hangar happenings

A lot of what happens in the hangar is work. While expected, work tends toward the boring side. So last week, when things other than work happened, we were all really amused.

1) During break, a conversation happened between two of my co-workers. I wasn't listening too closely, but I heard something mentioned about 5 dollars, then one of the guys headed over to the 206 and started crawling into the belly pod. This guy is over 6 feet tall, and I wasn't sure that he could get all of his legs in there.

JAARS 206 in Waxhaw

Apparently he did, because the other guy snuck up and closed the door behind him. Next thing I know, our director of maintenance is headed over to the plane, saying, "You aren't doing it right!" before he hops on the tail and starts rocking the whole plane up and down. Eventually they unlock the door, and the guy begins asking about his 5 bucks as he crawls out.

2) The 99 was in for maintenance this week. Aside from the scheduled inspection, one of the antennas on top had vibrated enough to crack the metal surrounding it. One of my co-workers spent 3 days cowboy style on top of the plane, working on the fix. Its not a normal place to see a person, so it was kind of funny to have someone up there for 3 days. I wish we would have gotten a picture!

thanksgiving in the bush

Yes, Thanksgiving was a week ago. Better late than never? Sure, works for me.

The festivities started the night before, with a spaghetti feed at the church. During this event, one of the local mid-high girls found me and stayed by my side most of the night. The only time I wasn't attached to her, I had various kids, age 3-8, climbing all over me and otherwise enjoying a grown up playing with them. Lesson 1: Don't swing a kid around when there are other kids present. They will all want rides, and will say, "Again!" as soon as you set them down. I am just thankful that all the spaghetti stayed in their tummies.

After the meal was cleaned up, we headed upstairs for a prayer and worship service. From little boys being mutually thankful for their best friend sitting next to them to adults being grateful for the way God blesses this community, we shared from the heart.

The aforementioned mid-high girl, her sister, and two other friends from the community, were headed over to my place. Why? A sleepover, of course. I taught them how to play skip-bo, we had some soda, watched a movie, and stayed up till 2 am giggling.

The next morning, the phone rang. It wasn't even 7 am yet. I rolled out of bed, aware that the girls were waking up, and tried to piece together some consciousness. First step: make coffee. "Oh, my mom lets me have coffee! Can I have some?" One of the girls pipes up. Well naturally, if I give her coffee, I have to give ALL the girls coffee, even if some of them dont get it very often. Whatever, it can be a treat, I think to myself as I serve them all small cups of coffee.

The big happening out here was the turkey bowl. We had a couple inches of fresh snow to cover the week's mud, which was a perfect setting for the first annual turkey bowl. What, you don't have turkey bowls where you come from? Well, let me enlighten you. Its an epic battle, from one side to the other. Passing, catching, running, tackling... ok, you are SUPPOSED to pull flags. But we found the most effective way to grab a flag was when the opponent was pinned to the ground. Thats right, its flag football in the bush! Complete with a hand carved trophy for the winning team. My team didn't win, but we had fun playing.

The big meal happened at my boss's house. They open their house to members of the community who can't go home for Thanksgiving, in addition to their large family. This year, the crowd numbered about 50 people. I am told that it was a small quiet crowd for a holiday meal at their place. I looked at all the tables set up, wondering where anyone else would sit.

All in all, it was a great holiday!

Church

I like Church. I like worship, I like preaching, I like Sunday school, I like fellowship (that should be obvious for anyone who knows I like to talk), I like the experience of a Sunday morning. I really liked this spring when we would eat lunch together and fellowship even more. The early church model is my favorite for the Christian Church lifestyle.
Not only do I like Church, I feel that I need Church. I think many would agree with me on this topic, here are a few standpoints for that agreement:
-from a Biblical standpoint, knowing that we are instructed to gather with fellow believers.
-from a Spiritual standpoint, hoping that more time with Jesus will make me less, well, troublesome.
-from an intellectual standpoint, knowing that I learn a lot when I go to church.
-from a social standpoint, as its the only time we know we will see each other.
Feel free to list others, I am sure there are a lot of reasons people think I (and you yourself) need church. I oftentimes feel that I need a weekly sanctuary to come, properly prepare my heart through worship, and hear biblical preaching.

