Tuesday Thoughts

 "You seemed a bit down last night and not yourself" a friend texted today. Wasn't it sweet of her to check in? She was right. I had dinner with delightful people, and I was aware I was quiet, and watchful, which is evidently not how I typically present in a group. ::wink:: I didn't sleep much last night, and I finally realize what is going on. As a missionary kid and in the Air Force I KNEW moves were coming. Nothing stayed the same. Transitions happened quite often in our congregations and among ministry staff.  When I give my heart away - it's given.  In my idealized life of "normal" people, civilian people - people stayed put for generations. I didn't realize how hard it would hit to have Shannon and Lindsey leave. Even if they moved on, I expected they'd still be in ALASKA.  This is SILLY. Many have known them twice as long (or longer) than I have. However, I am finding myself introspective and sad as the time approaches for them to not only leave the church, but the state. I'm excited for them. I'm also selfish and would like to have them close by. I am so proud of them, yet I am grieving. Many things can be true at the same time. I've been so busy the last couple of months I haven't had time to process - and the processing has begun. I've been in this space many times. 

I finally fell asleep at 4:45 a.m. and my phone rang at 0600...Yep...the web hosting company for the church calling me at the start of their business day. ::snort:: All the companies agree there is nothing more I can do but wait for the mainframe to transfer and so we wait....but I digress. 

I realized very early in the morning hours this would be a day for a BIG cup of caffeine.  I had the strongest tea I could get my hands on. LOL  I headed to CoRielle's to play with the boys. Today is TUESDAY. I do love our Tuesday morning workouts. We kicked mosquitoes, smashed cockroaches, did some odd "star thing" to chase aliens....and we ran, ran, ran, ran....kept our heart rate up. 

Arielle came home a bit early, so I ran to the library, turned in a couple of books and checked out a couple more. I so love having a library in town - even though its temporary. 

Next up was 4 hours of volunteer work at Wholesome food co-op.  I couldn't tell you exactly what happened - but it started with the first shift and continued into my shift - things were just a bit "off" and chaotic. We DID get the job done and in good time too. We even laughed and chatted while we worked.  Of course, the only photos I have are of spoiled produce - and that isn't worth sharing. LOL  Then again - into every life a bit of spoiled produce does come.  If it's organic, its susceptible to spoilage. Right? Maybe that'll preach. 

By way of a reminder - don't buy the cheap strawberries from OGC.

I struggled to keep my eyes open as I drove the 30 minutes home. 

Stacia made dinner and we ate after we got the produce stowed away. She has gone out to deliver eggs and such to her sisters and then to watch an episode of some series at Alex and Nolan's. I think it's Sci Fi. Michael is going out to loan his truck and to help move Shannon and Lindsey's table to Daniel and Joelle's...and he took Dad with him. 

I'm in my pjs and plan to sit with a book until I fall asleep.  I am the only one home. 

Krista's Medal Presentation

I woke Dad up at 0615 today. I needed to get his morning routine finished before Michael and I left the house. Stacia stayed home with him, and we went to JBER in Anchorage to see Krista receive her first Air Force Commendation medal (I think it's her first). 

We found out she'll be getting another one in the upcoming months, so we'll be able to do it again. It was sort of fun to be back in our familiar environment. We can't take Dad because the building is not ADA and there are three long flights of stairs to climb. 

After the presentation, Krista's commander told her to go spend time with her family. She accompanied us to the People Center where we took care of some ID and DEERS issues. 

We got home with an hour to spare. I spent the time working on the church's website issue...Allie went to work; Stacia and I went to the dentist and Michael stayed with GG. 

This evening Michael and I had a dinner with the church board and minister team leaders.

Stacia and GG stayed home and watched Ratoullie. 

It was a full day - and tomorrow will be busier. 

