Faith

Our first time clamming about a week ago.



We drove south about an hour and went to really pretty stretch of beach when the tides were out.



My favorite thing at Dondies in Des Arc was always clam strips and the apple coleslaw stuff..I had visions of clam strips in my head...



We had so much fun! We didn't get enough before the tide came back in so no clam strips for me that day. We then drove on down to Homer AK and had lunch at a little spot on the sea.

*******************************************************************************




There's always time to do the will of God.
Spiritual highs are usually followed by spiritual setbacks.
God's presence doesn't guarantee immediate success.
We must get ready to hear God.
God never asks us to do something without giving us the way.
When we feel distant from God, we are the ones who have moved.
We have no light. We reflect God.
One person can't do everything, but one person can do something.
Even when we fail, God is with us.
A lighthouse doesn't have a horn; it shines.
We are constantly faced with opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible obstacles.
God graciously provides for us.
As we obey Him, we experience His presence, peace, and provision.
Settling for the "good" robs of us God's best.
Security and happiness is achieved by complete obedience to God.
God has a plan and a place for me.
We need to be zealous by having a vibrant relationship with God.
When you know God, you can't help but praise Him. When you praise Him, you love Him even more.

***Oh my, today I had my first really blue evening since we got here. You know the kind that just hits you out of left field and makes you sob uncontrollably about a sadness hidden deep within. Just the realization that we are so far away from everyone and even farther away from my mom than I was before just came to me like an epiphany that I was obviously trying to sweep under a rug that I no longer own.(shouldn't have sold it in our yard sale!)
And then after the pain subsided, and I took a steamy hot bath, took 4 advil, checked my email and then decided to check my friends blogs...I found the above writing on Laurel's blog about what she is so glad to have learned and at BSF last year. It is so amazing how God speaks to us. He just totally puts me back in my place and makes me thankful for all the good He has provided.
So, tonight I can rest and put aside my impatience and my sadness because I am reminded who is in control. It is a beautiful BEAUTIFUL peace that is found in Christ alone!

My husband doesn't come home

I kid you not ... he leaves after work and fishes until 3am ...HE'S HOOKED!!!
I need a nanny next July, so I can put in a line as well. Anybody want to au pair for a few weeks next summer let me know!! We have taken them with a couple of times, but it is hard to concentrate and entertain them :)
Julia seriously wants a hook on her line...it is so sweet!
I met up with my new friends Angela and Kristen for storytime at the Kenai library this morning. Julia and John loved it! The books the librarian read were really great and she just has a way with little ones. It even made me excited to be at the library (not a place I frequent, but maybe it will be).
Julia and John got their first package in the mail yesterday. Grandma sent a barbie and a helicopter. They love them and loved getting FUN mail! THANK YOU!
William and I also love the jelly.
Without our family and friends support and love we could never had made this journey! Thank you!

The fishies that didn't get away...

Here they are Willies first Alaskan caught fresh red salmon.
We are sooooo proud of him!




Yum...we could only eat about a fourth of one of the fishes before we were all full.




Daddies little helper.


We have many more pics from the past week but these are the most important ones...soon to come ones of us clamming and just enjoying the Alaskan summer.

William's first week of work went well and here we are already on week 2. He said he did a full mouth extraction today where the teeth literally went flying into his assistant's hair--So gross--he said she washed it quickly afterwords. I can't imagine and much prefer cleaning the teeth to his icky job!

Julia and John have done very well adapting to their new home. They LOVE all the parks in town and being close to the beach. Julia has been working on casting and thinks she is ready for a hook on her fishing pole. We say NO to that one, but she has got a pretty awesome cast for a 4 yr old.

I have been primarily William's taxi lately and have been getting very familiar with the different parts of town. Our apartment is really centrally located and pretty big. We still have no furniture - fishing has been our main focus. This week ahead is apparently THE WEEK where you can just throw your line in and fish just dive on. We'll see--we aren't legal to dipnet this year, but next year that will be tons of fun.

Well, we miss all those friends and family back home and I feel like we missed Steven's Bday, but I hope not. And a special shout out to my cousing Ricky for his coming up this week. Thinking of Larry on Wednesday!! Our love,
the fishing like crazy family!

Santa in the 4th of July parade



The beach we went to today (about a 5 min drive from the apartment)



The moose and her baby after we got the camera out...



Our sweet beach buns....we love them sooooo much!!!!



