HARBINGER OF SPRING....???

Hi all!!!  Guess what?  The snow is melting!!!!!  Just a wee bit, but, yet, it is melting!  When I walk around, my feet sink into the snow a little bit.  It is a happy sign of spring.  Of course, I’m sure, the loggers wish for another week or two of cold weather.  Thomas has been hauling logs out of the logging site like mad, slipping and sliding on the muddy road.  Craig and Brad have been going out every day to fell and stack piles of logs!  Oh, and Pat B has been running the dump truck loaded with cut firewood to the across the creek people before the roads around here get too messy. 

It looks like I will get to snow machine with the “hauling” guys tomorrow.  I’m so excited!!!! 

Last week, I sold both SJ's and mine aged iTouches. We got some nice 4th. gen. ones one from ebay, I think, and one from Apple refurdb…I love it, so much faster!

We sure enjoyed Bobby and Cathy Owens last weekend.  They both preached on Friday night and again on Sunday morning.  They had many good things to say, but the theme was recover, redeem, restore with text being from all over the place but I remember the example of Sampson in Judges.  Miss Cathy had a good word on dew which backed up Bro Bobby’s word because dew is refreshing and restorative.  (Gosh, Kelly helped me with my “notes” on my itouch and now all my most recent notes have disappeared! Which included my church notes.  L) 

Jim and Bonnie have gone to Maine for a couple weeks’ visit.  Wendy is caring for Grandma Irene. 

Pat, Gri, May, and Robin went to Anchorage/Palmer last weekend to see Pat Lou, Bethany, and the twins.  A couple of pictures are included of Gri and Stacey Casey with the babies.

Andrew, Kylin, and Landon were out for a couple of days earlier this week.  Nothing like the grandchildren (with their parents, of course) coming home to visit.  Erica was out for a few days’ visit this week, as well.

I heard that Paul Lawrence was in the area one night this week while conducting research for his work in Anchorage.  I didn’t see him so maybe that’s a rumor.  


PatLou is taking some leadership classes for his firecrew job in Palmer. He is in Fairbanks, so Bethy and the girls are on their own for the week. I hear they were doing poorly, earaches and such. Pray for the little family if you they come to mind. Am sure it is tough being on your own espec. with 2 little ones demanding attention at the same time! I know it was tough for me when mine were sick but I always had somebody in the community close by...Praying for a quick recovery for the little angels. God bless !

Seth, Jarred, and Garth are in Salcha, again, for a few days working on that house that needed to be finished. 

Kimberli has gone up to Fairbanks to help Seth get moved out of his apartment since Seth has now been able to find work locally again!  Yay!

Ann and Merlin took Micah to Fbks for his intensive three day therapy treatment.  They are home now. 

The greenhouse has been opened up.  Wendy and Kathy Casey are busy every spare minute planting the vegetables and flowers we will need for this spring.

I will be sending along a link to the Dry Creek/Land youth camp registration form.  Send it along to anyone who you know is interested in coming.  Thank you.

Oh, the temperature was as high as 47° today.  Nights are still dropping to 0°. 

Rob has had the last of his therapists visit right after coming back from Anchorage. Everybody is feverishly trying to fill in paperwork I guess to close off this quarter. Him and I have been invited to the REACH Academy (Tok School's correspondence branch from the Alaska Gateway School D.) yearly Spring Field trip - this time to Jueany the state Capitol -  so we are gonna do that. 2 -15 passenger vans with kids, parents, etc. The students are all correspondence (home schooled) not the regular kids that go to the Tok school. Last year we did a trip with the special ed. branch of the school. This one is a bit different in that Rob is the only sped student, so it's quite an honor to be invited. Should be fun - minus the van travel which I loath…but it's a pretty drive, very scenic. Will take a ton of pics and post them up after the fact.

There's always a hitch to the silver lining, soooo…mine is that I am COOKING A COMMUNITY CURRY ( 80 hungry folks at least) pretty much right off the bat on the Sunday after we get back to the farm from our Juneau trip on Sat. so not much time to regroup the energy levels…but, oh well…can't be helped. Fortunately I knew about all this beforehand and have pretty much got all my meat cut up and chunked. I have been promised the special ingredients so hopefully all will be here when the day comes. Coconut, cashews, golden raisins, dates, pineapple, apples, mangoes and a nice salad of lettuce and tomatoes….hopefully! We will also make crescent rolls and have iced tea.

I better get to school.  Have a good weekend.  

Here's the link to the youth camp at The Land. It's a fillable PDF registration form.

https://acrobat.com/?i=9K1oL96Hi1FHdBxz149x0Q

Pat and May had not seen each other for a while...Esther being intrigued by her aunty May...

