A Constant In the Mist of the Storm

Our first day after evacuating to Fairbanks we met Ms. Debra Davis. I don't know a sweeter more Godly woman, that gave up her time to spend with us evacuees. She came to the church EVERY day to make sure we were OK, had what we needed and took care of so many details that we were not even thinking about."She showed up with clothes, beds, bedding and took care of donations that people dropped off. She helped organized so many things that we were so thankful for. She would work all day at her job and then come spend hours with us to make sure we were OK. She prayed with us and if you ask Wendy, we believe that Debra's strong prayer was the reason Ross got out of Galena safely! Her daughter came back from a mission trip and the next day she still came to spend time with us because she didn't want us to be lonely after all my friends had left. She became a constant and our children fell in love with her. From the first day she took them to play outside on the playground and provided us parents time to sit and talk about what our plans were.  She became the normal face that gave hugs to our kids. She brought them puzzles and spent hours working them together with the kids. When we left my kids asked "WHY can't Ms. Debra come to Puerto Rico together with us?"They cried when we had to say good bye to her. Her calmness gave us a calmness. Her hugs got rid of our stress and she didn't mind us crying on her shoulder! I don't know how to express our thanks for this wonderful woman. She is truly Amazing and a Blessing! We love you Ms. Debra!!

 

 My boys LOVE Ms. Debra!!

So why not jump in the pool?

I have said this many times before, that our family is Multicultural! And sometimes we add in cultures that we really aren't part of just so we can celebrate the holidays! I mean neither Keith or I are Irish and we love celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Who wouldn't want to have a good Corned Beef with Cabbage? Or Cinco de Mayo. We are not Mexican but I LOVE Mexican food so why not celebrate it? I have posted before that our neighbors Tim and Karin are usually the ones to join in on our multicultural parties and today was no different..... of sorts. I am in Puerto Rico, Keith and Mr. Tim are in Galena but because of awesome technology we got to have a little bit of a party together to celebrate Noche San Juan. I thought it was just a birthday party that my family were hosting, but turns out tonight is Noche San Juan. What is it you ask? Let me tell you what I know about it. It is a night to celebrate the beginning of summer, the shortest Night of the year and John the Baptist. What happens you ask? I will tell you. Everybody goes to a beach or a pool and has a party with a lot of food and fun. At midnight, everyone jumps in the water and has a good laugh. Why you may ask? I will tell you. Jumping in the water symbolizes being St. John the Baptist who baptized people in the river and lakes and jumping in symbolizes your sin being washed away. So on this Noche de San Juan why not jump in the pool, river or any other water you have available. Tim and Keith could just go jump in a pond out in the back yard! Enjoy your shortest night of the year(if you live in the northern Hemisphere!) Go Jump in the pool! =) Good night!

80 Years!!!!

Today is my Grandma Jane Howard's 80th Birthday! 

 She has traveled around the world, around the USA and nothing seems to slow her down. She was a teacher for many years and a wonderful pastors wife to my grandad. They were busy with all sorts of things. When she and Granddad retired, I think the got even MORE busy! They are always doing some exciting adventure! They spent a year in Zambia as teachers at our seminary there. Last year they flew all the way to Galena to spend their 60th anniversary with us! When she was with us she helped in the garden which she does love to do in Texas. She helped us pick lots of cranberries and entertainment her Great Grand kids. They love her so much! I love Grandmas adventurous spirit! She loves God and loves her family! I am blessed that God put me in her family! I hope to be as adventurous as her when I grow up!

Happy Birthday to a wonderful, adventurous, loving lady!
I Love YOU!!!

 At our house in Galena

After our adventure of berry picking in Galena

Her and Kaden looking for pretty things on the beach in Galena

 

 She is quite the croquet player and Basketball too!

*I have many more pictures of her but they are all in Galena and since I am NOT in Galena I don't have access to anymore!

The Proverbs 31 Mom

Today's post is about the Proverbs 31 Woman that I had in my life! She works hard and loves her family! Here is my version of Proverbs 31.......

^10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

(Mom, I don't know a woman more valuable then you! You ARE a character but you also HAVE character that I hope one day to have! )
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.

(That is the truth!You even let Dad take over the house with all his trophy's! Even MY ROOM!!!)
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

( You are always lifting up dad in prayer and in love)
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.

