REPORT FROM THE LAND CONVENTION

REPORT FROM THE LAND CONVENTION DRY CREEK, ALASKA

by SarahJ

FIRST DAY

This morning we woke up to -46°; it is now -36°.

Thomas led worship; Bro Buddy preached - his theme was “You can preserve your own life or have His life for eternity.  Whichever life you choose, is the one you will be living”  Bro Bill closed the meeting with a quote from William Law and said that God has us in the place that we NEED to be in. 

FRIDAY NIGHT

Well, it might’ve warmed up at some point to -25°, but it didn’t stay there long.  It is already back to -38° and dropping. 

We have very, very few guests this convention.  I guess the cold is keeping them away.  Guests here today were Rose Dunning, Sue Brown, Peter and Stacey Casey, and Joseph Casey.  Ministry guests are Buddy Cob, John Jeffreys, Bill and Bette Grier, Wayne and Anne Gentry, John Basalyga, Earnest Watkins, David Digloria, Dick Kunz, and ?

We had an excellent meeting tonight.  Ben led worship; Bill Grier preached on “to die laughing” – strange title, I know.  Bro Andy helped me sum his word into this summation – that we are to laugh at the impossibility of our calling and that going to the house of mourning makes us better.  Bro Bill talked about the need to laugh at our impossible situation but also about the need to judge ourselves in order to be purged (clean).  Text was from Ecclesiates 7:1-3.  There were other scriptures too. 

Bro John J closed the meeting, but then Sis Bette hopped up to talk about invitations saying that we’ve been sent an invitation from God. She concluded with “how are we responding (rsvp) to God?  A two minute exhortation! She is so awesome…just love her flair!

SATURDAY

just real quick like…. I woke up to -35°,  but it quickly dropped to -42° and has stayed there consistently for the rest of the day. 

Visitors this morning were Don and Val Wimberly from Tok, from WSF David Digloria brought out his wife, Hannah, Woan Chuie, and ????  Paul and Jenee and children and Amaris arrived in time for the afternoon service.  Plus we still have the guests that we had yesterday.

Bonnie led praise – it was excellent; she overcame many obstacles of singing songs that we couldn’t remember or had never heard of.  Bro Buddy was the first preacher.  He added to what he had to say yesterday – the theme being the only way to have life is to die the right death.  This is opportunity to die so don’t miss it.  There are three steps to the kingdom – the pit, the prisoner, and ruling and reigning.  Bro Earnest followed on the dying theme using Gen 22 for text.  He compared our life journey to Isaac’s – we have to pass through the climbing of the mtn and the various test involved in order to die; in doing this journey we will have life. 

A quote from Bro Earnest is, “All my favorite scriptures are in the Bible”.  J  A quote from Bro Buddy is, “May God take a liking to you”. 

Bro Bill closed the meeting and got quite fired up in his closing summation.  He exhorted us that the word was nothing unless we could figure out a way to apply it to our daily lives.  He said that even though the kingdom of God won’t be brought in through violence, we do have to use violence to cast down our vain imaginations and violence in putting away the things that we love. 

SATURDAY NIGHT

It is presently -47°.  I wish I could take a picture of tonight to show you how it looks but it is too dark so I will try to use my words to give you a visual.  Orion, the constellation, is hanging over the plateau mountain, the moon is hanging over the sawmill area.  There is a thick ice fog that has settled in making everything appear murky.  The moon has a haze around and over it.  All the “street lights” have hazes.  There is a heavy, thickness layering everywhere.  It is a little interesting looking, almost pretty, if it weren’t soooooo cold!

Praise was led by Ben.  Bro John Jeffreys preached the first word.  He talked about almond blossoms – the answer is curled up inside in a brown little thing – the answer will be revealed after the winter.  J  I can’t say who told me that summary, but it sounds good to me.  Bro John spoke with much fervor (I was in hearing it from the kitchen); it makes me vow to myself to get the cd and listen to it myself.

Bro David Digloria preached next. He said sometimes you have to go through things to get over your fears, and you have to have to die in order to resurrect. 

