A Season of Blessing

It has been a while since I jotted down our life and heart happenings, and that is because a lot has been happening. I've been thinking about writing this blog a lot recently. Why I haven’t done it… I don’t know? But I want to, because I want to remember this season. Believe it or not, it has truly been a season of blessing. A season that has ushered in new, refreshing, and redeeming things. 

Honestly, I don’t even quite know where to start, because there are so many places I could! Images and conversations and thoughts flood my mind when I think about the past several months. I know I can’t record it all and I know that some of what I am learning is still being processed. But… I suppose it makes sense to just start.

November came, and provided more growth. God faithfully gave Brandon a great mentor and friend, for a short season, who had journeyed through similar questions of what it looks like to be a spiritual leader and practical ways to strengthen a marriage and be a good husband/father. In October, we had started reading one of our marriage books together and then in November, his friend encouraged us to just sit down and talk an evening or more a week about our hopes, dreams, and fears, which has helped us see into the other’s heart and be more on the same page.

Then, towards the end of November, (Thanksgiving Eve to be exact), Brandon had a physical training test 2 hours north of here at Eielson AFB. We decided to go up on Tuesday, so we could do the PT test and get some errands done all at one time. So… we did all the above… and we began the drive home… the drive went fine until the last twenty or so feet from our door. In those last twenty feet, Brandon pushed the button to open the garage door to find a lovely waterfall right inside our very own garage. While we were gone, one of our pipes busted, resulting in a lot of water to sop up in our closet, kitchen, and shop. As the story goes, we arrived home just in time for Brandon to head off to work a 12 hour night shift and me to set up the living room for Bible Study, which was supposed to start in 30 minutes. Ha. Brandon still went on to work and we still had “Bible Study” but I don’t think we ever opened a Bible. Instead, our dear friends, spent 2-3 hours right by my side, vacuuming up water, setting up fans, building fires, moving clothes and shoes, and encouraging me when I didn't even know what to do. I was so humbled through this experience. (And on top of all this, one of them graciously brought what I was supposed to bring to our Thanksgiving dinner with friends the next day).

As a result of this, most weekends for the next few months were pre-planned for us. We have spent several hours drying things out, tearing out sheet rock, painting, laying new flooring, and more. Some of the things needed to be done anyway, but this was just the push to make it happen. Thankfully, things are all dry and most of the projects are complete.

This has also kept Brandon very busy on top of his Air Force duties, but it hasn't all gone just as he planned. Once the “waterfall incident” happened, we decided it would be a good time to use my cancelled ticket to Colorado and have a break from the construction zone. We knew this would also free Brandon up to work without little fingers getting into the sheet rock mud or a wife needing her kitchen stove while the lighting above was being removed.

So, a week into December, Emily and Kaylee headed off to Colorado, and Brandon kept working away. And things were coming along well until the Northern Lights came out and a husband was sad that his wife was missing the display so he ran to take a picture for her but got caught on the latch of our 4 inch-thick front door and … yah… let’s just say, the door won.

So, instead of snapping a picture, Brandon’s finger was gushing blood. The PA over on base x-rayed it, determined the tip was broken, cleaned the mangled flesh, splinted/bandaged it up, and sent Brandon on his way with some much needed pain meds. Needless to say, this changed his ability to be as productive on the house as he had hoped, but slowly, we are coming along just fine. (He did mention he enjoyed the Lights on his drive over to the little clinic… only my optimist-of-a-husband would say that.) His finger has healed well. He stopped wearing the splint in January, the nail came off just last week, and he doesn't have much pain, so we are thankful!

While all this was transpiring, Kaylee and I were having a refreshing time in Colorado. Flying 6 hours with Kaylee… by myself… during the night… has continually proven to be one of the more dreaded things in my life, but we managed, and it was good to be with family. There were moments to relax with my brothers/sisters-in-love, while Kaylee finger painted and decorated cupcakes. There were special visits with my Grandpa Harvey as well as my Grandma Wilma and Aunt Jan. There was time for sewing/chatting with my mom, and one of big highlights… the chance to hit the slopes with my Pa. There was just something about being on my board that resonated with me. I got to let things go and sync into the flow and balance as I breathed in fresh, crisp air, and drifted across the glistening crystals beneath me. It seemed to feed my soul, kind of like yoga->(which I've been trying/enjoying recently too).

Anyway…. even in the midst of some trying times, it really has felt like a season of blessing. I’m not going to note everything (as this is already one of my longest blog posts to date), but I will mention that if there is such thing as angel encounters, I think one of them might have been plopped in the seat next to me and my screaming child on our last flight home to AK, speaking words of Life into me and providing fun things like crayons and stickers to distract my restless toddler.  Kaylee and I also got to have a quick visit with Brandon’s sister and her husband in Seattle, which was great.

 At moments, it has felt like it is just one thing after the other, but during this season, I have also just really grown to love Alaska (and Anderson) more than I ever thought possible. Without really actively combating it, I went through the season of darkness and extreme colds without much struggle (-20 to -50 below). We hear it has been a mild winter compared to last year, but any way about it, we have actually enjoyed much of it. And now it’s light almost 12 hours a day!

