Long time no writing....:)

I didn't realize it had been so long since I last wrote until someone brought it to my attention.  Let's see if I can catch you up on life in Alaska.

The weather has been absolutely AMAZING.  They tell us this is now an Alaskan summer.  Temperatures are averaging 40's in the morning and 70's sometimes lower 80's in the afternoon.  The days however are getting shorter.  Only about 16-18 hours of sunlight - yes that is shorter. 

Richard has begun playing drums at church so he is a happy drummer.  I will begin working with the children's ministry in September.  I'm so ready to get involved and meet kids and people. I went to a ladies morning mingle and even though the number was small it was so nice to meet people and visit.  Found out there is another Thirtyone Consultant in our church, so my business may be small here in Alaska.  Thank goodness for customers in Oklahoma who still order from my website.

Eric arrived this past Friday morning at 12:30 a.m. and left Monday at 5:50 a.m.  We did alot of driving and sightseeing in the three days he was here.  We traveled to Denali on Saturday.  The weather was very nice but we saw very little wildlife. Not really sure if we actually saw Mt. McKinley or not.  I needed a sign that says YOU ARE HERE - this is Mt. McKinley (lol).  I will post pictures from his trip to Shutterfly later today.  We went to the Tanana Valley State Fair.  Even our little Custer County Fair is bigger and better and FREE.  That is one thing Eric commented on several times, everything is expensive in Alaska.  We are planning to meet in Anchorage sometime while we live here and tour that area.  Maybe the flight to Anchorage won't take 12-14 hours.  We enjoyed Eric's visit and plan for Myles to come maybe in March.  People tell us even with the cold, March is a good time to come to Fairbanks - hint hint - to those who might be interested.

Richard is enjoying his job - maybe not all the paperwork - but the job and the people.  He really liked it after he got his first check.  Speaking of....let me share a major answer to prayer.  Last week we still had not received our travel reimbursement (the trip here took all of our savings) or a paycheck since June 15.  Needless to say, the checkbook was EMPTY as were the cabinets and the gas tanks.  We knew Eric was coming and wanted to be able to do some fun things while he was here.  We as well as others prayed - thanks - you know who you are.   We needed the check to deposit by 3 on Thursday.  The check arrived in Clinton a little of 1 on Thursday.  Thank you Father for hearing and answering prayers.  God is a good God and an on time God.  On another financial note, we have an account here that we opened a couple of weeks ago.  The policy here is that if you deposit an out of state check, they hold the check for at least 6 days before you can have access to the money.  So while, we were broke, we really had money in our account here but had, and still have no access to it.  The bank in Clinton gave us access to our money by the evening after it was deposited.  A lot can be said for good ole' Western Oklahoma. 

I will be honest, I have been a little emotional the past week and half.  Not sure if it is homesickness or hormones or seeing Eric or a combination of it all.  I'm usually not one to cry, especially for no reason...but that has been me.  I really miss my friends and family and the fact of school starting back home has made it even harder.  I miss my work, coworkers and students.  But with prayer things are getting easier.  I still believe we are here for a purpose.

While I have applied for MANY jobs, I have had only one interview.  The interview was for a building sub at North Pole High School.  Basically that is someone who is expected to be at the school for 180 student contact days and be prepared to sub wherever needed.  Haven't heard back on the interview.  The pay isn't the greatest, but it would be a way to get my foot in the door.  I keep getting rejection letters that say, you are not qualified or someone within the school system was hired.  Who knew job hunting could be so crazy.

Charlie played the great escape artist Saturday.  While we were gone to Denali, he found a way out of the backyard.  We still haven't figured out how he got out.  Thank goodness for good neighbors who saw him wandering around and realized we were not home.  They took him in until we got home.  Not sure what we will do with him from now on.  We have a chain in the back but it is really too heavy for him and he gets it caught on the deck and then he is stuck.  He is such a LAZY dog since we have moved.  He loves the front yard, but you have to stay out with him or he goes exploring on the road.  Doc says he already saw one of our dogs dead on a road and doesn't want to find another one.  Who knew dogs could be more spoiled than our children. 

Well.  I think that about sums up what has been going on. I will try to keep more current with my posts.

Take care, have a blessed week and if you ever want to come to Alaska, we have an empty room and an air mattress.

Love and miss you all.

Sally