Breakup Brings "Flocks of Meese"

     We hesitate to say it, but we believe that "break-up" has officially arrived in our area of Alaska, changing the landscape here, yet again.  It has been amazing to watch the summer fade into fall, to wait patiently for the first snows, and now to have arrived at the time when the ice and snow are melting and the temperatures are on the rise again.  I must admit, I do love the changes of all the seasons (fall is my absolute favorite), but I had forgotten the "yuck" that must precede spring in this great state.

     Many of you awaken to "spring" with beautiful flowers, greener grass, and leaves that seem to appear on your trees overnight.  The change here is much s-l-o-w-e-r, which seems to mirror the pace of this place.  Sometimes I find I am growing impatient, so Ethan has reminded me (on more than one occasion) to seek the beauty and the good -- in the midst of the yuck.  His gentle prodding reminds me that such is often the case with life...

     Seasons change -- some bringing beauty, others, not so much.
Yet in the midst of the mud, guck, and yuck there is beauty...and hope...
if we are diligent about seeking it.  

     Our beauty can be seen amid the ankle deep mud -- in a sunrise that begins now close to 5:00 a.m. and a sunset that leaves the skies lit until nearly 10:30 p.m. With the advent of additional Vitamin D you would think that we have more energy than can possibly be expended.  Not so!  Our bodies try to stay awake as long as the sun does, so we find ourselves already starting projects earlier and later than we normally would in the Lower 48 - and paying the price with bleary eyes and weary bodies.

Hatchet Boy

We are attempting a B-I-G spring cleanup of our yard which began in earnest this past week.  Michael felled two trees and has plans to take out a few additional widow-makers in our back yard.  We all worked in the front yard clearing a landscaped area that hasn't had much attention in the past few years.  It will definitely be a learning experience, as much of that area was covered in moss and needed quite a bit of weeding and "hatchet attention," while the backyard is completely covered with huge rocks that would destroy our mower if we attempted to use it. 

     I remain sore from that day's work, but feel accomplished, as it looks much better.  There is still a rather large slab of ice in our front yard where the sun shies away for much of the day.  Because our driveway slopes downhill, I'm not quite sure I can't paint a vivid enough picture of the murky quagmire that was our driveway a week ago.  Ethan could wade in the melting puddles and just barely keep water from running into his boots at his knees.  Michael made a makeshift bridge from some old lumber he found hiding underneath his workshop.  I think it has served more as a hardcore door mat than anything.  We would walk in ankle deep mud from our cars to the "bridge," stamp off our muddy shoes, and enter the house.  Praise the Lord for a mud room!  It is definitely that!

   
 

First Bike Ride of the Season

Despite the mud, we are able to get out and enjoy the weather by walking, and Ethan has begun riding his bicycle quite often.  Hiking isn't too far in the distance, and we have already mapped out some new locations we want to try once all of the mud is at bay.  The warmer weather has also spawned tiny buds on the trees, and we know it won't be long before the brown turns a vibrant green.  Bears have been spotted in Palmer, and many a wildlife specialist attributes that to the very warm winter we had this year.  Warmer winters "confuse" the bears, so they go to sleep later and awaken earlier.  As a result, we remain cautious when outdoors, particularly when we are around moose.  Moose are practically a staple of the bear diet -- particularly upon waking from hibernation.  It is a bit too early yet for calving, but calves tend to receive the brunt of the bear hunts.

   
Interestingly enough, we have seen more and more moose activity.  Michael and Ethan saw 4 moose on one trip from Wasilla to our house, and Ethan and I saw 3 large moose congregated together in a feeding area a few miles from home.  It was completely unexpected, as moose don't normally travel together like that.  I got so excited at seeing them that I yelled, "Look, Ethan!  It's a whole FLOCK of

moose!"  In true educated fashion, he shook his head and said, "I don't think that's correct, Mom.  If anything, it would be a herd."  As we burst into laughter that spawned an entirely new conversation about the intricacies and rules of the English language, and I decided very quickly that we had indeed witnessed a "flock of meese." Ethan stayed true to his "herd of moose" and even told me he would show me the English rules (exceptions) that led to his conclusion!  All in a day's work!

     His next project is determining which artwork to enter into the State Fair in August.  The Exhibitor Guide was published earlier this week, and he is excited about entering multiple entries in the various art classes.  He may even talk me into entering a crochet project!  Alexander was less enthusiastic about our prospects and even said, "That sounds a lot like ACE Convention!"    

     "Yes! For all ages!"

Magua (aka Wes Studi)
The Last of the Mohicans

     Alex is less likely to participate, as his current life situation is work and school -- full-time at both.  It is doable, but very exhausting.  Please pray for continued strength for him.  Michael has also been busy, completing a 3-month leadership course at the VA. His graduation was earlier this week, and we had a chance to meet some of his co-workers here.  It has been a unique transition for him, as they are professional - but relaxed.  Individuals are not constantly trying to "move to the next promotion."  Perhaps that's the result of working at a smaller facility.

LEAD Graduation, March 31, 2015

Andrew continues to work diligently at Lee, and he and Sydney are making their way to North Carolina and Tennessee this holiday weekend.  He is excited to show her "his stomping grounds and where he grew up," Please pray for their safety.

     And, now, as we must continue to busy ourselves with the work for this day, we pause for a moment to reflect with you about the joy and significance that this weekend holds.  Today is "Good" Friday.  While the acts that were accomplished on this day to our Savior were so heinous and "not good," His WILLINGNESS to take the punishment that should have been ours to secure our salvation is indeed Good.  We will celebrate His resurrection on Sunday and remember the unconditional love that only He has for us.  We pray you will know and remember that He loves you, too, and that you will accept His grace, forgiveness, and gift of salvation. Blessings to You All!

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8