Winter In Alaska - The Joy of the Lord

We apologize for the delay in posting these photos and blog. Debbie flew out to Iowa to help her mom after surgery and life keeps zipping by at a faster rate than expected! In addition, we have attached our winter newsletter for those of you who are not on our mailing list - if you want to be, please send us an email and we will add you. The sun is back in abundance and we still have about a foot or more of snow on the ground. As you might know, Chris had cataract surgery that was very successful and we are grateful for all of your prayers. God led us to a Christian doctor that prayed with him before his procedure. 

As we head into spring, Victory continues to be busy with conference groups, family, and pastor retreats. In May, the youth from Anchorage, Palmer, and Wasilla will come up for outdoor education classes that our staff leads. It is a humbling privilege for us to be able to serve all the different walks of life that pass through our gates.We are really enjoying teaching Sunday School also. Our Pilgrim's Progress curriculum is a huge hit and the kids are learning important truths of the gospel and gaining a richer understanding of Christ's work in the life of a believer. 

Last week we were taking a walk and we both commented about how joyful we were to be serving here and how at this point in our lives we possess the least amount of "stuff" and are at our happiest. Joy is a gift that God has given us. "The joy of the Lord is your strength" - Nehemiah 8:10. God focused us in on His plan for us and we rejoice over what He has done for us.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit".  Romans 15:13.

Our pastor urged us in church last week that if you want this God designed life you must know the designer. We cannot know the will of God without studying the word of God. But when studying, take the word from your head to your heart! Now give action to God's word and bear much fruit!

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night". Psalm 1:2.  Now go to your Bible and read all of Psalm 1.

Please cry out to our God and ask Him for all you need!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you - Chris, Debbie, and Liam

Ice skating on Index Lake

A hat Debbie made as a baby gift

Surprise baby shower!

Christmas presents!

Women's conference at Victory featuring the author Tracie Peterson

Victory Peak

Fund raiser and silent auction at Glacier View School

Morning sky

Everything grows bigger in Alaska!

Ice on Matanuska River

Debbie's mom visits Alaska

Game time!

Chris doing morning rounds

Christmas party!

Christmas vacation with the girls!

Christmas tree hunting!

Hockey or broomball

                    This is a example of what it looks like on a winter day without direct sunlight

The creeks tend to glacier over and threaten the nearby roads - a constant battle!

Just like going to the beach!

Sledding down Ranch Camp hill

Our chickadees - how many do you see?!

Plaque dedicated to our founder on Inspiration Point

The sun hits us up on Inspiration Point for a few minutes! January, 2

The view from Inspiration Point, January, 2

Cross-country skiing

Chris after his cataract procedure!

Our Sunday school class acting out the Armor of God.

 What Liam did over spring break - geometry!

 Spring hiking

Most Important - Don't Forget

Instant Pudding
Drive through coffee huts (Alaska has the most)
Microwave ovens
30 second credit approval
7 lane freeways

Are we an instant society? Are we in a hurry to get on to the next "thing"? Do we carry this mindset into our spiritual lives and expect instant answers to our prayers our problems? Does God really work like that?

No, He does not. God has allowed advancement in our technology but He does not change.

Trees and plants still have the same growth cycle unless alter by man.
Babies still take 9 full months to grow in the womb - this is very good.
Our days and nights are still 24 hours long.
Winter, spring, summer, fall - still the same.

God is never in a hurry.

God's greatest desire is for us to trust Him and give Him our complete love.

"Jesus replied:"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind." This is the first and greatest commandment.   Matthew 22:37-38

Slow down and take time with God today and give Him your love. Your heart can not truly beat without Him.

"Give us day by day our daily bread."  Luke 11:3

                                                                                                                   

Blurry Faith

We are blessed with faithful pray warriors and financial supporters! Today I was asked what we need that can be sent to us in a care package. What do we need? Are we lacking in something important that would make our daily lives better? Right now, I am baking cookies and listening to a sermon online from our home church.  This is how Pastor Chris started his sermon:

          What immediately comes to mind when I say the word, ‘Money?’ / Have you ever been 
anxious when it comes to money? / Have you ever purchased something too expensive for you simply because it was popular? / Finish this sentence: If I only had a little bit more money I’d _________________ / What is the one possession that you don’t think you could live without? 

There has to be something we need because, after all, we gave up a lot of our material possessions to come serve at Victory.  Chris misses his tools he left behind on a daily basis. My heart searches for what we do need. I can't come up with anything that seems worthy to send. Sure our windows and doors let in a lot of cold air, but that's how it is in these old camp houses. We didn't expect a new, up to date, home. No, we are OK with our windows and doors. Oh, and what a beautiful view God has given through these big old windows! The sunsets and sunrises are spectacular. I am always saying, "Liam, come look out the window!" I tried to capture it last night in the photo above. I was unable to do it justice and couldn't seem to get the word FAITH to be clear. What do we need? Now I know.We have it all already in abundance. We know God has planted us here to  make His word NOT blurry to each person we see each day. Chris shared God's word and love yesterday with the young man who came to clean our septic system. He is a veteran of war who served in Afghanistan. One year ago he was homeless. How can that be? What does he need? Today he has a job and maybe Jesus too. Perhaps that is why Chris spent a good portion of his day with him and didn't get to fixing the leaky sink that needed his attention or the electric wall heater that won't turn on for guests coming today. That is why he didn't make it home for lunch until 3 pm. He was hungry but more excited to tell me about the young veteran he met. As I was writing this the phone rang and it was an older man looking for his sister whom  he hadn't seen in years. She was married to a Mock in Alaska. He was calling from South Carolina. I explained to him we didn't know any Mocks here, but encouraged him and said I would pray for him. He shared with me that that sure meant a lot to him and didn't we need more of God's encouraging words each day! Wow, tears came to my eyes. The phone number on caller ID said private caller. Maybe it was God!

We are blessed beyond comprehension with the clear word of our heavenly Father. What an awesome God He is. We can trust God and know He will provide for all our needs - Amen.

 The sunlight barely shines above the ridge line - soon there will be no direct sunlight until the middle/end of January. God's word will bath us in His light!

This Dutch lace hangs in our arctic entryway/laundry room/ storage area. The little bit of light shining through our old windows and over the ridge captures God's word!

Victory in God's Word