Time is fun when your having... flies?

We used to have a rubber stamp that said "Time is fun when your having flies!" and was a picture of 3 or 4 frogs sitting on a log catching flies with their tongues! I love that twist on the phrase about time flying when your having fun! Time sure does seem to buzz by though...

Especially this year... or at least since my last blog post! I think part of the problem is, I got a Facebook, and I haven't been able to keep up both of them, and frankly, FB is a bit more interactive than my blog... especially since I do not have many followers yet!

But....

I'm getting rid of my FB soon and hoping to start seeking a productive use for this blog. I like to share my thoughts to hopefully help or encourage someone, but it also helps me to clarify my vision and come to solutions when I write and "publish" my thoughts.

Just 2 weeks ago, I completed my Bachelor's degree! I am more than excited... and am still getting used to the fact that I'm DONE! I never really believed I would ever finish! Now, I'm looking forward into my future, and seeing.... nothing... well, not exactly nothing. I see a whole bunch of potential things, but I see nothing for sure... nothing definite or decided, other than the fact that whatever happens and wherever I end up, Christ will be there with me! I know He will never leave my side, and by His grace, I'll never leave His!

I have begun working for my dad running errands and doing odd jobs for him. Also, I am thinking about getting my Realtor's License and am going to shadow my dad's realtor. I am finally starting to spend time exploring my many interests... but I don't want to go crazy. Some things I've been getting into are photography, writing music, and recording music. I am also hoping to get some practice and jobs in vocal acting... this is what I reaaaally want to do!

So, there is a quick update... but I will be back with more. I will also be praying and thinking about how to continue this blog with purpose and direction (I like to have specifics... it helps my scattered mind stay focused!). If you have any ideas, please feel free to post them!

Here are two shots of beauty around our yard! I love summer time!

Can't Beat the View!

My cousin was up flying around Katmai Park and took these videos! The views of the mountains are amazing!

It All Depends on the Weather...

All has been going quite well here! The past few days we have had 40 degrees and a bit of rain! The warmer air and sun is refreshing, but the ground is a mess of slush, ice, and mud! No more skiing or snowshoeing I guess... 

Today we are supposed to get our boxes delivered from Full Circle. We can choose from a huge variety of fresh groceries from farms in Washington (or Oregon???) and get a certain amount of each when our box comes in each Thursday... or Friday... depending on the weather! Since we have high winds today (anywhere from 40 to 80 miles per hour!), the plane can't fly in, but they will try to get in tomorrow. I'm learning that much depends upon the weather here. Travel plans either to or from King Salmon are usually "up in the air" (Haha!) until the last minute. It all depends on the weather. 

Here are a few pictures of the lovely snow! We had about a foot and a half for a little while! It was beautiful, but sometimes cold! On a recent day it was 34 degrees with wind gusts of 28 miles and hour. When I was coming in from the truck, I thought, "Wow, it actually feels pretty warm!" Yup. You know you live in Alaska when you think a gusty 34 degrees is warm! 

I'm enjoying God's marvelous creation and praising Him for His excellent creativity! I love to see the mountains on clear days! One day last week, a friend called to tell us that one of the volcanos had a huge steam spout and since it was not windy, it was totally visible! I jumped in the truck and drove out to see it! It was well worth freezing my fingers to get some good shots of this rare occurrence! 

Enchanted ski trail!

Yay! Sun and snow! An excellent combo!

More snow! Community buildings in the housing area. 

I love this shot! I was really excited about getting the plane in there! There is the steam spout on the left! 

Tons of mountains! This is what we all think of when we think "Alaska." 

More mountains!

Settling In!

Things are going well here!

This past Monday was the beginning of my two online Leadership courses! I am thoroughly enjoying the material so far and I am able to accomplish quite a bit during the quiet moments when the boys are sleeping or playing happily.

This Wednesday we went to the Library for Story Hour! Phew! It took a lot of time and work just to get us all ready to go! The boys were great, and thankfully, one of them slept the entire time! I don't really know what I will do if they are both awake and needing diaper changes or bottles... or just to be held! We manage great here at home because I can put them in their chair or on their Boppy while I take care of the other. Not to mention, I am the only one hearing them cry if they do. But, I guess I will just have to be Super Nanny and do double bottles or double hip carry if necessary!

I went out snowshoeing the other day! It was sunny and there was more than a foot of snow! The woods were enchanting with the snow covered branches of the spruce tree drooping heavily. I have seen a couple white hare, and plenty of tracks!

I am thankful for some "play mates" in the neighborhood! The past couple days, I have gone out sledding with two kids who live a few houses down from us. They are sweet, intelligent, imaginative kids and we have wonderful conversations... and fierce snowball fights!

