Jon and Kristie and family heading North to Alaska

I'll be catching up in chapters....we are traveling down this road of life on the downhill side of a very steep slope it seems...and momentum builds as we go!!!  wow.  Just when we thing we should be slowing down something comes into the path that says we need to speed up!!!

The campsite view, where the kids were parked just a little over a month...

What a sight, eh?



 They've been salmon fishing...called out in the middle of the night, "They're running" and off they all go to the waters edge...it was observation only as they went home empty handed that time.  Damion has managed successful fishing however.











And the next chapter begins as they make their way to their next home.... note the presence of the mountains.  Isn't that breathtaking?

They've been blueberry picking, mountain climbing, Damion's been fishing and duck hunting...so much to take in.  Soon though school will be starting.  Homeschooling in Alaska has some major advantages...such as a stipend for each pupil, to be used for their education.  Victoria has already started art and piano lessons.  Damion and Marlie Jo have physical education on their list of elective classes.  Mar will be going to Galina, Lord willing, in Feb for a month of intensive education in Cosmetology.  Her career goal, right now is Trauma Psychology, but, imagine what an advantage hair styling and hair cutting would be while she is going to school!

Mountain climbing and blueberry picking Day

 Look at those beautiful Daisies!!!

 I wonder if this view ever becomes common or goes unnoticed because it's just always there????

It is official, the Drivers license says resident of Alaska!!!  And they celebrated the occasion at the Noisy Goose, a favorite restaurant

And here is our mode of communication these days...we are so very grateful for technology...especially Skype, that allows us to see and hear in real time.  Not perfect, not the same as in person, but, my...so much better than relying on snail mail and telephone!  What a blessing to see the faces of those we love...this is a picture Kristie took of Anna and Mia visiting from our house with Victoria and Isaac.  Isn't that amazing?




An important Birthday happened this year, August 4th.  Julie turned 40 this year.  What an occasion, since when she was born, the average life span of children with Cystic Fibrosis was 9 years old.  What a blessing technology and medicine is!  Julie is a precious, godly,  lovely woman, with a big heart, and a helper's spirit.  What a joy to celebrate her 40 years of life.

Julie loves to laugh and is a jewel to be around, as she finds humor in the smallest things.  Always a good time when she's around.

Special Birthday cookies made by our cousin, brings back memories of childhood....

Julie shared the birthday event with Chris, Jess' husband, turning 35 within a week of Julie's birthday.  We treasure this man in our lives as well.  We are blessed with 3 wonderful sons in law and a stellar daughter in law.  Couldn't ask for better.  

Next on the agenda, a wonderful Annual custom.... the Bailey Family Potato Dig.  In the absence of half the grandkids, 1/4 of the adult kids and all those missing potato digging hands....we extended the invite to friends of the family as well.  We worked hard, and then had a great time of food and fellowship.  Met some new folks, all the way from Colorado!  Good times.

 Chris' friend Mike and Mike's sister Jess from Colorado....

Our animated, and lovely inside and out, adopted "kin"  Neighbor Julie and our  Jessica

Mike's wife, Chrissy, and little daughter Sabrina

 Entertainment was the gymnastics performance....

Next on the agenda, a much needed trip to Holmes County, Amish Country, OH.  

Ahhh. Porch time.  Watching traffic from the wicker rocker on the porch at the Carlisle Inn, Walnut Creek,OH.  Well, one of us watched traffic.  The other...watched the back of his eyelids for awhile.

Beautiful scenery, low key schedule, a little shopping, a little visiting friends, good meals, ahhh.  All good.

Traveled around and about, met some new folks, found some new businesses, saw friends we hadn't seen in awhile.  Even managed to help unload a rather large order of canning jars, lids and rings.  Truck drivers can't look forward to hand unloading those orders.  And the smaller Amish businesses don't usually have high lows or other mechanical means of unloading.  We were glad to have been there right then.

Perfect weather, beautiful scenery.  Oh, I said that already.  Well, it is pretty down there.  Wednesday Tom spent time with Amish Engineer Eddie, learning the fine art of Book Rebinding. While Eddie's wife, Esther, twins, Anna and Emma, and Betty and I chatted a blue streak.  Eventually,  Anna, Emma and Betty directed me to their Walmart and Health food stores, which allowed them time to get things they had on their lists.   Anna and Emma were to start school soon, and had things they wanted to get to start the year on the right foot with their pupils.  We had a wonderful time of fellowship and food (always food!)

 It's always good to visit there.

  

 In August Chris and Jess discussed with us the possibility that they'd like to move to the country.  We responded positively to that notion.  The country is where this little toddler belongs.  He loves the outdoors.  At the end of the discussion we agreed that they should live here till spring, meanwhile,look for a near by place to rent and watch over our home while we are in Florida.  Sounds like a good plan.  He's a busy boy.  Dividing the "busy" between 4 adults makes his care and keeping a lot less strenuous for any single one of the four of us.  Just one of the many benefits of their residence .  Jess quipped "who knows?  Maybe we'll like it so well, we'll just stay!" To which I responded, who know? maybe WE'LL like it so much we'll hold the Toddler hostage, and not let you go!"  The Lord knows.  And in Him we'll rest. 

Snuggling in the morning time, Night Night all Done he says.  Ya gotta love it...even at 5:20 in the morning!  This is the day we waited for his Mom and Dad to move all their belongings to our neck of the woods.

That about wraps up the Months of July and August.  We'll see how Fall goes.

A request now, as I close. Jon's coworker / friend was injured critically in an auto accident.  Israel Hale lost his legs as a result, and has been fighting for his life for 3 days.  Since he has almost made it through the most critical time, the first 24 -48 hours, it appears he has enough fight left in him to recover.  It'll be a difficult adjustment, at 25 yrs of age, and married only 6 months.  He, his family, his wife and her family all have quite a testimony of God's hand on them, and God working in them and through them.  Jon has discerned a godly spiritual quality about this family that is impressive.  Pray with the many around the world now, that Israel's life would be spared, if the Lord wills it, and that he will recover well, and will remain a faithful servant, continuing in the joy of His Lord.  Thank you.