Ryan and I flew home, last week, arriving home on Wednesday. We decided it would be a lot of fun to surprise our siblings and friends. However, some older ones "heard" a phone conversation and so we had to be content with surprising the younger kids!.;)
We had a very busy and good stay at the Kako Retreat Center. We both learned a lot and had some really
special opportunities and experiences, living the "bush life" for two months.;) There were so
many pictures to choose from but, here are a select few.:)
Kako's 182-We got to ride in this plane on the flight from Aniak to the actual camp-about 45 mins.
Alvin was a really hard worker. His example to us was such blessing! He really exemplified "hiding God's word" in his heart.
Getting ready for prayer meeting, held on Wednesday nights.
The other half of the circle.....:)
One of the brothers from Minnesota fixed the piano! Vera and I were so excited to have the pedal working again!!
A usual lunch at the Johnson's home-the ladies often sat in the living room.
Kako winter wonderland:D
Ryan and Isaac splitting and cutting wood for fires. That was a major, tiring and unending job.:P
We were
actually allowed to help cut up moose meat.;) With little experience and due to the need, we jumped into it.;) Brenda is an old-timer and she was a good teacher.
We had a work team come, from Alaska Bible Institute-ABI, and Mission Aviation Repair Center-MARC for a weekend. They were a big help and it was fun to meet and make new friends.:)
Dave, Bob (a pilot from MARC) and Brian (ABI student:)
Watching "Heidi" with Isobel (Brian's daughter), Stacey and (her mommy) April Pitka.:D
Bob's plane from MARC-really neat!;) (1978 Piper-I think that's right.;)
Ryan helping Brian and Bob (pilots) with moving the plane.;)
I think Ryan got this neat picture.:D
Stacey sledding.:)
One adventure we had....:P One morning after a long and windy storm, we awoke to find we could not use our front door!? So, we went downstairs and used the back door. Ryan later shoveled out our doorway as well as several other walkways.
A quick picture together before we ran out the door to face another busy day.;) And yes, Ryan looks like a mountain man.;)
We enjoyed playing Dutch Blitz-ALOT! We had some of the funniest rounds I've ever played!! Vera Penz is one of the most enjoyable people to play this game with!;) We all had so much fun, sometimes we laughed
so hard, we cried!!! A real highlight in the evenings after the work was finished.:D
April and I playing....(They nicknamed me "April the second." It all started out when Vera kept getting us mixed up and calling me, "April".;)
Ryan's set-up.:P
April, Ole'man and Isaac "helping" me with the score.:P I have
never been fast at mental math and so they had too much fun with me! I will confess though I have gotten better through the whole experience.;)
I love Ryan's face here!!
We also had a group of exchange students come up to Kako for snowboarding, dinner and games! It was really fun to have young people around and they spent the night, before taking off the next day.:) (One of the gals remembered me from summer camp and we enjoyed seeing each other again!)
Unpacking Kako groceries from JB Bush.:)
Myself, Agatha, Esther, Vera and Susanna( she was in my cabin last summer!) relaxing on the couch.
Ryan playing football with the kids.:D They all really loved him-especially tackling him down!!
200+ cookies for the camp staff.:D I hadn't ever made that many cookies before, even for our sized family!
Wind and snow are a neat combination to capture on the camera.
Ryan, reading to Robert and Gracie. Gracie was captivated with Ryan.:D
Our last picture together on the mountain, a few days before we left.:)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25
