Home for Christmas

We're here! We're finally here!
After a loooong flight, we finally made it! We are so excited to be able to spend this wonderful season with our family and friends. We cannot wait to see everyone and share with you all about our life in Alaska. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Collin's Already 4!!

Wow! Time sure does fly by! I still cannot believe that Collin is 4. Where did our baby go? We had a great birthday. He requested spaghetti and a race car cake that ended up being a monster truck cake. The look on his face was priceless when he saw his cake-he LOVED it! Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Log Cabins and Country Roads

These pictures are from various places around Willow that we thought were really beautiful.

Going to Get a Christmas Tree...

Over Thanksgiving weekend, we had a great time with 3 other families who have become our close friends. Over the weekend, we spent our time snowboarding, sledding, and snowmachining. We were even able to cut down our first "Alaskan" Christmas tree! We had to drive snowmachines over 2 frozen lakes and through some pretty cool trails to get there. It was a blast! (except when Shanna got flipped into the snow!) Here are some pictures we took while going to get the tree.

WOW! 6 Already?!

I just cannot believe that Corban is already 6. Time certainly flies! He had a great birthday and enjoyed a pizza dinner and a dinosaur cake. Thank you to everyone who sent a card, gift, or made a phone call. You really helped to make his day special.

Soccer Pictures

September Newsletter

Here is our long awaited September Newsletter. Please Click on each page to be able to enlarge the picture. We apologize for the poor quality of the pictures on this post, and in the emailed copy. The file was so large that we had to scan it to create that file as well as these. (or rather Amber scanned them for us)

We love you all and Thank you for your prayers!

Thought for the Day

Confronting our Idols:

2 Kings 17:33 & 41
“They worshiped the Lord, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought. Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols.”

“Could it be that we are serving our own gods, though we sit on the front row of church? Do we claim the Bible as our source of truth while our real counselors come from movie screens and magazines? Perhaps so many of our struggles-lack of freedom, loss of spiritual desire, slavery to image, perfectionism, confusion, and infinitely more possibilities-have much to do with false idols.”
–No Other Gods by Kelly Minter

Who are we listening to? Where are we going for advice, comfort, and reassurance? We sit back and say that we want to grow closer and deeper with God, but we fill our lives, and yes, our hearts, with false gods. We fill our lives with boy after boy, and girl after girl, and toy after toy. We look to the TV, books, magazines, movie stars, singers, etc. to find what we should be, look like, sound like, what we should wear, even who our friends should be. We are trying to keep up with everyone else. When, in truth, we are supposed to focus ourselves on our Father. The one true creator. The one who made us who we are for a specific reason. Why do we want to be what everyone else tells us we should be? We have lost sight of what really matters. You say you have lost your first love, that wonderful, euphoric feeling you had when you fist fell in love with God. When, in fact, you haven’t lost it, you left it. We play church and play at being put together, when we don’t have anything together. How long will we let this world conform us? When are we going to stand up and say “No More!” I will be who He wants me to be, I will go where He wants me to go, I will do what He wants me to do, and I will say what He wants me to say. Examine your spiritual walk with the Almighty. Have you even looked at Him today? He is the Great I Am and so worthy to be praised. Have we neglected Him? He will NEVER neglect us. Stop trying to be what everyone wants you to be and start finding out what He wants you to be. He gave you the manual. “The Complete Guide to Life for Dummies” We have edged God out of our lives. We have left Him with little room in our hearts. Our false gods have taken up our most treasured spaces, leaving little room for God to show Himself strong on our behalf. We say “God reveal yourself to us”, or “Start a fire in me, Lord”, but yet, we are still holding on to all of the junk that gets in the way of a deeper relationship with Him. We have to talk with him daily, no, not daily, every second of everyday. We should be so saturated with Him that we won’t even take one step without consulting Him first. How do we confront our idols? We find out just what it is that is taking time away from our relationship with Jesus. If we would rather watch TV than spend time in the Word, then maybe that’s an idol. If we go to other people for advice before seeking out direction from the Holy Spirit, then we need to reevaluate that. If we look at outward appearance to see our beauty, then we have allowed our vanity to become an idol. (Not that you aren’t to take care with your appearance, but we should know that we are beautiful because we were made in the image of God).

