More from the North Pole

Monday Val went into work for the morning and then enjoyed the Visitor's Center with her friend Maria. A visit to the Fudge pot and some wonderful blueberry fudge.... yum. In the evening Val and Maria went to a meeting and I was able to spend some precious time with my new friend and sister in Christ Cherie. She is a wonderful mother of 2 children, Gabi and William along with a faithful wife of Adam who is currently training in Arizona. It has been an experience to live with these women who have come to love their husbands and be loved as Christ loves the church but then have them taken for months or more than a year a time in the name of America. The sacrifice these women experience is great but to see God's hand and way He strengthens these women is also a testimony to me. It has been a gift to be here with them and get to know their hearts.


Tuesday involved a visit to Santa Clause's house (which happened to be closed but no worries I got a good picture with the BIG guy - biggest Santa Clause in the world - and saw the reign deer :) )






Wednesday we got to introduce Sushi to Maria and Cherie - there was a fun place in Fairbanks. Val enjoyed the rest of our evening just relaxing playing some Monopoly deal, watching Despicable Me (so cute by the way), and making some delightful good (avocado salsa, spinach quiche, and bread pudding with a carmelly sauce :) ). And we got to go on a dog sled ride in Fairbanks! It was so majestic and beautiful! The lady that gave the tour was a blast to talk with. We talked most of the ride. It was a beautiful day and a light snow started as we ventured out on the trails.



Thursday I was able to join Val on post with a Women's ministry to the wives of Army men. It was a great time of prayer, worship, and truth based on Jonah - what a rich illustration of the need to pursue God's direction in our lives. Also enjoyed the infamous Cookie Jar - another cute restaurant in Fairbanks. And finished the evening with some wonderful homemade oil sauce pizza, left over bread pudding - yum - and the movie "Life as We Know It" <-- I would highly recommend this movie - super cute chick flick :)

Signing off for now. 2 more days and then heading back to Chicago where I hope it is warming up!!

Going Dog sledding!!!

We are going dog sledding this afternoon!!! Can't wait. I will catch you all up when Val is at work tomorrow afternoon - stayed tune for pictures and memories to come...

2 posts in one week!!

This past week was full of adventures. Monday presented itself with many threats of a storm coming to Chicago. And it did come! 20 inches or so fell within the 24 hours between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. There also was thunder and lightening in the midst of it all. It was absolutely incredible. I did not go out in it (much to my Grandmother's appreciation - although there were a few times I almost got the spirit to venture to the lake). One of my friends went out to the lake in the blizzard and at one point said the gusts of wind were so great he couldn't move forward. I went out after it settle around 11:00pm. Then on Wednesday Maggie and I ventured out and got some fun pictures.



Thursday was pretty calm. My morning class was cancelled and I geared up to head for Alaska! I left for Alaska on Friday. Left from Chicago around 3:45 pm. Arrived in Seattle 6:10 had a lay over till 9:30. Got into Alaska around 12:45am (which felt like 2:45 central time). Val picked me up! On our way home the Aurora was so incredible. Val said it was the most beautiful display of the lights she has ever seen. As one of my friends said, it is like the sky was dancing. It was an incredible shade of green and at one point we even saw some red and pink and then they would move - wow. how creative Lord!



Saturday we ventured out - found me camera, ID, credit cards, transportation cards which I had dropped in the snow in my excitement of the lights the night before. Praise the Lord we found them all just where I had gotten out of the car. My camera was even in good shape. We then went to the Chowder house for some chowder (salmon) and visited the pipe line. Saw the mountains. Got to hang out with some of Val's friends here.



The days are longer than I expected the sun coming up around 10:00 setting around 5:30 but the sun never gets very high but it is still fairly bright. It makes for beautiful color in the sunsets and sunrises.

Today's super bowl involved about 8 ladies, commenting on the football players hair. watching the "puppy bowl" on animal planet during the half time. 4 of the ladies got out their crochet projects. and not a lot of the game watching, but the food was excellent which is the importance of the superbowl :)

Looking forward to many more adventures here with Val and the Alaska :)