

By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. This is the new covenant way to treat each other and the repenting sinners. Being known for being loving towards each other should be the only way for faithful followers of Christ to be known. So let's let our Light's shine! That light is love for one another --- which we can have ----through Christ.

Great Video - I Can

2008-07-29T11:16:00.008-08:00

Saw this video this morning and was impressed with the effort and with the song. Thought I'd share it with you.

What a beautiful morning here. After so much rain the sun is appreciated when it comes out. It came out last night and this morning was glorious to behold. I had to get outdoors so I began down the driveway with the three dogs.

Chevy in the lead, Chewy trying to keep up second place, and Moto upsetting them both! MOTO, come! MOTO, no! MOTO, come! No response. I decided it was time for lesson number one on the leash: Come!

Moto has been wearing his choke collar so is now accustomed to the new-ness of it. He was not ready for the instant command that a choke collar along with a leash wields! He didn't like it but - I love it! Come Moto! [yank] Good boy!!!! [struggle, pull] Come Moto! [yank] Good boy!!!!! [whine, but comes]

So, our walk was semi-nice. Chevy in the lead, Chewy second and me and Moto tagging along behind; me with a smile and appreciation for a choke collar and a leash, and Moto with a whine and a weakening stubborn struggle.

"Want a little cheese with that 'whine', little one?"

hehehe - he's going to be a good dog!

Getting Along

2008-07-27T23:39:00.002-08:00

So having the new puppy has been a big adjustment for us all.

Especially for my little indoor dog, Chewy. He did not seem to appreciate having to share his toys which the puppy just took from him.

My big outdoor dog, Chevy, did not seem to appreciate having to share the front deck, his food, his bones, his sticks.... with the little mischief puppy who just helped himself to it all.

The rest of us... adjusting to noise at night, accidents, and bitten ankles, wet and chewed slippers seemed things too aggravating to accept adjusting to.

BUT...

Moto has been quiet the last few nights. No messes in the morning. He knows what NO means. He understands what Chevy means when he curls his lip. Well Chewy still has not established his dominance and since he is little, he will always need me to stress that point! But tonight, I am feeling very encouraged about the new puppy part of our days.

Today we spent all afternoon outdoors, clearing away trees so that we can see the lake easier. It's been since 1986 when the Miller's Reach fire went through here burning everything to the ground that our trees have been trying to get big. I never wanted to take down any trees after living without trees so long - until today.

It was a beautiful day and I definitely felt that Moto was becoming one of the bunch!

Can You Imagine - Noah!

2008-07-25T11:53:00.006-08:00

Noah's Ark Replica Image.

I have three dogs, and I get overwhelmed when my puppy won't respect my clean home! ha Imagine Noah, as I have! Thanks to (my other Texas friend) - Sandi for sharing this weblink. Welcome to the homepage of Noah’s Ark, build in Schagen, the Netherlands!

I was impressed with the replica of Noah's ark where one can now visit and imagine what it was like to be the caretakers of all animals created in the world! Can you imagine... worrying about these animals getting sick and dying, when they were the only pair (some more than a pair) left after the flood? ha

He sees it as his task to bring the Bible story back to people's attention through the Ark replica. I want to let visitors visualize what the Ark looked like to bring the account closer to those who believe but also to those who don't.

My job with my own doggies has seemingly become a picnic for me after seeing this website and thinking of caring for so many animals at once! I just had to share! See more photos of the handmade ark.

Consider Yourself Spared

2008-07-23T10:48:00.002-08:00

I thought of doing a video or photo display of what I woke up to early this morning with our (notice he's now 'our', not 'my') new family member.. but decided to spare you the details! Aren't I nice?

Let's just say that I've thought (repeatedly) of tying Moto up at the top of a tree just to see what the eagles thought about him as in deliciously... hehehe

So now you know my ugly heart.

Once when I was a young lady I heard someone preach on the story of God and Moses, sorry but right now I can't "give credit where credit is due." Anyway, whenever the people did good things God called them "My People," when they were horrid He told Moses, "your people." Does that not make you smile, even laugh?

Need to read that story again.

BTW, the loons are still loving their little one and we are all relieved!

Why O Why O Why?

2008-07-21T11:48:00.005-08:00

I already have two dogs, one inside dog and one outside dog... "whatever possessed me?" I found myself wondering at three thirty this morning. He had been yelping and scratching and making himself a major nuisance. He not only did that, he went pee and poop not in just one place but MANY! I worried that he was bothering Mom so I got up and told him this was not good behavior for one that was so new to the family.

Why do people love puppies? What makes us willing to put up with such discomfort?

sigh

Smile.