"Mirror" by Barlow Girl

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So sorry you won't define me
Sorry you don't own me

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I'm looking into the eyes of He who made me
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare
I know He defines me

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try

You don't define me, you don't define me
I will leave you with this:
Daniel 1:8a
“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine…”

Daniel refused to conform to those around him. In Daniel chapter 1, we read that Daniel refused to defile himself by sitting at the king’s table and eat. In her commentary on Daniel, scholar Joyce Baldwin says that by Eastern standard to share a meal was to commit oneself to friendship. Sharing a meal was of covenant significance. Daniel would not commit to a friendship with the king because the king did not serve God.

Whose table are you dining at?

Where has the Time Gone?

I guess that I can hold you
One more time before you grow.
And tell you that I love you
So that you will always know.
Please let me tie your shoe again.
One day you’ll tie your own.
And when you think back to this time
I hope it’s love I’ve shown.
Can I help you put your coat on?
Can I please cut up your meat?
Can I pull you in the wagon?
Can I pick you out a treat?
One day you might just care for me,
So let me care for you.
I want to be a part
Of every little thing you do.
Tonight could I please wash you hair?
Can I put toys in the bath?
Can I help you count your small ten toes,
Before I teach you math?
Before you join a baseball team,
Can I pitch you one more ball?
And one more time can I stand near,
To make sure you don’t fall?
Let’s take another space-ship ride
Up to the planet zoor.
Before our cardboard rocket
Doesn’t fit us anymore.
Please let me help you up the hill
While you’re still too small to climb.
And let me read you stories
While you’re young and have the time.
I know the day will come
When you will do these things alone.
Will you recall the shoulder rides,
And all the balls we’ve thrown?
I want you to grow stronger
Than I could ever be.
And when you find success,
There will be no soul more proud than me.
So will you let me carry you?
One day you’ll walk alone.
I cannot bear to miss one day,
From now until you’ve grown.

What a Great Trip!

We were so glad to have Baker and Jana with us last week. Corban and Collin were especially glad to see them. I know that memories were made that will forever be etched on the boys’ minds. It seems like we went everywhere and saw everything, but their time with us went by too fast. I am counting down the days until we will see them again. December will be here soon! Until then, we have the memories! We love you Baker and Jana. Thank you for coming to visit us!

Having Fun with the Blog

As you can see, the blog has undergone some changes. Thanks to my friend Amber, I have become a blogoholic! I have really had a good time playing with the pictures and layouts of our blog!

Salmon Fishing

I'm sure you all have seen the pictures that we posted of our fishing trip last week, but I just had to tell the story of the one and only fish that was caught. We decided that we would take Baker and Jana salmon fishing at one of our church member's house. Having never been salmon fishing before, we had no idea what we were doing. But we made the best of it. After not catching anything all afternoon, we decided go for a hike. While putting everything in the car, I tell Corban, "put up the fishing pole son, we are going for a hike." As he is pulling in the fishing pole, he yells, "Whoa! I got a bite!" He had hooked a rainbow trout! Thanks to Corban our fishing trip was not a complete loss. I have never been so proud in all my life!

Fishing Pictures

Corban's Baptism

As all of you know, Corban gave his life to the Lord on August 1, 2008. We have been talking to him about getting baptized and just weren't sure when he would actually do it because he does NOT like to get his head dunked under water! But, he decided he would do it, and was actually excited about it! We were also excited that Merrill was able to baptize him. God bless you all!

AUGUST NEWSLETTER

A Little Late, but here is our latest newsletter! Click on each page to enlarge it to be able to read it! Thank you for all of your prayers!

The Pre-Season Iron Bowl in Alaska

Even though we are 5000 miles apart, when we are together the battle still rages on...

Round 1...








Round 2...Merrill had to intervene..he threw a penalty flag for unsportsmanlike conduct..



Stay tuned for Round 3...

