OCTOBER EVENTS, SO FAR....long

Hello Folks, Since I have been remiss for the past few weeks this one is rather long. Just plain news with no frills. This post gives a run-down of particular situations which need our prayer and attention. 

God bless and help us All!

Ps. 18:

1I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.

2The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

3I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

5The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

6In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

<<16He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

17He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

..31For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?

32It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect

.

33He

maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

34He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

35Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

36Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip...

From Sarah, our resident reporter:

Just a quick hello note.  Most of our soggy snow has melted esp after yesterday’s slight, warm breeze.  This morning it is 29°. 

The loggers left early on Tuesday morning to build a small cabin near Summit.  They left at 6 am and arrived home at 7 pm. 

School seems to be going well for everyone.  I’m super excited about my photography class.  Soon we will be inundating you with pictures again.  We’ve had to make some adjustments in our teacher situation since last winter we lost Rachel and now Andy and Sarah Jane are in the states for some time.  Gri is doing Rob and HS Rosetta Spanish with 3 students. Ann had taken Bro Andy’s science class, Kathryn has taken his math classes and a history class, Sister Margaret has incorporated Sis Sarah Jane’s classes into her own.  Jo has come back to the elementary school to help Jeni, Kath, and Ann over there.  Carolyn, Cathy P, and I are doing our regular classes I think.  The Trotters are sorely missed!

We had a prayer meeting on Wednesday since we felt overwhelmed with our many needs – Bro Andy, Sis Millie, and so much more. 

On Tuesday night, while Basalygas were in Fairbanks, Sis Millie experienced a TIA.  Bro Rus was able to get her to the hospital in good time, but she has been so weak that they are still there.  Sis Millie loves hand written notes, but if anyone would like to send an email to me (or tolivingwordministry73@gmail.com – which I still get J), I will get it up to Fbks to her.  If you’d like to hand write a letter, well, I suppose you could mail it here.  She’ll most likely be home by then. 

Kathy Casey has arrived home from her trip to see her family; she was quite happy to see the snow.  (NOT!)

I have posted my potato harvest pictures to Facebook.  I’ll put down the link but I’m not sure just anyone can see them.  I had to privatize my pictures since I had some malcontents taking my pictures and using them to show how prosperous we have gotten at the expense of those who have left and how abusive we are towards children (having them work in the garden, etc).  I’ll send a few by email for you who can’t access fb.  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151667619381569.1073741846.674561568&type=1&l=89a8ba20c3

&amp;&amp;&amp;&&

Hi.  Today was a little dreary with gray clouds and gusts of wind that probably reached 20 mph or higher at times.  Of course, the temperature is staying between 50° and 56°, but the wind is not a happy wind. 

We had a work day on Sunday to work on projects that need to be buttoned up before winter time.  It was mostly a man work day but some of us women did other things, like pack up things in the Basalyga house.  The men worked on putting in a new boiler at the tabernacle.  The plan for that new boiler is that it has pipes running to it from the generator shed.  The heat from the generator shed is supposed to supplement the boiler to help heat the tabernacle and provide plenty of hot water for the tab’s needs.  (Yeah, I don’t know if I said all that right, but you men can figure it out).  I did see the old men’s outhouse being hauled away to the dump.  That outhouse tipped over in that hideous windstorm we had last fall.  Because we’re moving Bro Rus’ office upstairs and the Basalyga’s living quarters downstairs, a crew went over there – some into demolition, others into taking down pictures and storing items safely.  Oh, and some guys put in the smaller Hobart bread machine (right next to our big one) for when we need to make small batches of things.  It was a successful day mostly. 

Since my last email, Bro George Harris has been diagnosed with acute mylogenous leukemia.  Val started a blog about the situation where we can go to for updates.  Here is the link: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/georgelharris

I talked to Bro Rus tonight; not much is different since the last time I wrote.  But Bro Rus said they had a good day today.

Joel Milliron and Dena and son, Jameson, are visiting for a few days.  Actually, Dena was here for three days before going home leaving behind Jameson and his dad to visit with the rest of their family.   The Nathan Milliron family has gotten tired of the Alaskan winters and are soon heading back to Arizona. 

