back, like an old friend...

Its been a long time since I have written and as the time gets longer it honestly has gotten harder to write.  How do I fill in the gaps of what we have done and experienced; the emotions that we have felt; the miles we traveled...

I was told by a close friend this week to let it go and just start again...like an old friend.  So, here you go...and yes, I do plan to keep up.   We actually feel the difference when people are praying for us...I am looking forward to sharing what The Lord is doing and how we need you to stand with us.

Last week I got a call early in the morning from a buddy of mine asking if I had time to help him skin out his

one less bear wandering around
the village

brown bear.  Funny thing is that the evening before Jesse was over for dinner and we prayed that he would be able to shoot a bear.  I had been planning to spend the day getting firewood but hey skinning a bear is good too...Not sure if it is the same bear that ran out in front of Josh a few nights before as he was coming home from school after open gym night but either way, one less bear around the village is good with me.

hauling firewood

I did get the firewood done later that day too.  Felt like a good man-day; skinning out a brown bear and moving a couple cord of wood with the boat.  Recharged my soul after being "locked" in the house for a few days doing admin work.

This past week has been the other spectrum on things.  Julie and I have been in Victoria, BC at a retreat that our church in the Seattle area put on for thier missionaries.  It was awesome; staying in a very nice hotel, eating food beyond good, spoiled really.  Sunday we were part of some 40+ missionaries that Crossroads Bible supports, most of whom where there with us for the retreat.  As a group we were highly honored by this church.  Very moving.  One of our friends made a great point that by us just standing up, there could be people there moved to follow the call to make disciples.

We head home this evening after being gone for a week.  I miss Alaska.  I am ready to be back.  I've been reading Timothy & Titus in the slowness of this week; digesting the challenge to lead is re-enerigizing.  I'm ready to go home but only because I'm filled from being away.

Julie and had part of our honeymoon in Victoria.  We hadn't been back so that was special to be there again and to have time to just be together.

18 years ago on our honeymoon we were introduced to the real difference of halibut
 at "Barb's"...somethings stand the test of time!

The whole family will be at a missions conference this next week outside of Anchorage.  MFR is a great time for us to connect with others who are serving in the bush.  We are going ready to learn from them...