My crew and I built “super” subs for supper and passed them out along with pickles, chips, veggie soup, and an apple to everyone. 

After everyone cleared out, Bro Dick Kunz and Bro Gary Horender started a sing along with the kids.  Some older folks hung around to watch and sing.  The kids had a REALLY good time.  Both Gary and Dick are just great, great guys.  I cannot say enough kind things about those guys.   They love the Lord; they love the kids.  We had a great worship time with the young people. 

A funny quip here is that Robin stayed for that but then came home early. When I asked him why he said: "Mom it's too loud!"…haha…oh well

Anyway, I’m tired. And I want to get to my warm bedroom.  Night all.  If I haven’t answered you personally recently, someday, I will.  J  Night, Sarah

LAST DAY SUNDAY

This morning we woke up to -50°.  It was soooooo depressing.  I got up early and drank lots of coffee and finally I began to cheer up.  Plus my kids were all up early (and Chris and Bekah came) so we had some fun family time before the first meeting.  During the day, the temps rose to -27°, but as usual, the temperature is dropping.  It is now -40°.  Today we expected to see the actual sun pop over the mountains, but I never saw it.  I either missed it, or we are off in our calculations by a day or so. 

So… Bro Joe McCord flew in from the Peru conventions a day ago and Whitestone brought him out this morning. 

Patrick and Griselda led worship this morning.  Bro Joe preached on the word of the Son – “I will come into Him and will dine with Him and He with me” – we will either have peace multiplied or sorrows multiplied.  Text from Rev 3 and 5; also I Peter 1:1,2 and Psalm 16:1,4.  Bro Dick Kunz preached next.  His text was taken from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16). Bro Buddy closed the convention.  We never heard from Bro Wayne (but he often doesn’t preach at our convention), and we never heard from John Basalyga.  I guess we’ll catch them at a different time. 

Bro Joe is staying with us tonight.  We kept him up much too late.  I hope we can have him ready to leave by 6:30 am when Garth comes by to collect him.  The ministry will be driving to Haines tomorrow. 

Wendy, Kathryn, Hannah, and Allyson made a really nice sit down dinner for us tonight – chicken tetrazzini, salad, punch, bread, green beans. and ice cream splits with all the fixins' for dessert.

I’m sorry we missed out on so much company due to the cold weather.  We missed seeing all you fellow Alaskans that usually visit. 

 The kids and Bro. Dick put on a short show for us on the life of Joseph. Bro. Dick just amazes me how he can do so much on short notice. He got some costumes together with the help of May, and managed to include the whole of the grade school in it. Plus asking Kev and Annie to play the part of Potiphar and his wily wife…! many good laughs when Benj (12) was faced with Annie (18)…hahaha

A short clip was made of the play and hoping to have it on soon.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE FM AND ™ WHO BRAVED THE COLD AND SNOW TO COME BE WITH US, THIS IS A HIGHLIGHT OF OUR YEAR  FROM US "LANDERS"…

GOD BLESS YOU, ONE AND ALL

A LITTLE WARMER IN THE FROZEN NORTH...

Since I’ve been whining all week, I thought it is only fair to tell you that every time I check the temperature it has warmed up a little more.  The last time I checked it was -15°.  I’m sooooooo excited!  Yesterday morning when I woke up, I checked the temperature, and when I saw it was -45°, I decided to stay in bed all day long.  Of course, I didn’t.  The phone calls started coming in, and I had to face the day. 

Garth arrived home on Friday night from chauffeuring the ministry and leaving them at Whitestone.  Seth went over to Whitestone for their ministry dinner and convention.  May went to the convention yesterday with Bonnie.  I think May will come home with Seth when the convention ends on Monday. 

Kevin went into Delta this weekend to help my son, Chris, haul some firewood home.  (Don’t tell, but Liz and I have been enjoying the relative quietness.)

Seth Fouse is home for the weekend.  He’s still working in Fairbanks during the weeks. Kimber and the kids will be going  in to be with him for a bit. Can't imagine having the hub gone all the time, I had such a hard time when Pat was gone firefighting so many years ago when the kids were little...