God has also begun teaching me some big lessons during this time too, and it looks entirely different than I thought. He is using His Spirit, not necessarily by having me with my nose in the Bible for hours on end or spending early mornings in solitude, praying. He has used other believers to edify me along with random verses and Christian podcasts that have come my way. It has been a season where I have grown in my understanding of the Kingdom of God and my heart has realized more of what it is to “Be still and know that He is God”.  I was sharing some of what He has been teaching me with our church body and one of them said… “Isn’t that cool. It’s refreshing when you know that the same Spirit that was in Colorado, teaching you things, is here too.” In this, I have found contentment.  In fact, contentment has found its way into my life and continues to try to find its way in, in a number of ways. Sometimes I just have to give up the fight. 

Another cool thing that God has been doing is working in the hearts of the youth here, which is super awesome.  Through the past few months, we have had so many chances just to hang out, which has made us grow pretty close to them. This has looked like anything from nerf gun fights in our living room to sledding when it warmed up to 0 degrees to laser tag in Fairbanks to teaching them Yahtzee at midnight to snow machining along the trails around Anderson. It just amazes me how God has opened yet another closed off portion of my heart and has really allowed it to be a big redeeming blessing in my life. Right now, on Sunday’s, we have started looking into Ephesians with them, and our prayer is that the Word will sink deep into their hearts.

We’ve also been able to spend time deepening other friendships, with friends in Anderson and Nenana. I have learned a lot through these friendships too. And some Nenana friends have kids Kaylee’s age, which is great! And some friends also have crocheting skills that they teach me, and then I become hooked (really, no pun intended). Actually, it’s been fun this past month to learn a new craft. Right now, my patience and abilities are limited to making baby hats and booties but that works out great, because I have, let’s see, eight friends who have recently had or are about to have babies! Oh and another random new “craft” I’ve been enjoying is cooking on the wood stove! It’s quite fun and I feel energy efficient and Alaskan all at the same time.

This season has included more special times with Brandon too. For my birthday, he took me to a hot springs resort about 3 hours away, where we soaked in a natural outdoor pool under the stars, ate at one of my favorite restaurants, and just had fun quality time together. Since then, we’ve also enjoyed a few family snow machine rides, some competitive card games, and other fun times.

This was also our first Christmas away from family, which truly lent itself to be a sweet time as an individual family. We cut a Christmas tree right out of our back yard. We woke up and made our Christmas braid and let Kaylee experience the goodness of hot cocoa for the first time. We skyped with family, opened gifts, and just had a memorable day together.  

Now that we have been away from so much that is familiar, we often have panic attacks about going back. Back to fast food being a block away, back to neighbors who have thousands of other people who can be their friend instead of you, back to being near so many people who we know and love, back to the busyness of the city, back to trying to fit in where we have come from, but holding to the good things that have become a part of lives while here. We have changed and grown in many ways, but at the same time, we trust this is what God wants for us. (Oh… oops… I guess we didn’t know/I didn’t mention last time that we are being sent back to Schriever AFB in Colorado Springs in June.)  It will be very hard to leave Anderson, but we look forward to how He will use the new creations in our hearts in the midst of that which is familiar. (Plus we still have 2.5 months here to enjoy and invest!)

Of course, Alaska is what will be familiar for Kaylee, since this is most of what she has known, so we will see how she adjusts. She is changing so much. It seriously seems like she learns a new word or grows everyday. She can reach more countertops and tabletops and open more containers and drawers and get out more toys and books than I ever thought possible. She really likes books too, which is great. We read a lot. She is cute and full of energy and is just so fun. She loves to help and is constantly wanting to be like us, whether it is bringing paper over to the fire, trying to sweep the floor, feed the dog, put things in the sink, etc. She really just likes helping, which is wonderful and I am hoping we can encourage that instead of discourage since her “help” isn’t always helpful at this age. As she has grown, and becomes more bold in her running and climbing skills (she loves to climb), she has also had her fair amount of bumps and bruises recently. But overall, she is doing well and we just love her to pieces. 

 This was taken on our last day with Eli, the little boy I watched part-time during the fall/winter. 

He and his mom moved to the lower 48 a few weeks ago but we are thankful for our time with our little friend. Kaylee still walks around calling his name and looking for him sometimes.

Kaylee loves hats and bundling up, which is wonderful!

When we go snow machining she seems indifferent, 

but then later comes to us all bundled up like she wants to go out again. 

 Like I said, she loves to climb.

One of my crocheting creations

 Snow machining

 She loves her Papa. She gets so excited when he comes home

and she wants to be right by his side when he is working on projects around the house.

They have a great time getting ready for bed in the evenings too. 

 This was taken back in Octoberish, but it was Kaylee's first time

out in the snow. She didn't know what to think of it. 

 Opening some pretty sweet presents

She loves carrying things around

I think her favorite from Christmas is this little rocking horse that one of my dear friends sent. 

It sings and talks, and it occupies a good chunk of most days. 

 Sunrise!!! 

We've had some pretty sunrises recently, 

along with blue skies and sun shine, which is a much appreciated change.

Kaylee also loves talking on the phone

 And she has grown to enjoy loving on anything from baby dolls to stuffed animals.

She especially likes "Puppy" who sports matching pajama pants and a blankie just like Kaylee's.

 Cutting down our Christmas tree

 At the indoor pool at the hot springs.

This was the first time that Kaylee really enjoyed playing in the water and trying to swim.

Hot cocoa on Christmas morning

Reading a book

Alaska girl : )