He's Up, Up and Away

Jared and Jamin called and wanted to stop by. We appreciated the last visit before Jared took Jamin to the airport. 

This has been a lovely season having us all in the same location. Jamin never planned on staying as long as he did and we are so very thankful he DID stay here the fall of 2015.  It was a blessed season, and we know adult children chase their own dreams....

While we are happy Jamin is chasing his dream and we would never hold him back, we are sad that this truly does bring this blessed season of us all being so close to an end. Josiah is gone this side of eternity, Krista and Jamin are both gone for a good many years - at least as far as we can tell. What a blessing it has been for our younger ones to have these years in the same location as our older children. Jamin promises to visit...so while this is not debilitating grief it surely is a type of grief. 

After the boys left we introduced Melia to Farkle. Stacia walked away with the win. 

An Exciting Sunday

Sundays are always busy; this one was especially busy. 

Stacia joined the three of us to go to church at ACF this morning as it is Jamin's last Sunday in Alaska.  We went to a favorite Asian restaurant. It was great to see Carrie and the girls this morning, back from their month long in the sun. Carrie joined us for lunch.  At some point Jamin mentioned he was meeting Bre and kids at Big Dippers for ice cream at 4. It turns out CoRielle and kids, Bre and kids, Nolan, Alex, Stacia, Melia and Michael and I were all there. 

Before we could head home to the valley, Stacia and Michael went to get a couch from Jamin's. It will live in Stacia's living room. Melia and I went to Chugiak and picked up a few items of hers from a friend.  We had 20 minutes at home before we had to leave. I washed up 4 dozen eggs, and we headed out the door. 

I realized I had a lot planned at the 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. time slot. I dropped Melia off at the ice cream parlor and I went to pick up coffee at Lekkers, Kombucha at 203 Kombucha, and tea sandwiches and cheesecake bites at Sweet Gypsy's. A friend picked up 7 dozen cookies from Sophia's. NO, we weren't suffering from the munchies. I had agreed to help set up snacks for ACF's first vision night for a new campus out here. I picked everything up and got back to visit for 10 minutes in the ice cream parlor. So many farewells and tomorrow Jamin will fly out and begin his Florida adventure. 

Some of the family 

More family 

Next in our busy day was ACF's first Vision Night as we plan for the launch of a campus here in the Valley. 

We didn't have a clear idea of how many would attend. We planned for 100.  It was exciting to see this part of the vision...and people showed up...but more importantly God showed up. We worshipped and discussed the vision to amplify grace to the churched, the unchurched and the dechurched...to be a community for sojourners...to see it be "In Alaska as it is in heaven." 

We are right side, 3rd row back on the aisle

 

We broke to write the names of our "one mores" on the walls in the building. It was meaningful to see how many people we all bring in our hearts, hoping to provide a community for each.  It was exciting to see so MANY names so quickly gathered...people each of us are praying for. 

We reassembled for more worship and a discussion of the next steps. It was a sweet time. 120 people came to worship, watch and wait for a vision of how God will use us in the valley. It does remind me of another group of 120 waiting and watching in Acts 1. 

On a side note, there was much coffee left and the line for kombucha was long. I've found my people. ::Snort:: 

Turning 62

I had a very full birthday today! 

I woke up and went with Stacia to take her car to the mechanic. On the way home she bought me a birthday bevvy. 

I was just finishing the first drink when door dash arrived with a Bevvy all the way from VA. Thank you, Allie. 

I went into the day fully caffeinated! I met over at Cory and Arielle's and Arielle, Benny and Danny and I headed to watch Aladdin Jr. All the actors were 6 - 18 years old and they all did a great job! Thanks for the birthday play, CoRielle. 

Back at home, Michael was up but not feeling well at all. The girls and I headed into town to pick up Stacia's car and grab dinner at  a local restaurant.  

We decided to go home and spend some time in the hot tub. The sky cooperated and we had a lovely clear night of stars to enjoy while we talked and soaked. 

Krista video called from Okinawa. Our rather boisterous conversation alarmed several who passed by her car. It was a great day all the way around. 

