Friday, November 18, 2011

Early winds

Gazing at the reflection of seasons and weather of another time bring many happy memories.  It was the November of late 80's, the weather was bitterly cold, no snow.  The lake behind my house was frozen, the kids were having the time of their life, skating, running (trying to) with their winter foot wear.  There was the occasional crying, holding their "ouch" from the frozen lake hitting them, the howler of pain in some as they brush them self off and continue to enjoy the romp on the ice. 
It was a sight to watch the adults get out on the ice without skates, first they inch out on the ice, some would stomp on the ice, some would explore the wonders of being on top of the water looking directly under it, it was so funny to watch some as they try to walk or run on the frozen water, some look like a robot, with stiff arms going back and forward, legs also stiff, straight, then stop and slide on the ice.
For the past recent seasons, the weather was very erratic, some winter seasons were cold, with the occasional pineapple express that bring a kind of spring conditions of thaw and freeze.  A friend of mine and I were comparing notes on the weather, one day he asked what was going on with the weather, we had four spring break-ups already.
This November is a revisit to those times with a twist.  This month was a cold one, Alaska experienced some of the weather conditions that were new and were not evident since millennial times.
For the past few days the temperature was in the range of the single digit minus, but we got the Chinook (king) winds this month that severed the power to many people, we were with out for two and half days.  This wind called the Chinook wind, because it is a wind that we can expect at a certain time of the year, that last for, at times, eight days, thus the name "big wind" or "king wind", this wind was normally expected early in the month of February, in our traditional calendar it is called the windy month.
The first part of the month we had little snow and pretty normal conditions, then it fell apart, snow, wind, minus temperatures, power outage.  We are over the hump of the month and it is cold and vastly different that the first part of the month.  There were no little ones crying, there were no howling, there was no amusement of the adults on the frozen water this year again, the lake was barely frozen when we got all this nasty weather, snow and wind.
The ramification of the patterns, the scope and depth of the transformation in our world are becoming more evident with each day that precedes another.The changes in the lives of some individuals are very evident as well, some are gradual and non evident until a time of realization on your part.
I was approached by a close individual, the report seem to be very exciting, and was eager to expose it to me.  The report was that a grandchild wanted to go to church and know about God! Wow!  This is indeed a good report, this is not the first report of a grandchild wanting to do the same.  At first these reports are greeted with enthusiasm and joy, but as you are brought into the realm of the fourth dimension (spiritual) one can see, the change in the younger ones can be a result of the individual on the road to victory.
The individuals with the grandchild wanting to go to church, is, I believe the results of the individuals struggling to ascertain the way of their Creator and do what is right and good.
When severed from the bad ways of the past, present I believe that person start to do good, the effect can affiliate in a positive way or a good way to others.
The transformations I see in these lives and others, are individuals who are trying to do their best to live in obedience to our Creator.  I can see in the lives of certain individuals, the positive forces are emerging, some slow and non evident and some are like the new year fire works.  I will continue to have all in my supplications and petitions go up to the one who can bring about His transformations in all our lives.
Life is full of unexpected trials and exhilarating moments, some a full of wonderment and joy while others are times we all can do without.  Continue my friend, transform to the positive.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Cold winter fog

