NOVEMBER. FIRST DUMP!

Hello,

It is gently snowing this morning; therefore, while I sit here, I’m watching the temperature rise from 10° to now 25°. 

  Trying to get to devotions yesterday morning was quite the feat since we all had to wade through a foot of wet snow.  It was awesome.  As soon as possible, the men had shovels and large machinery in order to clear paths, roads, and porches.  It actually was very amazing - the snow depth, the machines, the snow flying from shovels.  And, now winter is here in full swing - no more pebbles and dirt being tracked in; no more worries about the ground freezing without proper insulation. We miss Christ Toby Williams since he usually is the one who goes out with his horse plow and plows the roads for us. He's gone for a visit to see Hope Magraf.

Kimberli and Skylar have gone to spend three weeks with Joel and Dena.  Seth is doing fairly well as Mr. Mom.

Hannah Davis' baby is still in the hospital and is improving slowly.  Grace developed lactose intolerance (which I guess is typical of preemies).  They would like us to pray that this situation improves.

Jon and Julie have flown to GA to visit the Squires family down there.

Ben's mom, Sharon, passed away in Canda. I don't know much about any follow up arrangements.

Over the weekend, Jim, Bonnie, Jannis, and Wenda made a quick Anchorage trip.  They got home just in time to miss most of the snowy roads.  (Wenda is infatuated with being "Great DeeDee" ever since Paul and Rebekah had their first baby a couple of weeks ago!)

Sis Millie did arrive home last Wednesday.  She is doing VERY well.  No, she is not up and walking yet, but she is improving slowly with therapy provided by Olivia and Wendy.  Both Rus and Millie's attitude adjustments to change and lack of control of their circumstances has been the testimony to me.  Sis Millie's continued optimistic attitude each day is encouraging to me.

Sis Marilyn has not been feeling up to par for the last week, but she is doing better now.  Maybe the flu?

Since Lee Addison has to have some more surgery (on the limbs that were stuck in the coal processor), Kathy has gone to Fairbanks to babysit her grandchildren.

(We sure miss Andy and Sarah Jane!). So weird to go into the HS at some point and only MC is in there with the kids, one looks into the classroom and sees only kids...a dearth of teachers, it seems. 

Seth killed all his pigs last week.  He and Seth Fouse butchered all the meat and put it up.  Last night, when we were supposed to only have hot dogs for supper, we were surprised by pork ribs cooked up by Seth F.  The cook crew also made fresh snow cream from all our new snow - something I haven't eaten since teenaged years.  Seth took some or all of our hams over to Whitestone where Jeremy Austin taught and helped Seth make proper hams.  I cannot wait to eat that! 

Rob is enjoying the snow as are all of our youngsters. They frolic and kick and roll around in the fluffy stuff. After school I can hear sounds in the woods, so I'm guessing snow caves and more snow forts are in order.

May and Wendy are attending a gardeners symposium of sorts given by some prof. I am sure we'll hear about it.

Also, school was closed in Fairbanks yesterday and today due to freezing rains.  I heard that the roads were okay enough but that the worst part was the rain freezing on the windshields.  People were having to pull over and thaw their windshields while driving from place to place. 

I forgot to mention in my last email that Ella spent the weekend with us.  Her parents went caribou hunting in the Paxson area (unsuccessfully, so far).  I had an awesome weekend. 

This coming Sunday, Eagles’ Ridge Ranch is coming to have church with us.  There are seventeen folks living there (five are children) so we should have a nice influx. 

Ben leaves again today to do a show in Fairbanks – I think it’s the Winter/Christmas Home Show.  He said the memorial for his mom will probably be next weekend in Whitehorse.  I’ll pass along more details if I ever find them out.

Bro George had a rough weekend, but he is doing better now.  If anyone wants updated info, you can go to the Caring Bridges link or I can forward you the info posted there.  Let me know if you need help.  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/georgelharris

Have a great day

Recent one from Delta photographer Sebastian Saarlos.

NOVEMBER....already????

Yesterday morning was a chilly 0°.  I happily donned my fleece lined skinny pants under my other clothes.  This morning, it is not so brisk.  It is 15°.  Because our smattering of snow is sticking to the ground so far, we look a little messy around here – not enough snow for beauty; too much brown for beauty; everything’s barren and frozen. 

Amy Wheeler, from Whitestone Farms, is looking for a ride from Delta to Whitehorse if anyone is going that direction or knows of anyone going that direction.  You can contact Amy atajwheeler88@yahoo.com.  Thank you.

Tommy and the guys separated the calves from their mommas.  Oh my.  You should hear them cry.  It is annoying and sad all at the same time.  Yesterday was simply terrible, but they’re already adjusting!

We had an excellent service on Sunday (to me it was most refreshing).  Thomas led worship; Sis Margaret and Bro Garth both followed with a word on the unprofitable/profitable servant. 

With the winds of last week, the fire at Whitestone kicked up again.  They actually had firefighters out there.  I think with this increased cold weather and lack of wind that the fire is fine again.  I think the fire just goes under the muskeg and sits waiting for a wind to kick up and fan it.

Kimberli and Skylar have flown to Arizona to be with Joel and Deena and their new baby for a few weeks.  I’m envious of her time in the sun!

Ben did a show in Anchorage last weekend.  He did not do as well as he would’ve liked, but he did okay.  For his first time in an area, he actually did really well.  Only some of the vendors knew him so he was setting up all new clientele.  Once home, Ben flew back to Vancouver to be with his parents.  His mother keeps pulling out her NG tube so the doctors and Ben’s dad, Hal, have opted to leave the tube out. 

Seth slaughtered all his pigs last week.  Today, he and Seth Fouse will begin the butchering process.  I’m so excited about pork meat.

Stephen Casey wrote last night to say that he and his wife, Melissa, are expecting in June.  Another Casey grandchild!  Whatever will those Casey grandparents do?

Oh….I said that Hannah Davis and her baby were home; only Hannah is at home.  Little Grace is still in the hospital until she can eat a certain amount each day and be at a certain weight.  Everything is going well so far.

Pat B has gone to his yearly trip to Copper River and Glenallen. He won't be staying at SAPA since the closure so has probably found new lodgings while he is there. The roads are icy and hazardous. Everybody needs to get into their winter driving mentality.

Tommy Geyer MC'd a very good Hunters Breakfast. Hunting yarns and tall tales abounded. Kathryn, May, Kerri, Emmy, and others made a scrumptious breakfast spread. Paul & Maria T, brought a ton of donuts. Prizes were given out. I think that Tim Kohler won the Antler Derby at 58inches and Seth F was runner up...not sure of all the measurements though... :). There was a good turn-out, with hunters and would-be hunters crawling out of the woodwork to enjoy good food and fellowship.

We’re thanking God that Bro George’s yesterday fever has gone; also that Christine only has two more treatments of chemo; and that Bro Rus will bring sis Millie home tomorrow. 

Have a great week!