Kelly Milliron and Kevin Jepsen are approved to start wedding plans.  I will keep you posted when I know something more.  J

Bro Andy is still running a slight fever although he is doing somewhat better.  He will see the doctor tomorrow and we’ll know more of what is going on.  Hannah’s family is sorely missing her, but I know her folks are enjoying her stay with them.  Craig is making slow progress on his cabin. 

Hannah Davis will reach 33 weeks tomorrow; if all continues as it is, she will have a caesarean delivery on November 6^th. 

Ben’s mom had couple of strokes in the past couple of weeks and is in the hospital in Vancouver. On Sunday morning, Sharon ate and brushed her teeth before falling asleep.  Although all her vitals appear fine, she is still “asleep”.  Ben and Ellen (from Whitestone) have flown to Vancouver to support Hal and the other siblings.

Tommy has been in Kodiak working for Jason U – the unofficial story is that he’s down there hunting.  To be fair, he’s probably doing some of both. 

My photography class has grown from three to five students.  They are such interested children that I’m completely enjoying them.  The original three students are high school kids (Bradie, Amanda, and Nic) while the other two are graduates – Rachel Lupo and Cody Williams.  Soooon, you will get to see some pictures.  We are busy learning a few techniques before we start showcasing photos. 

Rob is enjoying some cool kits for Science (Human Body, Minerals, Weather, Planets and Solar System) courtesy of REACH ACADEMY, Tok. He is also enjoying his ART 101 with Miss Katie Crossin.

Have a great week.

POTATO HARVEST AND SCHOOL START...

Good morning!  It appears that we did not collect our potatoes too soon.  All weekend, we’ve had wet flurries of snow that wasn’t really sticking, but this morning, we have a nice inch layer of snow on the ground.  It still looks pretty wet which is understandable since the temperature is right at 32°. 

We picked up potatoes on Saturday through the wet flurries.  Since we had such a great turn out of people, we were done in just a couple of hours.  We even had some neighbors help – Betty Hilliker, Paul Trotzke, and the Hudgin family. 

Bro Andy has had a few rough days, but we believe that those are behind him. 

Griselda went for a women’s retreat this weekend.  She seemed to have a great time.  Wenda took Sis Rose Dunning to Anchorage for a dental appointment.  Why Anchorage?  Because she’s used that dentist for 30 years, and they were in the middle of a crown work up when she moved here.

The guys are madly trying to finish baling the straw which is selling nearly as fast as we can bale it.  I’m not sure where we are in the grain harvest. 

First day of school went off with a blast! The kids were so ready to start, they were waiting on their desks before the bell rang...haha...hope this keeps up.

Rob has a busy week, taking art with Miss Katie Crossin - with the BIG kids - as he makes note, as well as PE with Jarred Milliron and the rest of the grade school. I plan to supplement it with Snowshoeing and his treadmill.

Rob has really gotten into Narnia, so we are reading abridged versions I found online with LOTS of neat pictures, some are based on the movies and he likes that. Still does Phonics and Math online plus regular workbooks, hope to get in some science and Heritage too, as well as his Rosetta. It's a matter of planning for me...so much we could do, but the pace is so slow that we can't fit it in, but we'll do the best we can.

Pat has gone off for a week of tuning in Valdez. He says it's nice and sunny still, while we are slushy, wet, cold and gray... :(

Pat and Beth have closed on the house they were looking at. Yaaaiiii. We will see them for Thanksgiving.

Ani is doing well, learning many needed lifeskills, content but missing us as we do her. May and I plan to go visit for Christmas.

Keep the Faith and stay strong in the Lord. Bless you and have a great week!

END SEPTEMBER CONTINIUM

Even though the winds in the last couple of days were not particularly warm, it has kept the temperature more moderate, and it has melted most of the snow that we had.  This morning at 7 am, it is 28° and calm. 

