so its been a while... Sorry about that. Its been pretty crazy...

The biggest news is that my car died. Two weeks ago the problems started. As if there weren't any problems already! I had it taken to the shop, but they didn't get to it till a week later. When they did, they let it warm up in the shop for a few hours before working on it. And magically, when it was warm, it worked fine. Go figure. So I got it back, and it ran a grand total of 2 days before dying again. So now it is sitting in a parking lot, waiting for me to figure out what the heck I am going to do about it. So please pray for wisdom :)

Thanksgiving was fun. I was supposed to go to the Ranch, but without a car, that would be a long walk in the snow. So I stayed in town and went to a co-worker's house. Instead of the traditional American Thanksgiving, we celebrated with a mix of Scandinavian and Danish styles. Turkey? Naw, its all about the goose! The cranberry sauce was made fresh from berries that my co-workers picked this fall here in Anchorage. Of course, I took my cello and provided some dessert melodies. All in all, it was a grand day, even though I wish I could have been with my own family.

a day off

Thursday I had the day off. I had plans to go places, but my car had other plans. (more on that later) So I went out for a walk, just to get out of my apartment. For those of you who don't know anchorage, it has a pretty extensive trail system running throughout the city. In the winter, some of the trails are groomed for cross-country skiers. Not that I cross country ski... but they are also good for walking. So I ventured out to the closest trail to my apt, and these are a few of the sights that I saw. Yes, these were taken with my camera phone. Let's just say getting my camera fixed is hovering somewhere not on the list of top priorities right now.

water would splash on the branch hanging over the water, freezing on as it dripped down

A frozen spot of Campell Creek with a foot bridge in the distance

Snow covered branches hanging over Campell Creek

I love the colors in this one-the hint of yellow in the weeds and a touch of red in the trees-as Campell Creek flows by half frozen

fun weekend

probably the only weekend until Christmas time that I will have an entire weekend off, I took full advantage of it. I did a bit of cooking, and participated in my first "real" Alaskan experience.

Potter's Marsh is about a mile south of town, where the Seward highway hits the flat lands. It was formed when the Alaska railroad was built. Now it provides a sanctuary of sorts for wildlife, and a great half mile slough for skaters in the winter. There were a few holes (from gas bubbles, not thin ice!) and we figured we had 4-5 inches of ice under us. It snowed about an inch on us the 2 hours we were out there, but when I got back to my apartment, there were hardly even flurries. Not to worry though! As the night went on, the snow decided to come up here, and I am looking out at 2-3 inches on the ground.

Ken, a guy at church, is notorious for counting down the days of darkness we have left. He said today that we only have 6 weeks left of it!! And it hasn't been too horrible. Yeah sure its hard to get out of bed before the sun at 8am... and watching it get dark at around 4:30 is a little sad, but its not unbearable, and its not nearly as horrible as everyone makes it out to be. Between winter and work, I am loving life here in Alaska!

dinner friday night!

living confidently

A common question asked of me is something along the lines of "what are you doing after graduation?" It's hard for me to answer the question honestly and positively, because I am struggling to get to my feet at this point. Yes I am working, but not in a job that has anything to do with my degree. Talking with co-workers, they ask what in the world I am doing working there. As frustrating as it is, It isn't shaking me. I am done questioning whether I am in the right spot or not, because God is showing me often that this is where He wants me. How do I know? Its not like I have the dream job or anything. Should I be upset that I don't have an aviation job right now? Wouldn't God provide that for me if He really meant for me to be here? I say no.

A friend told me a couple months ago that I should not see God as a sugar daddy. Yes, he owns the cattle on a thousand hills, but He isn't in the business of delivering life on a silver platter to those who follow Him faithfully. Instead of a silver platter, he is giving me puzzle pieces, like i mentioned a while back. The most recent one happened 2 weeks ago when my parents were here. I am getting little glimpses, huge blessings, that tell me I am where He wants me.

Mom and dad came for a week to help me get some furniture and get set up in my apartment. They rented a truck so we could transport everything, hoping we would be able to find a few things for really really cheap on craigslist and such. We got ready to go garage sale-ing Saturday morning. As I sat down to look up the local garage sales (beginning of october gets to be slim pickings around these parts) I prayed that God would just provide the right stuff at decent prices.

So we set out, stop at a few sales that didn't have much, and weren't very good prices. As we were driving around, mom saw a box in the median advertising a sale. Couldn't hurt to stop and check it out, right? So we went in to look around, and everything was priced to clear out. The owner of the stuff, an 80+ year old woman, had just moved to Oregon to get away from the snow and ice. Her kids are still here, and they are selling her household of stuff. So I got: a hide-a-bed couch, a lazyboy love seat, both sides recline, 4 upholstered dining room chairs, a bookshelf, a desk, a full size bed, a hoover vacuum cleaner, and a few other odds and ends. And all of this? 90 bucks. I would say God provided much more than I needed, all in one day. We spent the rest of the week taking care of other important things like getting me stocked up on food (love costco), a few other furniture things we didnt get at the sales, and wintery goods (studs will be nice when the snow comes). It was a crazy, busy, productive, blessed week, and I am glad I got to show my parents around a little bit of Alaska.

Anchorage at sunset (as seen from Pt. Woronzof)

crazy past couple of weeks

Last week, mom and dad were here. This week, I started training at my new job. Its nothing glamorous or career building, but it is work, which is better than my previous state of employment. I am working at a store that sells gourmet cookware. I am REALLY looking forward to employee benefits! I am going to have to get another job just to support my employee discount. There are some options on the horizon coming up pretty quick about flying jobs. Be praying for wisdom on those for me.