He is a mutt (like me). Sharpei, Rottweiller, Husky and Blue Tick Heeler. I wonder who he's going to end up looking like! I hope he gets his Mom's trait of not shedding (Sharpei), I hope he gets the Rottweiller look, but with the family dog trait of the Blue Tick Heeler, and definitely no Husky fur!!!! His previous owner claimed that both his Momma and Daddy dogs were excellent family dogs.

Right now "Moto" is learning my tone of voice. I have tried to raise our dogs using Barbara Woodhouse's recommendations for "no bad dogs" in her book "No Bad Dogs, The Woodhouse Way." I use the choke collar. Right now Moto is wearing a choke collar to get used to it and I am getting worn out cleaning up after him! He is not as clean as my Shih-tzu Chewy was when he was a puppy. Chewy never messed on his blanket, but it appears that Moto has no qualms whatsoever of peeing on his! I can see right now that the next few months are going to be a challenge!

Doug? Maybe we should buy stock in toilet paper!

I am looking a head to a happy future with our newest addition to our family - welcome little Moto!

I'm Longing For Jesus, Alaska Freedom Band

2008-07-19T13:25:00.004-08:00

Alaska's traveling worship team. I've decided that is the best description of the band that Doug plays his bass guitar for. It consists of my oldest brother Don, a high school friend named Steve, my brother-in-law Adam (Millie's husband) and my own Dougie. My other brother Toby used to sing with them but does not now, maybe in time he will be able to sing with them again.

AFB practices every week after working. When they get invited, they will travel to villages and towns where they will perform as a worship team for the weekend. They usually sing as a group but also do solo's and duets. Many times AFB will involve the church members that they are visiting so that not only are the isolated Christian's refreshed, but so are the guys!

I've traveled with the bunch before to different places like Homer, Iliamna, Pedro Bay, Huslia, Egegik, Naknek. One place AFB is sure to sing is at the fairly new gospel music event held in the MatSu Valley - Howling Huskies Gospel Festival (coming up in August). I've sang with them and with Doug. If I must say so myself... AFB is popular with the Native people's of Alaska! They are! Most Native's of Alaska love country gospel!

Via a good friend AFB was able to record a CD. He brought over his portable recording equipment one day and they recorded a casual disc full of music. I took one of my own favorite songs and added some of my own video and photos to it to create this video.

I hope you listen but mostly, I hope that you ENJOY it! I worked long time on it!

The video I took of the new baby loon here at Twin Lake, the first baby loon we've seen in a few years! The local eagle is trying every day, many times a day to steal this little one away! A few days ago while my granddaughters were with me we were on the back deck hollering at the eagle, GO AWAY! GO AWAY! He was bound and determined to eat loon for din-din! We were so relieved when we saw my son Klint come zooming out as fast as he could in our paddle boat to chase away the eagle! Saved for another day. The rest of the video is of the resident muskrat... he is not so beautiful, but he is cute! He was peeking at Doug and I behind the lily pads! I've seen those darn eagles carry off muskrats from the lake too! Life in nature is HARD on animals!

Bookmark Alaska Freedom Band's YouTube account that I just created for them and also check out their Alaska Freedom Band's MySpace to hear a few more songs from that CD.

"Footey, Amen!"

2008-07-14T05:47:00.008-08:00

"Footey!!! Did you do that?"

We would say that when we smelled something stinky. We heard it a lot after Mom made a big pot of yummi bean soup!

I laughed when I showed Mom the book I had just recieved from our Native Corporation and she said, "Eeee!" Then she laughed when I asked her what "giinaquq meant. She said well they would say that when they could not figure out who someone was and it meant like, "Who the heck is that?"

"Two Journeys, A Companion to the Giinaquq: Like A Face Exhibition" is a beautiful book and is a supplement to the now showing display of masks at the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository in Kodiak, Alaska. The masks that originally came from Kodiak Island and were taken by a French explorer - way back when (Read PDF file). Actually, it is amazing that these items are still around surviving all that traveling - even warfare.

My Dad spoke of a time when a guy came to their village (Eagle Harbor), spent time with the people and became one with them. Living among them, eating the food they ate, learning and doing all the things our people did. Our people liked him and trusted him, "just like he was one of us." One morning after a long spell of drunkeness, the whole village slept while every piece of their handed down past was stolen from a special ceremonial barabara which held only all those things. The villagers woke up and looked for this guy - but he was gone. Where could he be? Then they found that all the items they used for their celebrations and ceremonies were gone. "Yah, they used those things for celebrating a boys first-time successful hunt for seal or bear too; like those times," Mom shared.