Mark Coy with the help of some of the other guys – Jim, Jarred, Merlin, and ? – are busy fixing up the cabin that Mark will live in.  They are putting in electrical wiring since it had never been wired, moving the kitchen to a new place, among other things. Gonna be nice, and possibly a good place for a guys dorm….time will tell...

Cathy P went to the Dr this week.  He said that she really needs a knee replacement.  Cathy is thinking about this – pros, cons, and when is the best time. 

We will not have a Wednesday night service since we will be busy doing convention prep by then – floor cleaning, food, etc. Talking about convention, May went to the Whitestone one and had  a good time…she was gone for 3-4 days I think. Now is back to enjoy ours. I LOVE CONVENTION! MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE GOOD FOOD…HAHA...

Linda sent an update on Prins.  It is included here. 

            “Just an update on Prins.  He has had a wonderful time with the different groups in Sequim, Edmonton and Montana.  Today he is in Atlanta at             the Speaker's Conference.  He called and was greatly encouraged to meet so many people... and see doors opening before him.  While in the         south he will be ministering in two places in Atlanta and a quick visit down to Citra.  Then he will be off to Canton.  From there he will be flying   to India!”

I am cooked with Kimber's crew and we made roast beef sandwiches, green beans, choc mint squares, fresh rolls…a great success.

Oh and I finally went down Hillikers snowshoe trail and opened it up again. It had pretty much been covered by heavy snow while we were gone to Fairbanks for Rob's surgery...now I can use it again and keep it open. LOVE BEING OUT AND ABOUT IN THE SNOW WHEN IT IS NOT -40...haha

Hoping to take the boys out soon as well.

Have a great day. 

frozen chosen moos....

Just in case anyone is wondering, we’re still in the -40° realms.  Sometimes the temp is -42° and other times it is -38° and once during the middle of the night, the temp went up to -30° only to drop down to -38° before we could go outside to enjoy the relative balminess.  It’s really a little miserable.   But, unbelievably, I’m actually sorta getting used to this temperature. 

The Sapa convention has ended and Garth will be home tomorrow after he drops the ministry off at Whitestone. 

Meat afternoon and evening went smoothly.  Convention plans seems to be going smoothly.  Merlin found and thawed the frozen spot in Bro Rus’ water lines.  Yay!!!!!!! 

Pat found and fixed the frozen spot in May's shower and in Flo's shower...sooo...all's well I guess. May has gone to Whitestone for the week end to be at their convention...

I guess that’s it.  Just wanted you all to maybe commiserate with us in the frozen North.

Have a nice week end!

week end noos....at DC

Morning!  Yesterday we woke up to -41°.  A little brisk.  Also, we woke up rather early for a Saturday morning.  Around 6 am, the phones started ringing around the farm – Jim & Bonnie’s roof had caught on fire due to some rotted out asbestos piping.  By the time the men showed up, Jim had basically gotten the fire out.  The guys helped Jim clean up and and cut the burnt roof out.  Jarred should be bringing some supplies to Jim so he can repair his roof.  In the meantime, they have a gaping hole in their ceiling.  I sure hope they’re staying warm in these frigid temps!

Last night the temperature dropped to -51° which I think is as far down as our atomic clock thermometer will go to...ha... and hung there steady till the next day Sunday, I took a photo of it stuck on -51.  

Some of us heard from Garth this morning.  This morning was the last day of the Wasilla convention.  It has been about -10° there with good roads.  Meetings have been excellent.  Tomorrow, they head to Sapa. 

Jarred and Jennifer went to town to pick up Jennifer’s parent’s who will be staying here for four weeks. 

At the end of church this morning, and while we were all still standing listening to the prayer requests, we all watched Craig run for his life because he looked up and saw the moose and her large baby both coming for him.  !!!! The mama moose and baby (quite large!) have been hanging around the farm and then came to pay us a visit in our backyard...

I observed from facebook that Bill received a good report from his heart doctor.  He’d better!  He’s been on the leanest, meanest no red meat diet that one has ever been on.  I’m not even sure I could do what he’s been doing.  Kathy has worked pretty hard to make his lean, mean food palatable. 