(You have made curtains and carpets and pillows and all manner of things!)
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
(No joke! because you are a pro at buying and packing for your 4 year term, that prepared me for the same task! Though your shipments do go a lot farther then mine! Thanks for teaching me how to do all that important stuff because it is coming in handy in my life now!)
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
(You always did wake up early! I will never for get your "Rise and Shine for the Light has come... and your momma" Though honestly I cringe when hear that verse.I guess when I hear it I expect cold hands to be placed on my feet.) 
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
( I don't think you have a vineyard but you do have an orchard and a garden. Daka says you like to live in a jungle and I have to agree you do! But when you ask Kaden what he loves about Omas house he will tell you "I like to go pick all the fresh fruit")
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
( You do make your home welcoming and everyone loves to come over!You cook wonderful food and taught me how to do it all from scratch. That is something I may have grumbled about when you were teaching me but I really appreciate it now! My life depends on the lessons you have taught me!)
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
(the electricity might go out but you are always prepared with candles! My favorite memories were made with candles in the dark and playing games with friends and family!I bet the people at ZESCO are intimidated when they see you walk into the room!)
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
(You do amazing cross stitch and quilting! And When you are bored I really need some cool Christmas Stockings. ) 
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
(Everybody knows you will hug them and that you care. You have changed the Zambian culture with your hugs!)
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
(Well, I don't think I have seen you with snow very often but I know we were never cold in the cold season!)
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
(You do quilt and sew! But I don't think I have ever seen you wear purple.... Haven't found a hair color to match I guess!)
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
(Yes he is!)
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
(Laughter is the best medicine! You are one that enjoys life and loves everyone!I do not know a stronger lady!)
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
(You always know what to say to encourage me and others!)
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
(That is so true! We never had some one working in the house because you felt you had to be working too! You never let Jesse and I be bored and we knew never to tell you we were bored because you would say "there is laundry to wash or fold, floors to sweep, shelves to dust"Yep we never told you we were bored.)
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
(Mom You are blessed!!You are a wonderful, sweet, loving lady and I want to grow up to be just like you!!)
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
(Yes you do! Because My mommy is the BEST!!!!!)
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
(Even though you are Charming and beautiful you are a woman that fears the Lord and is to be praised!)
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
(You have touched many peoples lives, you work hard and are an amazing mom and Oma!)

  I am blessed to have you as my mom! I am blessed that you are my kids Oma. I am blessed to have you as an example! I am blessed when people tell me I am just like my mom! I take that as the BEST compliment anyone can give me because you are the kind of mother and grandmother I would love to be! You have cried for me, hurt for me, loved me even when I didn't deserve to be, you have corrected me with gentleness when I needed it and harder when I needed it to be harder. You are the Proverbs31 woman! I want to be just like you when I grow up! I love you and I hope you have a wonderful 45th birthday! =)hehehehe YOU ARE THE BEST!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!

It's My Dress!

Cara is a funny and exciting 3 year old. You would think with two older brothers she would be a tomboy, but she is one fashion queen. She LOVES pretty dresses and shoes to go with them. The pretty fluffy dresses that just swirl around when she twirls and quite honestly the kind of dresses that I wished they made in my size but I guarantee she is way cuter in them then I ever would be! When you tell Cara that she looks beautiful in that dress, she responds in a very cute "I know!" I love going to church on Sundays to see what cute dress she will be wearing. Her Grandma is a awesome dress shopper! Well a few months ago, Cara got a package from her grandma and there was a new dress inside. It became one of her favorites. It was a peachy colored dress with cute peach colored roses on the belt that wrap around the waist. It had a fluffy skirt and would be the perfect summer dress with the short sleeves. It was cute on her with her blond hair. She got to wear it to church a few Sundays before the flood happened. And we all ewwwed and awwwed over the cuteness she portrayed in the dress. Well when we all evacuated all the pretty dresses including that one had to be left behind. We were not expecting the water to rise that high but it did and Cara's house had 4 feet of water in the bottom story.( the house which by the way, is already on stilts) The downstairs is where the kids rooms were and all of Cara's dresses were there, in the muddy water. To a parent that is sad, to a girl that loves her dresses, she was very sad! When we arrived at Fairhill Community Church, they sent out an email with our children's sizes and genders to ask for donations. The donations started POURING IN! We were over whelmed with peoples generosity! When we finally relaxed enough, we started going through all the clothes and figuring out who needed what and what kid didn't have some type of article of clothing. There was men's, women's, and kids clothes galour to go through. Shell and I were going through some of the clothes while the kids watched some cartoons during a rest time in the giant Living room as we called it. When we opened this giant box, I caught sight of a Peach colored material and I pulled it out. Guess what dress we found!!! The EXACT same dress that was Cara's favorite! AND IT WAS HER SIZE!!! Shell looked at me and I looked at her and could not believe it! Shell said "I think I am going to cry!"And I told her "I think I might join you!" Shell called for Cara to look over to the area we were at and while Shell held the dress up you hear Cara take a gasping breath and say "It's my dress!" We were all in tears about this time! The next day, which was not even a church day, Cara was wearing that dress! She was so excited! It is still amazes me how God provided everything we needed at such a time, even in the form of a Peach colored dress in a 3 year old size!

