Get Out of Life Free card?

I feel like I have slightly retreated into this shell of my former self. Quite the statemtnt with which to begin a post, but why not just jump right in and be real? This is a safe space and we're all friends here. You can take it.
I'm supposed to be identifying to Alaska, immersed in and committed to Haines, adjusting to life up there. Being in Seattle is supposed to just be a nice visit, icing on the cake, not the refuge and protector due to its distance that it's turned into. It now contains all that is familiar and loving to me, so why return to someplace where a tornado ripped through any preconceived notions I moved there under? I like it here. I wanna stay here.
But Alaska is a mess. I was thankfully able to leave and take a break from that mess. However, that mess is on pause. It will still be there, if not intensified, when I return. Therefore, this is not the real Natalie standing before you in Seattle. She wishes it were, but it's not. Let's be honest- the real Natalie is sitting back up in Alaska, arms crossed and foot tapping, impatiently waiting for this faux Seattle Natalie to come back up and fix it. She's saying, "get real. You can't stay there. Don't get too attached- it'll just be harder to leave." Only, that's all I want to do- stay. Thus I am in limbo. And can't make any sudden movements.
I'm just tired. Thinking about it all makes me claustrophobic.
Oh and it's Christmas. You know that? I have to remind myself every day.
(Don't worry- it'll all work out. God doesn't exactly dissappoint.) ;)
Pray Pray Pray
Thanks

I solemnly swear...

...that I will be more diligent in updating my blog. Lately, my zeal has been quelched by certain circumstances, but I was told that I should even write the bad stuff. So I will. In the future.
I just wanted to let you know not to give up on me. I have not abandoned our dera blog. I have just been on a little hiatus for a few weeks and will get back on track. It's really very important to me that you check it and enjoy it and care what I'm up to. It means a lot.
Now I'm back in Sea-town and it's weird. Very, very weird. I'm bumping along, but if I really think about it, it's craziness. I almost feel like the past two and a half months never happened since I'm back to the same life I was leading in August before I left- sleeping in, no real agenda...but I guess that's okay. Lying low will do me good. It'll be nice to be a little annonymous for awhile. I can leave the house and not gear up and expect to know everyone I bump into everywhere I go. Ya know? I actually get to go the bank today and be done in just a few minutes, not 30 because I was chatting with the teller who goes to my church. :) We'll see.
I don't even know if anyone will check this now that they know I'm home and haven't been keeping up with it even while I was gone, let alone now that I'm home and am seeing people in person. But I thought I'd give it a shot.
Don't give up on me.
<3

The Weens of Hallows

Halloween in Haines...what a treat. (get it? Treat? haha just a little Haines humor)

Kenny and I were invited over to the St. Clair's for some pumpkin carving last Monday night, which was amazing since I can't remember having carved a pumpkin in MANY years. The St. Clair's are an awesome family, with the youngest of the three kids being Gabby who is seven, but is TINY with this hilariously husky voice and a surprisingly advanced vocabulary. They're just all great. Jackie carved Medusa into her pumpkin (very inspired), Casey/Kenny carved Bart Simpson into his pumkin, I carved Phillipe (he's French) into my pumpkin, and Gabby created the job of "replacer," where she would replace all the pieces we had carved out. Very helpful. Jean Claude was on the other side of Phillipe, but unfortunately never finished, but he seemed fine with it.


The Salvation Army in town put on a Harvest Party at the school and I did, in fact, bake a cake for the Cake Walk. I was then advised that I should want it to be The Cake that everyone would want. So I put a leaf on it. And peanut butter M&M's around it because they were all I had. And it was a lemon cake with lemon frosting. Delightful. :) At least it wasn't the last cake left, which was my biggest fear. At least I don't think it was... I was also asked to be a lion for the "Daniel in the Lion's Den" part of the evening, put on by the pastor's wife. It mainly involved sitting at the end of a long, dark tube wearing a lion's mane and mask with a CD player playing a roaring lion soundtrack while "Daniel" (a.k.a. Scotty Hansen) told the kids that "God closed the mouth of the lion and so I am safe." Some of the kids were terrified and the looks on their faces...especially this one little girl whose feathers from her boa were flying everywhere while she couldn't get out of there fast enough. I probably would have reacted the same way upon crawling in a dark tunnel and being met by a lion. Shoot.
Later on I was able to dress in 50's wear curtesy of RGC's costume closet (the poodle skirt) and my own Converse (not pictured). Here I am stuffing my face with a fantastic chocolate cupcake right before Kenny and I took Polly, our sole trick-or-treater, around town. Let's just say that little escapade involved a man with a weird accent and a chainsaw and an unexpected haunted house visit where Leche shielded herself from the horror by clutching little Polly. What an adventure. Oh- and I couldn't feel my legs or hands by the end of the evening since we were trick-or-treating IN ALASKA.
We topped the evening off by the most hilarious late-night viewing of "Spiderman 3" with Lori, High 5, Kenny and some cookie dough. It was amazing.
It was all good fun and in just a day or two, I shall update on a visit from Ms. Jamie Higbee (A SURPRISE) and some other pretty pictures. For now, I am spent.
Stay tuned...

Characters Welcome

There once was a man named Byrne. He is a large man with shoulder-length silver hair and a big grin who Leche meets at church last Sunday. Byrne enjoys puppets. Byrne strikes up conversation with Leche at Mountain Market one afternoon, which is nice, only to invite her over the next afternoon to continue the chat. Leche mentions Byrne to YeaYea, only to get an unexpected reaction and warning that Byrne likes to invite people over to his dimmly-lit and odd-looking house. Leche is advised to bring someone, so Leche makes High 5 go with her. Upon arriving at Byrne's, Leche and High 5 are welcomed with creepy French music and a huge mannequin in the corner. High 5 refuses to take off her coat. The two girls gaze about the room, noticing Byrne's 8,000 records and 3,000 CD's (they asked Byrne), with a complete library of books and movies taboot. After much chitchat, Leche agrees to try Byrne's Hibiscus flower tea with raw sugar, which actually tastes good- kinda like a melted fruit leather. Having visited for what they think is the appropriate amount of time to be considered "intentional," the girls make to leave, only to be faced with Byrne's excited realization that they have yet to talk about puppets!!! Well! Of course! How could they all have forgotten! Thus commences the showing of Byrne's video which documents his three month trip through Europe to visit all kinds of puppet theatres. Turns out the Czech Repubic is quite the hub for puppet entertainment! An hour QUICKLY flies by and Leche and High 5 must depart to go to dinner. Shame. That concludes their visit with Byrne, but not without High 5 committing to a future puppet show possibly involving Christ's crucifixion. Byrne would like them to visit again.

There once was a man named Jeff. Jeff considers himself an old friend of Natalie's, who has just begun her new job at the Mountain Market. Jeff has gone to the Mountain Market every morning for breakfast since he was sixteen. He is now an age Natalie can't even guess. Jeff asks Natalie's new co-worker, whom she has yet to really talk to, to say good things about him to her. Natalie pretends the handwashing sink needs special attention and that she doesn't actually hear this comment. The next day, Jeff chats with Natalie as she wipes down the tables and he is nice enough. Later, he is insulted that Natalie doesn't sit with him when she goes on her break. He proceeds to join her. Natalie leaves her book open as a signal to Jeff that she is not actually going to commit herself to this conversation, but she still wants to be "intentional." After all, people like Jeff are exactly the people in the community she knew she was going to get to know when she took the job at the Mountain Market, thus its appeal. Jeff asks Natalie questions and Natalie is polite, including an inquiry as to what she is doing even as she is still clutching her open book so she replies, "reading," but once Jeff finds out that Natalie knows Amy Junkin, who also used to work at Mountain Market, Jeff decides that, "ahh...so you're a good girl, too." Natalie says, "well, I guess I am." Jeff says that his bark is bigger than his bite. Natalie doesn't know quite what to say to this. Natalie is very excited when YeaYea comes to join her and Jeff leaves the table. Two days later, Natalie walks into Mountain Market just for a moment to see if the schedule is up. She notices Jeff is there, but she is wearing a hat so maybe he won't notice her. She chats with her new co-worker, is only there for a minute, and walks out quickly as Jeff is chatting at a table full of other men. She is halfway across the parking lot when she hears, "HEY!" She turns to see Jeff, saying he is hurt that she didn't say hi to him. The conversation unfortunately does not last, as Natalie says she is on her way to a meeting (partially true). They part.

The End.

Home, Sweet Home

'Bout time, I'd say. Isn't it pretty? Pretty soon it will be covered in snow and that'll be awesome. I would have taken pictures of the inside, but not only would that have taken me FOREVER to do and download, but now there's mystery and incentive for people to come and visit!
I would also like to direct your attention to this pretty picture.
It's Rainbow Glacier and a beautiful fall tree. I took it a few weeks ago, but due to picture complications, am only able to post it now. But it's worth it. I also took another pretty fall picture when we drove out to 33 Mile (as I reported a couple of posts ago) and thought I'd throw it in, too.Beautiful fall, yes, but now we're already into winter!! I will soon be taking pretty pictures of snow-covered mountains and snowy Haines. It's just kinda tough to capture, so you'll have to bear with me. :)

I'm employed!!! I know, I know- a house to live in AND a job. Overwhelming, but awesome. I'm going in today to see when I train and I would appreciate prayers for my nerves. For some reason I just get to anxious and intimidated about new jobs, especially when going into a coffee community of hardcore Alaskans. Also, we're putting on our very first Young Adults service this Thursday night. There has never been anything in Haines geared toward the young adult community, so we're kind of winging it. A glimpse into living in a small town- I heard nothing but comments for using the word "alas" incorrectly on the flyer I made and put all over town. EVERYONE was talking about it...I tried to remain lighthearted and unaffected, consoling myself with the fact that the over-70 crowd who were complaining about it weren't invited anyway. :) All of the young adults I've talked to and who have seen the poster didn't have a problem with it and are ready to come. Hooray for the "word travels fast" philosophy coming true! We'll see how Thursday looks!
I'm off to the Mountain Market (eek!)- I'll let you know how it goes.

FYI

It is a GORGEOUS day in Haines...sun is shining, mountains are glowing with snow, and I rode a bike into town just to enjoy it. Threw on the fleece, some gloves, and a beanie and I was off. Couldn't resist on a day like today.
Got some snow yesterday and that was a thrill. Too early, I say, but it's Alaska. It was actually really fun and very surreal. :)
One more quick note- YeaYea and I were driving to camp the other day when along the road there was a dog running with a HUGE dead salmon flopping around in its mouth. When we slowed to get a better look, it just stopped and looked at us like, "what." and kept running into the woods. YeaYea was dying and said, "it's Alaska."
That's all for now, but have no fear- I picked up our DSL yesterday and will hook it up tonight or tomorrow. Then I'll have internet at HOME! Did I say home?? I think so...we moved in on Monday. Me into the room with dead butterflies on the wall and animal skins, plus one antler-looking thing hanging from the ceiling; Kate into the room with a huge fish above the closet, a huge wooden rabbit by the door, and another antler-looking thing hanging from the ceiling. Needless to say, we have some redecorating to do. :) Oh- and there are boxes of food EVERYWHERE- from Costco, the camp, the cabin, food we brought up with us...sigh. You have to dig through four boxes just to make toast.
love you all!

Schizo's and Bruises

**DISCLAIMER: Posting pictures has been rough. I can't even describe the frustration when it comes to lack of consistency of where pictures are, who's computer, internet connections...my word. Here are a few, but others will be on their way in another post. For now, enjoy what I can give.
Welcome, welcome everyone. Nice to see you again. I have much to report, so kick off your shoes, put up your feet, knock back a nice tall glass of milk and read on.

Here’s an entertaining image for ya: over forty kids, three counselors, one director, and four hours to cram in a “mini-camp.” Who's the schmuck who came up with that crazy idea? Last Saturday we decided to gather the kids in Haines for one last hoorah at camp before we close it up and it was a whirlwind. Kenny lost his voice within the first hour while leading a huge group game in very bright pants, I lost a bit of mine while leading a bobbing for apples Interest Group (ew, btw), and only one kid cried after getting a ball in the face. It was madness! We’re in Juneau this week and putting on a similar shindig for the Juneau campers, only this time it’ll be an overnight on Friday ‘til Saturday (happy birthday to me). And we’re down to just the three counselors…hee hee hee. We visited the high school the other day to put the word out, but let’s be honest- we’re really praying the group isn’t too huge to the point where we give each other Kayak Face across the room while fifty kids run rampant around the church we have so graciously be allowed to use. Let's just hope the paranoid schizophrenic who's been known to break into and wander the church doesn't decide to stop in and say hello... :) We were also able to meet the dearest woman in the world lastnight at a potluck...her name is Ellen and if I could adopt her I would. Southern, rock solid in faith, 85 years old and calls me "lovely." She made sure we came to a Bible study lastnight and she called us today at the church to invite us to a Bible study at her house. I just love her, precious lamb. I wanna be like her when I grow up.

I’d also like to report that I went for a run the other day. Ahem. No, I didn’t say “I chewed gum and hay.” Yeah sure, I’ll say it again. I WENT FOR A RUN THE OTHER DAY. You get it that time? That’s right- I got a bee in my bonnet and took off running on a gorgeous day in Haines. You will see a picture to your left of my view from the road I ran on, near the cannery by camp. And no, this picture does not do the view justice, but that’s pretty much true of any picture I take in Alaska. The mountains spread far beyond to the left and right and beautiful fall trees line the other side of the road. Glorious. With Relient K as my soundtrack and no one else around for miles, I ran my little heart out and it felt GOOD. Afterward I helped out with the volleyball team at the high school, then went on to play volleyball at the Open Gym that night- my body was totally confused by all of the activity and rebelled…after receiving one-too-many spikes from a very large man, I noticed that my arm had swelled up and it looked like I had half of a tennis ball growing next to my wrist by the end of the game. It was sweet. Don’t worry mom- my host mom (Bonnie) put some frozen corn on it when I got home and all was well. Now I’m just bruised up and down the inside of my forearms. Hardcore.

The snow line is creeping down the mountains and just may be to Haines by the time we get back from Juneau (Monday). This picture is of Mt. Ripinsky, the mountain in town that acts as the weather channel: once there's snow on Mt. Ripinsky, the first snofall is two weeks away. Let the knitting and hot chocolate drinking begin!! Also when we get back to town, we're getting a young adult service started, getting the Friday Night Flix rolling, continuing with the youth group, and moving into our new house. Phew. In fact, I'd like to point out that I have, in fact, been living out of hefty bags since the end of July and a hiking backpack since the end of May. WHAT??? I haven't unpacked my toiletries bag since leaving for Alaska the first time...talk about nomadic. This girl's gotta settle down, for pete's sake. Hang some pictures. Have her socks in a drawer. You know, little things like that. :)

Some prayer requests: I'm interviewing for a job at the local coffee mecca, Mountain Market, when I get back into town. I just pray that I will be hired (which would be AMAZING) and that the scheduling isn't too complicated. They aren't known for their flexibility and with that I'm doing, I'm going to need it. Also, just for Friday night and Saturday- let us not lose our minds.
LOVE LOVE LOVE to all!

No pictures, please

I regret to begin this post with some unfortunate news- due to the vagabond lifestyle (i.e. no internet at the cabin, of course, and no camera cord to be found anyway), I am unable to include pictures with this post. SO I have been toiling and losing sleep trying to come up with the most colorful language that may just be enough of a visual for you all. Ha. Work with me here.
The past week has contained quite a bit actually and I'm excited to report. I have been keeping a list. What a faithful little blogger I am. First of all, WE HAVE A HOUSE. Well, we don't actually live in it yet and won't move in until the middle of October (probably on the 15th exactly), but it's ours to live in until May! No more nomadic Natalie, digging through Hefty bags in the back of the 4Runner, unable to find different pants. It's a great huge house, blue with white shudders and a big porch, and supposedly an area behind the house that we can use to ice skate on. The best part? We're housesitting, therefore only paying utilities which is AWESOME. Huge answer to prayer, as it is owned by a family who wanted to know how they could be praying for us...God is good. It'll be hard to leave the one-room cabin, especially after we recently hung up huge Christmas lights all around and it's quite cozy, but I think we'll be able to tear ourselves away.
Another God Funny? Remember the wood we "stole?" Hee hee AND RETURNED, I might add....well a family from the church we're growing closer to, the Sharnbroichs, had given us their huge Blaze King wood stove a month back since they didn't need it anymore. It can heat Bromley hall in no time. Along with that, they are giving us their entire wood shed full of wood to take out to camp since they no longer have a stove to burn it in. We have about six truckloads of wood we're still working on transporting out to camp...set for next summer, that's for sure!! We may be theives, but thieves still need wood. :)
Snow is falling on the mountains and it's beautiful. We drove out to 33 Mile (which has a little diner with the best burgers ever) and it was a GORGEOUS drive...I've never seen colors so magnificent...marigold, plum, peach, bring orange...it was wonderful. Then to look out at the mountains with snow gracing their peaks...are you kidding? I have a couple of pictures that don't do it justice, but I'll try to get them posted next time.
We also got a taste of the Northern Lights the other night around 11:30p.m. We stood out at Paradise Cove and watching the green light dance across the sky. The full moon lit up the camp and the glacier, confirming this place really is heaven on earth.
"La-la-laaaaaa" Choir has begun! The team and I (yes, even High 5, though begrudgingly) have joined Haines Presbyterian's choir and even performed with them this past Sunday. What a thrill! Tom Jackson can never remember the words, Matt Davis sings louder than the building can handle, and the pastor's wife doesn't understand half-notes and it's great.
Another bear spotted at camp! This time I was not alone and it was little, just walking along the rocks past Snoopy. However, High 5 and YeaYea thought it a good idea to throw old salmon out onto the field...hmm... the next day we notice the huge impression in the grass where the bear lounged and ate, then tracked its prints around camp. We learned two things that day: 1.) we need to cut the grass and 2.) 5 and Yea are cut off from wild animal interaction. You all thought I was bad... :)
Haines resident update: Bonnie Sharnbroichs can make pancakes in the shape of anything you want- moose, bicycle with rider, Rainbow Glacier, even one of her making pancakes!- and she took the pictures to prove it. It truly is an art. And this past weekend's auction at the firehouse brought out the characters in town, proving the adage "one man's junk is another man's treasure." A great refrigerator sold for $2 while our pastor bought two tusks for the grand total of $640 has no idea what he's going to do with them.
This brings you all up to date, friends, and I hope it's been entertaining enough! Seems as though I'm at the mercy of when I can get to a computer instead of when I'm feeling creative, I feel this post may be lacking in some humorous tone, but thanks for sticking with me! Keep praying for adjustment, as we've gotten more involved in youth groups and Sunday schools and may be living with families from the church for a few days until we move into our new house. We're off to Juneau on possibly the 9th for the Presbytery meeting and to hang out with kids. Pray for the retreat we're going to put on for them and our time with them. I'll try to post again soon!
Good enough, Jennifer? ;)