Also, Judy McCaffery and 11 mo baby, Christianna, arrived safely home from Ethiopia to New York this weekend.  J

My sister and her family arrived safely in Springfield MO after 3 weeks of visiting family and friends in Argentina and scouting job openings in Uruguay, judging by all the photos they had a very good and profitable time. Here is the link to the Facebook album, all photos taken by my nephew Daniel Burgess....

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2786984845531.132122.1585591801&type=1&l=8387df9a6e 

The Land is in the throes of pre convention prep...which is always a busy, hectic but exciting time for us. Cooking, cleaning and generally getting the place looking presentable for the FM/TM and all the guests who come to this yearly occasion.

We, the Buongiornes are back home as you might have guessed. All in one piece and none the worse for wear after our 12 day stint in snowy, icy Fairbanks, cooped up in a small hotel room, waiting for Rob to recuperate from his tonsilectomy. 

Very happy to be home, Rob was so happy that he jumped out of the van and ran into the Tab to greet all his friends. Although he is not totally himself yet, he volunteered to do his firewood chores today so I think he is on the mend.

BEST OF ALL: his snoring has greatly diminished! I bet if he take him to get another sleep clinic his sleep apnea will probably be non existent or at least, greatly improved....PTL!

Ok...too much going on right now so will sign off, till another day...keep warm and be happy.!

MOOS FROM THE HOME FRONT

our daily latte place...

Hi,

We are still at the Best Western. Y'day we said hi to George Harris and Garth, who came to pick him up for their first leg of the Northern TM tour. Tomorrow Rob has 2 appointments, speech and his doc. for the ok to leave Fairbanks on Friday...I walked to Fred's just for the exercise. Rob did some school stuff on his Mac. 

This from Sarah back at the funny farm:

...As mentioned, Monday was hideously cold, starting the day at -17* and eventually ending the day at -40*.  But, during the night, a little wind blew in.  By the morning it was only -9*.  But that little wind turned into a big miserable, snow blowing wind.  Light weight people were being pushed about; everyone had snow in their faces.  It blew all day and all night.  Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, the wind calmed to a very slight breeze.  We are now enjoying 4* weather, but I hear that it shouldn’t lasts long.  And… we have to dig our way out of some of the roads and paths and doorways. 

Garth left yesterday to begin his chauffeuring of the ministry.  Garth wrote to let us know that he had made it to Anchorage safely, although late.  Ben, Patrick, and Gri have all mentioned seeing George Harris while in Fairbanks – a surprising treat all around.

Joey Casey has gone back to Fairbanks to continue Paramedic school.  He claims we won’t see him till probably July.  I hope he’s wrong. 

Gri called the school the other morning and Robin asked to talk to me.  He was very interested in what his buddies, Seth and Kevin, were doing. 

Seth and Tommy butchered some cows yesterday so I guess we’ll be cutting meat next Wednesday. 

Robin McCaffery wrote concerning their baby that he and his wife are adopting from Ethiopia. I will include his note verbatim.  

<<Hello family, as I am attempting to compose these message two fingers at a time, my wonderful and awesome love of my life, Judy, is flying to pick up our daughter in Ethiopia!! Praise God for that,   the roller coaster God has us on is making our faith stronger in Him I believe... He will never leave us stranded, it’s all in His timing, we may never know why, but that’s not our worry, trust is our job...  tuff to do, easy to type, kind of!!!! Sorry for miss spelling, thank you for all your prayers and continued prayers for safe flight to and from Africa... Judy has an app. at 1400 on Tuesday the 10th; she will have Christiana in her arms forever that morning!!! she flies home to buff airport on fri 13th at 1420, that’s her arrival time here...  God bless each and everyone of, in His Name,   

Hello family just received a message from Judy, that Christiana has passed embassy!!!PRAISE GOD!!! she has Christiana for ever, wow... i      heard her demanding moms attention already, oh boy,,, Judy says she is a very content little one and eats whatever she feed her,,good, she has my passion already!!! will have paperwork in hand Thursday afternoon, on the plane that night for fri arrival..,,, thanks again for your      continued prayers and support,,,,will send pics after she is home and settled a bit,,,,love to all>>

