Hit the ground running

Just to let you know, last night we flew out of Anchorage into Seattle. God's grace to us was evident. All things are under His command and power including volcanos. Mt Redoubt in Alaska was stilled until this morning when it errupted twice with a 12 mile high ash plume and greater later. I am not sure if ash fell in Anchorage, but some planes were delayed. Thank you those of you who prayed.

With a rest in Seattle on a hideabed sans pillows our only furniture left except a table and chairs, we are running around today trying to clean up and out of our condo by next week. More later.

Chillin Out

Jeff and I at Hatcher's Pass with Raptor in background

The morning the mover’s arrived to clear out our condo, we headed to the airport to fly to Anchorage Alaska and on to Palmer to attend grandson Andrew’s state hockey championships, squirt D Division. The flight was smooth and the view from our side of the plane, the right side was spectacular, a clear view of the snow covered mountains and coast line. The next day, while the weather was clear, we headed to Hatcher’s Pass to experience the near pristine mountains and view of the Mat-su Valley. Jeff showed us the cabins where one Mythbuster’s episode tested cabin fever in the middle of nowhere. They joke that they live “15 minutes from the middle of nowhere.”

"cabin in the middle of nowhere"

Andrew at the Alaska state hockey championships Squirt D

But the real reason we dropped everything and headed to Alaska was our promise to come and watch him play in the state championships, since we saw him over a year ago play in his first ever hockey game. Their team played great, placing third and we chilled out at the rink for four days.

The day of the semifinals the volcano Redoubt blew and the ash headed north not northeast to our direction. Pray for God's grace to us that it won’t blow and prevent us from leaving Anchorage tomorrow night. We don’t want to chill out at the airport too long when we need to get moving.

A blur

It's been a blur this last month, a trip to Vancouver, back to the islands, then to Seattle several times, trying to distribute the stuff in the condo. We now have renters for three and a half years, provision in these economic times. The day the mover came to get everything out, we took off for Alaska. There will be a break for a bit with the blog. We are going too fast to even see anything clearly - except the faithfulness of God.

Storms ahead

Storm ahead as we traveled South to Seattle several weeks ago

It seems like we have been in a storm ever since we returned to Seattle from the West Indies in December. We arrived in the middle of a huge snow storm not finding our way back to the condo until 4 am. However, the worst storm was the emotional one around Neil’s mom’s death a few weeks later. Then it was the bleak financial forecast precipitating moving out of our condo in order to rent it out.

As we headed to Seattle once again from the San Juan Islands a week or so ago, there was a near blizzard east of Lopez Island to I-5 north of Marysville WA. The snow suddenly stopped with not a trace except for the ominous dark clouds ahead. We had a short break arriving at our condo and slept through the snowfall that came in the night. The morning revealed beautifully white laced trees and a quiet still scape that lasted a day.
It seems this is the way it is with us, a scurry of activity and storms, a break for a bit giving us renewed strength for more to come.

Thank you God for your provision of breaks that give rest, time for reflection, renewal and peace to plan clearly. Help us to always be aware of your presence and provison in our lives whether it is stormy or calm.

“Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the earth." Matthew 28:20

Respit

Island neighbors posed for an portrait class

Saturday morning drawing class

I decided to take a portrait class this month from Matt Miller, an artist in our community. I was sort of intimidated by the artists in attendance, but Matt's encouragement and instruction relaxed my self criticisms . I really enjoyed the change of mind.


There is something refreshing about studying someone's face, someone who is paid to stay still for that purpose. How often can you stare at someone else's face other than your mates or children's for hours without embarrasment? I was glad to have a plan and method set before me to follow the basics, a hand width on my paper to cover the skin on the face, the space betweent he first and second knuckle on the index finger the eye width on the paper and comparative measurements from there with the held out pencil measuring eye width comparisons. WIth the lack of order in my life, it was just what I needed.

Stuff

New orchid bud reaching for the sun

Hope in the one cleared space, an orchid in bloom

I’ve been trying to clear everything around me to no avail, even the desk on which to write. As soon as I get it cleared, more stuff stumbles in from the car. We’re clearing out personal stuff from the condo so we can rent it; bringing boxes to our place in the islands. The boxes of stuff form more obstacles to hurdle. Then in the attempt to find more places to put stuff, an old school cabinet stands inside the door awaiting refinishing, drawers and structure competing for what little space there is left.
I can’t get to my computer. The three printers that we own are all in the room as well, hoping that one of them will finally behave itself and scan or print on demand. But no, everything seems to have a life of its own and not helping me one bit.
I saw some progress last Sunday when someone came and took the bed out of the loft so I could make room for filing cabinets and a clothes rack. But with the bed gone, I see the rug needs stretching before I organize the room. Perhaps I just rip it out and have bare floor or just ignore the bump in the rug if I can. Everything is in disarray, not just little bumps in the rug. See why I haven’t written the blog in a bit, no place to write and brain too scattered like the room. Sometimes I think I just need everything cleaned out and start over.

“In the quietness of prayer, let me believe that a simple and determined surrender of my will to Him (Jesus) will bring the heart cleansing (and house order) that I need.” Andrew Murray

Provision

Wool sock reminding me of God's provision

I have often need a reminder of God's provision. The living room functions as a music room and a tv room depending on the array of furniture. God's provision of flexible space. Friday was the jam session with the area by the piano opened up; and yesterday, Super Bowl Sunday, tables pushed back and room for 18 or more people. I had not much time to plan or cook food and the freezer's seal broke and I could not get into the freezer. Neil crowbarred his way into the freezer for me, so I could empty it and transfer to the freezers attached to the refrigerators. I wondered what to do with the rest and realized it was God's provision. The chickens from the monastery were roasted, the meatballs and hordouvres found their special occasion they were waiting for. On top of that someone at church asked what I was having for the party and judging by my response that I needed more help, offered lettuce and ceasar salad makings, even though they were going to a different party. I found fall stored apples for a cobbler dessert in the garage as well. It was a feast. I've decided not to replace the freezer. I'm going to trust God and be more generous to others.

I've been cleaning out more than the freezer. Came upon a pair of wool socks that I bought with meagre summer earnings, when I was in jr college, first time away from home. Yes, they lasted this long! That in itself was a miracle with no visable moth holes until I took them out from the back of the drawer this week. Never lost in the dryer because I never put them in. I kept them as a reminder of God's provision. Now I need no reminder.

Last week I put them outside for some animal to keep warm, provision for them. One is gone already.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not detroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21