Saturday, December 5, 2009

Thankful

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh!" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you."


Quyanaqvaa, thank you so much for all your prayers everybody. God is answering. Gram is still in the hospital, the whole fam is with her, she is having good days and bad days. Docs aren't sure yet what the situation will be. Please continue to lift her to God. I'm up here hanging in there, the fam is keeping me updated several times a day. We appreciate all the kind words, encouragement, and prayers from everyone. Thank you all.


In Quinhagak we have warm summer breezes, yup, breezes gusting up to 80 miles an hour right now. Residual effects from a monsoon in Hawaii and the Aleutians. Strange thing is, this whipping wind is 40 degrees! It is arriving here from the south, warm and balmy. It’s melting all our snow and raining on us! Howling wind is an understatement, its more like a screaming hurricane. It nearly blew me off the road walking to work yesterday. I had to lean the weight of my whole body into the heavy gusts just to stay upright and maintain a straight line homeward, could have windsurfed with a sail. Had to laugh at the thought of the wind suddenly ceasing to blow, I would have immediately fallen over like a bike with the kickstand snapped away. But the battle against the tropical headwinds wasn't entirely a "blow out". The road had transformed into an ideal skating rink and my pak boots lacking snow cleats were not ideal skates, I did one of those futile cartoon river dance numbers just before both feet flew right out from under me, suddenly I was staring up an oddly star filled night sky. After flailing around on my backpack like a turtle whose been flipped on its shell I finally righted myself, but it was a struggle to keep my feet underneath me. So I slipped, slid and was blown back to my own front door. Not sure why but I tried to take Ani for a walk.....Now that was entertaining. Ani, clawing away at the sheet of ice under his paws, wasn't even a match for the elements. He was as much of duck out of water as I had been. We threw in the towel on the whole 'walk' idea and hunkered down at home. The whole house has been trembling for the last 24 hours and I question the Jenga blocks that are posing as a foundation underneath us, though so far so good. There really have been storms like this before which have actually blown houses off of their stilts.

"God, listen to me shout, bend an ear to my prayer. When I'm far from anywhere, down to my last gasp, I call out, "Guide me up High Rock Mountain!" Psalm 61:1-2

9 comments:

  1. Sorry I have not been keeping up with your news. It's a busy time of year. We are now having the cold as you are warm. It is about 10 out this morning and could go below zero Saturday and Sunday nights. We have a very light dusting of snow - very light, but a snow storm is on the way from the southwest beginning tomorrow night. our Cantata is this weekend. Pray for us please!! There are still things to get ironed out before then. We have dress rehearsal Wed after youth. Pray especially for the young man portraying Joseph. He has alot to memorize.Thanks!!!

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  2. Kris, It always makes me smile to see what's happening back in Wisconsin:) Enjoy the cantata, we had ours in Hayward this past weekend. I'm looking forward to listening to it on the radio while I'm home over Christmas. I will absolutely be praying for 'Joseph'. Have a beautiful week. Good to hear from you.

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  3. Somehow I came across your blog today and have truly enjoyed reading it. You are blessed to be able to be on such a wonderful adventure in life.
    If its Ok I would love to continue to follow you on your journey.
    Best to you and many prayers for your family back home.

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  4. Deborah, you will so enjoy following Rachel. She is so good to keep us informed and answer our questions. I have never met her, but feel like I have a new special friend. I love all things Alaska and love learning more about Quinahak - actually a young many who is Rachel's principal at the school, grew up where I live, so I get to hear about his life too.

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  5. Rach- just checking in to see how your grandma is doing.
    So you're coming home for Christmas? I have a care package all ready (well, I keep finding stuff to add) to send up to you with Christmas presents and stuff. Would you rather me keep it here? or should I mail it and hope it's waiting for you when you return?

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  6. We got our winter storm. Several inches of snow have fallen - more in the southern part of the state. The wind is howling out there. Most schools are closed. It will get colder as the day progresses. Praying for your Grandmother.

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  7. Hey Kid, Just checking on you to see how you are doing. How is your grandmother doing? Will you be able to get home for Christmas? Your blog is such a blessing to me to see how miss scum is doing!!Blessings!!!

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  8. Jack and Jackie came to our Cantata tonight and said you are home in Hayward to see your Grandma. Keep us posted! Enjoy your time at home. You could have at least brought us some of that warm weather you are having in Alaska. Actually you have been warmer than Anchorage. Merry Christmas and God bless - Kris

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  9. Lynn wonders why they do the blocks under the house as they do? Do they add blocks? Do they shift alot? Hoping to hear an update on your Grandma soon.

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