Mid-November, the air out side right now is very crisp, the temp at 6 am was -4, the temp will rise up to a whopping 13 today, add a little wind and it feels like needles in your face, suppose to be a windy one today.  Last summer the weather was similar, there was a lot of wind and rain, but there was a lot of good warm days also.  If this is the case we may be in for a snowy winter, and cold days, (who knows) guess I will have to buy a pair of snowshoes.  Along with the bitter cold snaps, are the cold winter fog, if persistent can last for days, thus no flights, no mail, no deliveries. If you live in a remote place like our village, this can be a major disruption in village life, or life in general.
The weather these past few years have been erratic at best, it remind me of the quote of Forest Gump the movie, "life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what your going to get".  I remember the old timers say thing like, "well that was the last storm for the winter" and they were right.  The weather back then was a good indicator of things to come, we had our regular big snow before the February Chinook wind, it lasted up to eight days.  The average snow fall was almost the same every year. break-up was always the same and the rituals that accompany the changing season.
When I first returned to Alaska from out side, I was gone almost eight years, I notice the change, we had thunder and lightning on a regular basis, (almost non-existent years earlier) we had hail storm in July, the temperature seem to get a little higher in the summer and colder in the winter.
The time span of the events in your life are never permanent, if you are still breathing, only the remnant or vivid memory remains, good or bad.  Just as the events in your life change so do the people in your life.  If you live in close proximity, as we do here, you can see the change take place in peoples lives.  For the past years of supplications and petitions to our Creator, I too have seen some very positive changes in peoples lives.  The changes are so gradual and impertant that one can barely, if not miss the changes taken place in a persons life.  It is not until you see, almost on a daily basis, and know them individually that the change is even noticeable, then one day after a noticeable amount of time you come to realize that a change has taken place, and all you can say is Wow!  Your answer to your supplication and petition has arrived and you didn't even notice.
And there are those individuals that are like a big bolder in the road, they are always there and never change or get out of peoples way, the supplications and petitions to our Creator seem to go into file 13 every time you submit one, (but we know better, huh).  Just as the drops of water on the bolder wore and split that big bolder, it my belief that those big bolder in the middle of the road will succumb to the force that rule us and the universe.  I see the transformation taken place in this place we call home (earth) and I see the same in individuals lives of certain people in my life and those I grew up with.  Sadly the transformation has taken its final form for some, as they were transformed into the eternal light or ....
Our transformation is based on our Creator's will, if indeed He your Creator, then our petition should be Strengthen, O God, that which tho hast wrought for us.  Psalms 68:28

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Winter is here

At this writing, we received approximately 2 foot of snow and it has been cold.  A few things happened in my life since my last blog.  Last summer was the most physical, emotional, and mental fulfilling season I have had in a very long time.  I created works of art again, more precise and artistic than I have done before, I again taught the art of creating objects of art. I once again revisited the passion of companionship, fellowship, I once again opened my eyes to the awe-some beauty of nature.
 As our Creator have you to revisit a time in your life, and recall the lessons learned.  In many aspects of the recognition, you are blessed by the fact that the lessons you learned were a great benefit to you and your purpose in life.  The other side of the recognition is the fact, many of the things that seem good and right, was a deliberate act of self will and contrary to what is written by our Creator
When one commits to the creation of art, especially with natural material, such as stones, wood, or other material, there are a few essential first step and instructions in the preparation of the object that need to be adhered to, the gathering of the material, (certain place and time) the preparation of the material, (time, effort and patience) the design of the object, (mental prep and memory).
Many of the objects of art we see that were created by Natives here in Alaska, are indeed beautiful works of art, it may be a painting, a carving, a stone work or other natural art objects.
What one do not see is the painstaking labor and effort exerted to the glory of the creation and to the praise of the artist.
  Unfortunately some of the art you see in the tour traps are fakes.  Because one see great profit in the art of self indulgence, and deceptive practices, they use poor material, foreign material. they use what ever time and material that is "convenient".  It is almost impossible to tell if the object of art is authentic or a knock-off made in another country.  We can all be decieved in the selection of art we desire, unfortunately the same holds true for our individual lives among all races we encounter in life.
The summer was a fantastic one indeed, but unfortunately I forgot some of the instructions myself and self indulged in things that were considered petty and every day stuff, that were harmless.  In II Tim 2:22 we are to flee from youthful lust, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with thosee who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  In Proverbs 5:18-20 ask the question why should I be exhilarated, 
In I Thessalonians 4:1-8 in the instructions of prudent behavior, Other commandments and ordinances came to mind as I searched for the lessons in life and what was the purpose of certain time and events in my life that happened.
A few years ago, I decreed, that I would do my best to continue to do what is right and good according to His Word.  I have since, took inventory and cleaned all unneeded files and information irrelevant to the purpose in life, through prayer and supplication.
 I have been blessed with new friends and surprisingly a individual reappeared in my life, now we are good friends again.  The new friends are a blessing to me, as they give me new insight and perspective on life with their wisdom. I am thankful for old friend that became a good friend again.
The times of this last summer was fun, but in hindsight, a lot of targets were missed, but the reinforcement of the grace and mercy through His love, has brought me back into the light, and say with victory, The transformation goes on to His Glory