Home from Camp

We are officially home from camp and we had a GREAT time, but are VERY tired. All of the kids had a wonderful time and I know that they learned a lot. They didn't want to leave! Everyone remember to ask Amber to see her official missionary certificate. She is now an official Alaskan Missionary! We are going to enjoy our day at home and show Amber a little bit of Willow. Since we missed her birthday, the boys are making her a cake! (Don't worry, we will post pictures!) Tonight, we will have our Lighthouse Youth Group and then on Saturday, we are taking a group of 20 down to Anchorage to see Casting Crowns in concert. It should be a great time as these kids have never been to a concert. Look for more updates coming soon!
God bless you all in Alabama and all of us in Alaska!

How to Comment

This is Amber:

I know that lots of people have said that they read the blog. But no one leaves a comment so here is how to leave a comment so that everyone KNOWS HOW TO DO SO!
LEAVE SOME COMMENTS!!

At the bottom of this post click on where it has a number and comments

Then write your comment in the box and if you are posting annonymously sign your name to the box

Here you can also sign into your google or other type of account if you have one and post under that name.




Merrill Shanna and the boys need to hear and see that people care and are praying for them so leave a comment and let them know that!

So many people have told me, Betty and Richard and other people that they read the blog...and want to see pictures...show us that you read it! INTRODUCE YOURSELVES!

Torture

These pictures were unintentionally omitted from the earlier slideshow I couldn't do without them.

JAM Camp 1

Amber is here and therefore lot's of blog posts are coming...

Amber Shanna and the boys are at Jam Camp (Jesus Arts Music) Camp and here are some pictures of how the campers tortured Shanna Today as well as the talent show tonight.

On the slideshow below I don't know how to fix it so please excuse the odd background. Hopefully it is fixed for this one.

New Pictures

A New Creation

We are excited to share some news with all of you! We were blessed to have a group of singers called the Continentals here last night. We had a community BBQ and then they performed a musical entitled "Beautiful Dreamer-The Epic Story of Joseph". We had a wonderful time enjoying the food and music, but what has us really hopping is that Corban asked Jesus into his heart last night!!!!!!! We are so overcome with joy that we can hardly contain it! Corban has been asking questions about becoming a Christian for a while now. During the invitation last night, he raised his hand and told me "I want Jesus in my heart". So, after the service, Corban, Merrill, myself, and Pastor Charles sat down and prayed and talked. Corban said that he knew that Jesus died on the cross to forgive his sins and that He rose again and is alive. After that, we all got down on our knees and Corban asked God to forgive him of his sins and said that he believed that Jesus is God's Son and then asked Him to come into his heart and be his Savior. I am so amazed and happy and thrilled!!!! Afterward, Corban couldn't contain himself. He told everyone he saw "I asked Jesus into my heart and I feel so good!" Please continue to keep him in your prayers as we begin to disciple him and teach him about his new life in Christ. We love you all and are so glad that we can share this moment with you.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Praise God that we are so busy! It seems like we are in constant motion. We feel very blessed and are amazed that we get o be on the mission field and do the Lord's work in Willow, Alaska. Our June/July newsletter is in the works, we promise! We had a wonderful visit with Richard and Betty and are looking forward to Amber coming and Baker & Jana. Right now, we are feverishly working to get an "ice cream bash" done for the children's ministry..we will be hosting that tomorrow (7-26). We hope to reach out to young families who are not involved in church. We are also preparing for JAM camp coming up August 3-7. We are so glad that Amber will be here during that time, so that we can share our missionary lifestyle with her. She will be helping one of the leaders teach a class. I will be working with the drama class. JAM camp is Jesus, Arts, and Music Camp and it focuses on worship through many different outlets such as drama, music, singing, dance, etc. I am so excited to be able to be a part of this! Corban and Collin will be involved with it too. They will have crafts to do during the day with some of the Campers on Mission and then be mommy's helpers at night. We can't wait! Merrill is very busy with his new job as an instructor at Charter College and preparing sermons and doing visitation. He preaches every 4th Sunday night and any time the Pastor needs a fill in. Right now, we are preparing for a Revival that Merrill will be preaching on August 17-20. We will be doing community outreach the week before. Please be in prayer that the people here will be receptive to the message. You are all always in our prayers and we are certain that we are in yours!
God bless Alabama and Alaska!

VBS, The Museum, and Riding the Paddle Boat

Play Group

Mother's Day

Youth End of School Cookout!

Club 2911 Pictures