Da bears

Alas, my inagural post on the new blog! Even though I've only been here a week, so much has already happened that can fill an entry and provide some pictures. This whole moving-to-Alaska-for-a-year-how-crazy thing shows some promise, my friends.

First, travelling two days by car and 33 hours by ferry proved to be quite enjoyable, actually, with many card games played and a nice time listening to "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in its entirety...twice. Having recently driven most of the route we took this time turned out to be fun- who else is that familiar with the backroads of northern Canada? The colors were beautiful, but nothing compared to Haines. *sigh* This place gets prettier every time I come back. The trees are on fire (figuratively) and the mountains are already being kissed with snow.

BUT (beautiful scenery aside) I must announce that I am certifiably Alaskan for a reason honored more highly than a driver's license- I helped butcher a moose. Well, "helped" is a term used loosely in this situation, but we'll just go with it. Turns out a moose was shot illegally and when that happens, the hunter must turn it over to Fish & Game, where they give it to next on the list of non-profit organizations. Guess who was next?? Aw, you're all so smart. Yes, it was Rainbow Glacier Camp. Yay! With the help of several vetran hunters in the communtiy (aren't they all?), the moose was skinned and hung in a shed until we could line up a time to properly butcher it. On that special day, it was quartered and transported to the town butcher, after hours, where is was properly sliced and diced. I am proud to say that I helped inspect and remove every hair from every piece of carcass (am I grossing you out yet?). A few days later, it was ground into burger- with the necessary amount of beef fat added to it to hold it together since moose meat is so lean; we had to get it from the town firefighter, Al- and the four of us packaged appropriately (saran wrap, ziploc bag, then wrapped in paper to prevent freezer burn, with a moose head drawn onto it of course) over 270 lbs. of burger. We also have many pounds of choice steaks and roasts, too. Our freezer is FULL and we have meat for camp next summer! The whole ordeal was pretty sweet. :) By the way, the picture to the left features our four shining faces holding up the side of the moose- the dark red section is where the bullet passed through the ribs. Oh, and don't worry- we kept the bullet. ;) We also think the head of our moose graced the pages of the local newspaper- tongue sticking out and all. Hee hee.

While we're on the subject of wild animals Natalie has encountered intimately in the past week, I shall mention the big brown bear I had a stare-down with the other morning. I was just walking along, admiring the gorgeous Alaskan sunshine and colors, thinking, "I love Alaska...lalala" when my eyes focused in on a bear 100 ft. away, chillin' by the camp swings. It had clearly spotted me first, frozen in its tracks and sizing me up and I followed suit. No fear here- I just wished someone had been with me to witness the great event. I was SO EXCITED. Backing away slowly then running as soon as I was out of sight, it was gone by the time I found Kenny. Bummer. I just think that Mr. Bear and I had a little connection and he was welcoming me to Alaska properly. I'm honored. :)

The only other anecdote of note (yep, there's more) is that we also made it onto the local radio station. All we did was accidentally steal some poor woman's wood off of her property in the dead of night (I blame Kenny- just kidding), only to have "whoever took the wood off my property on Rainbow Glacier Camp Road, I was planning on using it" announced on the radio for several days. We returned it immediately after having gone to the effort of sawing it up and chopping it for fire wood for ourselves. :) Small towns are great.

Enough for now, friends, but I'm hoping to post regularly. We're still working on finding a place to live, so prayers for that are more than appreciated. The four of us living in a one-bedroom cabin is cozy, but I'm sure on some days we're all thinking separate rooms would be wonderful. On the plus side, running water was restored to camp a few days ago by dear Kenny, so there's that.

Love to you all!