Ketchikan December 2013...
December 5th
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| Beauty of sunrise...day 01 |
I find myself currently heading North to Alaska, Ketchikan
Alaska that is. I'm enroute with a friends 28 year old son, Travis, to repair
and prepared his mother's house to rent. His mother died earlier this past Spring.
At that time I made myself available to assist in this project. Traveling in
winter...to Alaska...why not:) Typically 'snowbirds' head south for sun and
warmth. The good news...sun is in the forecast for the next couple days. And
warmth? Yeah...I don't think so:)
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| Eagles....everywhere! |
After many 'fun' traveling adventures this year...Mexico,
Massachusetts, Memphis and a Motorcycle 'bucket list' ride...I am now able to
add to the 'M' pattern. This time 'ministry'. Thank you for your prayers
regarding the work, time with Mr. T and waiting for the unexpected.
So...hello Alaska, old friend, its been awhile. Nearly
thirty-two years.
So now it's
December 17th, twelve days has past since the beginning of this
adventure that I now dub 'Operation Ketchikan'. I sit aboard an Alaska airline
737 on a mostly cloudy day heading back to Portland, Oregon. Only bummer, unable
to view the Creators handiwork below.
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| Bathroom surround...before |
Ministry it definitely was! I found myself a janitor (cleaning
the basement was our constant mission during the first three days and often
throughout this trip), a builder, a roofer, an electrician, a teacher, a friend,
a cook and a sundry of other hats were worn, none the more despised, but that
of plumber:) Oh boy, was I ever again put to the test as we removed the old tub
surround, did water damage repair, intalled new surround and had multiple attempts
(at this moment successful) at repairing and reinstalling a 1950 'Homart' tub
facet. Did I ever say how "I hate plumbing". :) Grandma Towle you
bust me up. The amount of tape and boxes alone would have allowed her to open
her own package store:)
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| Bathroom surround...after |
We found ourselves easily working 8 to 10 hour days with
some at 12 hours, working right up to the literal eleventh hour. To be exact I
stopped at 11:15am in order to catch the ferry across the 'Narrows' to the airport.
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| The 'Acid Test' |
Down time included most meals together and partial days on Sunday's,
breaking away to enjoy worship with our Calvary Bible brothers and sisters, including
their children's Christmas play. What a pleasure and wonderful depiction of our
Saviors good news! We also journeyed a bit to the north and south to Totem
Bight and Saxman to enjoy the view and history of Totem poles. Funny, I say
"a bit". Guess there is only about 50 miles of road.
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| OK Team |
Along with above, the memories of Ketchikan will forever
hold the friendship and labor with Travis and his aunt Marna Towle, the amazing
twenty inches of rain (nearly half of Oregon's annual) that provided for our
own 'Lake Superior' in the front yard, a leak through the chimney, damage to
the siding and a constant river down the streets similar to what you find in
San Francisco on this tiny island
of Revillagigedo.
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| The sign says it all... |
Thank you Father for Your provision of service, Your
protection, Your guidance through this vessel, Your Word of hope and the comfort
and strength of Your Spirit. To Him be the honor and glory forever, amen! This is
what ReFirement is
all about........Let the journey continue!
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| Basement Door Transformation |
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| Yeah...right:) |
