Winter in April (Almost May)

The first pictures were earlier in the week on our way to Seward and in Seward. It was picture perfect days. Our snow was ALL gone. We had been in the 50's and I even heard rumor we had been in the low 60's and then this happens. Josh and Micah had to dig Joleesa out for her to go to work. I think this is the worse since we've been here and to think it happened in April (almost May).

It's Been A Long Time

Well Alaska Ladies retreat 2008 is over. It was a good retreat. I hope all the ladies enjoyed themselves. Our theme was "My Father's Eyes". The messages and classes had to do with seeing through our Father's eyes ourselves and others. Something that hit me hard when preparing my class "Mirror, Mirror" is that David was constantly asking God to search him and not saying he was searching or examining himself. It's too easy for us to deceive ourselves due to so many things in our lives. I first passed a mirror around and asked everyone to look in it and honestly write down how they saw themselves in it. Then we passed it around again for everyone to look in it and think of how God sees us. Than I had mirrors under each chair. Some were broken, some had saran wrap on them, some were messed up with paint or marker. "Life" gets in the way and obstructs our view as we try to look in the mirror and see how we really look, so we need God to do it for us as He sees as we are but also sees us as we can be. I don't know if anyone eles got blessed by the class but I sure did.

Sister Williams did a wonderful job at preaching on different aspects of seeing through the "Father's Eyes". She was such a wonderful blessing. Her and Brother Williams drip with geniunie love, and that is something the Church can never get enough of.

The ladies then played a get to know you game where I had a person go out of the room (first, Joleesa, then Sister Connie Peter, then Jenna, and lastly Sister Grant) while one at a time they went out, the ladies were asked their preference between two things (i.e baking/cooking, summer/winter, etc), they wrote their answer down on cards, passed them into me and then the person who went out of the room came in and had to place the appropriate card in front of the lady who wrote it. It was tough, but fun and we found out some things about each other.

We then had a craft. When you're talking about eyes, and ladies you think of tears. So I had Sister Texter hem and put lace on material to make hankies (she had her two daughters help her) and then each lady decorated her hankie with the intent that it was going to be given to another lady and that person would be our prayer partner for the year and the hankie would be the reminder to pray for them. It was a simple craft but was interesting to see what the ladies chose to put on their hankies.

All and all I feel like it was a good retreat. The facilities turned out to be great, the staff were alot of fun and real helpful. I thank God for making it come together. Their were 10 of us in attendance.

Then the Williams were staying through Thursday and we had Sister Williams preach Sunday night. The Lord truly blessed. The whole church came over to our place after service and we got our fire pit going (we had gorgeous whether all week, high 50's even) and we roasted hot dogs and marshmellows. Monday Jessa and Jody took the Williams downtown to meet up with Jenna and Joleesa to have hotdogs from the hot dog man. Before they did that they brought me Subway and I was able to give them a quick tour of the newspaper. They spent the day downtown shopping (I think they bought out the Ulu Factory of all there Ulus ~ smile). Then Sister Georgia cooked a southern meal of chicken and pastry, ocra, sweet potatoes, fruit salad, and lemon pie. How awesome to come home and have that meal put before me. Jessa worked along side of her and really enjoyed it. It was sooooo delicious and the amazing thing was that she was so humbled that we enjoyed it so much. Tuesday was my favorite day as I took off work as I got to spend the day with my husband and two of the most precious people, on a beautiful day in Seward. I was soooo relaxed. It had been a loooooong time since I've had time together with my husband and then couple it with the fellowship with the Williams; it was one of the best days I've had in months. Wednesday and Thursday they spent the day with the Grants but were with us in the evening so we had late nights of fellowship.

While they were here many of the youth were in and out of our house having the opportunity to really feel their love as well. Then I took them to the airport this morning and they took the beautiful weather with them as all day we have been dumped on with heavy wet snow. At 10 pm we were at a foot and half. Now how does that work...we bless these dear folks with perfect spring weather while they're here and how do they thank us but take it with them and give us the "white stuff" that we've had plenty of.

God has been so good to us. I can never thank Him enough for making it possible for us to spend time with these two very dear people.

