Dip netting in Kenai

Last month we were invited to stay with a family in Kenai for "fish camp". This is what we Alaskans call spending a few days only fishing, fileting and preping the fish for storage, in order to have salmon to eat the rest of the year. The Peters family met us in July; he is the director of Arctic Barnabus Ministries out of Kenai. The purpose of their organization is to encourage and support Alaskan missionaries and pastors.

This first picture is a bald eagle that landed at the top of a tree in their yard. Majestic.

Anyway, we had an amazing time connecting with their family; they have 3 children the same ages as Connor and Samantha, and Rob and I have a lot in common with Jonathan and Becky.

Dip-netting is a fishing experience like none other. We were at the mouth of the Kenai river, holding up long handled, metal, large hoop nets, waiting for red salmon to swim into the nets. There were people all around us, just a few feet away in a long line along the shore. A lot of fish campers literally camped on the beach along with the fish guts strewn everywhere. (See pictures below!)We came home with 25 fish - both Rob and I were able to catch some. Thank you, Dana, for lending me your chest waders! And the Peters family for your hospitality! What a blessing to us.

Hike up Wolf Point

So, once again my blog has taken the back-burner to a busy life; this summer has flown by - literally. A week and a half ago we watched snow fall from the sky for a few hours! So today I'm sitting down to do a little catching up...

Yesterday, the four of us went on an amazing hike up the Wolf Point trail.
Resting 3/4ths of the way up the hill Kids and dog making a very steep climb to the top of Wolf Point after a few mile hike that was relatively flat A triumphant Connor was the first one to the top. Three hikers (and Cinder) at the top!

Samantha clinging on for dear life... :)

We saw a herd of 9 Dall Sheep far off in the distance on the side of this mountain. They are teeny white specks at that bottom of the green strip toward the middle of this photo. I'm sure you can't see them...

Erin and Connor walking back down the hill

Moments before this photo Connor said, "I like you." Rob replied, "I like you, too." It was a cozy memory for the Mom... :)

Our legs and feet don't hurt nearly as bad as they did yesterday!

Finally, a new post from the Albers! BB Gun and Fire Starting Practice...

The last 2 1/2 months really got away from me! Just about every week I intend to sit down and write a little something (thoughts or events we've participated in) and every week I realize that it's already the next week...

So tonight this may be a quick one, but I wanted to post a few pictures that we took this last week. Connor is learning how to use his BB gun (a Christmas gift), and all of us are practicing using fire steel to create sparks and start fires.

Connor figured out that he IS strong enough to cock it on his own.

Aiming at the can that he set out in the snow.

Direct Hit! Connor was going to shoot until he hit the can 10 times,

but wanted to keep going and finally quit at 16.

Rob showing the kids an example of how to start a fire using fire steel.

Connor got some great sparks, but it will take some more practice...

Ice Sculpting at Cantwell School

This has been one crazy, tiring week. (I worked at the school four days in a row and proofread a project for an Oregon friend which took almost 8 hours.) One benefit of being at the school on Thursday, though, was that I was able to watch the kids learn from a professional icesculptor. He taught them about the various tools that he uses and how they affect the ice. Then they were each able to work on a small chunk to make a project of their own. The students were able to use irons, a steamer, chisels, hammers, and markers. It was quite an experience!

The last picture is Samantha with the hawk (We are the Cantwell Hawks.) that the pro made on his own. I don't think the picture does it justice!

What do you do without a vehicle in Cantwell? Ride a snowmachine!

Our family has had an interesting past 9 days, due to the fact that our truck stopped running and wouldn't start again just over a week ago. Long story short, we had it towed up to a shop in Healy and discovered that it has a short in the fuel heater. It will be replaced and ready for us to pick up in the next day or two.

But God has really used this "inconvenience" for our good... Rob and Samantha were able to enjoy some father-daughter time on the snowmachine riding home from school three days last week. We experienced the love of our congregation as around six housholds offered the use of a vehicle to us. And I was able to have some very good conversations with the bus driver while riding to and from school on the three days I was substitute teaching!

Praise God for everything!

Sewing Lessons

Samantha showed some interest in my sewing maching a few weeks ago, so yesterday we set it up at the table and had her first lesson. First, I taught her about the machine, how to use the guides when threading the machine/needle, why we need a bobbin thread, how to raise and lower the foot, and how to push the knob in for reverse stitches. We practiced on a scrap piece of fabric for a while, and then made a simple pillow with hand stitches to close the hole. It was pretty fun, and she's already looking forward to another project.

Connor wanted to try it also, so he had a few minutes of pushing the pedal and guiding the fabric as well.

Cold Temperatures in Cantwell!

The last two days have been the coldest of the winter so far in Cantwell. Our thermometer has read between -30 and -40 degrees. (And here's the photo to prove it...)

We tried to take a picture of Rob in his t-shirt while I stood just inside the back door, but the steam from the heat indoors surrounded him! I had to step outside and actually close the door to get the clear picture above on the next evening.

Cinder has been coming indoors on a rug at night for quite a while now, but with temperatures this low even during the day, it doesn't take too much coaxing for her to come inside! You know it's getting cold outside when the inside of your windows are covered with ice!

Cantwell Martial Arts Club

Connor and Samantha have been able to participate in a new activity in Cantwell available to school-aged children. The Cantwell Martial Arts Club began a few weeks ago, and they have really been enjoying it. They have been starting out with break falls, basic foot work, roundhouse and front kicks, low-mid-high punches, and low-mid-high blocks.

Connor actually had a little bit of experience from taking a Tae-Kwon-Do class for 3 months in Sandy last year, so he is feeling pretty confident. Samantha is doing well also, and as the youngest student, gets in a lot more practice as she makes her way across the mat, due to her smaller steps!

James Bible Study

Last week, we wrapped up our Heaven book study, and this week we started a study in the book of James. We decided to work through this section of Scripture using the inductive Bible study method (observation, interpretation, application), so we will be using the same questions every week as we progress through James. "What is the passage about?" "What do I learn from this passage?" "How can I apply what I've learned to my life?" "Write a brief sentence summarizing this passage."

James 1:1-18 instructed us to utilize trials in our life to form godly character (patience, endurance, praying in faith without ever doubting God...) and reminded us how Very Good God is. He does not tempt us, is the giver of every good thing, is the source of wisdom, is unchanging, and has given us the word of truth!

Eight adults joined Rob and I in our home for this time of learning and growing. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue this study for the next 7 Tuesdays from 7-8pm (Alaska Time!).