Have a great week, Sarah

...so everything seems quiet on the Alaska front I guess, with some added pre convention activities thrown in so we don't get too comfortable in our laid back lifestile ...er...yeah, right!

take care

gri, Rob and Pat

THE BURGESSES DO URUGUAY AND ARGENTINA Dec.2011/Jan 2012

Family and Friends,

my sis Alejandra Burgess, and her family (hubby and son) are still enjoying their stay in Monti, Uruguay. They crossed over to Baires and saw the rest of the fly there, my sis Marina and her family, my lil bro Robin and his family who fly to Arg. once a year from China where they live, that was very nice since some of the cousins had not met each other - so many first, second and third cousins met for the first time. A good time was had by all. I believe the Burgesses are due back in the US of A within the next week. This trip was meant to be a scouting trip to see what the market offers as far as online language and computer tech. instruction is concerned, which is their  area of expertise. God speed! Wish I had been there...I haven't seen my Arg. relatives in decades...here are some photos taken by my nephew Daniel who went along with his parents.

Here are some photos of their adventures so far, all taken by my nephew Daniel  Burgess.

Just click on the link to take you to their Facebook album.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2786984845531.132122.1585591801&type=1&l=8387df9a6e

HI FROM FROZEN ALASKA!

Cold Fairbanks, still holding at -20

This from Sarah back at the funny farm:

After a fairly mild week last week (except for Monday and Tuesday), the temperature bottomed out again on Monday (yesterday).  We woke up to -20* and by the end of the day, it was -40.  I didn’t go to school prepared.  I’d left my hat and gloves at home somehow.  That made for a little misery, but I managed.  In our photography class, it was our day to take our pictures (yes, someday, there will be more pictures for you to look at) so Lizzie ran out to the hanger to “get” her picture.  Once out there (without leggings, hat, or gloves), she realized she’d left her memory card in the school.  She came back for that, ran out again, only to discover that her batteries had gotten too cold and wouldn’t work.  She ran back for new batteries before going out again.  By the time she finally snapped her pictures, she was very, very cold.  Crazy girl.  Last night, the exposed parts of her legs are red and inflamed.  A lesson well learned, I’d say.


yes, Sarah my kids did/do the same thing...one finds out about frostbits digits years later when they are grown up and they tell you..."oh Mom BTW mom, when I was little I froze my toes and fingers cause I wasn't wearing the right stuff..." err...thanks kids, even after spending all that $$ to ensure you had the right cold weather equipment...go figure 

Many of the kids and a few adults were sick with a nasty stomach flu last week.  Unless something crazy happened in the night, most everyone had recovered by Sunday morning.  All the kids were in school yesterday.  <>

Sunday service was refreshing – Tom led worship, Wenda shared on the Trinity, Garth preached on God taking care of those who honor and love Him, Thomas preached on God being alive and many faceted as compared to gods of this world that are one faceted and dead. 

Garth leaves today to pick up David DiGloria from Whitestone and George Harris in Fairbanks.  Then they will drive to Wasilla to begin the conventions in this cold, northerly land. 

yup met up with George at the Best Western...yikes when you start bumping into TM in Fbks. that means CONVENTION TIME IS NEAR...already??

Bill and Kathy Casey leave for Anchorage tomorrow to do some thorough testing on Bill’s heart as a follow up check up of this last summer’s incident. 

Mark Coy moved to the farm over the weekend.  He is staying with Garth and Kim till he gets a cabin ready.  He is fixing up Moorescabin which throughout time also belonged to Grecus, Tates, and Nerbonnes at some point in it’s history. 

Kevin came home from his visit to Montana.  Jason brought him out from the airport on Saturday.  Joey arrived out on Thursday for a four day weekend.  We sure enjoyed having him around. 

Ben arrives home today from his Bahama cruise.  Liz and I have decided that if he’s obviously tan that we’re going to be mad at him.

Ben Mehaffey's new railing for a Fairbanks downtown bank, nice! huh?