So, the Lord continues to bless and keep me, as He does so faithfully! I am on day 27 out of 50 of reading Romans 1-8! I have been digging, searching, and cross referencing, but I feel like I have hardly even scratched the surface! By the end of the 50 days, I plan to have it memorized, and at least, I hope to have a good ground work to begin "studying!" :) Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.

Blessings!

Week 1!

Well, I made it through my first week of nannying the twins! Actually, the boys are great, and we settled into a little routine! I'm so thankful for all the "training" I had with my niece! It certainly prepared me for all the dirty diapers, spit up messes, bottle making, soothing sessions, and other things I've been occupied with this past week!

I'm settling in and adjusting to life in King Salmon, Alaska as well! It really isn't much colder than back home! Though I heard that last year, the weather was much colder! They also don't get very much snow here. Or at least it doesn't stay for too long. We have had two small snow falls thus far, and we are hoping for more! Enough to go cross country skiing would be wonderful!

I've been reading, cooking, stamping, cleaning up, meeting people, going to church, taking walks, and soaking everything in here! I have two online courses starting on the 18th so I'll have to balance my school with watching the boys are other things!

Community is a big part of life here for most people. Though we are by no means "suffering," life here can be unusual and difficult, and I think the fact that we are all here and know what it is like kind of knits us all together. I wouldn't say I'm exactly "knit in" yet, I'm just beginning to observe this little phenomenon.

I think since I was homeschooled and didn't do too many things in my community, I missed out a bit on that community bond. I feel like I hardly know anyone in my town back home. I'd like to be more involved in my community and know people more, especially since I have a special gift to give to each person I meet. I have the gospel of Jesus Christ which is the gift of eternal life if they will but believe it and accept it!

Since pictures are worth thousands of words, listen to this little account of things I've been doing and seeing:

Dakota, good ole' boy!

Trail in the "woods." Cloudy days are common.

It is common to wear creepers everywhere here in Alaska... very icy!

I enhanced this photo a bit... this is what we wish it looked like... but its often very cloudy! Some days the clouds do lift and the blue sky and distant mountains and hills are visible!

The good and faithful "puppies!" (They aren't puppies really!)

Out for a walk! These boys love the outdoors already! They fall right asleep in the stroller! 

Handsome boys!! Twins, but so different! It's amazing to see their unique personalities! 

Quite a nice day on "the highway!"

The Alaska Peninsula Highway! From Naknek to King Salmon... its about 15 miles! Its hard to get lost here... there are only two directions!

THE Grocery store!

The cannery at the end of Rogers Road (up the beach from Naknek)

Small house next to the cannery. That's the Bering Sea in the background!

Once again, cannery buildings, Bering Sea!

Finally Home...

in King Salmon!!

Well, my flight got in last night to King Salmon! My home for the next few months! I can't begin to describe the majestic mountains and vast untouched land that I have seen already! Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of either, because your not supposed to turn electronics on when your taking off and landing (and I obey that rule!)! But, I'm sure I'll be getting more pictures soon enough!

Today we went to Naknek for a stamping party! We stamped 10 cards... needless to say, I was exhausted by the time I finished! (I think I can claim jet lag for an excuse???)! But the cards came out beautifully, thanks to the hard work of the hostess!

Tomorrow I'm off to church with Neal and Lauren and then I'm going to a youth group Superbowl party (a young lady I met today at the Stamping party invited me!). I'm looking forward to meeting new people and learning all that I can while I'm here! Already, I've been soaking a lot up!

Here are a few shots from today!

View outside my bedroom window!

It's hard to see, but this boy and his friend were scurrying along the road outside our house with their little guns!

One more picture... this is a photo I found on Wikipedia (public domain) of Naknek! That's basically what it looks like right now... just add water, a little snow, salt, sand, and you've got it!

Naknek!

My Journeys Continue...

To Alaska!

How quickly it all happened! While in Florida on a family vacation the beginning of January, we received a call from Mom's second cousin, asking if my sister or I would be interested in going to Alaska to be a nanny for her younger brother's twin baby boys. Instantly, I was inclined and excited! After talking it over with my parents, praying about it, receiving a verse from the Lord, and praying again, I decided to accept the position!

So, here I am, in Alaska! It's amazing how the Lord leads when we allow Him to! I was just wondering what would be next and praying about what I should begin to pursue as I'm finishing my final 3 courses this semester (which are all online!), when the Lord opened wide the doors to come here and confirmed it with a verse and peace!

I am not yet to my final destination, but my final flight leaves tonight (I'm waiting at a hotel in Anchorage now). I'm so excited to see what God has for me to learn and do in this next Joyful Journey!

10:00am in Anchorage! The sky is just beginning to brighten!