God continues to give us incredible memorable moments as we travel and visit family, friends, and supporters. Neakita was priveledged with an inspiring opportunity to play her violin with a professional violinist. Here Neakita is picuture with her as she accompianies on the piano. The memory card in my camera filled before I could get a picture of them playing a violin duet. Lesson learned: always carry an extra memory card.Our time in Eastern Washington was filled with more visiting than we expected, but it was the most relaxing time we have had on this trip which helped us to recooperate from a virus that overtook us despite all the measures to stay healthy.
Memorable moments for our children during this last week have been for Neakita, playing her violin with a young woman that has been playing violin since childhood. It was so fun to listen to it. I tried to upload a video clip of it, but it wouldn't work for me.
For Jeremiah, he lived a dream of his to play an electric guitar and there is no greater fun for a boy than to shoot bow and arrow.

We are blessed to have friends who love us and give of their time and resources for us.

It has been a whirlwind of travel for us these last couple weeks. This time of furlough has been very beneficial. We are meeting (some for the first time) and getting to know our supporters better. God is lavishing us with His blessings.

We have had opportunities to kick back and have some fun. One of those times was watching a pinewood derby that Jeremiah's friend was a part of. He won 2nd place in speed and design.

We spent a morning at Covenant Shores Retirement Home where Mark spoke at a men's prayer breakfast. After the incredible breakfast, the kids spent time enjoying the green grass and the shore of the lake.

But the highlight of that morning was definitely the time spent talking with a couple of the residents. The lives they have lived were facinating. The children enjoyed the "grandparent" treatment. Best cookies and hot cocoa in town.

We had a fabulous time visiting with a supporting family who live on a farm. The kids got to collect eggs

play on a tire swing

and climb a mountain of hay.

Katelyn has been the most endearing social bug I've ever seen. She has latched on to and loved on everyone that will let her. She is soaking up every ounce of attention she can get out of those we visit.

One of the many outings with Papa Swensen was spent at a navel museum. The kids had a blast using their imagination in one of the hands on displays.
Another lasting memory for our kids is the time we spent with supporters in Oregon where Jeremiah got to shoot off a rocket several times

and Neakita had her wish of petting a horse come true. Her dream is to own one of her own.
Our time with friends, family, and supporters has been wonderful. We have enjoyed every moment with everyone we have been with. We pray we have been as much of a blessing to each person as they have been to us, for we feel we have been showered with love by everyone. Our schedule is filling up fast and we have much traveling ahead of us. Please pray that God keeps us in the safety of His hands.

Our health has been good. We attack any bit of sickness that tries to overtake us and nip it in the bud. And try to get the sleep we need to stay healthy which has meant not setting an alarm unless absolutely necessary. Please continue to cover us with prayer in this area. Please pray for Mark’s back, he has had some slight discomfort, which he thinks is from all the driving.

School is going better than one could expect, although with all the moving around from one place to another, it is getting harder and harder to accomplish what I want to. God has given me much encouragement through others in this area and I praise Him for giving me these boosts of confidence.

Mark spent the first week of our time in the lower 48 in Witchita, KS for Caravan training. While Mark was away the kids and I stayed with friends in Orting, WA. They have two children Neakita and Jeremiah's ages. We accomplished a lot of school that week. Yep, we are continuing school while we travel and so far it is going well. Each day, the kids worked hard as they waited with anticipation for their friends to get home from school. Katelyn has especially enjoyed all the extra attention of having additional adults around her. She is right there ready to get her hands into anything an adult is doing and "help".

Mark's training in Witchita went well. Once he returned to join us he hit the ground running. The first thing he did was take a train to Oregon to pick up a vehicle that dear friends have so generously allowed us to use for the next two months. Jeremiah went with Mark, it was his first experience on a train.

When we are not visiting with friends and supporters, Mark is on the phone and computer making plans and arrangements. Having this time to develop and strengthen relationships has been a huge blessing to us.

Our first Sunday was spent at the church Mark grew up in, the one we attended while we lived here before moving to Alaska. It was great to be able to share what we have been doing for the last four years in Alaska and to catch up on what is happening in their lives as well.

I do believe that the highlight for our children has been the time spent with Papa. Papa took them on walks,
on a ferry ride,
out for shakes,
read book after book after book,
wrestled, and played games.
One of the coolest things was getting a tour of the Habitat for Humanity houses that Mark’s dad has been donating his time to work on.

