This is a practical way for everyone to serve our people in our community.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Ladies Retreat
(Mandy, Amy, Jeanie, Cassie, Me, Leandra, Hannah, Terran & Anna at the World Ice Art Championships, Fairbanks AK)I spent this past weekend in Fairbanks and North Pole with 7 lovely hospitality house ladies, retreating. It's still quite winter-y here, which lends well to enjoying good company and ice sculptures.
We left Friday morning, drove 6 hours and settled into a nice Bed & Breakfast. Saturday we rose leisurely (a much needed break for lots of these busy women) and ventured out to see the ice art. We enjoyed dinner at a fabulous little small town joint called the "Cookie Jar". And yes, I saved the cookie for dessert. Then we went back to see the sculptures all lit up at night. A truly beautiful experience.
Much of the "meat" of the retreat happened in the 12+ hours we spent in the car, counting the miles til the next wilderness potty stop. (A comical side note: we tried to prepay at the first gas station, since the pumps were obviously older than me. The little old man was confused with this concept. Asking, "How will you know how much to pay if you haven't pumped your gas yet?" A question I've always wondered myself, and was glad to see someone else had the sense to ask it too)
Each of the two cars were equipped with a handful of conversation starter questions, some serious, some light, others funny. I think both cars really enjoyed this time for good, meaningful conversation. It's good to reflect on how God is working in our lives with others.
Thanks for your prayers for our safety and our fellowship. I'm slowly learning the planning process of retreats, a concept that regularly stresses me out. I know that asking for help is not unreasonable. I just have to do it. The ladies were great about pitching in, reminding me to ask for help ahead of time next time!
More updates on our busy month soon!!
This ocean scene was a group favorite, check out that fish!God bless,
Elaine
Friday, March 12, 2010
Iditarod 2010
Every year around this time loads of Alaskans head to Willow, AK, to watch the start of the Annual Iditarod, "The Last Great Race." We took a group of about 35 Airmen and Soldiers to see the official start (The unofficial start is a day prior in Anchorage). We had a great time with this Alaskan experience. So please check out our pictures and videos here: http://gallery.me.com/wesandelaine#100078
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Prayer Requests
I figure I'll give you all a short blog update, to see if we can keep things rolling for the next few weeks. This one will mostly fill you in on ways you can pray for us, and this ministry.
I ask that you don't read this one as a news update. Read it in preparation to intercede for us in prayer to our Father.
Sexual Purity. What a hush-hush weighted topic. The need for healthy conversation in Christian community becomes more aparent almost daily. Things related to God's design (or things outside of his design) for sex come up in conversation with singles, couples, men, and women. Pray for guidance, sensitivity, discernment, and assertiveness in exploring what it looks like to be created in the Image of God, a sexual being.
Post-deployment. It sometimes feels like walking a tightrope, trying to figure out what to talk about with our returning guys. They've been in a different world for a whole year. Some people have already asked them stupid, insensitive questions. They'll talk when they are ready, and we want to be here. Pray for healthy processing for those guys who have spent the year in Afghanistan.
Housemates. For the next 6 weeks a good friend of mine (Elaine), Lacy is living in our guest room. She is a civilian nurse and a blessing to our ministry. She'll be marrying one of our single guys in April, and to help her save a bit before the wedding we have offered her lodging. It's a simple way we can serve a friend who has served us in countless ways over the past year.
Praises and Thanks. To have the above requests we much be in relationship with the folks we're praying about. That is a praise. We have flourishing relationships, full of challenge and growth. Yay!
We are also refreshed and renewed from 2 weeks away, and are grateful for that opportunity.
God bless my friends,
Elaine
I ask that you don't read this one as a news update. Read it in preparation to intercede for us in prayer to our Father.
Sexual Purity. What a hush-hush weighted topic. The need for healthy conversation in Christian community becomes more aparent almost daily. Things related to God's design (or things outside of his design) for sex come up in conversation with singles, couples, men, and women. Pray for guidance, sensitivity, discernment, and assertiveness in exploring what it looks like to be created in the Image of God, a sexual being.
Post-deployment. It sometimes feels like walking a tightrope, trying to figure out what to talk about with our returning guys. They've been in a different world for a whole year. Some people have already asked them stupid, insensitive questions. They'll talk when they are ready, and we want to be here. Pray for healthy processing for those guys who have spent the year in Afghanistan.
Housemates. For the next 6 weeks a good friend of mine (Elaine), Lacy is living in our guest room. She is a civilian nurse and a blessing to our ministry. She'll be marrying one of our single guys in April, and to help her save a bit before the wedding we have offered her lodging. It's a simple way we can serve a friend who has served us in countless ways over the past year.
Praises and Thanks. To have the above requests we much be in relationship with the folks we're praying about. That is a praise. We have flourishing relationships, full of challenge and growth. Yay!
We are also refreshed and renewed from 2 weeks away, and are grateful for that opportunity.
God bless my friends,
Elaine
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