Patrick and Griselda are still in Fairbanks with Rob who came through his adenoid and tonsil removal surgery just fine – sore, but fine.  Yes, I had it wrong last week.  I thought I’d gotten info from a good source that while under anesthesia, Rob was also getting some teeth pulled.  I thought that sounded like a lot of things all at once and it was!  Rob has one more check up before the doctor will release him to come all this way home. 

 Rob after surgery, chipper still...but now wanting to go HOME!!

 Have a great day.  Stay warm!  

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AND SO ITS BACK TO SCHOOL FOR SOME...

Hi!  

We had a fairly quiet week off from school.  We sent some caroling pictures on FB and a New Year’s picture so you know we did that.  We had mildish weather for both of those nights.  On New Year’s, we had a great pasta dinner at the tab prepared for us by Jennifer Milliron, Jeni Nerbonne with Kathryn and Emily Nerbonne.  We hung around the tab eating snacks, visiting, square dancing, playing games until close to midnight when some of the young men put on our fireworks show for us.  Guests for that night were the Lupos,Chris Jepsen and his new bride, Samuels, Basalygas from Whitestone, Woan Chuie, Mark Coy, Zayden, and maybe others that I’m forgetting.  Oh, Kelsey and boyfriend, Brandon, were down too.

Thomas and Brad picked up the Jepsen's nephew, Zayden, last Tuesday and brought him out to stay with them.  They kept Zayden (five years old) for a week while his folks vacationed in Seattle, WA.

On Monday, the temperature steadily dropped all day till by early evening it was -40*.  Sometime in the night, clouds rolled in and the temperature rose to -20*.  Now it’s about -25*. 

Patrick and Griselda and Robin are in Fbks for a week or so.  On the 4^th Robin will have his adenoids, & tonsils out.  They have to stay in Fairbanks for certain amount of days after the surgery to ensure that there aren’t any complications.  Robin is one tough little guy!

Ben was invited by his brother to go on a cruise to the Bahamas, so… that is where Ben is.  Wonder if he’s missing our brisk temps?  Ben called while Kelsey was with us.  He was enjoying 75* weather – his brother lives in Baton Rouge, IL.  Ben’s brother, Steve, has MS and is undergoing various treatments to improve his health.

Judy McCaffery will be in Ethiopia from January 9 – 14^th to pick up their adopted 11 ½ month old Christianna.  There isn’t really any news on the other girl, Olivia that they’d like to adopt. 

Paul and Wendy Jennings will be traveling to Anchorage soon so Wendy can get some more treatment shots in her back.  She is getting some relief, but needs more. 

I heard after I came to Fbks today, that the school kids were getting sick in a domino fashion (one after another).  The stomach flu and fever seems to be steadily hitting randomly here and there.  I hope it runs it’s course quickly. 

UPDATE AND CORRECTION ON ROB'S SURGERY:

Ok, Rob did NOT have his wisdom teeth out! haha...they are not even making an appearance yet! All his dental growth is much slower than "regular" kids, so we might be looking at braces in a few years time.

Today, 1/4/2012 Rob came out of his T&A (Tonsilectomy and Adeonoidectomy) with flying colors! Even his docs were impressed with his rebound, talking and chatting up the nurses. Now he is under observation for today to see if he is gonna stay the night in the FMH or can come back to the hotel we're staying at for the next 10 days.

Guess that because we live so far, they don't want us to leave town (covering their b....) in case there is any complications. Weird how the malpractice thingie has made everybody so trigger happy. When I was a kid, err....50 yrs or so ago, I don't remember this procedure being such a big deal, but course we lived in the big city...I remember staying at the British Hospital overnight and that was it. Soooo...here we are stuck in Fbks at -40, twiddling our thumbs.

I MISS MY CABIN AND THE QUIETNESS OF  OUR ALASKA BUSHOME....amazing how noisy hotels are at midnight and how much the traffic bothers me...and its not that much cause of the frozen temps...but still, MORE than what we have in the woods....haha

However I am very THANKFUL that Medicaid/State of Alaska is kicking in for all of Rob's needs. 

If all goes well, we are planning to be home in about 10 days.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Have a great start of the year...full of new resolutions and plans.

GOD BLESS!