September!

Our sweet puppy sleeping! We like him like this a lot!

 At dinner time he'll sit up to 10 minutes straight waiting for his supper without barking or jumping.  We soak his food due to how fast he eats.  He is a very patient pup at this time, suprisingly!

 He's captured our hearts!

 Mountains in Anchorage area along the drive to Seward.

 Seward - view from my hotel room

 Drive back from Seward to Anchorage

 Leaves beginning to change in southern Alaska while up in Fairbanks, our fall is ending!

 Alyeska resort in Girdwood, AK - drove by on the way home.  GORGEOUS setting!

Glacier on drive to Seward

 More of Seward

The snow is slowly nearing the bottom of the mountain.  Winter is approaching!

Once again, I am very sorry for the long wait in between posts.  I am not going to make any promises that it will get better.  Reading about our busy life will give some explanation as to why it has been so long!

Finley is growing more than ever!  We just weighed him today and he is 24 pounds!  He is 3 months and two weeks old.  His color is getting darker each day!  He is learning so quickly and can now, sit and stay, stand and stay, down and stay, shake, roll over, come when called, and wait by the door until allowed in!  We are so proud of our baby!  He is improving greatly on not getting angry and dominant over food and bones.  We are all three learning from this process!  We are so blessed to have him!  He is always there for us, curling up in our laps and falling asleep and giving us tons of love. 

The other pictures you see on here are from the Women’s Retreat down in Seward, AK.  I was blessed to be able to attend and meet some amazing women.  Each year the WELS churches in Alaska have a retreat which allows the women to get together, worship their Savior, and enjoy some R&R!  It was a beautiful two days down in Seward, my first time there!  The two speakers were the women who wrote, “Not Without My Daughter”.  I could talk for pages about their story and what they shared with us, but I will let you read the book for yourself.  And YES! Read the book!  There is a movie out there too.  They are two incredible women with an incredible faith in their Savior.  The theme of the retreat was, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.”  Their story and their strength were unbelievable to see and hear.  Each of us have those “crosses” in our lives that we must bear.  But we must never forget in the Lord’s promises!  He DOES have a plan, and it is always for our good!  I can’t speak for everyone else, but I know I left with the reassurance that God is in control and is always looking out for our good!  I can’t wait to see God’s plan for my life. 

Jason is doing great!  He continues to LOVE doing the Lord’s work.  Our districts missionary counselor is flying in tomorrow, and will stay for a few days.  He and Jason will have quite a few things to accomplish, but we are greatly looking forward to his visit.  He is busy writing a sermon that he will be preaching at ACPaT (Alaska Conference of Pastors and Teachers) this coming Thursday.  He will be flying down to Anchorage for a few days, leaving Finley and me by ourselves L  We will just have to have some friends over.  We are also beginning some work with the UAF students and are looking forward to getting this ministry going.  We had our first Women’s meeting at Syndoulos!  I was elected President of this, and look forward to working with our amazing women of the congregation!  They have so many neat ideas, and are greatly looking forward to our year. 

Work is going well for me.  I finally have students to work with!!!  Should be fun and continue to get busier as I get more students. 

Again, please feel free to skype or e-mail or call anytime!  We love and miss you all, and hope to talk or see you soon!  May God bless your weekend!