So Many Changes

Rough, bumpy, jolting, jumpy, tumultuous, thrilling, sad, scary, humbling, epic, and stressful are just a few words to describe the first 8 months of our current journey in the hands of our Living God.  The winds of change have swept over, around, and through us and carried us at times. 

The Northern Light Network {NLN} (consisting of KCAM, KRSA, and KVRM radio stations) was finally and officially launched on its own this past May as a separate ministry entity, but staffed with missionaries “on loan” from SEND International for the time being.

The implementation of the move to independence included at least three major paradigm shifts for the southeast station of KRSA over these eight months.  Each time we had to put on the brakes and re-evaluate our duties, thoughts, calling, and priorities.  With God’s help and your prayers, we have weathered each storm, but we are weary and uncertain at present.  Matthew Henry’s concise commentary about Jer. 29:11 states:

         “We often do not know our own minds, but the Lord is never at an uncertainty. We are sometimes ready to fear that God's designs are all against us; but as to his own people, even that which seems evil, is for good. He will give them, not the expectations of their fears, or the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith; the ‘end’ he has promised, which will be the best for them.”

What ‘God’s best’ for us is, is yet to be clearly seen, but we look onward learning to more fully trust Him.

A lack of trusting Him completely led to an error in my ethical judgment during our last home service for which I am truly sorry and have sought the Lord’s forgiveness.  Though meant for good the ends never justify the means; so we have sought out and are committed to account-ability, forgiveness, and reconciliation with the mission’s help and are now in the restoration process.  We ask for your forgiveness as ministry partners, and are open to discussing it if needed.  We are temporarily suspended from active ministry with the NLN as we complete counseling and appreciate your prayers that God is honored through the process.

The Two Towers

It was supposed to be just an overnight job!  However, it took four full days to replace our beacon lights on KRSA’s two AM antennae towers. 

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When you climb a 300 foot guyed tower, you want to be sure that it is safe to do so.  The tower crew that came to do the light replacement found out that both of the towers were in desperate need of cable tensioning and tower straightening.  As is the case with any situation in life, when you find a problem on the surface, you have to dig deeper to make sure the foundation is still in good shape.  So, we dug down into the muck of Southeast Alaska’s tundra to examine the concrete anchors and found they were still in good shape.

As the straightening began on the second tower, we discovered that it was only by the grace of God that it had not collapsed in on itself and we watched as God performed a miracle for this seasoned tower crew to see His hand at work even before they arrived on the scene.  When the job was finally done, we could only give God the glory for what He had done.

            UPDATE:  Thank you for praying as we worked to transition the repeaters in Wrangell, Sitka, and Haines to have their audio connection feed delivered digitally via internet instead of standard phone lines.  This will save the station an estimated $1200 a month and it helped in improving the quality of what the listeners hear and will allow versatility in the future.

            Also, please pray for the fledgling NLN as it consolidates and redefines the way it will do Radio Ministry in Alaska.

 

Our Growing Family...

Having a young, rapidly growing family continues to keep us quite busy as we are sure many of you can relate.  Matthew turned 7 in January and is becoming a good helper; taking on chores and assisting with his younger siblings when Mommy is busy.  He devours any book he can get his hands on and especially enjoys the Hollister books (from Sarabeth’s childhood) that Grandpa Eaton has been sending him.  Lydia (5) has started learning to read and was able to take some speech therapy classes at the elementary school this last winter.  She is very eager to move on to ‘big kid’ things and is constantly talking about how old she will be on her next birthday.  Kara just turned 4 in July and is already reading quite well.  When her strong-willed nature isn’t taking center stage, she has displayed a gift of encouragement when her siblings are struggling with something.  All three of the older kids were very glad to find that our church here in Petersburg had started an Awana program while we were gone.  Caleb turned 2 at the end of April and is the definition of a boy – a noise with dirt on it.  He is very mechanically minded and loves it when Daddy lets him play with tools.  The big news for our family right now is Baby #5 who is scheduled to join us at the end of January.  This pregnancy has been a little rougher than the last couple, but we are past the first trimester now so Sarabeth is beginning to feel better.