Let the Chaos Begin

I figured I should do a post this morning, because I remembered that I actually have a blog. This morning I am not motivated to get up. I am enjoying my coffee, the slow sunrise on the snow and the warmth of a good blanket. I love the quiet before the chaos starts. I love the chaos in some ways too.

Samantha and I have finally gotten around to reading a book together. She picked it out at the library. It is Cinderellis and the Glass Hill. I am glad she is finally interested in reading. I really think she is more interested in spending time with me. I want that to last as long as possible. Emily is not as interested in time together as she is in playing on the computer. We are having to limit her time playing games on the computer in the afternoon. Maybe I can get all my responsibilities done by the time the kids get out of school today, so that I can interest them in a game.

Our life this morning seems uninteresting, but when I think about all the things going on, it seems busy. We are kind of in a waiting pattern right now. I am waiting for all of my paperwork to get here so that I can apply for a temporary AK teacher's license; we are waiting for the month of May to close on our house. We are waiting for two weeks to get Emily's biopsy results back. Mark is waiting for all the parts of the new sound system at church to come. I think I am going to enjoy the waiting, because it gives me time to breathe.

As for now, my quiet is over. Time to get the girls up and let the chaos begin.

This morning I am pondering what God has done in my life.  I can't believe that I am in Alaska, which might as well be a foreign country.  I am not someone who accepts change easily, but recognize God's hand in my past that has molded me and helped me learn to change a little more easily.  

Our recent trip to the lower 48 was bittersweet.  Coming home was both welcome and sad.  I really love the adventure and beauty of Alaska.  Our church is wonderful.  I am gaining much insight from Steve's sermons.  However, when you are part of a family for six years, it is hard to say goodbye.  Worship is so intimate that I miss being with the ones who have grown with me and understand me.  

Anyway, for more trivial information, I have a lunch meeting today for work.  I think getting back into my job helping needy kids will help me be more upbeat.  I am going to try to sort through my data from Christmas Miracle Tree project to find out how many families and kids we served.  I also need to write a report for the church.  I need to set meetings with principals to find out what their goals are for this semester.  I have one Southern Living party this week and one on the 29th.  I also have one more that I need to schedule.  I am going to try to do 30 minutes on the wiifit today.  Activity seems to make the darkness more bearable.  I have to keep telling myself that summer is coming.

My Life Lately

I have been really busy "living life", as one of my friends put it, instead of writing about it.  I am really enjoying our new life in Alaska.  I have a great job.  I am the school partnership coordinator for our church.  Basically, I go around to four schools in the district and meet with their principals, school nurses, and family coordinators.  I find out what needs their school has and report back to the church.  Then I get to meet those needs.  It is really fun.  I just got to deliver winter gear for about 10 kids.  I also read to two classes at one of our partner schools every Thursday.  God is really giving me a heart for the poor.  I think it is neat how God changes you if you are willing.  It really doesn't take effort to change, just a willingness.  Our church is now feeding 50 homeless or poor kids on the days that they have teacher inservice.  Our family gets to prepare bags of food with enough to keep a child fed three meals.  I am overwhelmed by the response we get from the schools.  I even got kissed by one school nurse!

The weather here is a new challenge.  I am learning how to drive on snow and ice.  According to the locals, this winter is really mild.  I am so thankful.  Our lowest temperature so far has only been 9 degrees.  Last year, all of November was below zero.  We are adapting well to the cold.  I really enjoy the briskness in the morning.  It is really different than the cold in the South.  Here it is really dry, which doesn't chill to the bone like the nasty wet snow and ice I am used to.  We are looking forward to having enough snow to sled and cross-country ski.  Overall, the beauty of our new surroundings has us in awe.  It is amazing that this place exists and that God has allowed people the opportunity to experience it.

Winter is Coming!

It is beautiful here in Alaska.  The weather is more like what you expect from seasons.  Yesterday was Autumnal equinox.  That means that the days and nights are exactly equal.  Yep!  7:30 sunrise; 7:30 sunset.  In kids' books about seasons,  you always see kids in coats during fall with the pretty yellow, orange, and red leaves all around.  Growing up, we were lucky if we saw 60 degrees in fall.  You saw all those cute sweaters in the store and through, "I might get to wear that in December."  Not here,  this morning it is 35 degrees.  The autumn leaves are everywhere.  They even stay on the trees for a  while for us to enjoy.  The girls and I have found our favorite tree.  It is taller than the other trees in its stand.  It is a brilliant orange.  Emily said, "That can only be our family's special tree, not anyone else."  

The beauty brings with it a little fear.  Every day, as the clouds recede off the mountain tops, there is a little more snow, a little further down.  The tops of the mountains are completely white.  We are told that by October, which, by the way is next week, we will probably have snow.  Others say that snow may not be here until after Halloween.  One thing Alaskans agree on is that the weather can be unpredictable.  I am used to that being from the South.

Today I am going to the girls' school to help in Samantha's class with a book club.  I hope she isn't embarrassed by me.  I think it will be fun.  I always like to meet her friends and classmates.  

I have a blog!

Believe it or not, I have created a blog!  You know, everybody's doing it.  I wanted to have a place for people to come see what we are up to here in the far north.  It is beginning to get colder.  There is what they call Termination Dust on the mountains.  Mark and I think it is called that because summer has been terminated.  It is beautiful but scary because my body is not ready for the sub zero temperatures we are bound to get.  I heard it is supposed to snow this weekend.  I hope not.  More to come later when I figure this whole blog thing out.  I will post pics when I get up the nerve to fiddle with my computer for something other than email or word processing.