Along For the Ride!

1001 Nachts= Grandkids Adventure=Alaska State Fair

They are all smiles as they take their seats. The ride operator flips a switch and they are locked in. It is all smiles and laughter as the large bench rotates from right to left, gently sweeping past the platform and those of us watching their ride. Sweep one- smiles. Sweep two- a little higher but still smiles from the riders. Sweep three and four- going higher and higher, significantly altering the facial expressions of those now fully committed to the ride. Sweep five and they reach the top, rotating all the way around the circle, like manic arms of an out of control alarm clock. Some of the riders shout with glee. Others, an unnamed grandchild of mine, vacillate between fun and fright!  But it matters little- the riders cannot get off the ride. There they will stay, until the moment the ride is over and the operator releases them. The ride started and they have no choice but to ride it out and wait until it is completed. The only choice they have is how they will interact with the motion of the ride- will they interpret it as fun, or with fear?

I could not help but visualize the analogy between this ride and LIFE!  From the moment we are conceived we are locked into our seat by THE Operator.  Off we go, gently moving through the cycle of life, but eventually we reach those moments of our Life Ride when we also vacillate between enjoyment of the "ride" and fear of the unexpected. Perhaps, like our carnival riders, we also experience fear because we DO know what to expect with the next round. Fun or Fear, or sometimes both.  One thing we all share, though, is that we are "stuck" just like those riders. Life is going to carry us along and we are locked into it.

Unlike this carnival ride, though, we do have choices.  We can face the situations in life differently because we can KNOW the Operator. Unlike the carnival ride, The Operator of our Life cares deeply about us. Even when we face those cycles that strike fear in our hearts, we can trust that The Operator has our best interests and that He has a plan to carry us through. It all depends on if we know The Operator, or if we do not. So, the next time you face those moment in life when you cannot decide how to respond- fun or fear- look around and see how well you know The Operator. Then He can help you relax in your seat and experience peace, even when you feel like circumstances are out of control.

Now, for some cotton candy!

Lazy Mountain- not too lazy this spring!

We decided to try our hand at tapping birch trees.  The idea? It had lingered in our minds, growing over the years. But what really brought it to the forefront was the tapping done by our daughter's family, Cokes, and by our neighbors at Lazy Mountain, the Watts. We gathered up the materials and marched out the back door to tap a tree or two.

Right outside our door!  

Simple.  But the season is short. Too soon, and nothing drips (We know this from experience now.) But once the soil is warmed by the midnight sun, it flows freely.  Sound like a goldmine? Well, it depends on how many trees you tap for the season only lasts until the tree sends forth leaves.  Then you are done!

Steve, switching containers.  We each spent about an hour a day emptying containers, or condensing it down.  Our small trial was not time-consuming, but fun.

Once we had enough to work with, we began the condensing process.  Wonder how much sap it actually takes to get syrup? It takes about 100 gallons of birch sap to make 1 gallon of birch syrup.  100/1 is the ratio.  Maple syrup?  A much "better" ratio of 40/1.   

Well, away we went.  Anna came to help me finish the processing.  We canned small jars, only about 10 minutes in a water bath.  Quick and maybe these will even sell at the Friday Fling in Palmer.

So what does it taste like, you wonder?  Well, so did we.  So I purchased a small bottle (9 oz) at the local kitchen store. $8.00 for this little bottle. We opened it up and gave it a taste.  SWEET!  THICK! Hm.  Ours was not this sweet, nor was it thick.  Darn, we thought we would have to condense it further.  Then, we got to thinking.  Look at the LABEL.  Sure enough- it was loaded with "organic cane sugar syrup."  Good old fashioned way to sweeten, thicken, AND stretch your precious syrup.

Well, at that point we made a decision to leave ours just as it is. The flavor was the same. But we didn't want to dilute ours with sugar. It is 100% natural, Lazy Mountain Birch Syrup.
And now you see why life on Lazy Mountain is.....NOT so very lazy!

Iditarod and TEAM

 






The sun was shining brightly and the air warm and inviting as we joined the crowd of spectators for the Ceremonial Start of Iditarod 2014.  Ironically, snow had been transported in the evening prior to the start, marginally covering the race track for the mushers.  Team after team mushed past as we cheered them on. Hopefulness and anticipation flooded both the spectators and participants.  They were off to a destination!

We were thinking this week about the nature of teamwork.  Some people feel a dogsled team is a great analogy. Others think not.  We think it all depends on the type of team is required for the specific task and end goal.

Certainly there is a vertical or hierarchical arrangement to dogsled teams.  The leader is...well, the leader. However, it is also true that the leader cannot pull the sled from Anchorage (or Willow) to Nome. The entire team is needed for the task to be completed. The lead dog is actually NOT the leader, because that part of the team is largely filled by the musher. It is the musher that reads the trail, chooses course corrections, and is ultimately responsible for the well-being of the rest of the "team." The musher relies heavily on the lead dog or dogs, and they, in turn, rely on the strength and responsibilities of those dogs pulling behind them.

I will refrain from drawing the analogy to a close- that is something that each ready can probably do adequately. Multiple applications and conclusions could be made. This is the age, the era, of collaboration. We have learned to love the accomplishments that are achieved through teams, and have recognized that even a solo sport star has a team of individuals helping them accomplish their goal. So, the next sporting event you watch, you will want to analyze the type of team, and how it might apply to teamwork in your own lives.