All and all it was a busy and great last couple of weeks. Now Brother Nowling and I have to get both feet and everything else into the planning of camp as it's only about a month a way.

Well, I, who am not a night person have become one after hanging around these 70 year night owls, and even tonight when I'm the only one here and should go to bed, I just couldn't get there...but I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.

Everyone have a great weekend.

Snowing Again!

Our snow was almost gone and we've been in th 40's. I get up this morning and it's SNOWING. UGH! It's not pretty any more. They were actually going to clean sweep our parking lot at work tomorrow. Yeah right!

Speaking of the warmer weather, we grilled out last Saturday night. It started out with Josh and Jackie It was their idea and they provided pretty much all the food), then added Matthew, Micah and Megan, then two of Joleesa's friends from McDonalds and then Jacob. Our first grill out and we got to enjoy it with a bunch of our youth. It is something how for years my burden has been for the youth. God has blessed me with opportunity to work with them through youth camps and regional state work but this is the first time He has blessed me with my husband pastoring a church with the majority (12 youth and 5 j.o.y.) being youth. The dynamics are so different. Some times drama abounds. My heart is full for them all. Here I am almost 50 years old and hanging out with them. I thank God that they let me come around and even invite me. Though they joke with me on being "old", they are so respectful of me. Most have really allowed me to be part of their lives. I love to play games and that helps. There's a very few, that I haven't found that place totally with them yet...but my heart is still full for them as well. Then we have a couple that are really struggling spiritually. There is forever a prayer on my lips and in my heart for them. I thank God for each one of them.

I truly thank Him for my husband who balances a job, pastoring and grown girls that still need their dad, sometimes feeling so burdened. Trying to reach out over and over again to individuals that need extra attention. God gives him a patience in that area beyond measure. He's had to deal with some real tough situations. Some of which are just a part of the ministry and other things that just shouldn't have to be but they are!

Please, please pray that God gives us a building. Rent is so high in Alaska. We are greatful to have the use of the Grant's garage but we are to the place we are desperately in need of more space, SS rooms, a nursery, and other things. I know God knows are need, we just need Him to show us how to fulfill it.

This week was busy at work, like always. Then I hung out with Matthew, Codi, Micah and Megan on Thursday and we had liver smothered in bacon and onions and of course played games. I love trying new games and that is something that we are constantly doing. Last night Jenna and I met up with Josh and Jackie for pizza. We were going to go to their place for a movie but Jenna wanted to go home to bed and I asked for a rain check. Stupid me still stayed up until 2 am working on the computer and then reading. Ugh! I know I'm not young any more and though I slept in until 9 am (kind of) I'll pay the price later as today I have to leave here in few minutes to go to Joan Fabrics to find some things for ladies retreat (ugh! it's only two weeks away), go grocery shopping. I need to get my hair trimmed but I'm afraid to as my success with salons here in Anchorage haven't been good. Sister Mitzi you think your stylist would come to Alaska to cut my hair ~ smile. Then I've got to do something I absolutely dread, our taxes. YUCK!!! Then this evening we have our monthly youth Bible study and then tomorrow we start our new quarter in SS on the advice to members. We have a very open format for in our youth class and usually most everyone participates. It'll be really interesting this next quarter. I am actually going to have one of the young people teach one Sunday month (those that want to). I've had three turn in their slips to me. It was three that I thought would but I actually thought there would be two others...maybe they still will. I thought this would open up a different perspective as well as give opportunity for those that like to do that sort of thing.

Well I better get out there in the SNOW and get my errands done. Everyone have a great day and absolute GLORIOUS Lord's day tomorrow.

Mary's Lamb

Mary! had a little Lamb, His fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
The Lamb was sure to go.


He followed her to school each day,
T'wasn't even in the rule.
It made the children laugh and play,
To have a Lamb at school.


And then the rules all changed one day,
Illegal it became;
To bring the Lamb of God to school,
Or even speak His Name!


Every day got worse and worse,
And days turned into years.
Instead of hearing children laugh,
We heard gun shots and tears.


What must we do to stop the crime,
That's in our schools today?
Let's let the Lamb come back to school,
And teach our kids to pray!