You know you're in Bush Alaska when...
The girls had a neighborhood friend over the other day. As I was reading near where the girls were coloring I heard Ruthie and her friend discussing Santa Claus. The friend asked Ruthie if Santa Claus came to our house and gave us presents...well, I overheard Ruthie's upraised voice declaring the non-existence of Santa Claus. She sounded very adamant and almost cruel in her tone. Afterward Brad and I had to talk to Ruthie about the great opportunity to love her friend and share the Gospel in that situation...not simply to argue with her friend. But I was proud of her bold declaration. :)
I was encouraged and challenged when Brad went out today, at 40 below, to cut wood for an elder here. I'm thankful for his example to me of servanthood.
During the night Ruthie woke up and was talking in her sleep...she looked at me and said, "Be sure your sin will find you out." I'm not sure if that was a prophetic message for me (maybe referring to the green bean hording), or if she was about to confess some hidden sin.
We've been staying inside lately with the temperatures so low...the girls and I have baked cinnamon rolls (I'm still on the search for a perfect, easy, quick, delicious recipe....hard to find one with so many qualifications) and bread.
You know you're in Bush Alaska when...
...you understand what it means to "torch" your engine block so that your car will start.
...you're depressed because you've looked in your pantry for a snack, and finding nothing you want, realize that it is everything you have for the rest of the year.
...you regularly eat food that is past its"sell-by" date.
You know you're in Bush Alaska when...
...a night out consists of eating a candy bar down by the river.
...you tried to find something for $1.72 so that you qualify for free shipping on Amazon.
...your physical address is made up and mailing things "general delivery" actually gets to you.
...friends in the lower 48 Google directions to your house and Googles says, "You cannot get there from here."
You know you're in Bush Alaska when...
...your village posts announcements on the radio station such as, "We ask all residents to conserve any room they have left in their sewage tanks. The truck is still broken down and may not be operational at all this week." And yes, that means our family will be having no showers at all this week...and we may not be able to use any water by the end of the week. Ah, the joys of living in the bush! :)
...your village also announces, "To all citizens and businesses, the city is asking you to hold your trash until further notice because of the trash truck failure in the cold weather."
...a honey bucket is being passed around from house to house in the church family due to frozen sewer pipes. :)
Sidenote: A few of these were taken from a friend's blog who lives in our village.