Lellie (Ellanor or Ella) enjoying some time with grampi Pat.

MARCH MADNESS...

Many events during this month so far. Just a quick note to say hello and send a couple of things. 

The temperature has been nice throughout the day, but it has still been dropping down to -15 degrees at night.

A crew is going to Fish Lake again today to haul in supplies for hunting time.  Tony has invited me to go on Friday!  I’m so excited.  I hope it works out that I can go. 

We had a good time at the ice park last week. May very kindly offered to take Rob and chaperone him, so he had a grand time with all the high school kids.  I’m including one today, but hopefully, I’ll have more later.  We had an excellent time at Whitestone, as well, on Saturday.  I didn’t take too many pictures while there since I was too busy playing. 

I’m including a link of the Northern Lights.  It’s a short piece put together by Jon Bailey and Jeremy Austin from Whitestone.  I think it’s rather great!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjVwA1UKBzA&feature=colike

Pat, May Rob and self went down to Palmer to visit PatL, Beth and the girls. Very short but sweet! Here is a link to the photo album. It was nice to be back home on Sunday its a rather long drive from Anchorage but uneventful. NIce weather, the pass was a bit foggy and looked rather choppy at first, but soon cleared and our fearless driver got us home safe and sound. Thanks Pat F Buongiorne! LOvely time time with Bethany Buongiorne, Patrick Buongiorne, and the girlies. Lovely scenic Alaska mountains!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3327677282504.142448.1585591801&type=1&l=86b3f85863

Hi all. Sorry that it has been a few days.  And…. Looking back, it has been QUITE a few days.  Where do the days go?

We’ve been having some definite March weather – cold at night, warmer in the day.  The night weather has been between 0° and -30°; the day time weather has been between 0° and 30° above zero.  The last week was supposed to be a good week for photographing the aurora borealis but we had nothing but clouds; it snowed several inches on Friday night and Friday.  I saw a lot of beautiful pictures from theAnchorage area.  Oh well.  There will be more chances. 

Tommy’s beef cows have started having babies, usually at night, it seems.  Tommy, Seth, and Kevin have a night schedule to keep an eye on the cow.  If they need help “pulling” out a cow (or two), they phone the others to come help.  We had twins early one morning, but one twin has since died due to pneumonia. 

I feel short of news and I know that’s not true so I’ll have to think and write more later. 

Amaris has been here a week, staying with Garth and Kim but visiting Seth when he’s around (meals, etc).  She’ll be here at least another week.

Ohhhh…. Pat and Beth married since they are now in the US.  Peter and Stacey were their witnesses.  One baby was asleep and the other was awake for the wedding.  I will get some pics off facebook to send you all.  They look like they were taken with a phone, but still really cute. Our family is hoping to make the 8 hr. trip down to Palmer, AK to visit them for a few day. They probably will not be coming to the farm any time soon, so this is our chance to see the girls before they get any bigger! Already teething and crawling and pulling themselves up, pretty soon they will be walking!

Some of the kids have been sick with colds, but it seems that they are getting better. 

Spring play is coming up this week. I think it is Namaan. Rob has a part as usual. May has been busy making backdrops with some help from Cody and Annie. 

Trying to get in my snowshoeing quota before the snow goes away, although there is still plenty of it.

Well, I better get myself to church.  More later

EVENTS AT THE LAND, DC. ALASKA

Good evening.  We’ve had a pleasant few days – wind on Sunday that drifted everything, fresh snow on Monday, and normal temperatures for today.  But… I noticed that the temperature is slowing dropping.  When I came home from supper it was 4°, now it’s -4°. 

This past weekend was special because Seth and Kevin headed up a guys team for cooking supper.  Mark Coy, Matt Dean, Chris Williams, and Cody Williams helped too.  Their menu of Roast Moose, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, Rolls, Tea, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Ice cream turned out superbly.  Saturday they cooked and sliced their meat and made their cookies.  On Sunday, they had many firsts – making gravy, mixing rolls, steaming frozen green beans.  Although comical to watch, they did a really good job and did turn out a nice meal. 

Chris, Bekah, and Melissa with their dogs came out for Friday night and part of Saturday.  Tommy has been taking the young people to Dot Lake on Friday nights to play basket ball.  It is nice for the kids to get out of the house and do something active in the dead of winter.  I do appreciate Tommy taking the kids. Hopefully Rob will be allowed to go one of these days. He still needs some monitoring and is not ready for such outings, without somebody assigned to him - for his safety. I have found him a couple of times just sitting in the empty Tab, waiting to be asked to go - of course the van had already left him behind…oh well, he's just gonna have to get used to that am afraid.

