Well...our house guests are gone, and a sad sort of loneliness came to take their places. We so love having visitors, but their exits remind us of family and friends that are so very far away. There have been many times when we have seen such magnificent views that particular people have come into our minds, and we want to share them so badly. Oh, how we wish we could bottle those views and send them to you! In just one week, the gray and brown hues that have been our palette for weeks have suddenly burst forth into the most vibrant yellow-green color. Moss that bathes the forest floors feels spongy beneath our feet and leaves a fresh air fragrance in our nostrils. A Cooperative Extension agent told us during a class in early August that a "mossy floor is a sign of a well-oxygenated area." We are "well oxygenated" here!
 |
| Springtime in Alaska! |
We are all excited to be back outdoors, hiking and getting into any shape besides the "round" ones we found ourselves in after our long winter. During a recent hike to Thunderbird Falls, we were amazed at the change in the greenery, which almost seemed to occur overnight. We were also amazed that none of us were congested, had sore throats, or pollen-covered cars as a result of the sudden change of season. Ethan breathed deeply in the midst of the woods and innocently exclaimed, "Ahhh...a man can really breathe up here (in Alaska)!"
 |
| Thunderbird Falls |
I have to be honest, though...given the full parking lot, numbers of people hiking the trail, and just the general excitement, I expected
more than what we saw at Thunderbird Falls. Now before you throw something at your computer screen in an attempt to hit me via cyber space because I'm an ungrateful slob, hear me out. Our family likes to hike, and we've seen amazing sights -- every time. But I'm accustomed to the waterfalls in the NC State Parks -- you know, the
The Last of the Mohicans and such. So once we got to Thunderbird Falls, I wasn't exactly ecstatic -- especially since I had NC waterfall expectations and knew that my poor arthritic knees were going to have to climb out of this canyon. I didn't want to admit it, but my real issue was that my pain threshold didn't match the sight at the end, so disappointment (and my agingness) crept in. There I go, showing my human side again...oh, well.
 |
| Trail to Thunderbird Falls |
As we headed home (in the midst of my pity party), Michael had a random idea. He has those quite regularly recently, and I believe they are little nudges from the Holy Spirit, divinely inspired to get us all (well, me...to get
me) in the right frame of mind. Thunderbird Falls is only one of many areas close to home that we've been anxious to visit. After visiting there, Michael suggested we try Eklutna Lake since it was on the way home. Ethan and I were game, so we headed the 10 miles into the mountains.
OH, MY WORD!!!! Can you say, "Please forgive me for being a bonehead, Lord?" and
"Thank You for giving my husband such wonderful ideas!"
Eklutna Lake is a miraculous place that inspires so many feelings.
 |
The first 1/2 of Eklutna Lake
"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1-2 |
My first feeling was guilt -- at my own unappreciativeness of God's creation. My second feeling was completely overwhelming, something that happens quite frequently here -- overwhelmed that the God Who created such beauty could be concerned about every facet of my life and love me unconditionally -- even in my humanness!
What a blessing that is!
The pictures of this place can never do justice to its majesty, and now I have
another new favorite place! We spent nearly an hour there, just walking, looking, crying, wishing we could close our eyes, then open them again, and you all would be right there with us. When that didn't happen, we decided next time we will bring lawn chairs and just sit there -- like a bunch of yahoos on logs, not really watching anything in particular, but trying to take in
everything!
Ethan found every rock and stick he could to toss into the lake. What is it about boys, sticks, rocks, and water? His brand new size 9 (yes, I said 9!) men's tennis shoes are completely ruined from the trek. And he would tell you, "It was worth it!" That seems to be his newest quote.
Even today, as he learned how to chop wood and is now feeling such pain that he cannot bend properly or lift his arms higher than a few inches he quips is a raspy whisper, "It was worth it!" We think the raspy whisper is for effect to increase the potential for sympathy. It works. So this week, as we are finishing up some of our core subjects for this school year and rounding off our field trip circuit, he has learned the following:
1. Mossy Green Means the Air is Clean
2. His Daddy Loves His Mama, Even In the Midst of All Her Drama
3. Following God's Lead Even Disappointments Succeed
4. When Mama's the Fretter, Mountains & Water Make Everything Better
and his favorite lesson...
5. Regardless of My (Ethan's) Sore Back, I'm Growing Up to Be a Lumberjack
Until next time, I encourage you to find the hidden treasure
in the midst of disappointment. It is in the disappointment that we meet the Lord, that we cry to Him, and that He works wonders. Praying for and thinking of you all!
Love,
Your Alaskan Family
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..."
Ecclesiastes 9:10a
No comments:
Post a Comment