A new season of life

Well, maybe not a new season, but definitely some challenges these days.  After a short stint at his new job, hubby and the rest of the employees were all informed that the company was shutting down here in Alaska.  Wow!  Quite a shock to us.  I mean, he has not been "unemployed" for many, many years!  We are praying that God will provide him with another piloting job soon.  We have even faced the reality of a possible move.  That will be hard if we do - I love our church family and we just bought a home! 

I just turned forty last month and guess what? Well, most of you already know - we are expecting again in May 2014.  We are excited and praying for a healthy, full term baby:) 

I know that the Lord will bless through this uncertain time in our lives.  He is always faithful and carries us through:) 

^{Phillipians 4:19 KJV}
 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Today is the day!  Hubby marched off to his last day as an active duty soldier.  His new job starts this week.  So here we are in ALASKA, retiring from the ARMY life, in our FIRST house!  We have met so many wonderful people and been able to travel many places.  If you are ever in this part of the country, we have room for you:)  God has blessed us with the best church in Alaska!  Likely one of the best churches anywhere :) 

Changes Ahead

God has provided in every situation, every day!  We are praying for early retirement this year and hubby has already had an interview for work after the Army.  I don't want to get ahead of what God has planned, but we think He wants us here, so we are moving ahead in that direction.
I am looking forward to spring! The days have more sunshine and that always gives me more energy to get things done!  The kids have enjoyed some snowboarding outside and a couple of pulls on the sled by Shadow:)  


Psalm 56:3 
What time I am afraid , I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust ; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.    
verse13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Merry Christmas!  God is always with us, and what a year it has been! I know most of my friends are saved and counting it all joy because of our Savior.  If not, accept the gift that gives all year long for your entire life and for eternity!
Ephesians 2:8 tells us ..."For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:'
What a gift He gave and I am so glad I took that gift to be mine forever.  I didn't have to DO anything except believe on Him and trust Him.  
Ephesians 2:9 "Not of works, lest any man should boast."  Whatever I accomplish, it is because God gave me life and allows me to live it - I do hope I please Him with the choices I make.  
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Because I am saved, I am drawn to do good and hand over the glory to Him.

Our church had a wonderful Christmas service yesterday with wonderful truths from God's Word, a Christmas store for the bus kids, an adorable Christmas pageant, and as always, wonderful hymns and specials!  Looking forward to a nice day with friends tomorrow and perhaps a visit to the ice park nearby.   We'll finish the week "school-free" and just relax and enjoy lots of family time.  We love and miss our "lower 48" families, but we are together here in a nice warm home enjoying a very white Christmas! God bless you in the days that God gives you!

Just a few  pictures of the Northern Lights from last night.  Wish I had clearer pictures or that you were here in person to see how magnificent!!

Autumn!

The first day of autumn is today.  In Alaska, that really means it's about to snow.  I miss the colors of the east coast of the lower 48, but Alaska does have the beautiful birch trees and lots of yellow and orange, a tad of red.   Our garage organization is going to take two days, but we got a head start today.  School is moving along nicely and music lessons too - more challenges for the kids!  
I made pumpkin donuts the other morning and they were very tasty-baked, not fried.  I found a donut pan at Joann's and got it for half-price!  
I always think that things will slow down as winter approaches, but just around the corner is Missions Week  and the holidays.  Of course I will feel more like baking and hopefully sewing.   
Hubby went on his first hunting trip with some guys from church.  No moose, but I think they enjoyed themselves!  

It has been a busy couple of months since my last update.  We made a trip to visit my mother in law so we could spend some time with her.  The doctor felt her time was close.  We enjoyed some good times with her.
School finished up on the last day of May!  It was a relief to have accomplished another good year of learning.  Finally, summer break!  Hubby and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary - so glad we were together for this one.
Then some sad news -we lost the baby on Mother's Day.  It was a somber day, but I am doing better now.  God is good and a great comfort to me.  He suffered the loss of His child too, for our great gain of eternal life with Him if we have accepted our sinful state and believe what the Bible says how Jesus died and rose again - for us!  I am so glad I saw my guilt, admitted my sin and received that gift that God offered me through Jesus.  I will see my baby again!

Shortly after my mother in law passed away after a long battle with cancer.  We made a return trip to spend time with the family.  Please pray for their salvation. I do not know what my m-i-l decided in her last moments.

We were home a week from that long trip when we had to pack up again for a short weekend down in south Alaska for my hubby's first big fishing trip! Phew, I had forgotten and was not real excited about packing.  I just wanted to be home.  It was a beautiful and mostly relaxing ride down there.  The hubster caught plenty of fish and I think he's hooked! *wink*

Who knows what the Lord has next for us!?  When sorrows seem so overwhelming, I see He is teaching me and shaping me into what He knows is best.  With God is control, I can never go wrong.  It is a matter of submitting to His great wisdom.  Our human nature doesn't like to take a back seat!
Thanks for reading and I pray my small group of blog followers will truly know the love of Christ.
Have you ever read these verses from the King James Bible?

• Romans 3:23
• Romans 5:8
• Romans 6:23
• Romans 10:9-13
• I John 5:13
• John 1:12