Alaskans In Africa Return 2024

Hi Everybody,
Remember us, the “Alaskans in Africa” Embrees?  It’s hard to believe that it has been more than 13 years since we left missions work in South Africa and returned to Alaska.  Our last email as foreign missionaries went out 3/11/2011 called Reckless and Abandon to Serve.  

The last decade plus has been a huge journey of faith and hardship, joy and challenges.  James has served two churches as a pastor.  Ella finished homeschooling the kids and also worked as a tour guide and now as a flight attendant with Alaska Airlines.  Our kids have all launched out on their own lives and are pursuing degrees: Bronwyn (Musical Theater in Connecticut)- Max (Law studies in Alaska), and a career: Hannah as an actress in Indiana (already finished her degree).  We have also taken on a unique event business called Alaska Vintage Markets that allows us to be a help to many local Alaskan small businesses.  

What's next?  Well, Ella’s flight attendant job gives us the privilege of flight benefits.  We have used those benefits to see friends, and families and also to visit some really neat places, but we want to do more.  After asking God, James negotiated two months of unpaid leave from Clear Water Church to serve overseas.  After exploring a few possibilities James accepted an invitation to volunteer as a professor at Union Bible Institute in Hilton, South Africa from the end of January to end of March this year.  He will be helping to train future and current leaders for the Zulu churches of South Africa.

After attending an anti-human trafficking conference in Washington D.C. for Alaska Airlines, Ella will be joining James in South Africa for a few weeks in February during her own month of leave.  

Will you pray?  

1) Strong relationships with the students

2) Safety in God's arms

3) that we would SUPPORT the other nationals and missionaries well.    

Thanks so much, and soon we will again be “Alaskans in Africa”,
Ella & James Embree

 

sleep in heavenly peace

​“Our Heavenly Father has promised, beloved, sleep. Give restoring rest needful for tomorrow’s toil. If dreams be mine, let them not be tinged with evil. Let the Holy Spirit make my time of rest, a blessed temple of his holy presence. May I hold life loosely in my hand, knowing that I receive it on condition of its surrender, I retire this night, in full assurance of one day awakening with God. All glory for this precious Hope, for the gospel of Grace, for your unspeakable gift of Jesus, for the fellowship of the trinity. withhold not your mercies in the night season; your hand never where are you, your power needs no rest, your eye never sleeps. Help me when I hopeless lie when my mind is harassed by foreboding thoughts, when my eyes are held awake by personal anxieties. Show yourself to me as the God of all grace, love, power; you have a balm for every wound, a solace for all anguish, a remedy for every pain, a peace for all disquietude. Permit me to commit myself to You awake or asleep. Amen.” 

Sleep is a thing I have struggled with and had to learn some tricks because I am working a crazy schedule and have been for over three years. Also, I had a wonderful son who liked 5 am and I am a type of person that needs some quiet before the storm. So, in Africa I got up super early especially with three small humans to keep alive.

Here are a few of my favorite things:

1) exercise (even a short walk) preferably outside so you can get into the time zone of where you are at even if it is for only 17 hours. The sun I have been told promotes a healthy rhythm. 

2) heated eye mask. I actually need this for my eyes but since it is warm and dark it is now my favorite to sleep.

3) 15 minute timer. If I’m exhausted and it’s not near bedtime, I set a 15 minute time and allow my self to rest. Just yesterday my work day was wonky starting at 3:30 am until noon. So I knew I wanted to enjoy the beautiful day, but I was beat. I took a quick 15 minute nap and was able to go skiing for two hours with my friends. 

4) my dear friend works at 4:30 am and has used a variety of sleep aids to help with deep sleep at weird times. I tried 5 types of herbal supplements and this one made me sleep the most soundly. It has no melatonin. It might have a placebo effect but it works for me. 

5) audio books. Ok, this is for my active brain. It can’t be to exciting of a book or I’ll want to stay up. But often the reader make a big difference and allows me to turn off this worlds issues (sermons are good at this too). I do set a 15 minute timer and most nights I am asleep before it runs out.

6) fan. We have an air purifier because of my husband asthma and I often will turn on a fan for white noise. I have used an app, but often listening to my book on my phone so I use an actual fan in most hotel rooms.