My favorite active-duty chaplain 

I find myself having turned 62. I remember being so excited when I turned a respectable 30 years old. ::snort:: I am taking a page from a dear high-school friend who counted 60 ACTS last year to celebrate her 60th year. ACTS defined as:  Adventures, Connections and Travels. I started counting last year and lost track - which I decided is perfectly fine. The intentionality to be present and to fully live life is more important than the tracking of it...and so I am going to be intentional about choosing adventures, connections and travels this year. 

Friday with Bachan and Melia

This day ran like CLOCKWORK - and it's good it did. I got up on time, continued my progress through the book of Exodus, hit the treadmill, then the shower. Melia got up and started to work on school. I raced across town to Dad's. I met Jamin there and we had a nice visit with Dad. Jamin will be leaving on Monday. 

I had just enough time at the conclusion of our visit to make it across town, stop at the library, pick up a pizza, and check Melia's school work before Arielle showed up.  

Michael and I have been spending a few hours every Friday afternoon with the kids so Cory and Arielle can have some hours to "think, decompress, date, hike, whatever."  This week I suggested I keep them, feed them dinner and take them to movie night at WCC. 

The visit began with "tea" (hot chocolate) and a quick snack. They headed outside for a bit of winter fun.  Charles stayed inside as he said his tummy was feeling funny.  

Benny and Danny

Benny jumping from the swing

Exploring

I brought up Outfoxed and we tried to figure it out. I think we lost some of the finer points of the game, but the four of us played it for over an hour and had a great time. At this point Melia came upstairs and they played Taco, Goat, Cheese, Cat (or whatever that game is called) while I pulled together a dinner of carrots, pizza and Annie's White Shells. 

We made it to movie night in good time. Tonight's movie was Cars - complete with all the free popcorn we could eat and a selection of CARS to bring home. 

We got home to discover some birthday flowers for me. Stacia is home. Michael is developing new symptoms. He's stayed in his room, so no one has been exposed to him. 

AND IT'S THE WEEKEND! NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!!! 

Where's the Sun?

 We were just finishing school when Arielle called and asked if she could bring the kids over to play in our backyard. Most of the toys are packed away over winter...but it's still a pretty fun spot. 

Well, the boys think it's fun. This gal is wondering where here pretty sandals and the sun went! ::Snort:: I went out for about 30 minutes and then suggested snacks and hot chocolate IN THE HOUSE. LOL 

Michael is still down but Melia and I went to life group. We had a yummy taco bar and discussed temptation and Bible translations and a few theology disagreements with the podcast we are listening to. 

We got back home as Stacia was finishing her evening homework. 

Taking School on the Road

This is the only picture I took of the day - but it tells the story of our day! Melia learned one of the big pros of homeschooling as we took school on the road. 

Michael is still ill, but we needed to run some errands in Anchorage and so Melia and I went in. I told her we could use my phone as a hotspot if needed. 

 She knocked it out of the park. She schooled while we waited, we broke for socializing, and she schooled while we waited a bit more. She finished it all and made great grades on the daily work! 

Our highlight was meeting up with the foster family where Melia's sisters are living. It was fun for the the three girls to connect. They exchanged Valentine's gifts. I enjoyed visiting with Christine. We enjoyed a Subway lunch.

Melia and I spent a couple of more hours in Anchorage and on the way home... 

Knowing Michael was ill and neither of us wanted to cook we stopped at a local restaurant for a salad for me and wings for Melia. We topped the evening off with a trip through the car wash. We thought we'd find Stacia at home, but she was still at school. It turns out we had forgotten Sibling Game night. 

Next week we will remember....

Dancing Lights

 Stacia called and said the lights were out and we should check it out. Michael is sick, but Melia and I dutifully ran out. I don't have an iphone that takes pretty pictures and adds colors.... this is what we SAW. 

Melia was not impressed, "I've seen Northern Lights before." 

She took a closer look and got excited...."I've never seen them dance before." 

It's quite a treat to watch the lights dance along the mountains. It was fun to watch them with Melia.