Is it age or the situation?

Is it because I am getting older or the stressfull situation that we just went through? I am leaning towards the stressfull situation, because I refuse to get older! But last week when all of us evacuees were all together before we departed to our different destinations, I found it!! My first grey hair! I could not believe it! Not a grey hair! I am to young for grey hair!! I cried! Then I pulled it out and brought it into the kitchen were everyone was gathered and talking. After the men gave some chuckles to my distress and the women gave some sympathy I threw it into the trash and carried on with life. But finding that grey hair made me feel a lot older them my age! I know, I know, many people are all grey and loosing their hair at my age, but it was a fact that I was not ready to admit to! But life goes on..... Till I was diving Chris Kopp to the airport so he could fly back to Galena. Chris then informed me that stressfull situations can change the chemistry in our body and make us go grey in just a few days! I mean look at presidents that go grey with in a few months of taking office! Then Chris showed me the grey hair in his sideburns that were NOT there the day before! So at this point in time I was feeling better about having only one grey hair...then a few days later I was talking to Keith and it was then I noticed.... HE HAD GREY HAIR IN HIS BEARD!! He didn't have those days before either!! Holy cow it is a grey hair epidimic!!! So with all this proof, I am going to conclude that I am going grey over the flooding situation and not because this year I am turning 25.....Again!

Why in airports?

Things that make me wonder in airports.

-Why do women dress like super models to fly? Those 4 in heels got to kill and could be used as a deadly weapon!

-Why do airplane bathrooms have to be so tight?

-And why does it rearrange your hair style when you flush the toilet. I feel like I get skinnier every time I flush!

-Why do I end up EVERY time in front of those annoying people that talk about aliens, what it's like to live in a legal marajuana  state, mt. Everest being the tallest mountain in Africa and the ones who kick, pull, hit or stand over your seat to talk to their buddy!

- why are there parents that can let their kid throw a tantrum the whole flight and let them scream bloody murder the whole night without the kid getting a darn good spanking? Seriously after the flight other people were thanking me for having such great fliers that didn't complain, whine or cry.... Even after the weeks we have been through!

-why don't people relax and laugh at jokes when the piolet says "This is a non stop flight to Hawaii!" Really people lighten up! Who really wouldn't take a free trip to Hawaii? I cheered and got the evil eye from many! Sunny Hawaii or rainy Seattle... Hmmm let me think about that one! 

-Why do people wait the entire flight to pee and then decide right when we are landing that they have to go?

- why do people still try to pack their hairspray, knifes, cigarette lighters through security? These have not been allowed since 2001 the rules have not changed and TSA are still going to take them away.... Even if it is your favorite kind of hair spray!

-And speaking of TSA why can't you get patted down by the cute guy and not the one that is scary and could break you in half? Not that I got searched but the lady in front of me did. Glad I have kids that have the cuteness factored in. 

So these are some things I wonder about when I fly? Do you Ever wonder things like this?

It is NOT just stuff!