But do I really need Church? Does fellowship with other believers make me a better Christian? Do I need Biblical teaching to grow in Christ? Do I need to sing five songs led by another person to feel like I have properly worshipped? Why do I feel that I need to go to a place on Sunday morning to have a complete week?

Take a look around at other Christians around the world. Do they all have the luxury of going to Church every week? Some people are the only Christians they know. Do they wither and fade away because they aren’t going to Church every week? Especially missionaries, who are living amongst a people group for the very purpose of leading them to Christ. Its highly doubtful that they will find an awesome church to weekly fulfill that need in their lives.

Church is good. Anytime I can, I make Church a priority. But Church should not be depended on. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Church is an excellent place to find, fellowship, and grow in Jesus. But its not the only place to accomplish these things.

hunting/trapping

This is not a post advocating fin and feather.* For the most part, they make our lives miserable. I understand that they are there for a reason. Moving on...

Some friends and I were hanging out the other night watching a movie, and all the sudden Danny shouts, "Fox! Gotta get my gun!" I look over at the sliding glass window, and there was an orange ball of fur with black beady eyes. Right on the porch. I had never seen a live fox before that night. Danny comes racing back through the living room, opens up the sliding glass door, and points. The fox slides through the rails on the porch, but sits down just out of range of the light. BAM! The orange ball of fur quickly becomes the first fox I have ever seen shot.

He will claim it under his trapping tag. According to the slightly more liberal trapping law, he can shoot. As opposed to hunting... No, I guess it's not supposed to make sense.

*Also known as Alaska Department of Fish and Game

mind the socks

Church: One of my favorite weekly events. While its a good Christian thing to say that I like Church, the reason isn't entirely Godly. Yes, I enjoy hearing the preaching. Yes, prayer time is crucial. Yes, worship brings our hearts into the right place. Yes, its the only time in the week I am guaranteed to see several friends. But there is another reason I enjoy going to church.

Socks.

Since there is so much mud around here, (nothing is paved) the best way to control the amount of dirt inside buildings is by leaving shoes at the door. Even at church. The entry way is lined with benches and hooks to hang jackets and remove shoes. From children to grandparents, we all attend services in our stocking feet.

If you come for a visit, make sure you have at least one pair of wild socks with no holes in them. You will need to wear them to church.

Clear winter night

Winters are dark in Alaska. However, when the moon is near full, its hard to fear the darkness of night. I walked over to a friend's house last night, and I didn't need my flashlight at all. The moon was so bright I had a clear shadow following me in the snow. The mountains were clearly visible in the darkness, with the snow reflecting the bright moonlight.

Somewhat eerie, but absolutely beautiful.

homelessness

I feel homeless right now. I understand that its a part of transitions. I have been through enough of them recently! Port Alsworth doesn't feel like home yet. I am getting used to the daily life of walking everywhere, being able to go home for lunch, and only worrying about wildlife on the commute instead of wild drivers. I am getting to know people in the community a little better. I just get to the point where I miss having people around me who have experienced life with me.

When I went to Anchorage last month, I had to prepare myself. I had just begun to feel settled and established in Anchorage when I left. I had to tell myself that the city I was visiting is no longer home. It was great to spend some time with friends, and I can only imagine how easy it would be to be absorbed back into the city lifestyle. At the same time, I often found myself looking around and feeling out of place.

We went to see a movie at Bear's Tooth Friday night. Bear's tooth has two dining areas and a one screen movie theatre. They show movies that have mostly cycled out of the main theatres, as well as some classics and documentaries. The theatre is set up with booths and tables, and food is brought to you during the movie. A fun, and very popular, experience in Anchorage. I looked around at the crowd as we were leaving our movie. The line was all the way around the building for the next movie, and every seat was full from our movie. I think there were more people there at that point than live in my entire burough.

Anchorage, with all its entertainment and crowds, is not home. I am ok with that. But Port Alsworth isn't home yet either. When I am frustrated, I long for home. But where is home? Its a good way to remember that I was not created to be on earth forever. It can be my dwelling for now, but its never going to be a place to settle down.