Time at home

I had a ticket home September 26th. It felt kind of weird going to the airport, and being the one actually leaving. I was always willing to drive departures into town this summer from the ranch, so I grew accustomed to the trip to the airport. As we drove up the ramp to the departures area, it slowly dawned on me that I am the one leaving, and I am not the one being left behind.
I dont know if Josh ever forgave me for my early arrival time of 5:30 in the morning. Living in Portland, he was elected to pick me up sunday morning. He was planning on going to Salem for a few days to see friends and a few other things, so it worked out perfectly that he could drive me down. Only that he had to get out of bed. I reminded him that the only sleep I got was on my 3 and a half hour flight.

Sunday after I had slept a while and recovered, I got together with Nels, one of my best friends from high school. Her family has adopted me as their own, but she is the only one who knew I would be in town. So our objective is to surprise the family with my presence. She went into the backyard ahead of me, and was talking to Ashley, her younger sister. The conversation went like this:
Nel: I brought someone to see you.
Ash: Is it Beth? No Beth is in Alaska...
Me: (walking around the corner) Wait, where am I?
Ash: BETH!!!!!!
fun times. I got to visit with little sister and Mom and Dad Strom for a little while before they left for church.

Monday I killed my cell phone. Apparently when one sits in the hot tub, then writes text messages with wet hands, enough water gets in the phone to make bad things happen. I knew better, but I did it anyways. To make matters worse, I tried to take it apart to try to dry it up. Apparently aircraft maintenance does not translate to sensitive electronics.

Tuesday We got me a new cell phone. A whole 12 hours with no phone! I am happy to report that I survived just fine. I should probably work on this addiction... That night I went out with my brother. Our birthdays are about 2 weeks apart, but we missed them, so we went out when we were both in the same place to celebrate it together.

Thursday early morning I took Grandma Betty to the airport. I haven’t necessarily known Grandma Betty as long, but I have known her daughter and son-in-law, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Charlie for most of my life. Grandma Betty was headed down to San Diego to speak at an Awana conference. I was told I could drop her off at the curb and she could check in at the curbside check in, but I wanted to make sure she got everything taken care of. When we got to the airport, they were able to give me a pass to go through security with her. She broke her hip not terribly long ago, so she had ordered a wheelchair. We got to the gate in plenty of time, so I volunteered to go find a breakfast sandwich or something for her. I was off on my way to see what I could find, and happened across a stop where several flight crews were eating. Score, I thought. If the pilots eat here, I am sure I have found a good spot. As I handed Grandma Betty her breakfast, one of the other ladies waiting for the flight said, “you get a waitress and everything? Wow!” I am glad I can help out Grandma Betty, and was able to make sure that little part of her trip went as smoothly as possible.

Thursday afternoon, I took Grandma Betty’s car to Aunt Debbie, who would be using it while she was gone. Mom went with me, and we stopped to visit for a while with Uncle Charlie. Uncle Charlie, my parents age, was in a surfing accident when he was in seminary, not too long before he was supposed to get married to Aunt Debbie. Since then, he has lived the life of a quadriplegic, using his chin to steer his wheelchair, requiring 24/7 care from nurses. He is currently in a big battle with the insurance companies, as his care is expensive. Mostly my mom was the one talking with him, but I couldn’t help but be in awe of this guy. If something half that bad happened to me, I doubt that I would make as good use of my life that he has made of his. I have never ceased to be amazed at his knowledge and application of, well, everything.

Sunday I met a lot of new faces, as well as seeing a few that I haven’t seen in a long time. Uncle Tommy was happy to see his “Air Dale” (thats what he calls me) again. Of course the younger girls (who are in high school and no longer little) mobbed me with hugs. I am so proud of all of them, how they have grown, and become their own people.

Tuesday I went out for lunch with Grandma Barb. I printed off a copy of my “DC-3 Pilot” picture to go on the wall with her grandkids. She had a couple pictures from my first solo up there, so I wanted to make sure she had a current copy. She showed me a couple paintings that she has done, something she picked up just recently. They are beautiful, makes me want to take up painting. After lunch with her, I went and visited Momma Debi for a while. Great Uncle Lauren also works with there, and he was surprised to see me in town. I framed another copy of the picture for Momma Debi, which she proudly made room for on her desk. That night I went and watched Daddy bowl with his league. He was bowling against some friends’ team, so it was fun to hang out with everyone and watch them bowl.

Wednesday was dinner with the family. As the grandkids grow up and away, we try to get as many of us together when I am in town to actually get a chance to be together for a little while. I was torn between talking to Grandma and Jackie about girl things and talking to Uncle Dan and Charlie about cars and mechanics.

Wait, Wednesday was dinner with the family? Haven’t you been doing things with family the whole two weeks? Well, Wednesday was the first time with actual blood family. The other family mentioned is family-in-love, and we are related by a blood that was shed 2000 years ago.

A few more nights with friends, and I was headed back to Anchorage Saturday afternoon.

traditions (October)

The holiday season is approaching. That means a lot of traditions are coming up, from events rooted in times beyond any of our memories, to clever ploys to keep the kids out of the presents. I like to think my birthday kicks off the holiday season, as that is usually when the stores just get out the halloween decorations. And by now some of them already have Christmas out... but that's not the point. My friend Emily asked if I wanted to carve pumpkins with her, since her sister didn't want to. I gladly agreed, but vetoed the scary movie plan. Here is my finished product: