"O God, glorify Thyself at my expense. Send me the bill--anything, Lord. I set no price. I will not dicker or bargain. Glorify Thyself. I'll take the consequence."  A.W. Tozer

This quote was on my mind during our trip to a village downriver from us. We desire to move to a small village where the Gospel is needed, but I am realizing that I want the Lord to provide certain conditions for me to follow Him there (for example, a clean house). The Lord is growing me in the realization of His glory and how much my life needs to be in submission to His will. Even at "my expense," He is still worthy to follow.

 Above: This village has a beautiful view. The village consists of the white dots alongside the right of the Yukon (population: 100).

 We enjoyed going with good friends. Josh is the pilot stationed in our village. I took a picture of Brad and Josh with our crockpot...even flying fifty miles away this crockpot still follows us to potlucks.

 Below: The view from the church building.

 I was amused at last week's attendance. This week the attendance jumped by five (this was counting our friends and us). Brad preached a sermon on Psalm 42 and, as always, I was encouraged by God's goodness. In the words of our daughters:

Ruthie: God is good!

Naomi: All the time!

Ruthie: All the time!

Naomi: God is good!

 Some ice chunks floating down the Yukon are as big as houses.

 We ate our picnic on an island off the beach...I forgot my mud boots so Brad had to carry me across the water.

We tried having a friend over (the same guy who stayed with us for awhile), but he was on "floor restriction" due to disobedience. The girls were a bit confused about what floor restriction meant so we said it was like a "long time-out." :)

 Brad: Ruthie, are you excited to eat fried chicken (sidenote: friends traveling through brought us KFC for dinner)?

Ruthie: No, I want moose meat.

 Saturday afternoon we had a family picnic on the beach.

 Nome: Can I be done with my quiet time?

Mommy: Not right now beautiful.

Nome: Thank you for knowing that Mommy.

Mommy: Your welcome.

 Nome: Mommy, can I have a snack?

Mommy: No, not now.

Nome: Thank you for knowing that Mommy.

Mommy: Your welcome.

 I babysat some friends of the girls last week. Toward the end Brad gave me a break and read to the girls.

 Above: A typical Nome face.

...I met my handsome. I remember how cute he looked when he walked through the door and we were introduced to each other. Up until this point I had prayed three specific prayers for my future husband. First, I prayed that I would know right away who I was to marry (peace in my heart when I met the man) *check*. Second, I prayed that my future husband would have a heart for missions and desire to be a missionary *check*. And third, I prayed he would save his first kiss for me *check*. I am blessed to have a husband who fulfilled each prayer...and more! I praise God for you my Love!

Sidenote: My Mother's Day tulips finally came in the mail.

Also, happy birthday Mike! As always, I'm proud to be your little sister.  :)

 Brad bought me tulips (mailed all the way from California), BUT they haven't come yet! We hope they come this week but they were suppose to arrive on Friday. They might have been lost in the mail but it's the thought that counts...I'm also impressed with my Handsome for buying both mothers beautiful flowers for Mother's Day too (only theirs arrived).   :)

 The girls and Brad made me my favorite dinner: Salad! I haven't had a nice salad in a long time so that was treat (we even used real tomatoes and not the canned diced ones).

 Some guys from the school needed a service project to do and Brad was asked if they could come over to split wood for us. He was happy to have them come (it gave his back a break).   :)

 The Yukon finally broke up. This means Spring is officially here!

 As the ice was moving downriver we could feel and hear the rumble of it hitting the sides of the wall.

 Since it's been warming up I've been biking on weekdays. My route is beautiful. I love being outside of town (somewhat outside of the village but not too far out) and being alone just enjoying nature.

 A consistent conversation I have with Brad each time I take this route is:

Mad: Are you sure there are no bears?

Brad: No bears will attack you Mad.
Mad: But if I see one what should I do? Will it attack me?

Brad: Bears won't attack you on a bike. They attack when you come between them and their cubs.

Mad: But will I be safe?

Brad: God will protect you. Don't live in fear.

Can you tell I have a huge phobia of bears? FYI: I had Brad drive with me my first time on this route...it just made me feel better.

 Brad and I have spent some nights splitting and stacking wood after the girls go to bed.

 Brad splits the wood and I stack it. I actually have enjoyed stacking wood and spending time with my Handsome.   :)

 

 Above: Brad is explaining an illustration from our Wednesday family Bible study time.

Below: The girls "practicing church" while watching a David Platt sermon.

 We found out that four families from here will be in Fairbanks the same time this summer for their yearly grocery shopping excursion. An experienced bush shopper warned us to organize with each other where we're going and what we need because they have experienced a lack of supplies while being in town with other Galena-ites. Apparently Sams Club ran out of olives and one family was at a loss. That better not happen with chocolate chips or I will be at a loss!  ;)

 The girls, Brad and I watched a neat story on DesiringGod.org (check out the story at that website). After the girls watched it about ten times they ran upstairs and I could hear them pretending they were Larissa...I heard Ruthie say things such as, "Yeah, we hoped it wasn't his brain, but it was. But I still love him and will marry him. I love him."

 Our cute little daughters.

 When Brad or I say, "lovely Fox ladies, line up," the girls come running to us (doesn't happen every time, but it makes me smile when it does).

 Grandma Lawnmower mailed the girls these cute tutus. I told my mom that I think our girls are the only ones wearing tutus in this bush Alaska village.

 The girls have been learning a godly character trait each month. So far they've been growing in the traits of patience, contentment, obedience and self-control.

 I like it when they define each term at dinnertime. Nome's favorite one is obedience, "doing what you're told, when you're told, with a good smile." She added the "good" part.

Ruthie's favorite one to recite is self-control, "controlling my attitudes and actions so they don't control me."

WARNING: Application of these traits is currently being practiced...trusting in God's grace to conform them to His image.   :)