There Are Many Ways To Make Icicles

This morning Ian and I went for a 4 mile ski and we learned that there are actually several ways of making icicles. Some of the different types, at least here in Alaska, are hat-cicles, eyelash-cicles, and lastly but most importantly snot-cicles.  The weather is cold (go figure) but when I say cold I mean like -30 degrees cold even with the sun.  So, forming any of the above is actually quite easy.

In an attempt to get more exercise I have been skiing to work everyday. The 1 mile trek doesn't take that long, and it is actually very relaxing.

Aniak has several trails into the woods and mountains that would make any skier jealous. Ian and I are anxious to safely explore them all.  Actually, on Thanksgiving morning, in preparation for the afternoon carb loading, about 5 of us skied a 5 mile trail.  We call ourselves the Aniak Ski Club, even if we are all middle aged and slightly out of shape, we persevere through the elements.

Here is an example of the eyelash-cicles....Fortunately Ian wiped away the the cicles found proximal to the nose.

So this picture is not recent, but I wanted to put it in the blog anyway. About 2 months ago Ian and I went with our good friends to their fish camp and helped them winterize. On our way back we caught a beautiful sunset (along with a moose grabbing a drink in the river) that was definitely picture worthy.

As some of you may have heard, Thanksgiving this year was the close of a very sad and long week. In just two weeks, our little village lost two people under the age of 32. One of which was a friend and colleague who froze to death. I have heard that the incident made the USA Today News, but here in Aniak we were all shocked by this tragedy to such a sweet person. She was only 21 and leaves behind a 14 mo old son.

As the only medical provider for the last two weeks (and for about 400 miles), I was at both incidents and along with a full schedule at work, was both physically and emotionally drained come Thanksgiving.  The hardest part about my job is wanting so desperately to help and save lives, but knowing that sometimes after you have done everything you can, you have to make the decision to stop.

Both deaths were very difficult on me (and on Ian), but in drawer closer to God I have been able to reestablish my footing and regain peace.

Happy Thanksgiving and Blessings,
Sarah

Maui / Molokai part 2

Well, our Hawaii vacation has come to an end. In addition to the sun, I had the most wonderful time with Ian. It was like re-living our honeymoon all over again.  I even made him stop by our original honeymoon hotel, I was feeling nostalgic, what can I say?

Two of the highlights on the trip was scuba diving and our Molokai hike. The scuba dive was phenomenal! I got down to over 70 ft and the visibility was great. It felt like I was swimming in a giant aquarium filled with miles of brightly colored coral.  At one point I was swimming with a school of  at least 200 fish, unbelievably cool.   I tried to keep my buoyancy and be very still as to not disturb or startle any of the animals. Thankfully I was able to and therefore was able to swim very close to the fish.  I could have touched them most of the time....it was just amazing

This is the beginning our our hike down to the Leper colony in Molokai. It was a 3.2 mile hike covering 1664 ft in elevation, it was not easy!

The serpentine trail hugged the cliffs and boasts some of the most beautiful views of the island. Even though it was physically demanding, it was really fun exploring with Ian. On the way down we also encountered a herd of midget mountain goats. It was pretty cool to see them up close in the natural habitat. Unfortunately we were not fast enough to get any pictures.

However,  what hike would be complete without a little surprise? As we were just about finished a dark ominous cloud decided to open up on us.  Even though Ian and I were completely drenched when we finally made it to the end, we were still two very happy hikers.    

This is outside of Father Damien's church.  Although little was known about how leprosy was contracted or spread, the physical disfigurement was no secret. In an attempt to contain and limit its spread, the Hawaiian government sent anyone with the disease away to this isolated part of the island. From the late 1800's to the mid 1940's thousands of lepers were dropped off and quarantined here. Apparently there are still 10 lepers living in the tiny village. 

Ian is standing in front of Father Damien's grave. Out of compassion for the people and his devotion to God, this Catholic priest spent the remaining years of his life converting this "death village" to a community. Unfortunately he contracted leprosy after 15 years of serving and died with the people he loved so much. It was a very touching story. 

Behind us is the drop off location for the people. Our guide told us that often people were not taken to shore, they were literally dropped off in the ocean and expected to swim or die. 

Kalapapua, the leper colony.

And we made it back up!

Here is a little secluded beach we found on the west side of Molokai. We were the only people on this beautiful beach. 

My Hawaiian Princess.


So, here we are back in Anchorage. A cold winter storm welcomed us and gave us a 20 degree hug. Snow is prevalent, and so is our thankfulness for a wonderful trip. 


- Sarah

Maui Part 1

We have finally seen the light! And, it only took us one week of SPF 40 to be able to bear it. Thankfully, we have managed to avoid sunburns and are cheerfully soaking in the warm rays.

We are currently in Molokai, Hawaii having spent the last week in Maui. I went to a medical conference and Ian had the daunting job of being my chaperone :)

We will be staying here in Molokai until Thursday then headed back to Anchorage. Molokai is a small and quaint island (we seem to have a new found love for isolation) in-between Maui and Lan'ai. Many say that it resembles Maui 30 years ago, not very populated and very quiet. However, it does boast a famous landmark, a leper colony run by Father Damien in the 1800's. Tuesday we are hiking down a winding 3.2 mile mountain range into the valley where the colony once lived. Ian and I are both very excited to do this.

This is the view from our hotel in Maui.  We really enjoyed sitting on our balcony and looking out over the ocean.  

One of the best parts about our hotel was the landscaping. As you can see from the following pictures they put a lot time and money creating a tropical atmosphere. 

They even had 6 live pink flamingos..I am still not sure how I feel about this...... to call PETA or not? In the beginning I was convinced that they were chained in place (thanks to Ian) as they never changed location, but after much worry and observation, I finally saw them move. Whew!

Out to dinner

As usual, Ian is most happy in the shade with a good book.  Here he is waiting for our ferry to Molokai in the Banyon Tree Park. 

On our ferry to Molokai. 

Our condo in Molokai. 

The condo complex in Molokai. 

View from pool. 

After much anticipation, tomorrow I am going scuba diving along the Molokai reef, yeah! Hopefully I will be able to get some pictures and post part 2 of our vacation.  Ian is looking forward to finishing his 3rd book and continuing to develop his inner self :)

Blessings to all
-Sarah

An Honest Blog

Its been a long week. Amidst a double stabbing and suicide attempt, there have been personal struggles as well.

This morning as I was drinking my coffee and reflecting on the long week God lead me to Jeremiah 17:5-8. As a matter of fact, I was so moved that I decided to post it on our Alaskan Bush Couple Blog and not my other more religious one. I am trusting that there is someone out there who this will speak to like it did me.

Thus says the Lord:

"Cursed (tormented, afflicted, unhappy) is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh (the world) his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited (dead) salt land.  

Blessed (favored, happy, content) is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. " - Jeremiah 17:5-8

I carry a lot of conviction about how I am perceived by others. Not only as a christian, but as a medical provider I know that how I treat and respond to people is watched and evaluated. Shamefully I not always respond with love and light. And, when this happens, I feel very guilty. Sometimes I think guilt is my biggest enemy. 

In times of trials and struggles sometimes I let darkness prevail. I respond harshly, get angry quickly, cast blame, or judge (sounds nice and sweet, huh?)  After I read Jeremiah and reflected on my week I realized that I had been living as a shrub in a parched and dry desert. 

As a christian I am called to be a mighty fruit bearing oak tree planted next to the living waters of Christ. And through him I am to be a source of comfort and shade for others, a love umbrella of sorts. 

But this I am convinced, as a shrub, I wasn't able to see any good come. I was blinded by the darkness of my own heart and dry from not seeking out his living waters more. As a result, I had no life or love to give anyone. 

How I interpreted the meaning of this verse really invigorated my spiritual walk. I felt so much strength in knowing the power that being blessed by him reveals. 

In trusting the Lord when heat (trials, conflict, etc) comes, my leaves (action, thoughts, responses) can and should remain green (life giving) and not wither up.

In the drought (silence, worry, anxiety) I can still bear fruit (love, patience, self control, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness - Galatians 5:22) IF I continue to abide in God.

I don't have to give into darkness and become a little shrub! I can remain an oak, God promises that I will be blessed when I seek him first!

You see as humans we are only able to think of one thing at a time. Try it, think about a beach....not try to think about a beach and the upcoming presidential election....you can't, once you think about the later, you are no longer thinking about your beach...

Same thing with life for Christians. Once you start thinking about your problems, shortcomings, and troubles you are no longer meditating on God, your source of faith. Hence, without his constant watering you become a dry shrub in the uninhabited salt land. 