Austin Mitchell went home on Saturday.  It seems he had a good time while here.  My kids were discussing the nice change in “manly” dynamics that Austin brought to the young people’s group. 

One of the orthodontists in town had his yearly pizza-pool party for his clients and their families.  Three families went into town for that – Masons, Squires, & VanderHarts. Rob is also a client but we had just come back from a 2 week stink in Fairbanks for his tonsillectomy and gas is so exp. that we opted out of this one…sorry Rob!

Annie posed for a photo shoot by Sarahs' Photography course. The theme was "Femininity". They turned out really nice. I think she looks stunning. Thanks Sarah!

Pat and Bethany and the twins flew from England to Wasilla, AK this past weekend.  Stacey and Peter posted pictures of the twins when they went to help Pat and Beth get settled in their apartment.  I don’t know when we’ll catch a glimpse of the kids. Pat & Gri and their family will be going down to visit them sometime in March.

  

The Fouse's bunny popped out eight bunnies on Monday night.  The Fouse children think it’s really great to have so many bunnies.  Hmmmm…..  They do grow up, and then what?  We told Haley that we liked rabbit stew, but she wasn’t fond of that idea. One of Annie's bunnies went to bunny heaven…Shamar the lovely gray part Rex…not sure why…I hid her from view and will give her a proper burial when the snow thaws…poor Ani. Probably happened when we had that real cold snap of -40. Talking about pets, seems like Petunia de guinea pig is in the family way…hum…65 day gestation period is a long time…hope all goes well. 

  

And, the biggest news of all is that our community will be hosting a youth camp this summer on the weekend of June 9^th.  We don’t have any details really worked out yet – we will be talking about those soon so we can make plans.  We do know that Bro Dan Riccardelli will be coming up to help us out.  It’s all very nebulous at this point other than that we are going to do this.  More details to follow. This is our second youth camp. The first was the first year Pat & Gri were married. They and Andy Trotter actually hiked up to Fish Lake and helped set up the camp. That was like 25 YEARS AGOI!..Wow...J 

Have a great week!!!!  

These northern light photos are from Fairbanks photographer Patrick Endres. at http://photos.alaskaphotographics.com/

Good morning… Yesterday we woke up to -10°, but today it is only 10° above.  Upon looking outside, I see that it snowed about ½ an inch during the night.  Everything will look fresh.

I haven’t seen any new photo ops of the Northern Lights, but we did have a plethora of events to photograph concerning the children and young people. On Sunday night after dinner, grades 1-4 sang and did a little skit for us.  They were really cute, esp the toothless 2^nd graders.  

After that, Judy and Steve had a young people’s square dance night since Austin is here.  Judy had arranged for Tommy and Carolyn to come direct and coordinate the dancers.  A lot of fun was had.  Wednesday night instead of church, the high school sang and did a skit for us.  We had a guest appearance from May Buongiorne who sang a Mary Magdalene song.  Also, noteworthy was that Kathryn and Cody were the pianists for all the music except for May’s song, which Miss JoAn played.  Those guys do a really good job! 

In March, we will have a play put on by the Jr High students.  For several evenings, May and Annie and Cody have been designing new backdrop curtains for this event.  I tried to convince May that maybe I should get to use these backdrops for my photo backdrops sometimes.  She’s not convinced.  They are chalk painted and easily damaged (the chalk part).  They are spraying their work with hair spray which helps keep the chalk from moving so much but not entirely.

It seems that Austin’s been having a great visit.  He always has a smile on his face if that is an indicator. 

Jarred and Jennifer left yesterday for a meet up with Jennifer’s sisters in Hawaii.  Grandma and Grandpa Milliron with Kelly will do the baby sitting.  J

Kelsey and Brandon were out for several hours on Monday.  Kelsey was right in the kitchen helping her friends make dinner as if she’d never been gone.

Either I dreamed that I wrote about some things, or I did write about them and I can’t find my own email.  Anyway, Ann and Merlin went to Fbks this week because Micah had some intense physical therapy to do for three days.  Also, Nicolas had a lump on his left eardrum that was going to be operated on.  Both those events went well.  Nic’s lump was bigger than expected and was on either side of the eardrum, but it was taken out effectively.  Although a little woozy, Nic was back to school yesterday. 

Becky Riche has been to and from Anchorage several times to determine what this strange area is in her lungs.  After having pneumonia in the fall, which never seemed to clear up, Becky went for tests.  The Dr’s still aren’t sure, after all these tests, what the spot is, whether it’s scar tissue, cancer, or something else.  In the meantime, they did find a broken rib which must be uncomfortable.  To me, that is a discomfiting report.  But, the Lord has Becky in His hands, I know.  If you want to write Becky, here is her address: becky_riche@hotmail.com


I have been going out with the young children on my snow trails. Ages Gr. 2 down to PreK...they like it and so do I.

