The Lord blessed us with another trip to Hawaii. John had to go down for work, since his squadron works closely with a squadron down there. And he brought his wife! While he worked during the days, I got some good time in by the pool, I think I got the better end of the deal! This Air Force thing has really been treating us well, I'm waiting for the day when it starts to catch up with us. But until then, I'll just keep enjoying it. Here are some pictures from the trip. We also went down with another guy, Mark, you'll see him in some of the pictures.

Craig's List

I have a problem...   I've turned into a Craig's List Junky. John says it's my crack and I'm beginning to think he's right. Whenever I have an extra minute, I go on check what the new postings are, even if I'm not really looking for anything. Mostly, I'm just curious about what's on there. Is that such a bad thing? Sometimes you find really great deals, but you have to jump on them or they'll be gone. One time there were these really great bedside tables for free (which is something we are looking for)! But I was just a little too late!

If it's not -20, it's a Volcano!

Since I've lived here in Anchorage, AK, which has only been about 5 months, we've experienced -20 degree weather, winds strong enough to take roofs off of houses...  twice, a 45 degree melt down in January, and now a volcano! Mt. Redoubt (what kind of name is that!) has yet to go off, but the most recent reports, as of 2:30 this afternoon, are as follows: 

"Intense seismicity continues at Redoubt this afternoon. Clear webcam views, satellite, and radar data from earlier today indicate that the volcano has not yet erupted."

So, I'm not really sure what I should do. The true Alaksans say there's nothing to worry about, you just might have to stay inside for a few days. And then there's the Air Force...   who has a history of being especially over prepared in situations like this. So I've got John bringing home face masks from work, the commander's wife sending emails about what we should do and be prepared for, and now a sergeant from John's squadron calling to make sure I'm okay (since John left on a trip today)! So personally, I'd like to say calm about 

all this, but I'm just not really sure what to expect.

"Those who want Africa to walk tall amid 21st-century global competition must not kid themselves that providing the material means or even the knowhow that accompanies what we call development will make the change. A whole belief system must first be supplanted."

This is a quote taken from an article I just read titled, "As an Athiest, I truly believe Africa needs God." As a Christian, of course I believe this to be true. But I think it's amazing when others see this truth as well. We can bring in all the aid, all the water pumps, all the books, and anything else people think Africa needs, but what it really boils down to is a change in the heart of each person, before a nation can be saved. That change can only come through faith and hope in Jesus Christ.

Suite Francaise was written in the 1940's during the German occupation in France. Irene Nemirovsky was a French Jew who intended to write a five part series to illustrate the brokenness of the French during this period. However, she was only able to complete the first two parts before being arrested and taken to Auschwitz where she died. Her two daughters survived the occupation and were able to hold onto there mother's manuscript. In 2005 the book was translated into English and is now published for our enjoyment. 

This is an amazing book. As I read it, I can't help but think of the author, writing this fictional story while this is her reality. I hope you get a chance to read it.

I'm currently sitting in Kaladi Brothers, the local coffee shop that is just up the road from our house! This is what would be considered the Service Station (minus the live music) or the Rocket Bakery, for those of you in Spokane. 

It's great that's it's so close, but I have to admit, we don't take advantage of it as much as we should. But in the summer I can envision many walks this way. And for those of you who come visit, I'm sure we'll come here! But for now it's a great place for John to do some studying and for me to try and finish this book before it's over-do at the library!

Sunday Picture

Where's the snow! Yup, we went from -20 degree weather to 45 degrees in the span of about a week! So all our snow melted! We some little skiffs this week, which is what you see!

This is the view out our back windows, I like that view better! You can kind of see the mountains through the trees! It's beautiful!

I know it's been over a month since I last posted! Will I ever get this thing down? All I can say is, life has been less then normal in the past few months. I think we've been home a total of three weeks since October and we're actually out of town again! 

We left off in Oklahoma, where I was really good about blogging because there really wasn't much else to do there! Believe it or not! We actually made it home for Thanksgiving, which was a surprise! It was great to see friends and family so soon. After Thanksgiving, John headed back to OK for one more week of training and then back to Anchorage. I stayed at home in Chewelah, since it really didn't make sense for me to go all the way back down there just to come back! But I got to take the trip to Helena to see my very good friend Julie (who is actually the one who reminded me I hadn't blogged in a long time, what are friends for!) and her new baby, Caleb, well he's not so new anymore! He was born on August 20th and is the cutest thing! I was so glad that I was able to work that trip in! And to see Caleb, these babies grow so fast and I didn't want him to be a year old already and to have never met him yet! And of course, I got some good time with Julie which is always so great!

After leaving Montana, I headed back to Washington and then flew up to Anchorage for about a week and a half. I was able to get a few days of subbing in and try to settle in once again to the house I think I live at! I then headed back to Washington for Christmas. I left a few days before John, to get the better rate on tickets. He came a few days later, just in time for the huge storm that came through Spokane! With the Spokane Airport closed down, he spent the night at Seatac, made friends in the morning, rented a car with them and drove over the pass, getting in just about a day late. I was just happy he was there and safe! 

We spent a few days with my family, celebrated Christmas early and then headed to the other side of the state! We were so thankful when thre roads started to clear up outside of Spokane. It ended up not being too bad of a drive. So we had a few days in Tacoma, celebrated Christmas, had some good times with the siblings, and headed back home for what we thought would be a while! Since John had been gone so much, we figured they would keep him close to home so he could catch up on all the office work he had missed during the fall. However, before the first week back, John would already find out that he would be heading to Guam for a weekend trip. He also found out that they would be sending him to Hawaii for ten days! And he thought it would a great idea to bring his wife, which I can't argue with that! So last Wednesday night, in -25 degree weather, we left for Honolulu, where the current tempurature was 78 degrees. So that was a nice 100 degree change! 

So while our lives have yet to slow down, we are taking each day as it comes and appreciating the blessings God has given us, knowing there will be days when I absolutely dispise the Air Force and remembering these good times they gave us too! 

*I would love to upload some pictures, but the connection is too slow! So next time, and I promise it won't be in a month and a half!! Love you all!