This is a instagram account I follow, I haven’t tried all of these but my mom love tart cherry juice

7)

2020 Review

Yes, it was a year of tough stuff.  However, I cannot imagine what I would have done without the abiding Word of God and the Holy Spirit guiding and changing me this year. 

We got to enjoy a trip to Arizona and Chicago before the covid animal hit.  So thankful for those walk in the park with Sherry and Jess Case.  

Work:  James was busier than ever when the lockdown occurred in Anchorage, and I was out of a job.  He had to figure out how to keep people connected to the church and God while not being able to meet.  The hardest part was when Hannah can't go back to Taylor, and Max and Bronwyn are doing online school.  My outdoor activities increased as I had no other obligations and needed the "break" by being outside.  So many trails to be grounded on.  

Some of my new favorite trips included:  Spencer Glacier via Fat Bikes, The Bog trail on Classic Skis, Johnson Pass on Mountain Bikes, and the new Little O'Malley hiking trail.  New friend emerges (Becky!!) Since she is also limited in her occupation and enjoys outside.  It was fun.  

Did I mention we acquired a new business in November 2019 and our first big show was delayed until July 22-24?  Alaska Vintage Markets was a miracle to have the success after all the pandemic scares that almost destroyed small businesses especially the ones without a store front but they need the "market" to have customers.   Thank you God who carried both shows with thousands of participants and no covid outbreaks!

Summer hit us, and as a church we started Sundays in the park.  That turned out to be a huge success and will gladly continue in the future (minus the face mask and the social distancing  please).  

We did get some biking in as the highways were quieter, James and I and our fellow tandem biker friends Dave and Laurie joined us in a journey from Fairbanks to Willow Alaska.  So many good and special memories made on this tandem bike.  My favorite was our dear friends willingness to camp in the pouring rain in Talkeetna when they could have gone home.  Hardest part, climbing into Kesugi Ken campground when we biked 70 miles that day.  Laughing.  Scariest part was the crazy hills out of Fairbanks.  Best food was in Healy that feed us and many others multiple meals!   Best value was the $10 campground in Nenana.  Thankful for the cribbage games and sweet talks with James.    

Then my precious mom who was dying slowly for three years with increased dementia stops eating, then in just a few weeks later dies during the lockdown.  I'm thankful for the facetime calls.  I treasure our last conversations.  Tears come but, grief has come to me in waves.  I cherish the joy and kindness she oozed out of her. 

Back to WORK!  YIPPEE!!  But, I am given the hard task as overnight janitor.  It was a humbling job, but, thanks to my super co-workers, I never took the entire time because they helped so much.  Super thankful on October 1, to see the hired janitors back.  Never take that job for granted.  

After the September market, James and I head to Spokane and Idaho on another bike trip.  This time, we bike straight from the Spokane airport to a cabin in the woods.  The paved bike trails were a delight.  Other than google maps turning our bike ride into a hike/bike push into the wilderness for journey on a long lost road, it was incredible.  We canoed, drank coffee, and ate well.  

Going to visit my dear friend Sherry was a delight as she is such an encouraging person.  She is still recovering from a head on car crash, but is growing stronger each day.  We got to explore new places to hike "wind cave" and also laugh as our one trail turned into a canal walk (too easy).  Bronwyn again enjoyed the company of Ben and the pool since its stunning in Arizona. 

Seeing my Dad and cousin Sherry after a LONG time was a special treat to warm up in Austin, TX.  Bronwyn loved the pool and Austin was so green and fun. So thankful for my family.  I got to meet Carol (again) as she has been in my fathers life for a long time and they are together now!  

I took some of my travel benefits (thank you Alaska Airlines) and got to see my dear friend Ruth Cunningham in Nebraska!  It was so encouraging to see her new life in a new place in the midst of so many changes.  

Thankfully, Hannah and Max were both in person at Taylor University.  Hannah even got to perform in three different acts.  James, Bronwyn, Donna and I got to fly out to see the LIVE theater shows.  It felt so good to see and to be taken away on the emotional thrill that theater brings.  It was a whirlwind of a trip (less than 72 hours for me), but so worth it.  Plus, on the way to the airport, we went off roading and enjoyed some of the towns less visited in Indiana. 

In a weird twist of events, we even made new friends! For our last tandem of the year, Tuscon was calling us to come visit.  Jack and Julie were the super-host with trail knowledge and bike love. The biking temps were perfect and the hiking Finger Rock was incredible.  It astonished me how many living things thrive in the dessert.  We also ran into Lael and Rue our biking friends with GRIT in Alaska.  

Listening to podcast, I find a new advent adventure called "Shawdow and Light" by Tsh.  It was the perfect blend of truth with art and music to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Thankfully, we got to do almost every night as a family. Since hannah and Max came home around Thanksgiving.  

Christmas was odd, but perfect as we had Chinese food and went sledding with my weekly adventure buddy Melissa.  It was fun to sled down a hill while the Turnagain arm sun set! We added another winter cabin time with the family in Willow and was surprised that it wasn't too hard to get too.  We celebrated 23 years of marriage in a two room cabin with a snowshoe hike around the lake. It was the perfect size for our family with two big dogs and plenty warm.  

Yes, there are things that I miss and grieve about this 2020.  But, the family time, heart changes in my life, and the crazy adventures we were able to accomplish makes me praise my Lord and Savior.  I'm so thankful that the outdoors wasn't "closed for covid".  We were all safe from Covid virus,  but I walked with people who dealt with death, disease, and depression.  

Looking ahead...it is still hard to plan for me as disappointment sets in quickly when things get cancelled. But, I will keep looking heaven-bound.  God has been the cornerstone the Rock that I lean on.  

The best of 2018

Best of life in 2018
app for taking notes Notability
app for communication Marcopolo
book for change in me "12 ways your phone is changing you"
best bike ride Denali Highway
best date with James so many, but I love when he reads to me plus puzzles
best day hike Maui, Hileaka hike with Rowland’s
best tandem bike ride Soldotna to Homer
best new food roasted golden beets
best marriage podcast Fierce marriage
best cozy coffee shop Starbucks 100th Ave near target
best city getaway Russian Jack Greenhouse
best thrift store The Archangel Thrift Store
best Asian grocery The Lucky Grocery
best Thai food Thai Orchid
best new game Small World
best Apple Watch app Strava
best spiritual growth app Scripture typer
best convicting sermon Sermon on the Mount: Fasting : growing our Hunger for God.
best new ministry "If Table" mentoring
best family time watching "Our Town" live play at the PAC
-best sporting addional equipment Studded bike tires
best accessory heated gloves.
-hardest day saying goodby to Hannah for college.
best waterfall Virgin Falls Girdwood
-best short hike Peak three
-best grocery and recipe app Anylist
best homeless shelter Downtown Hope Center
best reflecting tool Watercolor Pen and sketchbook.
most helpful accountability group is Moms in Prayer
-best fiction book Name of the Wind
-best grocery online Walmart.
Best ladies getaway Byers Lake January
Best cabin night Hope Alaska

What are some of your best???

Merry Christmas 2018 from the Embrees

Merry Christmas 2018


Our Family gathered at Anchorage, Alaska

Those present were Max, Hannah, Bronwyn, Ella And James

New members of the family since last Christmas Morfisha the beta fish.

Special traditions we enjoy Each year unwrap the Bible first and James reads the story, photo of the stockings, Christmas Eve service at Clear Water church, Bought gifts for Wendell needy family.

New traditions we started find a place to serve on Christmas. This time we went to the Hospital to visit Kiersten Dahms with heart issues. In the past we have rung Christmas bells for Salvation Army. I got to hand out homeless socks at the corner near REI. Clear Water sponsored a Christmas tree at the solstice tree at Kincaid ski. It was amazing with Mr. Christmas and carols dressed in Dickens costumes, and free hot cider. We also wen away to a cabin in the woods in Hope, Alaska. Yeah!

Special activities of Christmas Eve major was the Clear Water church Christmas Eve. Hannah sang a duet and Bronwyn, Hannah. And Jessica did a skit called “what kind of giver are you?”, also special having Christmas Eve dinner with Nonna and Uppa. I made dog treats to the neighbors to invite them to The service. Fun photo booth.

Special activities of Christmas Day we went to see Aquaman at the Dimond mall. Then toured the gingerbread houses at Captain Cook hotel, and finally went looking at Christmas lights in the neighborhood.

Our Christmas Day menu eggs, leftovers, sausage, and popcorn LOTS.

Special gifts both given and receiving tent, sleeping bag, Hannah got iPhone, echo, Max got noise cancelling ear, and Bronwyn her diffuser, makeup. And yes, I cried when I opened the Vitamix.

New ornaments and decorations for the tree and house James spent money to get all led lights and they went out. Bummer.  I was proactive and got all the Christmas photos I could fine on the various hard drives, then I printed them out and made them a tree and another wall hanging.  I also was thrifty finding out little and big Christmas frames, and so now we have plenty. We did buy a new wreath which double for the Vintage Holiday market and our door.

Special guests during the holidays we had a rarity of couples over, Dahms, Hruby’s, amy and mike Martin, and book club,

Favorite plays, movies, concerts of the season we only saw the show Our Town, the Best Christmas pageant ever, Elf, the grinch that stole Christmas, not a fan of Jingle all the way, Christmas with the Cranks. James read to us a Christmas mystery.


Special spiritual emphasis this Christmas we looked at the various Old Testament guys and we heard from, Adam, Moses, Abraham, and king David. The memory verse is Luke 2:10-11
Quirky things: we played which one is the PJ again? Which resulted in only one wrong guess.  Maybe we’ll learn. We played a round of Nufarious and Ella (me) won for being the mad scientist.

Tough Alaskan Women Interviews

Here is a compilation of interviews of outstanding women in Alaska. If you click on the name it will link to the live interview with them. 

Eowyn Ivey Alaska author and best seller of two novels.  She gives some of her motivations for writing and a hint of her next book that she is in the process of writing.

Ella Embree (Me lol).  Introducing the 1,000 mile bike around Alaska challenge from Sea to Shining Sea. 

Meredith Mapes youngest female *24 years old from Palmer, Alaska, and a rookie Iditarod musher before her big race explaining about her goals for the Last Great Race.

Charity Carmody founder of Beacon Hill which exists to serve Alaska’s children in foster care and children at risk of going into foster care through the love of Christ.

DeeDee Jonroe sweet and tough cancer survivor and an Alaskan woman who has raced the Iditarod since 1980, shares her heart for dogs and passion for caring for others in crisis.

Janice   from Palmer, Alaska is 93 and shares a little about homesteading in Alaska. She was a nurse, worked at a cannery, and was a set-netter for 20 years. Her husband served in WW2, and she came from Montana.

Elishaba Doerksen  Interview with tough Alaska Chick eldest daughter of Papa Pilgrim, who escaped an abusive lifestyle in remote Alaska.

Sierra Dorman   Another tough Alaska Chicks, where she talks about how she went from "command and control" over our country's nuclear weapons to mom life!

Christy Marvin local Alaska Chick mountain runner and mama! She won Mt. Marathon this past summer and many other races!

Pattsy Mendez Peshel Tough Alaska Chick who fought the race of cancer.  She has now since passed.  But, her story will inspire anyone.

Bye Bye Billy Graham, for now

One of the scariest but life-transforming day was the day I was asked to come to Jesus.  It wasn't that He was scary  No, but His holiness made me know I couldn't be perfect enough to be with Him as I was.  He paid the way for me to be holy and forgiven because of His death on the cross.  I didn't have to earn his love but that He was wanting to be #1 in my life.

Giving up that control and the worldly pleasures I embraced, I resisted the call to come to Him.  I was scared to leave them.  However, my life was a mess of disappointments, deceit, and depression.  I had an appearance of status and happiness  I couldn't fake it anymore. 

I longed for truth and acceptance.  In my search for peace and love, I tried meditation and behavior change which was superficial.  It lasted only a moment.  But when the quietness was over my mess was back. 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you took my challenge.  I actually said to God, "If you are real, I will follow you." So many things in this world offer significance, hope, peace, love but ultimately I found that in Christ- having a relationship with my King and Heavenly Father is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. 

I am so thankful that someone told me.  I hope you can know Him too.  He is waiting. 

Too Distracted

I have enjoyed years of the cell phone bible app called YouVersion. I'v done a few plans. However, I have a problem. As soon as I’m near my phone, I get distracted buy 💯 good things and leave for the BEST thing in the dust.

So, this year is the year of paper. Back to a paper list of Bible chapters to read.  I do find it helpful to systematically go through God's Word and not just randomly pick a passage.  It was (mainly) written to be read as a complete letter or story.  Perferring whole chapters to read at a time, the context and other elements of the Bible is easier to understand.Discipleship Journal reading plan

What plan will you choose this year?

Christmas Update Embrees

James and Ella Embree

Moving Ministry

Lots of changes

James & Ella (celebrating 20 years of marriage), Hannah 17 (Senior), Bronwyn 13, Max 16

We did sell our home in Palmer and moved to Anchorage about 45 miles away.  Huge praise was we showed our Palmer house one day and had an offer.  The selling was easy.  There were some delays on the purchase of our new Anchorage home that tried our patience as we spent several weeks in James’ parents’ basement between homes.  But, we are moved in now and getting settled in our new neighborhood.  We arrived to a harvest of raspberries and rhubarb in our backyard!   We have met already four neighbors including Makenna with a super cool english bulldog, Remington.  Willow (our great dane) has adjusted to the home quickly.  Now it is the long process of unpacking the remaining boxes and finding a place for everything.

Hannah has just 1/2 of a year left as a senior at West High before heading to Taylor University in Upland, Indiana in fall of 2018 (yes she has already been accepted and knows her roommate).  She is preparing for her dream role as Morticia from the Addams Family Musical.  Max is a sophomore in a complicated mix of schools; he is continuing his study  of Japanese language/Chemistry at Dimond High and enjoyed cross country running  at West High, while homeschooling part-time.  Bronwyn has taken a full load of dance (ballet & jazz) and will continue to be homeschooled this year through Family Partnership while taking Advanced choir at Romig.  She landed a part as Helen in Young Jane Eyre at Anchorage Community Theater.


Summer 2017 Ella started out leading community hikes each Wednesday for free for Thrive Outside and Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers.  In May, she began her Tour Guide with Alaska Adventure Unlimited.  She has loved her clients and showing off Alaska, but misses her family as it is 6 very intense and long days.  

The children all served the Lord at North Star Bible Camp.  

New Address

1350 West 70th Avenue

Anchorage, AK 99518

James 907-315-3803

Ella 907-795-6604

Hannah 907-521-9443

Max 907-707-3505

Bronwyn 907-414-2998

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE EMBREES?

Random Christmas Questions (Try to guess who answered)

Favorite book you read this year?

a. The Pearl or Animal Farm

b. The Secret Life of Bees

c. Vox Day Novels

d. The Selection Series

e. Lilac Girls

Can't wait to...

b. Preform as Morticia in the Addams Family Musical March 1,2,3

c. Compete in the TriFlake Winter Triathlon

a. Celebrate Christmas and show my family Chicken man

e. explore Hawaii for our 20th Wedding Anniversary

d.  Play Helen in Young Jane Eyre January 19-February 11

Favorite Website
c. Nfl.com
b. Pintress
a. DHMO.org
e. anylist
d.  instagram

If I had $100,000 I would
d.  move to New York City
e. looking for ways to invest/encourage the Kingdom of God
b. give it to Dressember
c. make a down payment on my children's education (three in college soon)
a. pay for Hannah's Choir trip.

Who is Jesus Christ to you?
e.  Abba Father-Daddy-Friend
a. Literally perfect
d. My Superstar
c. God
b.  My Dad

Peace

Often times, when hostility exists between two parties, a mediator is needed to stand in between the two parties and bring reconciliation. 

The mediator’s sole job is to restore peace between the two, to bring flourishing back into their lives. 

Why so often people have a hard time realizing the hostility that exist? Before I knew Christ my mind raced with the knowledge that I wasn’t as good as I could be. The pain of other peoples wrong choices affected me. I also hurt others. Even the good Id do, wasn’t good enough. Sadly my striving for accomplishments or status ended up in disappointments. 

 But truly I didn’t know my need for a savior because I always saw people worse off than I was. Doing things that were worse than I did.It wasn’t until I realize God is holy. His perfectness —demands actually requires perfection. I cannot even enter into his presence as I was. But His love called to me and I wanted him as My father. 

That’s when love came in. That’s when Jesus who knew everything I have done: my intentions, my motives, my heart, and yet he still died for me. 

My selfishness and self centered  couldn’t be in his presence. But if I Accepted  his free gift of being my prince of peace —reconciling me to a holy God a relationship with HIM began for  all eternity. 

During Christmas time is when I found out about this good news. I just wanted to let others know (my friend my family) that You too have an opportunity to experience the peace of God through the king who IS and will be Prince of Peace.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you.” (John 14:27)

Jesus said, “My peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)

Jesus said, “in me you may have peace.” (John 16:33)

Jesus is that Mediator. Jesus is the one who would stand between God and mankind in order to restore peace, to reconcile our relationship with God. When Jesus was born, peace came into our world!

When feeling a disconnect to the Lord?

Just the past few weeks, I have lost some of my zeal and "hearing" from the Lord.  When I spend time with my Sweet Savior, pages are filled with insights and prayers for the various promptings from the Holy Spirit.  Currently, I have worked a few more hours and been uncertain in our future ministry.

I recently went to my MOPS leadership meeting.  During our prayer time, I asked for spiritual revival and not the recent dryness.  Thankfully, I came home and the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of two things.
1) Time with Jesus needs to have His Words center.  I am doing a great Lent study, but it is just a little word or action of Jesus passion week journey.  To hear from the Lord, I need to read His Words not just devotions about His word.

2) Lack of Community. Not having our Friday Life group is another reason for the lack of joy when encouraging and serving together. I need one-another.  God made us want to be in community.

Understanding these two missing elements, allowed me to make changes.  Up on the Butte today,  this picture shows me doing a plank.  Would I do them by myself in the dirt? Nope.  I needed TWO friends today to push me.  We even did a sprint after going up and down and up and down the Butte.  I function more completely and at my fullest potential when I am with others who will spur me on to Love and Good Works.

28 Day Challenge: Day 3 & 4

Day 3:  Becoming Our Mothers
Truth:  What are two things you hope your kids will talk about as adults when they describe their memories of you?

I want them to see Jesus.  That she made mistakes but leaned on His strength.  That their mom would love them right where they were.  She modeled freedom in Christ because she had it to give.  She was spontaneous and did what she could to have family fun (even if it was forced).  She loved creation because it reflected her Creator.

Day 4:  Sister Courage.
Dare:  Start a conversation with a stranger who would normally make you uncomfortable.  (That will be hard to find, but I am intimidated by pretty people.)  Well, I engaged in a conversation with the checker.  It was good.  I usually try to meet the same checker.  So, she was "new to me".

28 Day Challenge

11/28/16
Day 1:  Truth- In what ways do you feel out of control in your life?
Right now, it is a crazy time.  It is a valley time.  Nothing is certain except God's Word and His Character.  I have my health, my family, friends. However, nothing is permanent and even my husband's job is in transition.  We are a very active family, wanting to impact this community and be a light.  But, I have no idea if we will be in our home in the next two months or still walking through the unknown.  God is faithful.  But, this control person has no control but to cling to the ROCK who is stable.

11/29/16
Day 2:  Blessing the Night
Dare:  Go outside at night and count 100 stars.  Pray when you see the brightest star!  The person who wrote this challenge had NO IDEA that it would be -2 below 0 and with a wind chill of -17.  Ugh.  But, it was STUNNING!  I counted by 10's. My prayer was that that God's Will Be done on Earth.  Added blessing of square shaped crystals on the stairs and frozen eyelashes (my favorite).  Keep hot and steaming.  Thanks Mellissa.

Encounter God: Groups, Books, Mountains and People!

Each week, our family participates in a Life Group.  It has changed and morphed over the years with new people and different studies.  However, the one thing that stays the same is that I am richer because of it.