Thursday, October 20, 2011

First ice



One of Hank Williams Sr. songs, First fall of snow is a sad story of a man dressed in sackcloth, who lost his little girl, he loved every footstep, loved every curl of his little girl.  I can identify with the sentiments of the song, as I lost my little girl, as the sentiments of the song indicate, I too will be with my lil darling someday.
We received our first freeze of the season the other day, the freeze left a glass like formation around the edge of the lake behind my house, with most of the center, open water.  I know that soon, I will be observing children and other folks edging out on the lake to test it, then if there no snow for a little while, I should see and hear the sounds of laughter, screaming, howling and an occasional "Ouch".
     The other day was also the day when I recieved the report that our family member has passed.  As with so many deaths befor him, I took the initial report with unbelief, as I believed our prayers were going to be ansewered, we would witness again him departing the plane, saying "Oh its good to be home".
Yesterday he arrived home, in a casket drapped in Old Glory, witnessing his arrival home, then to see him as the casket was opened, after he was taken to his house, added to the finality of the initial report. 
His passing will leave a very identifying void in our lives, but that void will be filled with the remberance of his life as it unfolded befor us.  As little boys we froliced in the warm sun on the shore, we explored shore and creek, our delight was echoed by our laughter and loud voice.  I know that one day we will again, run, laugh, play and have the time of our lives, all us togather on that heavenly shore.
His passing also left a vivid view for all of us, he was a little over a year younger I and our peers.  No one  know the day or hour when we too must depart this life and enter eternity to be with our Lord forever.
He joins a few others our age, during the past few years, we lost so many. There are no answers to the questions that echoed throught the eons.  We don't know who we be reunited with on that day when we are called, only our Lord Jesus Christ can say to whom He may choose "enter into my rest".
Just as I bring to rememberance the events in our lives as young boys to this day.  I reflect on the positive attributes he had, what attributes he passed to others.  I see the transformation from the anology of the caterpillar, because it is highly possible that he has his beautiful wings.
As we remain here on this place where we chose to live, we too must be as the caterpillar, only eat the things of this earth that will bring you closer the day when we will be transformed with beautiful wings.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Last walk on the beach

The weather has been pretty nasty these past few weeks, it seem like every low pressure fronts keep hitting us with some bad weather, the storm the other day blew my antenna down, now I'm stuck with watching DVDs until I can get a new antenna.  There were a few good days in between the storms, the good sunny days gave me a chance to walk on the beach again, hopefully there will be more good days to walk the beach before the ice and snow forms all over the place.  I walked the beach the other day, I love the walk because it gives me time alone, to think, to contemplate, to ponder, to reminiscence, to talk to my creator.  But the past two walks I've been on were some how different, there was a coldness, a vastness, a something I can't comprehend, even though the view, the scenery, the atmosphere was as it always is, just breathtaking as ever, I found myself in a different frame of mind.  I was taking in the scenery, the fresh sea air, the sounds of the beach, but this time there were no sounds of birds, and I didn't recall the sounds of the surf, or the sights of eagles, it was as if it was a foreign place, I found myself gazing at the rocks on the beach, looking for some "pretty ones".  I normally walk with fundamental joy of the atmosphere and sights, I don't know if the loneliness, , the sense of loss, the feeling of an end of an era or a longing for yester-days gone bye, I don't know, I just knew that there was a difference this time.  This last walk on the beach was uneventful, I came off the beach feeling refreshed from the walk, but there was a void, a missing element. 
As the season draws to an end, so do some events in our lives must come to an end, we mourn over the death of enlighting moments in time, and long for them to be revisited, but as the old fisherman say "time and tide waits for no man".
The fall season was always a good time to enjoy the events as they unfold.  The moose hunt this season was uneventful and unsuccessful, the duck hunt did not happen, even so the season was one to really enjoy and be blessed with. 
I look to see our first snow and the winter to come, I know that the seasons ahead will bring storms and other unpleasant events, but I look beyond the storms and tempticous times, for I truly believe there are even better days ahead. 

