Eating Well

As you can see, Ian and I are doing and eating quite well. I have mastered some delicious vegetarian recipes (from my bulk food cookbooks), and we are really enjoying all the fresh king salmon that has been given to us. 

Its hard to imagine that we have already been here for 8 months, time is going so fast. Our weather is still cold and mostly rainy. Sometimes the sun comes out for a few hours, then it starts to pour again....In speaking with family back home, it is hard to imagine what the heat and humidity feels like. However, as true Alaskans, we have purchased some good rain gear and actually find ourselves smiling as we cruise to work on the quad in a downpour. 

Last week I went on a village trip for 3 days. The village is on the Yukon River and is home to about 100 people. Because we flew a small 4-seater bush plane there, we were low enough to spot 5 moose and one mother grizzly with her 2 cubs from the air.  The plane ride was about 1 hour and the view was just beautiful. As for traveling, this will be the start of monthly village trips for myself and our new provider, Michelle. Together, we will service about 20 small villages on the Yukon and Kuskokwim. 

The trips are set up for medical follow up with diabetics, hypertensives, prenatals, etc...however, we will treat and see just about anyone who needs the care.  For most of the people, we are all they have. 

Though my trip was extremely busy, (was up to 11:30 p.m. the first night with patients and charting)  it went very well. The community health aid even took me out to hunt for real Indian beads on the shoreline. 

And, we actually found some! The beads were sparsely scattered along the shoreline of the Yukon, and are remnants from an ancient Indian tribe several hundred years ago.  It was such a special find for me, and I am excited to make a necklace with my new clay Indian beads. 

Ian and I also went blueberry picking last weekend with some friends. We took a short boat ride to Artie's Trail, then hiked up a small mountain range to the blueberry fields. Total we were able to gather just about 1.5 quarts if you count the berries stored in Ian's stomach......When we compared our pickings I was amazed at how much faster of a picker I was than him...that was until he assured me that most of his he was carrying in his belly. They were very tasty though, just ask the black bear that we saw!

Our friends took their st. benard with us and he started to act very strange. Shortly thereafter we noticed a black bear (well known for their meanness and reputation for hunting humans) about 200 yards away. Our friends fired two shots to scare him away and he ran into the nearby forest. When the coast was clear we started picking again, this time all eyes and ears alert. 

Ian Eating His Berries

After 30 minutes or so I looked up and noticed that same huge black bear again, this time at our backs. Needless to say our adventure thus ended and we carefully followed the trial back to the boat. 

Later, when we returned to Aniak, we heard that a large grizzly was spotted at our boat dock. Sometimes  in all the adventure you just forget about all the wildlife that also enjoys this great state. Thankfully, though, we have intelligent friends with guns. 

I am still enjoying sowing and recently finished my first baby kuspuk for a friend. She named him Jett, and he was born at 28 wks and 2.2 lbs. They are still at the hospital in Anchorage and I would appreciate prayers for their long road ahead.  

Ian remains very busy with his job as well. He also recently returned from a 3 day village trip. He went to Kalskag to help out with a vacation bible school. He even made me a pair of beaded earrings while there! And I have to say, they are really good!

Ian's Earrings

And, every Wednesday he continues to have games and activities for the children. He often says that this job is more suited for him; he really enjoys people, especially children. And, he has a wonderful boss who is very friendly and flexible, that is always a plus. 

Blessing to you and may God continue to fill, change, and guide you with his divine love. 

-Sarah