Just yesterday, I had the ah ha moment when I realized that all the good things that Christ did on Earth I get the credit as if I did them.  Not only did He fulfill the punishment of my sin and God's wrath was taken out on Him for my disobedience, but His PERFECT goodness and fulfillment of God's law was added to me.  WHOA!

Often I leave the group with a new movie to watch or a book recommendation.  Yesterday it was Valley of Vision.

I found a pdf on a church web page and found a part of an amazing prayer.

I am well pleased with Your will, whatever it is or should be in all respects.  And if you bid me decide for myself in any affair, I would refer all to You.  For You are infinitely wise and cannot do amiss as I am in danger of doing.  I rejoice to think that all things are at Your disposal and it delights me to leave them there.  

Amen!

Life group continues, as I got to spend some time with Melody enjoying skiing for the first time this year. Surrounded by mountains, and running into two other outdoor friends, I can trust in the LORD Psalm 125

Great break doing puzzles and getting ready for Jesus birthday!

If we don't have snow, at least I can do a snow scene

Where  is Max?

Willow watching me enter the crawl space.  She can't be far from me at any time.   

My thankful list

My Thankful list...

I do want to proclaim how much Jesus has done for me.  Reading about how Jesus healed a man tormented by many afflictions this morning, I was moved by the response that he went and told the CITY what God has done.  So, here is a little sample of the transformation God has done in me.

Thank you Lord, that I am healed both from the sickness of sin, but the pain of abandonment. I am engraved in the palm of His hands.  Never forsaken.

I am no longer live under the guise of a "people pleasing" person who finds her fulfillment of what others say about me. No longer bound by people-praise; however, I can find freedom in walking with a satisfying relationship with You, my Father.

I no longer tossed to and fro by relationship with men who can no longer fulfill my needs or being addicted to wrong relationships.  But, I have a healthy and vibrant relationship with James (almost 19 years).

I have been healed from the overwhelming cycle of food obsession and eating disorder.  Always trying to make my body "perfect" to gain control and master over something.  To be loved and to feel complete in Him.  He's my all in all.  I am FREE!   God has the reigns and I can trust Him in that overwhelming mental area.

I am a free women in regards to explosive anger!  I don't have to shout to be a powerful women.  I can trust and not bully my children.  The freedom of being a changed women, means I need to daily walk with Him. I am not alone with the Holy Spirit being my counselor.  I am transformed!

I'm free from being a victim.  I no longer need to drown my sorrow in substances that kill. I am free from my sexual abuse and can love those who hurt me. I am truly JOYFUL!

I am pure and holy and live a free-unchained life because of Jesus death.

So that even the most selfish decision I made, God took that evil and brought me to Himself.

To be Loved
To be free
to shine for Him!

That is what He did.  He took my brokenness and made me beautiful.  That is what I am thankful for this year.

Tapestry of Grace INCREASES in value throughout the years!

After 8 years of using Tapestry of Grace, I am so thrilled that I chose this classical education and curriculum for my family.  It has been a perfect fit because it is SO FLEXIBLE to work in any situation.  I will use the life of our children to try to accurately paint the picture for you to see this amazing curriculum.

STARTING OUT:  ages 3, 5, & 7 LG
As a newer homeschool mom, I also had young kids being raised in a foreign country of South Africa.  One destructive diaper girl, and two learners.  I didn't want to use two different year plans with a different company (because they were far apart in their knowledge, that I had to select two different programs).  I LOVED having my kids learn the same things at different levels.  One of the key values that bring our homeschool under one roof (and allows me to not be overwhelmed with too many read alouds).  Also, since I was now schooling a bouncy boy, I needed something with more hands on interactive learning.  Tapestry is FULL of activities that work and are not just useless fill in the worksheets that are just a waste of paper and time.  Since, I still had a toddler and needed to teach when we could (nap times), a co-op was not in my ability to execute.  I needed time to maintain bodily functions.


On the MOVE:  4, 6, 8 Lower Grammar (LG)
Tapestry of Grace was the perfect fit for our traveling missionary family in the USA.  Since most of the weeks there are recommendations for field trips and experimental learning.  We enjoyed not only studying about the Native Americans, but we went to the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC. We took along the read alouds and had some books and used a journal for the expanded learning.  We could easily add on books from the local library.  In later years, the digital version also was EXTREMELY handy for asking questions at coffee shops and other places while traveling on my IPHONE.

NEEDING OTHERS:  5, 7, 9 LG & Upper Grammar (UG)
God brought together four families in South Africa to have an interactive and varied co-op.  We mostly had all Lower Grammar (LG) and Upper Grammar (UG) students with a few babies in arms. This South African group of talented ladies transformed the mere suggestions into fantastical lessons of learning.  We had Asian Night, Medieval Feast, and Dutch Shadow Puppets with sound effects.  Each week we had shared teaching responsibility and deep friendships from one another.

Transitions:  6, 8, 10  LG/UG
My children didn't follow the normal learning curve, so I really appreciated that it is EASY to go up or even down on the reading levels without the pressure from the other students.  So, each week you can adjust the reading level or amount because Tapestry has the 4 levels of learning.  I remember that even on busy weeks, I can edit the weeks to just the basics if we had too much going on but they kept on learning.

Shakey Middle School:  7, 9, 11 LG/UG/Dialectic (D)
Going into a new level, I was unprepared for the easy of transition into the middle school and more discussion based learning.  I loved having the weekly conversation of "What did you learn?" and allowing the older student to bridge the learning of other cultures into "what should I believe?" It was crazy to dive into a section of Tapestry that I never needed but found out that I loved the History and Literature discussion questions.  Surprisingly, the younger students would often pipe up in the discussion because they were studying the same topic.

Added the first High School student 10, 12, 14 UG/D/Rhetoric (RH)
Adding the scary Rhetoric (high school level), gave me even MORE appreciation for all those teaching notes.  I was able to lead a discussion with the co-op with high schoolers without me reading the books at all.  Also, we took advantage of the Tapestry University on-line writing class to add another element that I hadn't used before.  We were active in a co-op,  we had the older kids join in during the dramas, and helped teach the younger students.

This Past Year:  11, 13, 15 D/RH
In the summer, I took a Tapestry University class called Teacher Training Online on teaching Literature (I am a math brain).  It was such an encouraging class that included a yearlong dialogue with the teacher during the tough years of Tapestry year 2 (medieval literature including Paradise Lost, Dante's Inferno, and Shakespeare).  I felt equipped and loved my three students experience reading these books.


Overall, I appreciate most that Tapestry exposes the students to real life situations and books from all different worldviews.  It doesn't avoid "unchristian" like attitudes, but allows the transparent discussion to evaluate and discern truth.  I love having one intense year in Ancient History including the Bible.  There is much more to love in this program, but I find that as my children grow, the value INCREASES as more of the curriculum is utilized.  I would choose Tapestry again and hope you find the value in this spectacular program.  

Fuel for the Hike

Hiking Snack Recipes

Nutty Balls

1 c powdered sugar 1 ½ c oats

1 c peanut butter 1 c granola

⅓ c milk 1 c chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

*optional add-ins include raisins, craisins, coconut, sunflower seeds, etc.

Directions:

In large bowl mix in order given, use hands if needed. Roll into 1 inch balls, place on waxed paper until set.

Store in refrigerator.

5 Ingredient Granola Bars

2 c quick oats

1 cup almond butter                1/2 cup sliced almonds 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips 1/4 cup honey Optional: salt and cinnamon, to taste

Directions:

  Combine the oats, almond butter, almonds, chocolate chips and honey in a medium size bowl. Stir until well combined. Add more honey if needed and salt and cinnamon, to taste.

  Line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper, allowing the paper to fall over the edges. Press the oat mixture into the pan.

 Place in the freezer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until firm. Remove paper from pan and then cut the large square in half. Then cut each half into 6 rectangles. Wrap bars individually with parchment paper or plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

  Feel free to substitute the chocolate chips for dried cranberries. You may also use peanut butter and different nuts such as peanut or cashews. You can also add in: 1/8 cup flax seed meal, 1/8 cup chia seeds, 1/8 cup sunflower seeds. Add a Tablespoon more honey for each addition.