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Precious Sunshine!

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:55:50 -0900

The days have been short here in Kenai for the last couple months. December 21 was winter solstice, the shortest hours of daylight all year. We really savor those few hours of sunlight. This photo shows the sun hanging just above the horizon as you look out from Kenai Beach to the south. This is the highest the sun will rise all day. We’ve realized how valuable sunlight is for our health. Depression has weariness have set in. It’s hard to get out of bed some mornings. We’re trying to be proactive and take vitamin D supplements as well as use a “Happy Light”, which radiates energizing light onto our bodies. Just of half hour of exposure to this light each day is supposed to help counteract the effects of insufficient exposure to sunlight. We’ll see...

It’s been a really long time since we have posted an update on our site. Sorry to those of you who have been mourning the lack of fresh news from us!

2009 was a good year for us. We watched God bring our team through significant challenges, yet united to press on. Dustin moved into a new role with Arctic Barnabas Ministries as Director of Mobilization. His job consists primarily of fundraising initiatives as well as improving the marketing of Arctic Barnabas through print and media. These critical projects will hopefully bear fruit as God leads him to new partners, both individuals and churches nation-wide who are passionate about missionary care in Alaska. You can read more about what is going on at Arctic Barnabas by visiting the website:

www.arcticbarnabas.org

Natalie’s big news is preparing for the birth of our third baby July 2010! She’s in full uniform as a full-time mom keeping up with Skylar and Kaia and keeping nourished for the little one growing inside her. We’re excited for the the growing family God has blessed us with!

One of the pressing needs for us is to move into a larger house. We no longer have the space for our family and guests. Hospitality is a significant aspect of our life and ministry here. So we’re praying that God would bring a buyer for our current house and funds to purchase something larger before the baby is born.

We miss interaction with many of our friends around the country. The years pass so quickly and distance steals opportunity for the relationships we cherish. You would make our day by picking up the phone and giving us a call sometime, just to chat and tell us what is happening in your family and personal life.

Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months....

Peaceful Giant

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:19:04 -0800

We’re back in Alaska now and really glad to be home! Six weeks in CA and IL was fun, but very tiring. We missed the initial eruption of Mt. Redoubt volcano while traveling, but came home to this beautiful sight of the mountain peacefully simmering.

This week we are getting ready for two volunteer teams coming in May to travel out and work on parsonages in the villages of Mekoryuk and White Mountain. We’re also looking for a car to purchase, which will better suit our family needs. Another exciting development is the new offices Arctic Barnabas Ministries will be moving into next week! We’ve been eager to find more space and facilities for our ministry to be based. We’re praying for funds to build a hanger onto the back of the building this summer.

Redoubt Eruption!

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:33:00 -0800

Mt. Redoubt has erupted! You might have heard the news about an Alaskan volcano erupting this week. Yep, it was the one just across the Cook Inlet from where we live. We’ve been anticipating this event for a couple months now. Many were concerned about ash fall on Kenai. But it seems the winds aloft have blown the ash north beyond Anchorage. Unfortunately, our family missed the event in-person as we are in California now. It will be interesting for us to see the mountain when we return. I assume the shape has changed some. --Dustin