This past week, we cut the last of our moose meat and put it away, and we harvested our potatoes that we plant on this side of the farm.  I think we collected four or five bins of nice sized potatoes.  Later on, either Saturday or Sunday, but probably Sunday, we will harvest our potatoes from ATR.   The men have a few buttoning up projects to finish with construction and with farming (straw, grain, etc) before we are set for the winter.

Also, this week, we received news that Seth and Amaris’ relationship is witnessed to by the family, the elders, and the Lord.  I know no details of when, where, and where (yes, I said where twice), but we will know those things when it is time. 

Bro Andy had his surgery yesterday and since his tumor was bigger than expected and a little more involved than expected, the hospital stay will be a little longer than expected.  Their email isasjtrotter@gmail.com if anyone would like to send a note to them.  The Trotters were given an ipad from their sweet son in law, Craig, so they can easily collect email and even do imessage (via their email address). 

Hannah Davis was 30 weeks yesterday; they are praying that she makes it till 37 weeks.  Hannah’s email is hannahdav@hotmail.com if you’d like to write to her.  I’ve heard a couple of times from Judy and Steve; they are doing well, although pretty busy chasing Owen around, Hannah’s two year old boy. 

The Loggers show did air on Monday night.  I heard it was called Steel vs Snow.  I’m hoping to get the recording from one of my brothers so more here can see it.

The Loggers left last Thursday to build a cabin in Homer. Due to rain and other things, they did not get done as quickly as they planned.  I trust they arrived home late last night.  (They did have a few hours one evening to get in some fishing so they didn’t totally suffer!)

Russell Stendall was indeed here last night to preach.  I’m not sure what he meant his theme to be for sure, but I heard him saying that we shouldn’t be looking for a specific time for God to move because God is moving right now in our lives; and for us to be sure we are found in the right garments for the wedding feast.

Olivia has returned home for awhile. Doing online schoolwork - as Jessy and Olivia are doing - is tough with our remote and not so fast internet set up, but they are doing their best to make it work for them. 

Yesterday was supposed to be Ann and Wayne’s last day in Sapa, but they were having a difficult time getting everything finished before they left so I’m not sure if it really was their last day or not.  If you’d like to send them a note, their email is:  ewgentry@cvalaska.net

Monday next is school and teachers are madly trying to get ready while students are probably wishing the day would never come...well...some do want to come back I guess. Parents are probably happy that they get their kids within 4 walls for part of the day at least, and that they are not all running around like wild things...oh the beauty of carefree summer and fall days on an Alaska farm! How I love thee...

Rob got a new Speech Pathologist, which he had when he was 3. She came back and now is meeting him all over again as a 16 year old. HOW COOL IS THAT! Thanks Debra Fortune, good year ahead for Rob's team!

Here's a little dirt bunny we found in the tater field.

                                                  BE MY POTATOE HEAD VALENTINE

Have a good day and rest of the week.

END OF SEPTEMBER EVENTS...AND FIRST SNOW! :(

The high temperature for the last couple of days has been 36° with the temperature dropping to 16° and 26° on different nights.  We’ve had snow flurries for the past several days.  Some of the snow has been sticking which is rather discouraging.  

I’m sorry that the show about the loggers didn’t air as planned.  I heard it might be tonight.  I can’t sufficiently check this out as our internet has been loading slowly.  Maybe someone else can find out for me.  Or you can just find it yourselves.  :)  I heard the show cancelled last week due to the crazy storms in Colorado.   That is understandable as that part of the US has been hit with some very severe weather of late.  

We have a crew of guys in Homer for five or six days building a house.  They drove through snow in the pass and have had lots of rain while working. 

This past weekend, a crew from here while some from Eagles’ Ridge and Whitestone went to Sapa to help close up the community.  It was a precious time, from what I understand, of work, fellowship, memories, and a honoring of those that have given their lives to the place. Rose Dunning came home with our group and will live here now.  During one of the nights there, they woke up to the sound of crackling and Bro Guillermo shouting that there was a fire somewhere.  
The preschool building which housed the Hessers too, was on fire.  This particular building had been picked out for the caretakers to live in, and they had just moved some of their things that evening; no one was in the building at the time of the fire and no one was injured due to firefighting.  It took quite some time for firefighters to show up to help the folks at Sapa. 