In late prehistoric times, Alutiiq people lived in sod houses, known as ciqluaq (barabara in Russian). These dwellings were built partially underground and had a driftwood frame, plank walls covered with sod and a thatched roof. These warm, insulated homes provided protection against Kodiak’s wet, windy weather. On average, a ciqluaq accommodated about eighteen residents; which generally consisted of related families. There was a center room connected by low openings to private side chambers used for sleeping, storage, and steam bathing (maqiq in Alutiiq or banya in Russian). OLD HARBOR NATIVE CORPORATION

Of course I can't know who this guy was from Dad's story, but I have thought of his story many times since reading of the Alutiiq (many of my relatives) finding our lost (?) heritage. Finding all this Alutiiq stuff over in France, of all places, one can only wonder.

I told Mom about what Will Anderson, President of Koniag, Incorporated wrote in the Foreword of this book -

"Growing up in Kodiak in the 1960s, I sometimes found myself in one of the downtown gift shops that catered to the tourist market. The shops sold curios, postcards, t-shirts, and the occasional mask or paddled that appeared to be hand crafted by an Alaska native. Since Kodiak Island is predominately Alutiiq, it was always puzzling to me that the only native artwork sold in the local shops were of Tlingit design. Why was there no artwork from our own history and culture?"

I asked Mom, "Why isn't there anything from our culture?" She thought a while then said that she thinks that the people on Kodiak were so freed from their bondage to their old ways that they gave it all up just as the priests of the Russian Orthodox Church said they should do. She said when others would try to speak of those "voodoo-like" things they were discouraged. She said her oldest sister Sasha would quickly say, "Footey, Amen!" when she heard people talk of the scary old ways.

Dad told me of how other villagers would come to their village for dances. A big fire was built on the beach and as each visitor got out of their kayaks they would have to jump over the fire before coming into their village. This was common practice when people traveled from village to village. Dad said it was so that their own old spirits would stay over there and not come and bother them too in their village. Dad said that when the priests began to come to the villages, the people would hollar out as he walked past - there was so much power from God over those dark spirits, even in their shadows.

Remember that!

One day while on Maui in Hawaii, I went to a big international art show under the banyan tree. I walked slowly and quietly, enjoying artwork from different places. A vendor stopped me to ask if I was from a Native American culture. I said I had an Alutiiq heritage. I asked him why. He said, I sensed a strong presence when you stepped on the grounds here, I've been watching you approach. I thought that was strange because there is nothing special about me. There were so many people there why did he single me out? He continued to tell me that he had just returned from a big celebration of the culture of the native peoples of America on the mainland. He said that he could sense that I came from an old culture. (Don't we all!?)

The spiritual world is an unseen world of great powers that most of us don't understand, or appreciate their daily influence. The Bible speaks of it. I prayed that the spirit this man felt was the Holy Spirit! I pray that I do not keep any other lesser spirits comfortable remaining in my life. I've heard that spirits follow family lines (this is how one can "hear" a dead relative speak through a medium). I have renounced all spirits that were strong in my family/heritage. Keep out of my life, I now follow after God through the power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Whispers grew strong and loud and my heart would pound as I hurried to be with other people rather than all alone. I hated those times because my heart would fill with incredible, crippling fear. I was silent and told no one. No one else could hear them, and I believed I would be considered crazy. I remained a fearfully controlled person for years, even after kneeling down and accepting Christ Jesus into my life, my heart, my thoughts!

One day during my first year away at the Bible boarding school I was in my dorm room alone when again the whispers started. First quietly, then louder than I had ever heard. I ran from my room and down the hallway to my dorm parents apartment. I pushed open their door. "I hear voices!" Carol was there and she got up quickly then questioned me about why I was so afraid. I frantically told her about the whispers. She was so spiritually wise. She took me to her bedside, knelt down and prayed with her arm around my shoulders. She told me it was spiritual, and that everytime I felt this I should kneel down and pray for deliverance. "Claim the powerful blood of Jesus Christ over this," she said. "God is able to deliver." I did and I was freed from fear! (Occasionally this fear tries to return and I pray.) We read Psalm 139 together. So much power over evil has been gained for us through Jesus Christ's defeat of the evil one! I am thankful to live without fear, just as my ancestors were in Eagle Harbor, and Kodiak Island when the priests shared the Gospel with them.

"When we got to Boulogne, I wasn't expecting that feeling I got. Like there was a presence there. It totally floored me. I was not ready for it. It sent chills up my spine. Something was there, I can't explain it. It felt like somebody or something was there, and it or they were happy we were there. Gary Knagin, Two Journeys, A Companion to the Giinaquq: Like a Face Exhibition.

So it is with mixed feelings that I read about these masks from the Alutiiq's past. It was a voodoo type way, Mom said. They would make little carvings and stick hair or something from a person they wanted to torment, and they would. They could hang this little carving in a tree or someplace, and the cold wind would blow on it and the person would feel that.

