A Family Mission

We first met Amy (pictured far right) by way of good friends in Houston, Texas. She has led a group of volunteers from her church on a mission trip to Alaska for the last two summers. They help with SEND North’s Annual Conference, a gathering of our missionaries from Alaska and northern Canada. The group provides an amazing VBS-type childcare

Tees

I became addicted at a young age. My next door neighbor growing up was an addict, and his addiction became mine. My first set to support my addiction was rescued by my brother from a trashcan on Main Street in the small town we grew up in. My addiction was golf. I studied it, inside

Weekend 8/18

Alaska State Fair time again! Giant veggies . . . . . . and reindeer to pet! The Alaska State Fair in Palmer, AK is one of our favorite excursions. Here’s hoping you have the chance to enjoy your state fair! ~Steven and Natalie

Travel Connections

Stepping into the airport headed to a new place, I’m amazed at the things I see and the possible people I could meet. Scanning the crowd, I wait for my boarding call. Each traveler in the boarding area has a story: the person catnapping after multiple hours and flights; the family with two small children

Adventures

We are traveling this week and will be back soon! Be sure to subscribe and check back to hear about our adventures . . . Hope your summer is filled with many new experiences! Steven and Natalie

Every Tiny Joy

What happens if you start pretending that every tiny joy in life is straight from God? Be it a break in the clouds on a stormy day or waking up refreshed from a peaceful night’s sleep. What if you begin thanking God for the tiny things and pretending that they’re all whispers from Him? Maybe

Weekend 7/29

contrail: /käntrāl/ a trail of condensed water from an aircraft or rocket at high altitude, seen as a white streak against the sky. In the North, we often have the chance to view Transpacific flights from North America to Asia. This flight is going from Chicago to Tokyo. Have a great weekend, wherever you’re going!

Painted Stories

  This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.                                                                              “Blessed Assurance”, Fanny Crosby   God is the ultimate artist storyteller. This is especially true in the way He paints life stories:

Historic Chapel

This picture is from a very old slide (circa 1950) in SEND North’s archives. This log chapel, since named Chapel on the Hill, was built by hand in Copper Center, AK in the early 1940s and served at the time as the only church in the Copper River Valley. Though no longer in use, it still

Fireweed (hope)

Fireweed grows where the charred branches still lie, and the soil still smells of smoke. The earth around it colorless and bleak, it stands as a beacon of hope, a vibrant pink and green floodlight in the midst of a bleak and scarred landscape. The fire killed and burned the color. But the fireweed grew

Weekend 7/15

I part the out thrusting branches and come in beneath the blessed and the blessing trees. “Woods” ~Wendell Berry Our walk in the woods . . . Happy Weekend! ~Steven and Natalie

The Alaska Rules of Camping

Our family just got back from our Annual Family Camping Trip. I must say it is one of the things I look forward to most each summer. In 10+ years of making our pilgrimage into the woods for some summertime R&R, we have learned a few tricks and set a few family camping rules: Tent

Weekend 7/8

Exploring The Last Frontier Recent explorations at Byer’s Lake in Denali State Park . . .     We hope your weekend is filled with adventure! ~Steven and Natalie  

Drive On – There’s a Rest Stop Soon

Life is a journey. We’re all on one, trying to get from Point A to Point B, in the most efficient way possible. And as with all journeys, we’ll experience a few unexpected stops along the way. An empty tank of gas. A flat tire. A bout with car sickness. We may run out of

Holiday Weekend 7/1

A moose was born in our neighborhood this week – what a cutie! Mom was pretty protective of him . . . After a couple of days, they were on their way to a more secluded location! Hoping you have a great holiday weekend – Happy Fourth!!! ~Steven and Natalie

30 Years and 4000 Miles Later

On November 16, 1986, my dad took me to see the Atlanta Falcons play the reigning Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta. I remember the excitement of that day like no other. But one thing stood out as we drove through a rough area of the big city. I saw

Weekend 6/24

Salmon fishing on the Knik River near Butte, AK Here’s to a great weekend of successful casting! ~Steven and Natalie  

Interview: Open Doors of Opportunity

We’ve known Paul and Marcia for the last decade. They have volunteered with SEND North in numerous capacities over the years, most recently as hosts at the SEND North Anchorage guesthouse. And while I’ve met many people over the years with a heart for ministry and service, I’ve not met anyone with larger hearts than theirs.