We set aside a day to take the kids to the Pacific Science Museum. It was a blast. Some of the things we did was explore an indoor tide pool display,
walk through an arboretum with butterflies fluttering all around,
and attend a planetarium show during which we learned about our starry sky- it was an excellent presentation. But I think the highlight for the kids was eating at a food court. Everyone got to choose what type of food they wanted; it is a special treat to have such a selection.

This last weekend, Neakita participated in a Saturday evening talent show at a supporting church we were sharing at the next day. She did very well playing a Bach Minuet.
I think Jeremiah's favorite thing was climbing a tree at the home we were staying at for the night. Alaska does not have such trees to climb.

I will be attempting to add blogs more frequently from here on out, so keep checking in to find out what we are doing. Keep praying for safe travel and good health for us during this time and that God will continue to bless us and use us to bless others.

After a smooth flight in the sunshine, we arrived in Seattle this afternoon. Sunshine? well....until about 500 feet above the ground anyway, then we descended into cold soggy and foggy Seattle. We will be on furlough for the months of February and March. Our travels will take us from Western Washington down to Oregon up through Eastern Washington and then into Idaho and Montana before winding up back in Western Washington.
It has been interesting getting ready for this trip. One thing after another broke. First we had water pouring into our utility/playroom when the temp spiked from -30 to +40 and melted the snow and ice around the house. Whew, we got that cleaned up and things sealed up just in time for the arrival of the family that is staying in our house while we are gone. That same day, the vehicle that we got last spring, the one that is not suppose to need to be worked on by Mark because he just doesn't have the time to be working on our cars, left him stranded in town. It was an electrical problem, that Mark was able to fix, but it took away from the time he needed to get ready for the trip. Then our toilet tank cracked and was leaking. Now our stove is making a funny buzzing sound. So, our poor friends have a list of things to fix while we are gone, but they have such a sweet generous attitude about it all. We are so happy that they will be taking care of our home and animals and that our home is a provision for their family these next two months while they are going through the orientation process at MARC. Pray for the Lazaros family these next two months, that the Lord will guide and direct them in what He wants them to do.

Even in the midst of the busyness and stress of preparing to leave, the Lord was so good in giving us moments of relaxation and fun. Twenty hours before we were to get on the plane, this is the scene I found and I just had to take a picture.

Mark leaves on Saturday for training in Witchita. When he returns we officially begin our time of furlough. Please be praying for him as he studies and is tested this coming week. The kids and I are staying in Seattle with friends, pray that we will be a blessing to them. Pray for travel safety and for good health. Thank you for taking us to the throne of God.

In December, Mark spent four days in the village of Beaver. For information about Beaver check out http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_BLOCK.cfm

He took a Wings of Mercy team in to conduct revival services in the church during the evening and youth activities after school. The church in Beaver has no pastor, therefore the people are very excited and enjoy having evangelistic teams come and minister to them, especially during the sub-zero winter months.

They used demonstrations to convey Biblical truths

Had craft activities

Puppet shows Distributed Christmas gifts to all the children And ministered through music

Did I mention it was cold?

At home, school continued at full speed. In science, we are learning about our solar system and beyond, the perfect subject to study during our darkest months of the year. Please pray that I will continue to be prepared for teaching the children and that they will have teachable hearts and minds.

MARC’s founder, Roald Amundsen, joined his beloved, Harriet, at the feet of Jesus on Thursday, December 4. He is now in eternal glory, worshiping his Lord and Savior. Please keep his family and loved ones that remain here in your prayers as they greave their loss.

Our time in Anchorage for the quarterly Child Evangelism Fellowship State Board meeting of which Mark is the Chairman, was a great family get-away. Weather was good and road conditions great. We continue to be excited and encouraged with how God is using the ministry of CEF in reaching and changing the lives of the youth of Alaska. Pray that God will provide the workers and the finances needed to continue and grow the CEF ministry in rural Alaska.

God has blessed us: our health, our family, our marriage, our relationships with others, our ministry through MARC. Your prayers have had a major role in this. We appreciate and never take for granted the time you spend upholding us to the throne of God. Thank you.
Our hearts ache. There are so many we know and love that are hurting: they deal with health issues that are irritating to potentially fatal, there are strains in family relationships, their marriage is in jeopardy, their lives are falling apart. I have no doubt that your hearts ache for those hurting around you. Please pray that we are able to benefit those around us. That God will use us to encourage and strengthen through words and deeds those that are hurting. Pray that He will give us the wisdom, strength, and energy to make a difference.

Our First Blog!!!

Welcome to the Swensen Family's first blog. Please check back often as we will be updating it often. Thank you for stopping by.

God bless,
Mark, Michele and kids