Red Door Coffee and Trudy

 The girls first began talking about coffee and church a year ago. Stacia was taking a class for college and was tasked with coming up with a way to integrate ministry and technology. She had a whole plan revolving around the coffee corner.  I had an epiphany when I realized the simple cup would give us a point of contact with church members. By serving, rather than providing a self-serve coffee bar - we could make sure everyone got a friendly greeting. We wrote up a proposal, but our pastor resigned the week we planned to give it to him.  He suggested we start with serving coffee. We had brainstormed all the equipment we wanted to buy....but in the end we simply began with what we had. 

We DID keep the name we brainstormed - which we hope in time we will develop. 

Red Door Traditionally a red door symbolizes safety and welcome. A red door signifies the owner wants to be a part of the community and will provide a safe welcome to guests.

1308 The 1308 on our red door comes from Romans 13:8 which says, “Owe no one anything except to love one another; for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” NKJV

Our goal @ Red Door Coffee is to foster an atmosphere of safe welcome and love through providing drinks and a smile.

This is our little corner. We started with a single cup Keurig. The church has since bought a bigger Keurig and a steamer for milk. We are off and running. Our goal is to greet and serve... We love getting to know each person who walks by or stops -  one smile and cup at a time. 

The first week we had several volunteers to be greeters!  Women have been great about volunteering to bring baked good for after service.  We are working out the kinks and then we can enlist volunteers to serve the drinks...and the three of us can rotate weeks. 

Bre sent this cute photo of Trudy. She fell asleep like this on the changing table. Church is tiring - even for little baby girls. 

Sixth Colony Days Parade

We converged at BreZaak's. Izaak had homework...but Bre and the kids were ready for the Colony Days Parade. CoRielle and their three boys, Bre and her five children, Jamin, Allie, Stacia and I walked on down to the parade. It felt fantastic to be out and about in our lovely town. How fun to see people we know in the parade and along the route. Facebook tells me it's been 6 years since we entered Alaska today. This is the longest I've EVER lived one place in my entire life. It is also the longest we've lived in one place in our married life.  I spent a bit of time reflecting on our first parade and who was and wasn't  born at that time. Our family has sure grown in these 6 years. I can't wait to see what the next six years bring. 

Jamin, Allie, Arielle, Cory, Little Buddy*, Jojo, Stacia

Arielle holding Danny, Benny (in panther outfit), Bella, Gideon
Annie and Trudy in the first twin stroller

The Berenise Mountain Dogs were one of our favorites! 

The candy is also a favorite. Tip to parade goers - don't sit right over the manhole. I didn't hear Stacia offer her umbrella to cover it. That was a great idea. 

A photo of Allie because we were happy Allie was off work and college and able to join us!!! 

The tractors - especially the GREEN TRACTOR - was a favorite with this Bachan and Danny and Little Buddy. They LOVE that book. Here is a long line of tractors...

Jojo would be happy to take some candy. 

📷by Bre

📷by Bre

Sweet Trudy. 

📷by Bre

Annie was contained. She would have loved to be chasing candy down the street...but she did GREAT staying in the stroller without complaining. 

📷by Bre

The kids were TERRIBLY excited to see the fire trucks and the fire dog at the top of the truck. 

📷by Bre

📷by Bre

After the parade the rest went to explore the food trucks and bouncy houses. Since we'd done that yesterday, and Allie had to work this evening...we opted to run by Freddies for some milk and head home to RELAX....VIBE....

I threw some steaks in the oven...and cooked them slow...YUMM.  We had a salad, beans and a bit of dirt cake left...easy dinner. Michael took care of clean up so Stacia and I could run to the church to set up the Red Door coffee corner. 

Michael, Stacia and I took all the inputs we have and got all the dates on the calendar for next week. It's going to be busy. I think we can. I even think we should. 

Everyone is having a bit of down time and I did a bit of ministry paperwork and decided to blog. Now I will rest....but the sun won't go down until 11:30 p.m. and I'm sure to pop awake before 3 a.m. when it starts lightening. I AM starting to appreciate parts of our winters. 