Things are going along well this week. A big shout out to Jodi for her birthday Wednesday and to my mom for hers on Thursday! Miss you—wish we were there to share some cake!
William has seen just a few patients the last 2 days because they are busy doing more paperwork and even fingerprinting, oh, and a bit of touring town to meet the local natives and eat their smoked salmon (ie squaw candy)…yip, Dentistry is not so monotonous when you get out of the office most of the day 
He is already drumming up fishing trips through work folks—hope he catches one soon.
We got our drivers licenses last week and here you have to do a written exam—that’s right…it’s been a long time since I took that…I think I was 14—so I had to study the book for a few hours and of course it had questions that are so odd, like how far do you park from a fire hydrant? Anyway, we passed and are official Alaska drivers…watch out moose!
We also, had a momma moose and baby moose in our back yard a few days ago. That was pretty exciting since we’re new here.
Here’s an example of how small town things are…
A lady I met at church didn’t have my phone # and wanted to call me today, so she called my realtor to get in touch with me, who then called me and gave me the message and phone #. Complicated to read, but just very personal service. The lady from church wanted to get me in touch with a girl who wanted to invite us to a play group… Henceforth, this afternoon, we joined a new playgroup. Which by the way is organized through community funding at which they also have storytime and include a snack and drink for the children. Pretty good fun!
So, I met a few new moms which were all really nice.
Well, just getting settled and thinking especially of the birthday girls and both my grans that are on opposite sides of the world from eachother and mean the world to me!!!!
Lots of love coming your way.
The repartment (as Julia calls it) gypsies…

Starting work

Sunday the 5th of July already! Wow.
We feel like time has really been flying since we got to Alaska.
William starts work tomorrow. He is excited and full of anticipation.

Kenai had a 4th of July parade that we went to on Saturday. They still throw candy at their parade, so Julia and John loved it. And where else can you meet an elk, Smokey the Bear, and Santa Claus all at one time!! We grilled hamburgers and after we got the children to bed had a date on the front porch which consisted of drinking coffee and talking while watching the sun never set. Okay, we were a bit homesick especially knowing that everyone was together with friends and family at home.

Today, we went to church. We were welcomed by very friendly people and enjoyed a nice service. A doctor originally from Chattanooga, TN invited us over to their home for lunch and that’s where we spent the remainder of the day. Her and her husband were great to have us over and the grilled salmon and halibut for a true AK greeting. They made the move up last summer and seem to really be enjoying their new life in Alaska. They have a greenhouse so they can grow tomatoes and raised beds to grow other vegetables in as well. The whole day really helped us to feel more at home and very welcome.

Love ,
The cleaning out Winnie to sell her Un Gypsies…

Start me up Alaska style.




that hair...




First things first...





When you stay up until after midnight each day because the sun doesn't set you tend to need coffee the next morning. The sun not setting also extends your afternoon fishing time. This little house feels like a mansion compared to the winnebago.
-- Papa fisherman

Moving out of Winnie Today

Making Leaps and bounds today.
We got the keys to our new apartment today. Yee Haw!
Good bye Winnie - Hello running water and electricity!
We are on our way there to unpack, just stopped at Safeway to use the Wifi.
Julia can't wait because she knows her barbie house is in the enclosed trailer and it gets to come out today. Pictures to come soon.
The landlord is letting us do a month to month lease which is so great and hard to find! Thanks for all the love and prayers. Miss you all!
The out of the Winnie Gypsies!

Our first Suubie

We found a little old Subaru yesterday. She's not a real beauty, but she will certainly get us around town and cut down the gas mileage a bit.
All of $500--that's right --no need to spend 20thousand when you can get a car for $500! Okay, I am very blessed to have a father and husband that are mechanically inclined - between the two of them they can keep anything running!

Today is a gorgeous day. Sunny clear skies about 75F. I know I will be SOOOO jealous when everyone back home is telling me that it is only 50F and we are at 30 below up here! But seriously, book your tickets for a trip up here and come escape that southern heat!

We went around looking at different areas and played at the park again today. Not much going on at the moment, or it feels like it since we aren't driving 800 miles a day. We could see Mt Redoubt yesterday across the ocean. It was steaming a bit. We haven't felt any quakes yet though.

Just thinking of you all. We plan to make a trip down to Homer mid week to see what is is like. Everyone here says how pretty Homer is. So, while we have a bit of down time thought it would be a good side trip. It is only a little over an hour away.

