Winter Comes, Winter Goes

Winter came to us in October and in February it began to fade into spring. Winter decided to return during March for awhile longer. And then, in April it began to disappear fast, and oh, it was so exciting. It is understandable how we became discouraged as three inches of snow accumulated last week, creating a fresh, clean, winter wonderland. Yes, it was beautiful, but we are all ready for it to go away. It was a relief to see that it was only a tease, for those three inches were gone again in a couple of days along with even more of the old winter snow and ice. Yippee! Get out the bikes and roller blades - the driveway is pretty much clear. Jeremiah can bounce that basketball once again!

Mark spent the last five days in Nome at the annual Covenant Church conference. It was in conjuction with KICY's 50th anniversary. What a celebration it was! What struck Mark the most was how instumental our mission's founder, Roald Amundsen, was in the beginnings of KICY. The fact does not surprise me at all. Roald was a great visionary and trusted in the Lord as he pursued with all his being, that which God laid on his heart. Here is a link to an interesting Redoubt Reporter article about Roald http://redoubtreporter.blogspot.com/2009/01/on-mission-to-fly-roald-amundsen-blazed.html . Enjoy getting to know our esteemed founder a little better.

A couple weeks ago, Mark flew for a church conference that took place in Naknek. People from all over the Bristol Bay area were flown in for this event. It was a wonderful time of worship and teaching from God's Word.



Several baptisms took place at the village's high school pool.

A Child Evangelism Fellowship team from Port Alsworth conducted Good News Clubs for the children during the services.
And in between services, Mark did some flight instruction for a SEND missionary in Naknek.




At home, we are trying to enjoy each moment for all it is worth, even if all it is worth is a good laugh. The wacky glasses were actually for a special AWANA night. This week is our last AWANA for the year and it has been a great year. Each of our kids have earned their book award.
Six more weeks of school and counting. I don't know who is more anxious to be done for the year, the kids or me. It has been a great year. Each year is better than the year before. The annual curriculum fair is this coming week and I am excited about attending. I started in February making plans for next year and it is always fun gathering new books and materials. The best part about the fair is the speakers. I always go home inspired and encouraged in my role as my children's educator.

The most exciting event about to occur in our family is Neakita attending Christian Youth In Action, Child Evangelism Fellowship's teen training camp. Here is an exerpt from her newsletter explaining a bit about what she will be doing.

Did you know that many Alaskan children never attend church or Sunday School?
Several years ago, when I was little, I spent a week in the village of McGrath with my parents and a CEF team of four teenagers. It was a time I will never forget. I made a new friend and had a fun time being a part of the Bible clubs the team had for the kids.
The teenagers told all the kids about God’s salvation through Jesus Christ.
Now, I am old enough to be trained to do what that CEF team did. I am excited to tell kids about Jesus and it is going to be cool to be a part of why my family lives and works in Alaska.
There are Good News Clubs held in our local public schools that I will be a part of. I am most excited about going on village trips to share Jesus’ love with the native children.

Please be praying for Neakita. She asks prayer for courage and the ability to learn the material quickly, good health, personal growth in her relationship with the Lord, and that many children will give their hearts to Jesus.