Will your team reach Nome?

Disciples. What are they? How are they developed? Is there an end?

 We are moving toward the development of

LEaD Alaska-

A residential Leadership and Discipleship Community

A future "program"  on the Lazy Mountain campus.

The LEaD Alaska team will be wrestling with a core question-
WHAT does it mean to disciple someone?
What does it mean to be discipled?
Is it for everyone with a relationship with God?
IS it simply that....a relationship with God?

Is it something we are "roped" into?

Are we discipled in "herds?"

Does it require a group to be accomplished?

When we are a disciple

is it a mountain-top experience?

WHO is a disciple?

Is being a disciple only for children?

Should we enter into the process as enthusiastically as these children?

To be discipled......is it a long journey?
Is there a destination?

Is the road straight? Crooked?

If you are a disciple, does it make you soar?

These are REAL issues we face as we, the LEaD Alaska team, work toward the development and realization of this program.

How do we define discipleship?

What makes a disciple?

How will we know if a participant is being/has been discipled?

What did Jesus mean when He told us to go and make disciples?

As we wrestle through this next week, we would welcome your thoughts.

PLEASE comment, email, or even call with your thoughts and ideas.

How's Your Path?

I was reading this morning in Luke. "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."  Luke 13:24
I started thinking about the ebb and flow of life, and the mountain top experiences and days in dark valleys.  (You have a lot of time to think while shoveling snow!)

It caused me to consider my own life as it related to my outdoor activity this morning!

Storm after storm has loaded the pathway with snow.  Eventually, we were walking on top of what nature placed on the pathway.  It was slippery and difficult. Each new storm made it more challenging and the path became choked with snow, making some places very narrow and hard to get through. Then we had the Chinook come through this week- AH, a season of ease and warmth (no comment on if we liked this or not) and everything seemed easier. And it provided the opportunity and time to clear the pathway again, make it passable and easier for future use.

It made me think of the times in life when our clear pathway and journey with God can become blocked, or at least crowded with things that life (nature) places in our way. Just like our sidewalk, it can become hard to travel the pathway with God because of what we have to navigate through. It takes effort to keep that pathway clear and passage open. I am so thankful that God always seems to provide the seasons when it is possible to clear the walkway to our relationship with Him, and remove all those things that clog that path.  

How's your path?

Dad Jacobson- a Tribute on his Birthday

Dad- before their wedding.  Richard Arthur Jacobson, born January 15, 1928, in Stanley, Wisconsin to Arthur Christian and Thelma Mae Jacobson. Brother was Robert.

Expecting their first child- me!
I surprised them and was born at 7 months- weighing in at 3 pounds.

Yes, Dad served in the US Army, and was in WWII and was stationed in Korea.

Dad married Mom, June Elaine Douglas, November 28, 1953.  Mom was from Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Dad loved people!

And he loved his family!

Dad loved to fish!

He LOVED to joke around!  He had a highly developed sense of humor and utilized it at every opportunity.

Dad was known as a man who loved the Lord, and loved people.
His last "hang out" was the Baker's Dozen coffee shop in Loves Park.

He loved to fish and was an accomplishes muskie fisherman. Those vacation days that were cold at the lake, with dark skies and ferocious waters found most of the family inside reading, playing games, or shopping- but not Dad.  THOSE were his favorite days to stay out in the boat all day and hunt those elusive muskies. He loved to write and I have a file full of his thoughts- poems, songs, letters, and short stories.

Dad loved his wife!













Today as I reflected on my Dad and his life, there were many thoughts.  Of course, there were memories that were not pleasant- every family is bound to have those. But I think that if we allow God to do so, those memories will fade as we forgive the imperfections and flaws of our parents, as we hope our own children and grandchildren will forgive our inadequacies.  I choose to remember the good things. I had a Dad that loved us all. He worked hard to provide for us. He gave us a rich heritage of family memories with our grandparents and extended family. And he showed us the value of a spiritual life and a relationship with the Lord.

I wish for each of you the same blessings. Not of a perfect family- they do not exist. But the blessing of being able to forgive, extend grace, and to choose to recall precious memories. I wish for you the blessing of allowing God to grow you into maturity through your heritage, no matter what it was. And I wish for you to take the good things from your past and grow them into bigger blessings for those in your family. Finally, I wish for you the blessing of having a relationship with God so that you can know that you will be reunited one day with those you love who also love God.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Dad.  See you again some day.

Doing Church or Changing Lives?

We attended a conference this past week at a large church. The room was filled with church leaders from all over the state, missionaries, and Native leaders all seeking ways to work with God to transform lives versus building church empires.  We were there to learn. We were there to explore and see if this could be a helpful tool for "LEaD Alaska."

We were encouraged by the solid historical perspective and solid Biblical teaching that accompanies this particular program, including expository teaching.

When you think of Church.....

Do you think of an event or something different?

Do you think of programs or people?

Does it look anything like the movement described in the book of Acts?

Ever wondered about ways to DO things differently without tossing aside the foundational components of our faith?

What would YOU change if you could?


It is always good to reflect and dialogue, to look at the way Jesus reached out and see how we are doing.  It WAS good.

Wondering what program we reviewed?  MSG us and we will be happy to give you the link to review yourself, and maybe you already know about this particular approach.

http://steveandjillhorsman.wix.com/horsmans-alaska