So, as you can read, it has been one cold winter. November started out with colder temperatures than normal. We thought it might get it out of it's system, but January has proved otherwise. We've been home (from Christmas vacation) for over four weeks and I think we've had two days (T-W-O!) where it's been above zero. The average temperature this week with windchill has been about -30. We did see -62 (windchill) last week. We've set records. We have heard people say that this is the longest stretch of cold they have ever experienced living here. With these cold temperatures, has brought one antsy mommy and a little boy who is starting to feel a bit cooped up. Thankfully, almost every day has been so beautiful with all the sunshine. It's nice to sit in the living room and feel the warmth of the sun shining right in. (Yay for living on the North side of the building!)
We are hoping that perhaps God will have pity on us poor Alaskan missionaries and send up Summer in April. :-) Or at least have a warmer Summer than last year.
Backing up....
September had several warm fall days and sun, sun, sun! I had just gotten back from my visit to Washington with Malachi. Jeremy had arrived with the Cherokee 6 airplane from Minnesota a few days previously and it was great to see him after two weeks. Malachi was ready to see his daddy too. The end of the month we put the plane to good use and the Swansons and the three of us flew up to Port Alsworth for "Ministry Family Retreat" (MFR) hosted by Arctic Barnabas Ministry (ABM) at Tanalian Bible Camp. (It was a retreat for Pastor's familys and missionaries)It is a little over an hour flight and a pretty trip. And once you get there it is breathtaking. It's a small town with the camp right at the end of the runway. The camp is located right "on" the lake with mountains in the background. (Pictures later..) It was a wonderful time of fellowship and meeting many new friends. Arctic Barnabas is such a great group of people who care so much about each of us. They check in on us often and we've had visitors from this group come here to bring encouragement. There was even a group of dentists at the retreat who gave FREE cleanings and check-ups. We had several willing baby holders there too which was nice. :) The speaker there was a converted Muslim and his talks were very good. It was just so wonderful to have a break from the "norm" and be somewhere new.
October and November flew by with some activity, but not as busy as the Summer months. Malachi continued to grow and learn new things every day. He had his 6 month birthday where I made cupcakes just for fun that he couldn't eat. He did try his first solid food and has been eating tons ever since. He loves to eat and is not a picky eater at all. He has mastered the finger food routine and likes to snack. (which is a great distraction during bible study and Sunday service.) He is still skinny, but is packing in the food non the less. He learned to sit up in October although he was just as content playing in his "saucer/exerciser" or rolling all over the place. He also enjoyed his "first snow" and liked watching it from the couch. Month 7 (November) brought teething and his first two teeth! (which is all he still has) He learned how to get up on his hands and knees, but no crawling.
December brought a much anticipated trip back to Washington for Christmas, but before that I was able to go to a Women's Retreat the beginning of that month. This again was hosted by some of the ABM ladies. Originally, it was supposed to be held in Dillingham, another fishing town about a 30 minute flight away. The weather was so crummy that our planes couldn't fly there and theirs couldn't get here. We thought it was supposed to be cancelled, which dissapointed Marissa (my very good friend from here) and I. But they called us later that afternoon and told us they wanted to commercial fly us to Kenai! (Close-ish to Anchorage.) It ended up being at a beautiful log cabin type house and it was a small, fun group. Malachi even got to come with the ladies too. :-) We enjoyed a couple days of wonderful fellowship, a bit of shopping, going out to dinner, great personal conversations and much more. So thankful for the opportunity the Lord gave me to go. A much needed retreat. Maybe next time I'll even leave the baby home with Jeremy. ;)
A week and a half later we flew down to Washington and had a WONDERFUL time home with family and friends. Jeremy's mom, brother and step-dad had just moved back to Washington in November, so we had BOTH sets of parents there. It was a busy time and not necessarily a "vacation", but we enjoyed it none the less. We were able to connect with several old friends. Jeremy shared at MATA (Mission Avaiation Training Academy- the school that his dad started) and we saw many people there and we didn't know half of them! Crazy how times change. Hanging out with family, Malachi had the time of his life with all the attention right on him. He really enjoyed showing off and charming everyone. He was quite the ham too! He had a baby check-up while we were home and is nice and healthy. We were told to feed him some Pork Chops though to "fatten him up." My grandparents were there from Michigan and it was their first time meeting their Great Grandson. They really enjoyed him. He was quite spoiled this Christmas with lots of toys. We were able to be at Jeremy's mom's house on Christmas Eve and spend the day at my parent's on Christmas Day. We flew back on the 27th and spent a couple busy days grocery shopping in Anchorage. (a normal routine for the bush Alaskans when they are in Anchorage)
As previously said, we arrived home in Naknek to some COLLLLDDD weather and wondered why we left Washington's mild winter. January has been a bit slow as far as flying activity. In fact, Jeremy has not flown since being back. It's been so cold that the weather is okay for some local flying, but it's too cold to fly out to the villages for ministry. Now that the river is definitetly frozen for driving, they have been driving over to South Naknek for afternoon church rather than flying. I have yet to drive (ride rather) across the river, but eventually Malachi will have to experience it. Jeremy has been keeping busy helping out a bit at the radio station and doing lots of random "mr. fix-it" jobs. Everything seems to break down when it's winter. This weekend he is helping out with basketball tournaments. The Bristol Bay Angels (our school's team here in Naknek/King Salmon) is hosting the "Sockeye Classics" and there are several village teams here. The radio station announces many of the games and Bob our station manager has diligently broadcasted these games while several guys (two including Jeremy and Pastor Swanson) have been at the games doing the announcing. Malachi went to his first basketball game last night and enjoyed the stimulation until he was worn out and ready for bedtime. He has been on more of a sleeping schedule now which has been nice, but we also have to be home at night so that he can sleep. But he's been such a good sleeper. Last night he slept for 9 1/2 hours without a squack. He only wakes up once in the middle of the night and it's usually early morning, so I'm thankful for that as he kind of reversed a few months ago and was waking up twice a night for some reason. He's in his own room which I think has helped quite a bit and I admit that I don't mind either. Our little guy is growing up. He just had his 9 month birthday and we can't believe how fast the time is flying. It's bittersweet. It's been fun watching him learn new things and explore. He is now crawing, albeit it's more of a "army/inch wormy" crawl, but we know that he knows how to crawl for real, because he has done it for short distances a couple times. I think he just doesn't care either way. He has learned how to pull himself up on the couch or other low things which keeps us on our toes for sure. I even found him standing up in his pack n' play (not a small feet) when I got him up from his nap yesterday! 95% of the time we are there so he doesn't get a "conkers", as Jer calls them; but yesterday he cut his little lip just a bit...enough to frazzle the mommy for just a minute. He's a tough cookie though. He is in the stage of "i'm not interested in any of my toys for more than a a couple minutes. I'd rather go for sharp objects and dirty shoes and other dangerous things." What a boy. He lovesss to dance to any music/songs he hears by rocking side to side. (not very Free Lutheran like) :-D He is a chatter box full of "ba, ba, bab" and da, da, dad", "mom", etc. He gives kisses (most of the time only to me) when you say "kiss." That's one of mom's favorite things! And these are a few of his accomplishments, enjoyments,etc. :)
So, that brings us back to the cold weather.....and here we sit. Waiting for Spring, but knowing it won't come for months, so enjoying our time and thankful for the jobs that come our way. Thanks everyone for your prayers and support. We've really appreciated it! Don't stop praying. We need it.
Love,
Jeremy, Lacey and Malachi
And now for the fun part- some pictures--------> Click on "Older Posts" ...I believe there will be some pictures and then the option to view "Older Posts" again for some more pictures.
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