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

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.

Lion's Head trail (and a personal review of camping at Matanuska Glacier)

 To get to one of the most rewarding but little effort hike, one must drive toward Glennallen.  Right past the breath-taking Matanuska Glacier, at Mile 103 of the Glenn Highway, just before Caribou Creek, turn right sharply onto a small gravel road. 

You will feel that you are going over the edge but most days you can see the AT&T tower further ahead.  
Don't be intimidated by the closed locked gate. Just park in front of it and call the number (they always answer) and request permission to hike Lion's Head.  They gladly give you permission but they want to know how many are in your party.  

Proceed up the gravel road and take the right fork that leads you directly toward Lion’s Head. A pile of rocks will mark the beginning of the 1-1/2 mile trail that gains about 1,000 feet to the summit, which is at about 3,100 feet. 



I got them all last Friday

when we went to Lion's Head near Matanuska Glacier.  This was not a strenuous hike because we needed to make many stops to fill our mouths with BLUEBERRIES.

Max loves this face

Hannah took her amazing camera and captured the beauty so eloquently.  I guess you can say, this is our classroom.

Sleeping on a deflated air mattresses didn't sour my night in the woods.  A quick game of Jungle Jam, roasting marshmallows, and visiting with foreign neighbors made the relatively warm fall evening a treat.

Ladies Retreat 2013

Surrounded by lots of women, this years retreat was soo good.  Not only did I get to meet new people (like Lisa my steady driver), but I was able to meet with the Lord.  The speaker had a great testimony, but I preferred the quiet prayer chapel with a fireplace and the Bible to speak to my heart.

I was able to get away on many hikes, runs, and even yarn shopping.  My heart was warmed by laughter until we cried (I do that often).  We had speed puzzle making.  Worship into the wee hours of the morning.

Thank you Lord for weekends of refreshing and stillness.

My man. I am so glad he did it!

I love hiking.  I have climbed countless mountains in the past three months.  However, I am not alone in this pursuit.  My hunny has been climbing right beside me.

We enjoy God's playground and have interesting conversations up those trails.

This year, James wanted to do the Mat-Peak Challenge.  It is an insane race up two mountains.  You race up Lazy Mountain then down the back of it, hike up Mat-Peak, then back down.  They you climb up the back side of Lazy Mountain to the top and back down to the trailhead.

It has been called the "Ultimate Mountain Run" with a 14 mile ascent and descent of two mountains including 9000 feet of elevation gain and loss.  Ugh.

My husband is not afraid of challenges and he did it.  My friend (Christy who won) says that this race even the other mountain runners steer clear from because it is so much harder.

I asked him at the end his thoughts, "It was a dream....a NIGHTMARE!"  He believe the pain was so much more than any marathon.  I just am thankful for no injuries.

James said that the coming down Lazy Mountain was slicker than snot.  He even was crouched on his feet and sliding down because he couldn't stand up.

Need one another to grow!

“Many of us in the church are under the mistaken impression that the way to produce spiritually mature Christians is to enroll people in a course on spiritual maturity. We give them books on the subject. We take them to passages of Scripture. We hand out assignments and worksheets. Nothing wrong with these activities. But has it ever occurred to you that spiritual growth is rarely a product of assimilating more information?”  Howard Hendricks

Today was one of those days.  When I look around the room, I see everything out of place and highlighted ORANGE.  However, in reality only a few things are being used and out of place.  I caught myself three times to not say things harsh.  

Tonight at our Bible Study is when we will be talking about SERVICE. Every week, no matter how tired, I love the time spent encouraging and loving one another.  

I EASILY COULD BE A MARTHA TODAY: irritated, agitated, and absorbed by work. Thankfully I chose to serve out of love and was calm with my children. Thank you for others.  

Knowing Christ involves relationship, growing in Christ also involves relationships. Most of us don’t need to know more nearly as much as we need to be known more. We don’t need a set of principles to practice nearly as much as we need other people to help us. We need someone to believe in us, stand by us, guide us, model Christ for us. We need other’s encouragement, wisdom, example and accountability we need their smiles, their hugs, their frowns, their tears. by James Embree

Running Example:   I also received a call that helped today.  It is -14F below 0.  No one would run, but not Annie.  She called me up and because of her promptings, we went running.  It was fun, but once my eyelashes got a bit stuck together on my left eye.  So, I was able to run faster knowing that a warm place was waiting for us at the end.  I needed her encouragement.  Thank you Lord for the practice of building one another up for their benefit.  

Cooking Example:  Just a few weeks ago, a few friends met to exchange recipes and talk about food/meal prep and planning.  We learned so much just by having our favorite recipes out and bringing up short-cuts.  We easily all walked away with some family tested meals. I even found a recipe I had lost for over 10 years!

Hiking Example:  James and I have gone hiking with our children.  They did okay, but a lot of complaining and such.  However, when we bring a friend or two, they don't complain and enjoy the hike.  Hannah and Max both didn't make it up this hike (without friends) and easily made it the second time with others.

Lastly, ski clinics.  I can watch you tubes, read all the books, and click on every blog about skate skiing.  However, I have learned 100 X's more by hearing and watching the instructors.  Thankfully, there has been  two free clinics and a dear friend who has skied for years taught me the first time.  I am still learning. But, since they have the personally attention and can see what I am doing wrong, I am corrected to the right way.  Same way with Spiritual growth.  We need to rub shoulders with people regularly to have them get to know our hearts and motives.  We need to look for ways to love and encourage them in the best way that they are formed.  

 (the instructors are in Blue)