Spring is here in Alaska

So I would say that spring is finally here in Alaska. There is still a lot of snow in the woods but along the road and drive ways you see mud and grass. The birds are here and sing all the time. We hear a lot of wood peckers, chickadees, magpies, Robins and Kacie saw a pair of Trumpeter swans when she was in town. We are getting excited to start gardening. As long as we can fight off the moose.  We have some flowers started in the house given to us from our neighbor. It's neat to see how well the snow insulates everything on the ground. When the grass was uncovered it was green, but after a couple of cold nights it turned more brown. We even have a pansy that made it through the winter. The Rhubarb is looking beautiful and Kacie can’t wait to freeze some and make pies!!

It survived the winter!

This is the grass on the first week of April.

Here is the grass the last week of April.

Kacie's flowers safe inside!

Evelynn and Jared had birthdays this month. It was something special to celebrate together as a family.

For his Birthday!!

For her Birthday!

Her new favorite thing.

Her cupcake hat from her auntie

Now the other kids have been playing outside a lot. Kenten is almost done with school for this year. Here is what they are up to out side.

Working on being a monkey!

Playing with their friends.

Coloring on their tee shirts.

Jared has been busy checking and putting all the snow blowers and winter equipment away this past week. Also he is going to lead middle school age kids on nature hikes for out door education. He will take them to the Fossil beds and tell them some facts about the local berries, trees, glaciers and history. The kids will also go on a Glacier hike and be able to walk out on it but Jared is not going to lead those groups. It's a cool way for kids to get out of the class room, and a good way to share our beliefs.

A practice hike of where they take the outdoor education groups.

 Next month Jared will be flying to Galena to help with a community outreach program that Victory is trying start up with a pastor in that area. So we ask for prayers for safety and words to speak. This community is a population of under 500 on 17.9 square miles and you can only get there by plane or snowmobile in the winter. Jared is going to do what he does best... work with his hands. Him and two other guys are getting together and working on local peoples four wheelers, snowmobiles, and vehicles. Or if they just have questions the guys are there to help.

The moose have been out and about in camp. It is fun to watch them from a safe place. They will be calving soon. We haven't seen any babies yet. But here is the moose that has been visiting our grass almost every other night.

my plants are safe right now.

I had the opportunity to go to a homeschooling curriculum fair in Anchorage. Two other ladies and me stayed overnight and enjoyed a nice get away. Plus all the cool books and hands on activities the fair showed us to working into our home school year. So I think I have everything in order and it will be here and we will start in August. I am excited! The kids may have a different opinion.

The sunset from our hotel and that is the ocean in the distance.

 Thanks for our supporters and their commitment to our mission partnership. We have been blessed so much and we are so thankful for everyone who cares for us by praying for us. We think of everyone and the impact we are making together with all the people that we come in contact with. 

Mountains on the way back to camp.