Pat and I continue to take Rob out on week ends, good exercise and he likes being out and about!

Annie is trying her hand at her new handmade jewelry shop. She opened a page on FB as well as on Etzy.com, take a look! She is going to Fairbanks with one of the sisters here, who also makes handmade items to be a part of a small craft bazaar....pretty excited about that!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anis-Curios/324377150931362?ref=ts

I’m sure I’m missing news, but I have to get moving.  Fridays are busy days for me.  I can’t start behind.  (ooops, I already am).
Hv a great week!

RECENT EVENTS...

Wow! It's been a while, not since Convention I guess. Well things quieted down after the -40 weather and Convention came and went. Mid Feb. ALREADY…OUCH!

Weather has turned nicer, in some aspects, but not so much in others…warmer and sun makes it NICER, spring overflow into the creek makes it a BUMMER for my snoshoeing trails…have had quite a few incidents where my young adventurers have found themselves snoshoeing in the slush…wet boots and cold feet!

Yesterday, we had clear but above zero weather; this morning it is -14°.  It’s a little brisk but fine weather for February.

Jarred, Seth, and Kevin are still in Salcha working on the roof on the cabin that the loggers put up.  They should be home tonight.  This guy lives in the middle of nowhere in the wilderness, down the river from Salcha…

Mark Coy has been diligently working on his new home so he can move in.  He’s doing a major re-haul on the inside – I haven’t been down in awhile to see what he’s up to.  He’s fixing up the home that Nancy Moore built.  Once the Moores moved away, the Grecus, then Tates, then the Thomas Nerbonne family have lived there. 

Sister Margaret’s ankle seems to be improving daily.  She’s been limping around, but I’m sure she’ll be running around as usual soon.

Cathy Purdy is still homebound with her bad knees.  She made it out to one service.  I haven’t heard if or when she’ll have knees replaced. 

Ben Persinger and his wife, Olga, are having a baby in March.  Seems like there are some other March babies I’m forgetting. 

In July, Chris and Rebekah will have their baby.  In a couple of weeks, we will find out what the baby is.  Also, due in July is Liz (Baltrum) Werhonig.  Don (her husband) just posted to facebook that they are having a girl.

Finally took 6 young kids (Fouses and Millirons) snoshoeing as promised. Even Jordan came and he is 3! So cute! He told me early on on the adventure - with his Spiderman plastic snowshoes on _ "Miss Gwizlda, can I ride in the sled?"…err…hum…defeats the purpose - but how could I resist a cute 3 yo with such an angelic smile. So we all took off into the white and blue yonder and went actually almost all the way to Kohler's beach! A normally 45' trek for me but turned into over an hour with the troupe….we could hear the dogs barking…every nook and cranny on the creek bed HAD TO BE EXPLORED, OR DUG INTO OR CLIMBED UP AND SLID DOWN…what energy!…pulling the sled with J was not as tough as I thot it wld be on the trails, he's such a little guy…all bundled up and making a running conversation on everything that was happening:….

"Miss Gwizlda, why are there so many bumps?  Why are we stopping now? Where are the dogs? Are we gonna go see the dogs? I can hear them barking, can you hear them barking Miss Gwizlda?….are you getting tired of pulling me Miss Gwizlda?….

finally…..

Jordan said: 

……"Miss Gwizlda - my hands are cold! can we go back now?"…he was just sittin' like a little prince so of course he got cold…so we turned around and came back…sun shining on our backs…

Then I piled them all into a car and dropped them off at their cabin. A good time was had, I think…we shall see if I have any repeats…

Only 6 days till Pat, Beth and the girls are in Alaska! yaaiiii..

Have a great weekend!!!  

SATURDAY NEWS...from my friendly neighbor ..

Hi.  Imagine my surprise yesterday morning, when I stepped out my front door in little teeny flats, to find it snow AND blowing snow like madness.  I was running late, so I plowed through as I was.  It was snowy and blowy all day.  Around supper time, the skies opened up to dump a lot of snow on us before dropping down to a brisk -25 this am.  For my photography class, I’m supposed to be getting an “early morning light” pic, but I just can’t be inspired by coldness and grayness and flatness of light.  Anyone have an idea for something indoors?  My computer and desk lamp maybe?