When the flood came and we were unsure the extent of damage done to our house, we figured it was under water just like everyone else's. The water came so high so fast there was nothing stopping it! Keith and I felt we were in a daze. We would lay awake thinking of what items were on our first floor  and would be ruined if it flooded. Food, muck lucks, parkas, all my doll collection(200+) all our freezers, our wood stove, my library of books, and more. Things just kept coming to mind! It would make me sick thinking about it. We knew if water got into our house that meant everything outside was lost, like our truck, four wheeler, log splitter, green houses, 1 years supply of wood, our heating fuel, our gas, our snow machine(which we JUST paid off and cancelled the insurance!) and everything in our shed. Keith and I kept telling ourselves "it's just stuff!" When the water receded we heard stories of the damage done to other houses. Many are completely totaled or even GONE! Keith and I felt blessed that we all made it out alive. Everyone in our whole community was safe. There was no loss of life! That is amazing! God really protected all of us! We are going on a week and a half since the flood and we are now getting confirmations on the ground the extent of damage done. Our house did remain dry! Praise The Lord!! But everything outside of it was underwater. Our car which was parked at the school was surrounded by water but is running! Praise The Lord!! Our snow machine and 4 wheeler not so much on the running side. All our wood floated away and is gone. We lost all the contents of our shed.  Again compared to others we lost minimum and we kept telling ourselves "it is all just stuff".  But then a friend who lost EVERYTHING told Keith, "it maybe just stuff, but it is MY stuff, MY memories, MY money that has to replace it." And she is right! I have been telling myself it is just stuff but I didn't let myself morn for the loss of MY stuff. Last night as I lay in bed I realized what I had moved out in the shed a few weeks before. Memories! All my year books signed by my friends, All my letters that my mom sent me, every encouraging note I got from her while I was at boarding school. Every countdown calendar she made me was in that shed. Last night I cried for the memories I lost there! Yes it was just paper but they were priceless to me! They were worth far more then the snow machine, four wheeler or wood would ever cost! That is something I can NOT get back. All of us in Galena a going to have loss and will morn over the "stuff" we lost. It will not be easy for any of us. Some people have a whole lot more memories lost then I do but we will all have to deal with that pain. And we are finding people outside our community don't really understand the task at hand. 

Continue to pray for our community as we deal with loss of our town and the rebuilding process. It is not going to be easy. We are working against the clock called winter. We have till August/September when it arrives and all building will stop. All equipment and supplies must be flown in. Remember there are no roads to our town!

Pray for us as we all come to the conclusion that it may be just "stuff" but it is our stuff and our memories. Pray for us as we cry for memories lost but move on to building new ones.

And please, if you see me please don't tell me " It is just stuff" because I know it is just stuff but again it is MY stuff!

Band of Sisters

No we are not really related by blood but these 2 ladies have been my support system. Wendy Tulloch and Shell Kopp. We were close friends while living in Galena but crisis has brought us closer. We may not be military wives, but we  Feel the full force of our husbands being deployed! Our husbands may not be going to a foreign soil where bombs and guns make them the target but they are being sent to a community ravished by flood where there is no power, water, sewer and they must be fully self sufficient. They will be rebuilding our town where there is fuel and sewage contaminating the water supply. Where the low humidity makes it a fire hazard. Where all the personal vehicles are water logged and unusable. Where every house hold has some sort of loss. Some houses( like mine) have little damage. Praise The Lord but others like Shells had 4 feet of water in their home. Clean up is going to be hazardous and long. The men will be busy cleaning and rebuilding in a town only accessible by plane. All supplies, fuel and water will have to be flown in. As I said it will be a long journey.

While they are there, us wives with our children will be scattered across the country. This past week we have built a support system that works. With 8 kids among us, we fed, clothed, wiped noses, broke up arguments and disciplined children as a team. I can tell you that system was great! We could depend on each other to look after our kids. This made it easy on us moms and made a stable environment for our kids. Their friends were around them and so were adults that cared. We may not be military wives but we feel like it! We all have been through the same situation. The panic as we held our kids and they told us no planes were coming to evacuate us out, the worrying that the flood waters are still rising, the crying when our husbands stayed behind, the relief when our husbands got out on more missionary flights. We all laid awake thinking of things that we lost, had the water rushing at us and our children to only wake up in a sweat and realize it was just a dream.we banded together and pulled our resources during the evacuation and fed our kids which ended up being pop tarts, canned nuts and animal crackers. These ladies were there when donations upon donations came in of clothes, food, car seats, bedding and toys for our kids to play with. they all have felt the humbleness of receiving. These women are some of of strongest women I know. I love them so much and will miss them and their support!

Our lives are about to change. With our husbands heading out to Galena for an indefinite amount of time and our friends scattered around the world.( some are even in Germany) we feel like we are under a deployment. We don't know the next time we will see our husbands, or the next time we will get to return home or the next time we will see our friends. Maybe that is why I feel sick to my stomach! All I know is God knew who I needed to be with through this time of crisis! As we all disperse to Montana, south Alaska and Puerto Rico I know that bond will hold till we get back together again. I pray that will be sooner then we all anticipate! With Shell already gone, Right now I feel like my support system is broken. Wendy heads out tonight. I leave Saturday. Yes I am ready to be some where stable with a bed but I am not ready to leave this survivor system.  My kids can feel the change coming. But we know it will all work out and like the songs in church sang this morning by Casting Crowns "I will Praise you in the storm"

 

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

That is all I can say right now!