Goodbye Alaska!

A couple days ago, we went hiking and saw Moose, including a mama and a baby. They were so cute! Yesterday, we went to downtown Anchorage. Because Ella doesn't like to shop, James and I did the shopping, (mostly window shopping) and she took the kids to the Imagenarium. Last night, the kids had Awana, and we went out to Coldstone for some ice cream....it was delicious!

Some of you have been asking about the weather, and I haven't really mentioned what it is like here. Most days, it is overcast and cloudy, however there have been a few sunny days that tend to bring a lot of warmth!! The temp. is usually around 55-60, although yesterday it was 51. Not too bad, as I love the Fall and being able to wear jeans and hoodies! :)

Ella and I were able to attend a BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) in Anchorage today. The cool thing about BSF's is that they are all over the world, and they study exactly the same thing each week. So, if I am out of town, I can go to one wherever I am at! And they even have it in South Africa, so Elle and I are looking forward to discussing what we learn each week, and then hopefully we will be able to go together once I return to Africa. If any of you are interested in doing this as well, that would be great!! Just let me know....

Tonight is Enchiladas and game night.....tomorrow we have a in-home dessert thing where James and Ella will share about Africa, and then Saturday is the market and a time of goodbyes once again as I leave this beautiful state. Thanks for your prayers while I was here. They were appreciated!!

I hope to post pics in the next week or so of the events that took place the last several days. Stay tuned....

Have a blessed weekend!

Jess

Flying!

On Saturday, Mark took me flying in his Cessna 120. I have never been in a small plane before, but I had a blast!! It was tight quarters for sure, but I loved every minute of it! He took me over a glacier, and it was stunning to see God's magnificent beauty and splendor completely surrounding me. Mark asked if I wanted to fly down next to it, and I of course said yes! The temperature dropped quite a bit, but it was so cool to see these big mounds of ice everywhere.

I also helped the Embrees move to Anchorage later in the day to the mission house of Chapel by the Sea. We are staying at Turnagain Cottage, which is located right on the Ocean. It is BEAUTIFUL!!

This week will bring some new adventures, however I will no longer be able to post pics because of dial-up internet here. I'll try and update through writing, but we will see if that happens or not! I can't believe I only have 5 days left. I am having the best time with the Embrees. I just love being with them, and hanging out....never a dull moment, that is for sure!! They are such a blessing to me!

MATANUSKA GLACIER

Well folks, I wish I could post many more pics of this amazing day! We hiked on the glacier, and it was absolutely beautiful! I help the Embrees move to Anchorage tomorrow, and we are unsure of internet access there, so this may be for blogging until I return home. This first week has been AMAZING, and I cannot wait to see what the next week will bring. Have a wonderful weekend, and have I mentioned that Sarah Palin is from Wasilla, Alaska? :)

Horseback Ridin'

It was a beautiful sunny day, and we went horseback riding at a friend of the Embrees. The kids had a wonderful time, and enjoyed riding Riley and Cody, even though Cody was very stubborn...probably the most stubborn horse I have ever met. Ella and I enjoyed riding to, as well as leading the kids around! You can see Bronwyn trying to kick Cody to get him going...uugh. He was so funny!

Palin Fever!!

We were all excited as we surrounded the tv last night to watch Sarah's speech. I know it is big news all around, but here in Alaska it is exciting! She did a wonderful job, and was so composed. James saw Sarah a few weeks ago at Wasilla Bible Church, which is Ella's home church. The Palin's attend there. We enjoyed Raspberry pie afterwards. It was a wonderful evening!

The little Su river!

We made a stop to take some pics at this beautiful sight!

New Pajamas!

I got all the kids new pajamas from Gymboree. They had dogs on them, and Max had the bulldog, which reminds them of their dog back in Africa, Denali. They looked so cute and adorable in them!!

KAYAKING!!

Here are some of the pics from our camping trip to Seward, where we enjoyed a wonderful time together! Victoria was another short-termer who went to South Africa to work with the Embrees after I left. Her fiance Calvin joined her when the short-term team from Chapel by the Sea here in Alaska went down for a week to help with the kids missions fest. Another one of their friends, Mark, joined us for our adventure. I had my first taste of Halibut, which was delicious. It
was fresh from the Sea and tasted wonderful! Although we had a dilemma with not being able to rent a kayak because we didn't have enough experience, we took turns with the 2 we brought, and it was simply beautiful! The weather was a bit dreary, and it rained a little, but it was stunning!