But BLESSED he says, is the one who trusts in me first. In all situations you will be given life and continue to bear fruit.  This means that your second step or thought can still be life-giving. You no longer have to be afraid or regret what you do if you first paused and consulted God. It may not be like a "poof" moment and suddenly be all ok,  but it will be in accordance with his will, and his will is perfect. 

I pray this for myself and loved ones who know or who are wondering about the greatness of our God:

Give me eyes to see more of who you are. May what I behold still my anxious heart. Take what I have known and break it all apart, for you my God are greater still. 

Give me grace to see beyond this moment here. To believe that there is nothing left to fear, for you are high above it all. 

Because no sky contains, no doubt restrains all you are, the greatness of our God.

 I spend my life to know and I'm far from close to all you are, the greatness of our God. 

- Natalie Grant.

- Sarah

The Ringenberg's Take Aniak

And they are here! After 8 long months I was finally able to see my mom and dad. As you can see, they haven't changed too much...haha...

As a welcome to Aniak gift, I made my mom her very own kuspuk. After all of her years sewing for me, I was so excited to sew something special for her.  Thankfully it was a perfect fit, and she looked beautiful as always. 

  

Even though it was a short trip, (they were only here for 3 days) we had a great time showing them our little village.

One of the first places I took my parents was down to the famous Kuskokwim River.  Even though it was an overcast day, they were still able to see the mountains and enjoy the beauty.  They were even able to catch a few fisherman cutting up their fresh caught salmon.  Below are some salmon eggs. These are used for bait. 

Here are some Salmon fillets, yum! 

Sunday morning we all hopped on the quad and rode to church. Since we don't have a car, traveling with four adults was interesting. For the first several days we were all able to ride together as one big happy family, that is until our motor started smoking! After that it was individual rides only.

Sunday afternoon our good friend "Wilderness Tom" (his new nick name) took us out for a boat ride on the Kuskokwim and Aniak rivers. 

  

As you can tell by the picture, we were all very excited to go on the boat ride. 

Riding as the lookout, my mom was on the prowl for wildlife.....Did she see a moose? An Eagle? Or a bear?

 These are VERY happy feet!

One of the best parts of our boat ride was when we stopped for some camp coffee and wilderness survival training........ 

 Oh, and watching my father shoot his first gun.... A 500 Smith and Westin. If you ask him, the gun had a HUGE kick. 

Here is his "post kick" picture.....Good ole peer pressure was the precursor for this event. Tom taunted him with the "real men do this" speech, and hence my father had to shoot the gun. And of course, Ian followed shortly there after. 

Here we are getting water for the coffee. Wilderness Tom can do everything! He used this little gadget to collect river water and purify it for our coffee.  

Then Tom showed us how to build a fire without matches. He used only chapstick, a cotton ball, and a flint. First he had us gather several small sticks and build a little tee pee around the cotton ball. Then we continued to gather larger and larger sticks until we had a area that would sustain a fire. Sure enough, it worked! 

Here we are enjoying the fruits of our hard labor...camp coffee. As a coffee epicure, this stuff was actually VERY good. 

On the way back Tom let both Ian and my dad take turns driving the boat. As you can tell they had a lot of fun navigating the Kuskokwim. 

The following morning Ian took my dad to the Aniak Walmart..the town dump. Seriously, people throw away some of the most useful things...just ask my dad, he found 6 license plates! You know how the saying goes, one man's junk is another man's (my father's) treasure!

Afterward we continued the sight seeing tour to our good friend Randy's garage (unfortunately I do not have a picture). He is a master builder, collector, jack of all trades. My dad found a man after his own heart with all his tools and odds and ends. Here is my dad holding a mastodon bone likely from the pre-historic era. 

Next up was a stop for my mom. This is Kathy, the president of the Canine Comfort dog rescue. My mom just loved her and her cause. 

We had such a great time with them. As their flight was taking off I stood in the airport and sobbed like a little child. No matter how much I age, the love for my family never grows old.  I am so thankful to have four wonderful parents: my mom and dad, and Ian's parents Jon and Dianne. We love you all so much and count you as blessings from God.

 Here is where I should also mention my brothers and sisters.......Jason, Blake, Susie, Orianna, Bri, and Jay....

And of course my nieces and nephews: Niecko, Evian, Malek, McClaine, Micah....

Love you family!

-Sarah