We've had a septic issue that lasted for a week and finally, by God's grace, we found out the problem. So Brad and I had to climb onto the roof to fix it. BUT tonight it started again! So please pray...it's not fun living with that smell....God's giving me good lessons to learn contentment. :)
I wanted to update the boiler situation today and say it is fixed...which it was until an hour ago. Even though it's been working now for over a week, this evening at 30 below it shut off again. Please continue to pray that it will be fixed...it could become a mess if it was off all night at 30-40 below.
After I put Vaseline on Ruthie's skin she said, "It's not frozen!" She was used to me using the Vaseline downstairs in the bathroom...it's so cold in our bathroom that the Vaseline is really hard.
A lady at church is letting me borrow her cross country skis on the weekdays. I've been skiing for about 1/2 hour, plus Brad and I are doing our exercise program at night for about an hour. It will be good to get out skiing most every day so I don't get cabin fever.
Ruthie: "Momma, why are we Foxes? Why can't we be bears?"
I took the girls and a friend's boy to a craft time at the school...I could barely keep up with my girls and this boy! Makes me realize how amazing my sister-in-laws are (two sisters have five kids, and one sister has three). :)
During the day the girls have an SSR (silent sustained reading) time. They sit on chairs and listen to a sermon (usually John Piper, Paul Washer, John MacArthur, David Platt, Wayne Grudem or Chris Hallock). We want the girls to get used to sitting still during church...it's also nice for them to get some good preaching in their minds each day. :)
We spent Thankgiving with the Kaufields and two kids from the boarding school. Brad was able to lead a devotional and share the Gospel. Please pray God will use what R. heard to draw him to Christ. He seems open to the Gospel.
Brad: Girls, who did you get your pretty genes from?
It's been very cold here...our pipes usually freeze when it's 20 below or colder. This means the girls haven't taken a bath in over a week...and I haven't had a shower for three days (Brad thawed the pipes for me three days ago so I could take a quick shower). Last night we washed the girl's hair in the kitchen sink. Today it's been 22 below so tonight I will wash my hair in the kitchen sink as well. Last night Ruthie said, "I'm like a baby being washed in the sink!" She was pretty excited about it!
Above: The new SEND plane that is stationed in our village. Now we will be able to travel to small villages and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ...the reason we are here!
Brad was able to go with Josh (SEND pilot and teacher) to a village about 50 miles away...Josh wanted to practice the route and check on the runway situation. Most villages have gravel runways. Lord willing, Martin or Brad will be able to head to this village in the upcoming weeks to come alongside the native pastor there.
Below: The village (population: 100) from the air.
The girls were mopping the kitchen (they've got their mom's genes) and Ruthie said, "Momma, God has graciously given you cleaning girls."
Below: A dogsled team.
The girls love watching their grandparents, Auntie and Uncle Jeff on the computer. Before we left Montana we had them read books to the girls and we recorded them...the girls watched these videos for over an hour on Saturday.
Ruthie: Momma, when can Aunt Becky come visit?
Mike and Beck--I guess that's your official invite to come visit. :)
After I told Ruthie her skin was soft from putting on Aquaphor she replied, "Like Jacob. That guy in the Bible." As in, Jacob and Esau. :)
Below: An empty house that looked pretty in the sunlight.
Below: The sun doesn't actually "touch" our house all day. We have to drive to the river to see it. Below is a picture of what the sun looks like to us during the day.
Below: The one cord of wood our supporting church bought for us. It just arrived yesterday.
My friend called me on Friday and told us that I won a free round-trip ticket to Fairbanks! It is a blessing since now I can use it when our family takes a trip in a few months.