Keep in touch and tell us your news!
We're still in Winnie in the Fred Meyers parking lot. It's a pretty good deal(free)!

Anchorage tonight

Today we played at a great little park while William filled out paperwork. Then we made our way up to Anchorage. I needed my Target fix for the month. They just got their first Target a few months ago...How did people live before Target? Just kidding, but I really think Target is a pretty store and my girly girl side really likes it. All silliness aside, we came up to look at a car we found on Craigslist and of course it was in terrible shape. But we decided to make the most of it and had fun going to stores that are normally within 5 minutes of our house like Target and Walmart. In Soldotna, they do have a huge store called Fred Meyers which is like a Wal Mart and has SO much it is overwhelming. They let RV's camp out 3 nights in a row for free and they provide free water and a dump station for their fellow rv'ers. We stayed there last night and were among atleast 25 other motorhomes parked in their lot.
Soldotna is about a 3 hour drive from Anchorage so we are staying the night in Anchorage in Winnie. That's right she's still going strong. We did put the enclosed trailer in storage until we can unload it. The man that owns the storage place seemed as if he may want to buy Winnie when we get settled, so who know where she may roam in the future.
Well, it is 1am and I am ready for sleep. Night night.

Soldotna parking behing the Best Western

Well, our wifi is very occaisional at the moment, while we get our bearings. So hang in there with me updating. We have been meeting with other Dentists, William has been filling out TONS of paperwork! He has so much to still fill out that tomorrow they are going to give him an office to do it in.
We still haven't found a car or home, but are in contact with a realtor and have called about some rentals. We have met really nice folks so far. Will update when there is something more exciting to say!
Thinking of you all!
Love the still in the Winnie Gypsies!!

Sterling AK

Only 15 minutes from Soldotna now. We just couldn't make it another mile! We made it out of Watson Lake and to a rest area just outside of Haines Junction last night and then this morning we made it across the border and back into the good ole USA!

We have driven a bunch of miles and are just so happy to be close to our destination.
At 11:45 pm there were hundreds of people still out fishing on the Kenai river (maybe dip netting?) It is just now getting dim outside.
I am going to catch a bit of rest before we go and face the unknown tomorrow. Things like where to live, how much longer we will share this itty bitty space, find a car, find out when William will start work?

Alaska is even more beautiful than I remember from last summer...maybe because we took the road less travelled and it took such a long time to get here.

Still Watson lake

We have played dentist, doctor, puppet show, coloring, singing the same songs over and over, gone for walks, baby dolls, trains, and we're pretty ready to get moving on. William has gone in search of a couple of new bearings (that was a while ago) it must be a pretty long hike. We have been lucky to be surrounded by really nice people in this tiny town. We also met a couple who were in Kenai last summer working in a fishing guide camp. So, they were informative and gave us a couple contacts. Julia has toured all the campers she can get into. And she always comes back out with treats! We have completed 2 preschool learner books and are working on writing her name. John went on the potty last night before bath. So a bit of progress in that department. I remember with Julia, it was as though a light bulb suddenly went on (an awakening).
My gran had a fall back at home last week, one of my dad's first bosses in America passed away, and my brothers little girl turned one and is taking her first steps, so I am a wee bit homesick. But I am being as brave as I can.
The groceries in Canada are super expensive, so we have been very creative with what we eat each meal to stretch what's left in the cabinet.
I will say that once you have travelled long distances in a motorhome, it would be very hard to ever go back to staying in hotels on a long journey. The rv is just so easy to cook, sleep, bath and potty in. And you don't have to lug your suitcases in and out in and out. And you can save a lot on food (unless you're in small town Yukon) because you can fix all your own meals.
Thinking of you all,
Love the Winnie's falling apart Gypsies :)