Some of the propane tanks by the side of the cabin that burned, exploded...well at least they went out with a BANG and not with a whine, not making light of the situation however the saying seems to fit. It was definitely a busy weekend for all those folks. Garth brought a small semi load of stuff back which will be put to good use by the community at The land. May got a very nice leather sewing machine, from somebody who had it there and it was kinda left abandoned, those things are not cheap, so she is quite happy!

School has been postponed for another week since we are still finishing up some harvest and meat butchering.  Many of the kids are dismayed (mostly girls!), but our teachers are happy for a few more hours of preparation. 

I heard that Russell Stendal will be here to preach this upcoming Wednesday night.  Bonnie went to the states last week to bring Chloe and Clayton home for school.  Hannah will stay with her folks for a few more weeks yet.  Bro Andy is due for surgery on September 25^th. I posted some fall mowing ATR pictures on fb; here is a link:  

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151654306701569.1073741845.674561568&type=1&l=722b3d2552

It has been decided that due to the changing weather and the threat of snow and cold temps, we are to do potatoes even though our numbers are diminished due to the loggers being gone. So 3 pallets of taters have been grovelled up from the snow and rather wet dirt this evening. Not the best circumstances and not even half of what we have yet to dig up. Our big potato fields are ATR (Across The Road) and this will hopefully be done this coming Sunday. Hope the weather holds out on us for that.

Here are some photos of this evening tater harvest...it was cold, there was snow on the ground, the dirt was wet, the machine kept getting stuck and did I mention it was COLD...much rather do it on a nice sunny day, but one can't always be choosy right? Not when it comes to Alaska weather

Chatted with Ani and she is getting her bearings w/o her aunt Karenza there to guide her. She seems like she is enjoying the new challenges of living on her own and being independent and driving herself to her various jobs, etc. Well, what more can a parent want? We miss her but also know that she is on the right path for this time in her life and pray God's continued guidance as she matures and gets established in whatever He has for her. Mary and Dr. Tim Tesi are watching over her so I know she is in good hands. Praying  xtra guardian angesl to watch as well...just in case... :). 

Harvesting taters again this week end.

Have a great week

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Again, I’m sorry that I haven’t written in awhile.  This time of year can be hectic.  We had a slow start to the moose season.  Mark Coy kicked off the hunting season on the first day by shooting his moose in the FishLake area.  Soon afterward, Chris Toby and Tony each shot their moose near East Fork.  Then Kevin andKelly each shot moose on the same day but from different areas (FL and EF).  Seth J shot the last of the four moose taken out of East Fork while Seth F, Jarred, and Brad shot their moose in the Fish Lake area.  Since most of the moose was shot near the of the season, we are just now happily butchering and processing the moose meat.  BTW, after Seth F shot his moose, Jackson proudly told all of us that he and his family had been praying that their dad would catch a moose, and he did!  J 

May and Pat went out on a crew but sadly did not get a moose. I think they both enjoyed it, the weather was lovely for fall and at least it was not rainy or super cold like it sometimes can get. Pat's take on the situation is that because of the slow start of summer, the moose were less prone to be in rut at the appropriate time, also there was an abundance of grizzlies up there and that doesn't help. All in all we are happy with the hunting since we got 9 out of our usual 12-13 moose which will keep the community through the winter and into next hunting season hopefully.

Today, the cranes were very noisily flying over.  They’ve been going over for days, but today they were especially in a hurry.  Maybe it’s because it was trying to snow in the Interior today?  The other night, our low temperature was 16°.  Now, at 10:30 pm, it is 36° and raining.  The high temperature today was 47°. 

We harvested the carrots last night.  Gri has an album posted somewhere on fb.  I’ll try to find the link.  If you are a friend of a friend, you should be able to see Griselda’s album of much of our harvest time. 

https://www.facebook.com/griselda.h.buongiorne/media_set?set=a.10201082068725621.1073741870.1585591801&type=1

Because Sapa is trying to close down this month, a big group from our farm and some from Eagle’s Ridge are going down to Sapa for a long weekend to help them winterize the place. I belive Siser. Rose Dunnin will be joining our community as soon as a cabin is made available for her.

