Back Again

Ah, home sweet home. Well, for the most part.

Arrived back in Anchorage last night after three weeks in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Blessed with a safe trip and many visits with relatives and friends; it turned out to be a grand time. Over these three weeks the activities included two weddings, the Oregon coast, watching softball games, barbecues, Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Crater Lake and southcentral Oregon, a trip on the Snake River, and viewing the scenery along the road to the varied destinations. There are now over 2000 additional miles on my Trooper when compared to three weeks ago. Every mile driven was well worth it.

Maybe in the next few days some pictures will find there way to the photo albums and I'll post a bit more to this blog. In the meantime just catching up on things here and placing a few phone calls...

It's good to be back in Alaska.

Return of the Lower 48

Back in Washington and Oregon (from Alaska) today. Just in time actually to celebrate the little sister's 21st Birthday with a nice dinner out - just her and I. Don't worry, parents, no heavy drinking involved...

Good to be back here in the South to visit family. Looking forward to the next, nearly, 3 weeks of time here. Shall return to Alaska on 25 July - well, only until 16 August, then back down again I come.

It seems pretty amazing to me how God works in even the most humble circumstances, or rather circumstances that may seem to the person in them as humble (or unwelcome) at the time. It seems to me that it is not so much what you do as a result of the circumstances in which you find yourself, but rather the attitude you take about the current circumstances and the forthcoming conduct.

This is all to say that I believe we are put in situations where we can flourish or perish - the choice is dependent upon the individual and how they would respond with their attitude and resultant action. For example the last few weeks in Alaska (after just over four months of absence) were good, however, I don't know that they were what I really wanted on the outset. However, at this point in time I understand why it was that I was in such a circumstance, and while I can't say that a positive attitude abounded I can say that God had plans beyond my own to which I now understand and appreciate. Hindsight is always 20/20.

A quick note that my friend Willard (see the end of this post) is doing much better and currently working to regain strength (and weight) to return to where he was before becoming sick. Thanks to any out there who were praying - don't stop but realize that prayers have been answered.

The Cabin

Our family owns a cabin out in the woods. We share the woods with the mosquito's - who were delighted to see us recently and rather bent on only enjoying our invitation for a free meal. I once had a theory about mosquitoes - such being that if you didn't think they would bother you, well, then they wouldn't - purely a psychological ploy to advert the persistent buzzing and penetrating proboscis. Well, this past weekend that theory was eighty-sixed along with my personal ban on using bug dope (thank goodness for DEET)!

Now, it wasn't that the mosquitoes were at record levels necessitating extrodinary measures. No, the mosquito numbers were only a tad elevated for this time of year and simply maintaining their passionate pursuit of fresh blood. [Note example in picture above - Keweenaw's favorite mosquito retardant method.] However, without the aforementioned defense tactics of bug dope it is certain that each slap against neck, hand, face, or other body part would have easily limited two kills. Arms and legs, left untreated, could be considered the front lines providing five kills per slap - at least that was my record prior to forfeiting to the advantages of the bug dope.

Dad and I had traveled out to the cabin last night (returning this afternoon) with intentions of checking in on the place. According to the visitation log book there has been, on average, just over one visit per month since this year begun - a paltry showing but evidence that life is not a pursuit of singular enterprises. It should be noted that the previous visit to the cabin was cut short by the parents specifically due to the mosquito dilemma. [mosquitoes should have been included in the medieval torture chambers - hearing a persistent buzzing while attempting to fitfully sleep (and trying to kill the culprit) is just pure agony.]

The point here is not the mosquitoes (though by last count the tally was Me, ~ 50 mosquitoes, and mosquitoes, ~ 25 free meals - some weren't able to finish their meals however) but rather that I realize I have taken many things for granted in this country in which we reside (for the record Alaska is the 49th State of the US). It was while out at the cabin (albeit I was mainly focused on getting back to the house to work on travel arrangements and the like) that I thought we often take many things for granted here in the US, at least I know I do. These thoughts probably stem from reflections on the time in England and conversations with others there. I am not attempting to discredit England or any other country - just thankful for what we have here.

There are many things about our country that I believe we must be thankful for. Among these would be the numerous freedoms, democracy and equal representation, value of life and people, natural resources, abundance of land and open spaces, and recognition of God's providence in the founding and documentation of this country's beginnings. Certainly, there are varying opinions on all of these matters, and more, to which every person will likely have there own opinion. However, that is part of the beauty of what we have here in the US - think about it.

It's true that I don't agree with all actions and opinions of people, including some expressed by governmental figures; however, this again is an example of why this country is what it is. It's true that this country isn't perfect, or logical in all respects - no one is trying to paint that picture - the country is made of people who are not perfect - such is fairly evident reading the often unfairly negative media. An example may be the contentious issues wrapped up in Iraq. I support the actions in Iraq and Afghanistan and while I recognize that this war is contentious for many reasons I think it is worth pausing to consider what we are attempting to provide the people there - opportunities and freedoms to which we are afforded here - think about it.

So, I say all this as a petition for others to pause and think about what they are thankful for in this country. It is, after all, Independence Day.

Happy 4th of July!
God Bless.

Pictures and Things

Found this picture of the Northern Lights in some deep, dark file on the parents machine. It is a scan of some slides that I had taken one night back in January from the top of Mt. Baldy. Believe me when I say that the length of the exposure aided the colors in this slide - the Lights were not so great as this depicts that night. In any case it is a photo that came out much better then expected and is for your viewing pleasure.

So, spent this past weekend on the Kenai River with the Men's Group from church. No fish to really speak of, but a good time with some awesome weather. Supposedly there were fish in the Kenai and Russian Rivers, but we didn't catch any in the three days of attempting. Of course, we did bypass stopping at the Russian River confluence due to the crowds of people - I am not kidding - check out the pictures for yourself.