I can understand why our people want to revive/find things from the past, it gives one pride in the people that they are. But I worry that they are digging up things our people put aside too - to be rid of their great fears when they gratefully accepted Christianity when it first came to their villages on Kodiak Island.

This is not Christianity against our culture, it is Christianity's power to release our people from the bondages of great spiritual fears and spirits. It is sad that so many tribes and peoples of the world are in great bondage to the ruler of this world through fear when they could have freedom through Christ Jesus. Freedom through Christ for the Alutiiq, and for all who will believe the Gospel. Fear has no strength against Christ. If Christ is for us... who can stand against us?

Incredible! I am thankful.

Confidence

2008-06-30T09:22:00.007-08:00

It is our first son's birthday today so I've been thinking about sons. What a blessing is a son. Yes, daughters are blessings too, but a son is - confidence. In many ways.

Physically, confidence in their brute force. Yes, as in lifting heavy things! I know daughters can struggle to lift heavy things too, but a son - he does it with such ease. Take for instance - carrying heavy things up stairs is not only carried up those stairs - they seem to bound up those stairs! Hauling that heavy bag of garbage out, "Careful, it's very heavy." But it seems only to be a tiny back pack as they carry it away. Security? When my sons are around I feel more confident in my own security. There are confidences to be had when sons are around!

I never did get down on the floor to teach my baby boys to make car sounds but one day, there he was - on the floor making car sounds. I had busied myself with my three daughters before my sons came and had watched my daughters do "girl" things for years. Now here was my first son, making car noises. I remember standing in wonder, watching him.

One day as I was busy in the kitchen, he slid the patio door open and asked me, "Mom? Can I have your wheels?" "Wheels?" "Yeah, the ones right here," he pointed to the two wheels on the BBQ grill. Never once did my daughters ever want those ol' wheels! "No," I said flatly, "Those are my wheels."

My Dad was disgruntled with Doug and I for too many years after we first were married. I long suspected it had to do with us getting married anyway after his big announcement - "there will be no more marriages for two years!" We languished under his disapproval for much too long! Dad!!! Wasted years that could have been blessed years. (Sadly, my Dad passed away in 1987, only 61.)

I laid my youngest son Kris into Dad's arms and I can remember his happy face when he looked at Kris for the first time. "Oh, you got another boy! I better now call Doug - my son," he announced.

For years he called my Dougie "that boy." When our first son Klint was born he announced, "Doug is not a boy anymore, I will now call him man." When Kris was born he said, "Klint is now the man, Kristophoer is the boy, and Doug I will call my son." I do remember the heart felt joy I had that day. I miss the simple joys of having Dad around - a lot.

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17.

Maybe it had something to do with his own upbringing - these many announcements. We all seem to live our lives with unsaid laws don't we?

When I look at the ~~men~~ boys out there today I am ----- seriously worried! They know how to wear their caps; they know how baggy their pants should or shouldn't fit; they know how to strut; they know which music is the kind; they even know how to woo a woman into living against the rules set in God's word, even the unsaid rules in her heart (Just watch Judge Judy!).

God forbid that we should ever be in a position of having to put any confidences in help from such. Better yet, our sons should be taught to be responsible. To be leaders. To be gentle with power. To care for their pets with kindness. To take care of their toys and not trash them. To be aware of the weakness women have to deal with every month! That dastardly cycle that wrecks havoc to our emotional up and down months!

Both of my sons birthdays are in June. All my daughters birthdays are in September, yes, we decided to have our daughters in September and sons in June. ha! NO, we didn't, it just happened that way.

Yesterday Klint and Calli came over to share the letter Klint had just received telling him that he had PASSED his FE/EIT test. And that has to do with Electrical Engineer stuff. It is an eight hour long test covering twelve topics in the general engineering session test and thirteen topics in the electrical engineering session test! Congratulations Klinton! As your Gramppa Van would say: "You done good!"

... and happy birthday Klinton. You are a blessing to both Dad and I. I appreciate your heart and how you live to praise and worship God's Son, Jesus Christ. It has been a blessing to be your Mom and I am "well pleased." I will always remember the day you were born and your Dad laid his head down on my shoulder and cried. I am sure he was thanking God for the blessing of a son - after three daughters. Then three years later he got his "bonus boy" too!

God has been good to us. Not only do we have our own sons, we have two added sons our daughters married. May God work in their hearts and lives too, bringing them both to the point of wanting foremost in life to praise and worship Jesus Christ - above all else. It is such a blessing to know God's Son, and better yet - to be known by Him. We are family!

May the sons in each one of your lives rise up to become your men heroes that you can fully rest your confidence in!