Summer 2015 Update

People up here are raving about how nice of a summer it has been. Temperatures have been above normal and precipitation somewhat below normal. No one is complaining though! 70 degrees is a hot day on the Kenai Peninsula. It has gone over that many times this season. This past May was the second warmest on record.

Summer time is also the busy season up here.  The sun only goes down for a few hours. The population quadruples. The salmon are running. The skies are buzzing with planes.

Honestly I thought this past year would go very differently than it did.  We should always be looking ahead and planning but usually despite our efforts things end up changing. Sometimes we loose our sense of direction. Sometimes God closes a door. Sometimes He opens a window. Sometimes we think we should go through that window but circumstances prevent us from doing it. What should hold us back?

Earlier in the season I was able to visit with an Aviation Ministry Group that operates in Central Alaska. Little to my knowledge they were pleased for me to visit and had been praying that someone with my skills would come to help with a few things. Within 5 minutes they put me to work. It was neat to learn about what they do and actively be a part of it at the same time. Their primary purpose is flight training for young people pursuing Missionary Aviation.

In June while visiting family in the lower 48 I visited another Aviation Ministry Group that happens to be from my home state of Ohio. They train aircraft mechanics for future missionary service and repair/restore missionary aircraft for many Christian organizations. Although I am already a licensed and experienced technician, they have a need for full time staff to work on big projects.

Although right now I do not see myself being directly involved on a career basis with these two ministries it was nice learning about what they exist for and sharing what God has done in my life. In return I get to make new contacts and gain insight into where I may end up down the road.

A while ago at Church we had an interesting series on what one may sense to be divine promptings, spiritual whispers. They could be small or big. Examples could be a simple inspiration to send someone a "thinking of you" card or complex as sensing a strong calling to pursue a specific life purpose.  The presenter/author emphasized 5 test points that people should put these senses through to see how far they get. If they pass all 5, chances are it may be significant.

1.  Ask God if He is the source of the prompting.
2. Is it scriptural?
3. Is it wise?
4. Is it in line with my character and personality?
5. What do those I trust think of it?

Try applying these tests in your own life. It may help in making decisions. It has helped me.

You - my family, friends, and spiritual supporters are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your encouragement!

How to stay busy for the winter

 I have been waiting for winter to arrive but thus far it has been significantly more mild here than Ohio. The coldest temperature has been about -10*F. Not too bad considering it can get down to -20 or -30 here. Most of the time it has hovered somewhere between 0 and 40 with averages in the 20's and 30's. Very unusual for up here. Almost all the snow is melted too. The biggest storm only dumped about half a foot in places. Winter up here can last until May so it could still get messy.

For years I have worked as an aircraft mechanic. My first job in aviation was as an electronics technician, or avionics tech for short. That is what I currently do in Alaska. I actually am more suited and prefer the avionics side of things while most mechanics hate to touch the stuff. Lots of wires and connectors to keep track of but we make it all work.

They use aircraft like trucks up here; about 75% of the work we do is on commercial operators. It keeps us very busy given the high demand for cockpit and equipment upgrades but there is not enough man power to do it. We are so busy to the point that I am unable to take time off to be part of the Missionary Aviation Repair Center in any major way.

With the weather being what it is I have not been able to do much of anything outside. The trails are too icy with all the rain and freeze-thaw cycles. There is not enough snow to ride snow machines or go cross country skiing. There was only a short window to go ice fishing; all the lakes are frozen but too unstable to be safe on with the recent warm up. Lots of new things to experience but not enough winter or time to do them.

Hope all is well to my friends and family down south. You are in my thoughts and prayers.