Winter Adventures

Life seems to be settling...perhaps a bit like gelatin as it chills...
Somehow this new world is taking form--becoming a bit more "solidified" as the shift to a new "normal" is accomplished. This place, these people, this environment is becoming more acceptably "home"; nevertheless, even as I boast of having nearly gained my bearings, there are always those moments when I remember....to stick with the analogy...that I'm still in the semisolid, jiggly Jell-O transitional phase...I'm still caught off guard at times by the shocking temperatures, by how life gets canceled when it's really, really cold outside, by the challenges work presents in the slow and steady, by how good and gracious God has been throughout all the change life has carried over the past few months.

Friends, I'm sorry it has been so long....
Even in the dreary winter months, time is somehow flying.
There have been many new adventures, many precious gifts that have highlighted and accented this January month....take a look!

Snowmachining, as it is so called in Alaska,
is apparently not to be confused with the snowmobiling that is done in every other state...
As with many things, Alaska seems to be in a category of its own when it comes to this recreational hazard and joy.
Let's just say, zooming across a frozen lake with two feet of powdery snow on top at 40-60mph
is quite a thrill...

Copper Basin 300.
The 300 is for 300 miles....
This beastly dogsled race, with competitors from around the world (including New Zealand and Brazil!) had a cold but sunny kickoff...only to be canceled 75 miles into the course due to an obliterated trail and unhealthy winds. It was fun to check out the event...to feel the competitive excitement as the dogs in their neon booties yelped with anticipation...

Yes, if you boil water and throw it into the air at forty/fifty below....POOF!
Blowing bubbles in these temps is also a fun activity...
(I will post a video of this soon!)

This handsome chap...Is my boyfriend, Tim.
These past few months have been filled with Tim-time. He has truly been an unexpected gift and it has been such a delight to get to know him, to laugh & adventure with him!

A stellar picture of the enchanting aurora borealis as captured by Tim!
These lights are crazy!
So far the displays I have seen are always brighter on a camera screen than in the sky...
It is so fun to track the forecast & to try and hunt the northern lights down!
Not so fun to stand out in -40 to try and photograph the beauty!
The heavens declare the Glory of God...yes, they do! Ps. 19.

Valdez (a BEAUTIFUL two hour drive south) has been dumped on with snow! Easy Freeze! Mounds and pounds of snow...

Life is full: Praise God for this good season and His loving kindness!
While I haven't had a chance to get up to Chistochina for Sunday school in sometime, I have had the opportunity to be more consistent with Awana on Wednesdays (all depends on the ever variable schedule). I am loving getting to know the kids in town! Youth group in Gulkana is still struggling to gain its momentum...a couple weeks ago though we had a record six kids & we had a blast playing balloon games, painting and sledding (no kids in the past two weeks however).
Please keep praying for opportunities for ministry with children.

Please keep praying for Cross Road. One of our nurses is now transitioning to a new job and we have a gap to fill now in her absence. Scheduling in the next couple months will be a bit hectic! Pray for God's provision. Pray for contentedness for me in whatever shifts I may be required to work.

Pray for upcoming learning opportunities! I will be completing a trauma nursing course this week at work and I'm looking forward to a x-ray class in Anchorage next month!

Many, many other stories I could report...it has just been too long! I shall post again soon!