Hannah, Chloe, and Clayton left earlier this month to visit Andy and Sarah Jane.  Bonnie left on Sunday to bring the children home in time for school.  Then, we put off school for another week because of all our getting ready for winter projects.  Lynn and Steve recently went over to visit Andy and Sarah Jane.  They were impressed with how well the Trotters are doing. 

Hannah Davis has been having difficulty with her pregnancy and contractions again.  She’s nearly 29 weeks.  We’re praying for a few more weeks of pregnancy. 

Lizzie Jepsen who is studying Journalism wrote a paper for the SunStar UAF campus paper.  Here is a link to her article: 

http://www.uafsunstar.com/archives/24154

Ohhhhhhhh….. BIG NEWS:  On Thursday, the show with an episode or two of our logger guys is airing on Thursday.  I have a link for that as well:  Well, actually, I don’t.  Upon rereading the email I was sent, it says that the guys’ episode will air on the Weather Channel at 9 PM.  It is titled “Heavy Metal Monsters”.  Here’s the quote from the guy who sent the guys the info in case I have misrepresented the information.

            Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know the show is going out on Thursday at 9.00pm on the Weather Channel,

            its followed by another episode.  The broadcaster has gone with the title ‘Heavy Metal Monsters’ so you know what to look

            for in the listings.

Mike Zoebel, the husband of Cami Zoebel the Paramedic from the Tok EMS service who has trained most of our local paramedics, died in an airplane and hunting related crash near the beginning of September.  Cami is one of the EMT teachers who has helped us out with so many of the refresher courses and with getting us an ambulance stationed out here.  http://www.adn.com/2013/09/06/3061334/pilot-dies-in-crash-west-of-glennallen.html and http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130906/bad-weather-keeps-ambulance-retrieving-anchorage-pilots-remains

Al Lorenzen has been faithfully putting a gravel mix in the many potholes on our roads around the farm.  You have to watch your step because he is piling them higher than the road itself probably thinking that they’ll even out and get pounded into the ground soon enough. 

Joe Brandes, brother to Olivia Brandes who spent her senior year here, is here for school.  He is a junior in high school and will be staying with the Williams family.  He is totally enjoying our life style so far....

Kathy Casey has gone on a quick trip to visit her parents. 

Carolyn has been gone for a few weeks to spend time with her Fairbanks family.  

As far as my family is concerned. I spent a few days with Bethany and the girls. Too short a time, but sweet. The girls are getting so big and talkative, so cute! They hung around me and grabbed my hands and pulled me to play with their new kitchen toy set, "GammaGi, come play"...oooo...how can one resist them? Pat is still on fire duty in Montana and has been away from his family for far too long, he is due to return in a few more days and then in Nov. will join us in our Thanksgiving celebrations here in Dry Creek. Hopefully they can stay for a bit. We shall see.

Robin enjoyed his time with the nieces and was a good traveler.

My sis Karenza Hanson is flying to Buenos Aires together with her friend Gracia from Spain.They are on a scouting trip to look out for job openings and living possibilities in the near future. Ani in the meantime, will be staying and minding the antique/gift store in Jefferson all by herself, a great adventure I'm sure. Ani has got her driving license and so is able to drive to an from from work. She is settling in very well with the Tesis and I am sure she is in good hands. She misses us and we do her. May and I are planning a short visit for Christmas since my other sister Alejandra and her family will all be together either in Springfield or in Texas. Lord willing. May hasn't seen her cousins since her trip to Spain in 2009 so it will be good for her.

May has been working super hard in the garden all summer long and now has closed it down for the winter. Only our potatoe harvest is still pending. We hope to get it up before the snow flies. Although we have had a light snowfall today already...

School will be starting at the end of the month for all of us. I will be teaching Rob in the morning and have 1 Spanish highschool class plus my budding translation commitments, to keep me busy during the winter months.

Hope you all are well and enjoying life with a song in your heart. Bless you all in the days ahead.