Still Alive

Hey All,

Sorry it has taken us so long to update our blog. Well, since our last post we have taken a trip to a Christian retreat center, we have taken out our parkas, and we have walked to and from school on snow. Yes, that's right we have about 2 inches of snow. As Ben and I were walking to church this morning, we discussed how it doesn't feel weird that we have snow. It may be October, but when we arrived to Alaska in the beginning of August, it felt like fall. We are not complaining....yet.

Kako-the Christian retreat center was a lot of fun. The pilot came and picked us up around 5:00 P.M. on a Friday evening. When the pilot flew in, he came in on the opposite side of the runway. I was thinking....hmm, that's strange. Then, the plane looked like it was coming straight towards us and would not stop. Well, it did stop and nobody seemed to mind that he came in on the opposite side. The plane that we took to get there was even smaller than any plane we've taken before. Val and I climbed in first and had to climb over two seats to get to ours. My seat was right behind the pilots, and I mean RIGHT BEHIND. He could probably feel me breathing hard as soon as I got in. :) Ben sat in the back and Kevin sat Co-Pilot. It could only fit four of us at a time. The pilot had to make two trips. As we were flying there the pilot looked back at us and pointed to Kevin. He was letting Kevin fly the plane. Val and I covered our eyes while Ben sat in the back with a smile from ear to ear. Ben kept saying, "I'm so jealous." Well, we made it there alive and Ben REALLY wanted to fly the plane so he went back to Mountain Village with the pilot to pick up Melanie and Hazel just so he could fly. Kako was very relaxing. We got to go panning for gold as the retreat center is on a gold mine. We later found out that Mountain Village is supposedly sitting on a gold mine. Kevin and Ben were definitely plotting on how to make millions. We took a hike to the top of a mountain that overlooked many other mountains. We played many games of Mancala..(brought back so many good elementary school memories.) Some worked on puzzles...if you know me, you know I would rather watch paint dry than do a puzzle. There was also three meetings where we listened to a speaker. Oh, let me tell you...the food was amazing. We had some pulled Moose sandwiches, yummy salmon, pancakes etc. Moose is very tasty. It isn't as gamey as you think it would be. Ben and I are big fans. Ben got to fly on the way home from Kako as well. We flew really low on the way home and were able to see about 5-10 moose on the tundra. It was really neat. It ended up getting very windy though, so by the time we got home we were all feeling a little green. Those little planes bounce up and down and from side to side. I would like to say I've gotten used to it, but have not. Maybe some day. :)

It's coming up to the end of the first quarter of school. I can't believe how fast it has gone. Ben and I just finished writing our report card comments. I start tutoring this week. I meet with about 15 students three days a week for 90 minutes and do tutoring sessions which is apart of a program called Alaska Learning Labs. I do this every other week. Ben is heading up National Ocean Science Bowl which keeps him busy every Monday and Thursday night from 8:00-9:30 P.M. No Dancing with the Stars for Ben. I have started going to a Women's Bible study with my church on Tuesday nights. Ben and I are trying to figure out..ok maybe just Ben what kind of snow machine to get. I'm just here for moral support as I know nothing about engines, two stroke, four stroke, or 600 or 550, one up or two up, etc.

We have received our first full circle shipment. Every month we get a box of mixed green's, fruit, etc. This week we got some spinach, pears, grapes, apples, parsnips, peaches, and lettuce. It's kind of expensive, so we are trying to figure out if it is worth it or not.

Anyways, we hope all is well. Two months from today we will be in Anchorage onward to Minnesota. We can't wait to get home and see family and friends! We love you and miss you very much!

With love,
Ben and Anne