Watson Lake YukonT Canada

Already Sunday, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

It seems as though we have driven constantly for the last few days. Their has been no internet or cell phone service during those times. It is incredible how huge British Columbia and the Yukon are. Last night we decide to stop driving in Watson Lake (okay I decided we should stop for the night--it was 8pm. The time doesn't matter up here though. You can't tell from the sun what time it is because the days are so long now. I think it may have gone down at about 2am into a dusk like state. Then was back up at about 5am even though it is pouring down rain today!
We were glad we made the stop because while putting our sign up in signpost alley we noticed a wheel bearing had gone out on the trailer. So we may be here til Monday unless there is a parts store open? The roads were pretty rough yesterday and we probably drove for about 10 hrs.
The children are always excited when we get to stop at a campground. We plug into electricity, turn the radio and dance around in our little bitty space! Just so glad to have electricity and water freely available! Oh, that's right our water pump that pushes water up for the sink, toliet, tub went out a day or so ago. And there is just nowhere to buy parts anywhere close to here (seriously)!!
The advantages to this rural area has been the oppourtunity to see bears, moose, stone sheep, and bison on our drive.
We put up the only sign we had (on the front of Winnie there was a T for Tennessee from the last owners) to be a part of signpost alley here in Watson Lake...I'll try to load a pic and you can try to find it!
Once again, happy father's day and here's to making it another 800+ miles into Alaska!!
the Winnie Gypsies!

Cache Creek CANADA

Julia in the Redwoods in California




Eureka California close to the jetty where William did some fishing (where John lost his tennis shoe).



Julia in Eureka making friends with Nancy and Bill from Pamona.




Proud fisherman!!




John terrifying his mom climbing all over the ocean cliffs.




Finally got a pic to load this was Multnomah Falls, Oregon

And an update on where we are...
That's right we made it over a hurdle. Not without incident, but over all the while. the border was about a 3 hr ordeal. Lots of forms and searching, William was the main issue with all his hunting weapons...but it all worked out. We have driven through some different terrain than I have ever seen and been passed by some trucks that can really fly on these roads!

Close to Olympia WA

I have tried unsuccessfully to load pictures a few times and haven't had wifi until this point...so I will try again before I log off.
We finally made it out of California after William caught 14 fish in Crescent City. They were black snapper and we had them for 3 meals in a row...okay, not the children, they still prefer peanut butter to fish, but William and I enjoyed them.
They have a batter up here called 'Pride of West' and it is a really nice taste and texture. We met an older man at the docks and he told us to go to Ray's grocery and get some Pride of the West...and he was right!!!
Well, let me backtrack a bit.
After leaving Pacifica last Friday, we went up past San Francisco on the coast--a really really curvy piece of the hwy 1 we only made it to Muir woods and camped on a cliff on the side of the road. The view was incredible.
They next day we made just a bit more up the coast to Salt Point, CA and camped down by the ocean where William tried to fish off some big rocks in the ocean. The children loved playing on the rocks and John really showed his daredevil side by climbing as all over as I chased him to make sure he didn't fall to his demise!!
I think the campgrounds name was Gerstle Cove in Ca State park sys, they put us in overflow which was more beautiful than the regular spots.
Then Sunday, we made it to Eureka...which sounds nice, but we stayed on Samoa island and it was a yucky little spot, but William did get to fish of jetty. John lost a a grey new balance tennis shoe in grey beach sand. So we spent a while search until we decided that we were glad he had nearly outgrown that pair of shoes!
Julia made friends with the campers beside us, Nancy and Bill, they were really sweet and let Julia look around there camper over and over again. She's so curious about what is inside everyone elses camper (like they have a Willy Wonka factory inside their camper :)
Well, we were glad to press on north bound to Cresent City. We stayed really close to the beach and it was perfect because William got a chance to fish while we played at the beach.
Tuesday we had a harrowing experience as we went up to Gold Beach Oregon and turned off East to go towards Grants Pass onto a road that should never be travelled by RV's. I think it was the 23 E and park road and it was AWFUL!!! We only went 30+ miles on it which took atleast 3.5 hrs. It was one lane with turnouts, and gravel breaks everywhere with huge drop offs to oblivion!! On the way down the brakes caught fire they got so hot even though we we going in low gear as much as possible. So we had to stop for a while to let them cool. We got our picnic chairs down and thought we'd have a picnic when huge swarms of mosquitos attacked! Then when we started driving again, a plague of locust looking bugs started showering the windscreen....I thought I was in a chapter of the Old Testament.
But then God seriously had grace
1. By allowing us to reach the otherside of the mountain alive
2. By leading us to the nicest campground ever (Indian Mary -just E of Grants Pass)
We revived our spirits and took warm showers, played at the playground, cooked our fish. And ate drank and were merry!
Yesterday, we made it through Oregon and went to Multnomah Falls (amazing)
and last night made it just South of Olympia WA where we stayed in a Walmart along with atleast 10 other RV's. We hope to make it across into Canada today...We are a bit worried about border crossing with our trailer so full. If they search we may never get it all packed back in...so pray for an easy border crossing.
No luck loading pics again.
Love Winnie Gypsies