*RE Little Buddy and the heart stickers. I know if you are new to the blog, it may seem odd. Why do you reveal names and faces of all but one? Is one of your children nervous about posting their child on the blog?  Why are you posting this child if his parents are nervous? I do get questions. All the kids you see are grandchildren...or children of Mike and I. Little Buddy is Cory and Arielle's foster son. We won't reveal his name or face as long as he is a foster child. He is one month older than Danny and has lived with them since July 2022. He's precious to us. 

Fantastic Friday

Bre had an unfortunate accident Sunday afternoon, and they are down to one vehicle for a bit of time. Today is Bre's birthday. She wanted to take the kids down to Friday Fling for an ice cream....Allie had to go to work at the time we headed over to Bre's house. Stacia and I walked downtown with Bre and the kids.  Annie had a huge blister from previous walks and needed to be in the stroller. 

Double stroller - Jojo and Trudy, Annie (stroller) Bella & Gideon
Bre's kids 📷by Bre

Our library parking lot was FULL of bouncy houses! Food vendors were EVERYWHERE. Vendors galore. It was glorious.  The skies were beautiful. The sun was shining. It was a great day to be out in Alaska. 

The kids each had $5 to spend. Annie and Gideon wanted to spend their $ immediately at the bouncie houses - which they did. 

📷by Bre

📷by Bre

Bella opted to be spoiled by Grandma and check out vendors. She was on a mission to explore the options for her $5. We started with a milk shake from Soda Jerk. Stacia treated us to dumplings and steamed rolls from Grandma Wei's. They were yummy. 

The bouncers joined Jojo, Trudy, Bella and us...we watched them set up for music while the kids enjoyed their pretzel. 

We walked all over the venue and made our way back to the bouncy house. Bella had decided bouncing was the best bet for spending her $ after all. Annie and Gideon were happy to play in the other bouncy houses while Bella and Jojo went into the BIG one. Bre ended up going inside the house to help Jojo navigate the clmbs and slides. This is quite the slide. 

📷by Bre

I love BOTH of their expressions. 

We gathered kids and possessions and walked back to Bre's house.  Stacia and I hurried home and picked up Dad and Michael. We headed into Eagle River and met up at Cy and Carrie's (CyRi) house for dinner and visiting. Jared, Larissa and Noah were there as well. Livie made us some fantastic brownies for dessert. She was excited to share them with us. I cannot believe I neglected getting a photo of Livie. I was off my game. 

"Safe with Bachan!" 📷by Larissa 

CyRi's house has many levels of stairs. It's a darling house. The boys held GG as he walked up and down the stairs. He didn't realize how much help they were giving him. We made it work. It was a fun night out. 

The Untilted Post

 Allie and I ran across to Wasilla and got the oil in her car changed this morning. We had thought we could drop it off, go do Bible study, and pick the car back up.  But it was one of the "get in line and stay in your car places."  It's o.k.  Allie is working so many hours this summer we haven't connected as much as I'd like to. It was fun to steal those moments away in her car.  After study - I was wiped out and took a nap. 

The girls took Millie and headed out for a bit of fun in the wind and sun.  This was a training run for Millie. Stacia wants her to learn how to be well-mannered when I have to take her places. Allie sat in the back with her and trained, while Stacia drove. 

Noah got all dressed up and went to his Daddy's office party today! He's pretty cute too. 

I want to title this "cuteness overload" but I'm afraid the girls would not like that title. LOL  Two girls and a boy...nah...Hmmm...

Life Group

 Look at this group! We love the melding of ages and viewpoints. It's been a good thing. There were 27 of us tonight.  We have one more meeting before we take a bit of a break. Summer is so very short; we want to get out and enjoy it. 

We begin with a potluck and an hour of visiting. 

I love that we have youth, college age, single, young married, 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's in the group. We learn from each other. Hearing perspectives across the generations challenges us not to get "stuck" in our ways. LOL 

We are currently spending about 40 - 45 minutes discussing how to apply one of the recent sermons we've heard at church. We meet every other week. We end with prayer. 

And just sometimes...it's the men that are talking at the end and holding up the exit. ::snort::

I do love this group!