Jon and Sarah Riche, who are on a trip to the US to see various family members, have arrived to grace our community with their presence.  They arrived a little before supper yesterday and will stay through Sunday supper.  They are staying with Hannah and Craig Mason.  Last night the young folk came to our house bringing Sarah and Jon with them.  Sarah kept the whole house rocking with stories and questions; Jon kept his long arm about Sarah and would sorta pull her closer to him when he felt she needed it.  They were hilarious, and I was amazed at the stories Sarah so innocently pried out of the kids. Rob was invited as well and came back late but happy. May also got a chance to catch up with Jon and Sarah since her 4 month long stay in Blessington in 2009.

I heard that the convention at Haines went really well; they had lots of snow with 40° temps.  They left for Hoonah today – flying via Wings of Alaska and the Grand Caravan with a brief stop in Juneau.  Pray for their flights to and from today and Tuesday and for the convention in between.  J 

We had an excellent “popping” sharing meeting on Wednesday.  Gary Horender (Jennifer’s father) led praise with his accordion.  He sings a lot of older songs so it was funny to see some of the young kids struggling with the words of songs that we’ve known for forever.  Then Gary shared first “since he was already up at the pulpit”.  We had several prayer needs – one that most of you would know and which is very serious is for Bro Nyron Wheeler at Whitestone.  He wasn’t doing well so he was taken to the hospital where they gave him a blood transfusion.  I haven’t heard any new news. 

My family is hollering for breakfast…. I better go.  Have a great weekend. 

Oh yes...Seth opened the creek trail for me...with his snomachine, so now we have another nice trail to take the kids snowshoeing on...I usually do this on my own but the snow was about 4 feet deep just too much lil ole me....and most importantly the sun has started to peek above the plateau and Horn Mt. and actually shining directly on to the Tabernacle kitchen window and  beyond isn't that AWESOME!...not for very long mind you, but at least its HERE AGAIN!

I know this will be totally above most people's heads....only us ALASKANS truly understand this ...haha

FRIDAY NEWS FLASH...

Morning all,

I wanted to write quickly and brag about our weather.  Sometime after convention, the temperature started to rising till it reached -20°.  It stayed in that area till Wednesday when a miserable wind blew in.  But, that miserable wind warmed our temps to zero and above.  Yesterday (Thursday), we awoke to 2° and no wind – all was calm, peaceful, and beautiful!  And, during the day, the temp rose as high as 18° ABOVE zero.  Why couldn’t that have been for last week when we had convention?  This morning is -5° which is still very manageable. 

The ministry drove to Haines on Monday.  They had a few minor things to deal with on the trip like slippery roads and rain.  But, they are in Haines safe and sound now.  They will go over to Hoonah on Saturday, if nothing changes with their schedules.  (Sis Freddie, I did give your message to Bro Ernest – he was going to contact you and see what could be arranged)  I did pass on any and all messages that came to the ministry while they were here – to all of you who sent messages.  I’m sorry I never told you that till now. 

After convention sickness has not been too abounding which is an excellent thing! Well except for my dear MIL Flo who has come down with a case of laryngitis...

Anyway, wld hv liked this kind of weather for convention, but oh well..."the land of the frozen chosen"...right?

Big Pat's on fire-watch this week so has to make early morning rounds and late evening rounds to all the boilers that heat  the public building, wellhouse, schools, Tab....some other workshops...

New seating arrangement for this new month always makes for interesting table conversations...

Rob is working hard at his online Math and Phonics. LOVES HIS IPAD! The School District gave him one of these nifty gadgets and after downloading a bunch of educational game like applications he is on his own. He can do math, phonics, spelling and mind bender type of activities...and math flash cards and money changing activities...

May and Annie are busy with activities around the place. Annie is busily making her chunky jewelery which has become very popular here, making it for anybody who asks her. Maybe she can try and sell it sometime...

May is busy working on props and backdrops for the school spring play coming up...I think it is "Namaan"...put on by our most excellent senior musician/composer Miss JoAn...May has  hired the help of some of the young high schooler and I think they have a grand time in the Tab, with colored chalk, big empty spaces of white sheets, snacks and music...May took over my job of head prop and backstage manager - that I getting too stressful anymore (after about 11 years) , and she is doing a wonderful job. Of course May is also busy planning her veggie garden for next summer, has made plans and blueprints of the layout and everything...seems to enjoy it all very much.

Our next highlight is the arrival of PatLou, Bethany, Ella and Esther to Anchorage of Feb. 26th. I will make a trip to see them as soon as they get settled in...can't wait! Those babies are getting soooo big! If I can I will include a short clip of the girls eating their cukes....

I think you can view it if you click on this link...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2931564099922

Anyway, I’m running late, as usual, so I’m off to school.  

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