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The colors of autumn

Well the colors of autumn are almost in full array, the leaves are turning to the most beautiful colors of orange, yellow, red and amber.  The wonderful days of this summer are to be no more, the only remnant of this crazy, exciting, wonderful days are the awe-some memories.  The times of being blessed by the warm weather and the fellowship of a special, inspiring person.
I will always hold close, the events of this past summer as the most wonderful summer of my life.  There were days when all I could do was humbly bow and give thanks to my Savior  for the blessing of that day, most of the time, I had no words to adequately express my gratitude to Him.
I will always hold dear the days fishing for king salmon up at the river with Nul' bey , and sometimes other friends would join us, each time was special.  The pure joy of witnessing the thrill and excitement of her hooking on to a salmon, almost too large to land, her exuberance with that fish on the line was amazing, the thrill in her voice as she struggle to bring the monster lunker ashore, was just as thrilling for me to watch as it was for her to fight the big fish.  She landed the big fish, and other fish was caught by her and each was a thrill to witness.
The memories of fishing with a net on the Cook Inlet for king salmon and teaching her our traditional ways of preparing the salmon, smoking, salt-down, and freeze for the winter was just as amazing.  I can still visualize her trying to pull the net off the beach with the running line.  The visualization of her pulling on the line with all her effort to reset the net in the water, was futile, until we would join her in her struggle to set the net, was a special moment in time.  She got her work-out, she got muddy, she got bloody from the fish, but all this was amazing and will be in my memory bank.
The other events of this summer, was just as awe inspiring as the above, the long walk on the beach, the gathering of "pretty rocks", the cutting of birch bark for baskets, the berry picking, the fellowship and worship time, the prayer time....
This was the summer to remember always.  But the one person responsible for the outcome of this summer and the transformation in our lives, to whom we will always be grateful is our Lord and Savior.  I didn't want the special season to end, nobody does, but as the fisherman say "time and tide waits for no one".
Just as the summer was so very special for me, I can now look, with expectancy, with joy, with anticipation the events to come, for now I can see with eyes that have been reopened and a heart that was, for so long hardened, was made soft again and open to the ways and will of the Almighty.
Life for me, again, is lonely and dreary, but I can now see the days ahead will be filled with the cares of this world, the trials and what ever may come my way will be met with and by a transformed man.


Saturday, September 17, 2011

View from the better side

The past years have been filled with the full spectrum of trials, tribulations and testing for me. The worst years was when I lost my wife in a car accident.  I believe she was a gift from Him, we were inseparable, we had dreams, visions and always speculated about the possibilities of future bountiful events the Lord had for us. Then one day in a second, the dreams, visions, ambition, drive, and hope was shattered.  My life as I knew it, living for a purpose was gone, in a second.  I walked this earth, the domain of Satan, for years without a cause or purpose, the tragic event left me alone, I wasn't on the same communication level with Him, as I seen Him as the bystander and not the mountain mover.  I have asked Him forgive me and lead me the the heights of hope and love again, when she was walking with me. 
The first years of her absence were for me  were dead at best.  I lost everything I held dear, I couldn't love, have compassion. or care for other concerns in peoples lives.  Many would come and ask for advise and comment on certain political or religious topics, I would give a response they needed and all seem to be back to normal, as I have become a person fueled Hydraulic oil and anti-freeze.  I would look into certain lives and see the trials they were going through, but inside there was a void, a void of compassion and understanding and love.
Recent years have been blessed for me, the knowledge and understanding of the scripture, the thoughts and wonders of the Almighty were returning, but they were filed in my memory bank for future use.  The scripture as it relate to me and to us, without the understanding of the love and compassion it was written with. is pretty useless, I had the understanding, but the love and compassion didn't come in the same package.
I am a educated professional adult, I believe that there is order and protocol for everything on this earth and with the Almighty, logical order, but the sequence of events that led to the transformation of myself and another was nothing short of a crazy miracle, something that changed me was an act of lunacy, events that led me to do what I would not entertain is crazy indeed.  After the tragic loss, I lose the ability to love and have compassion, I wanted that back, I didn't receive it, so I closed those doors and fueled up on hydraulic fluid and anti-freeze.
The phrase God work in mysterious ways is truly an understatement, because the words I used were used against me.  I said I will not fall in love again.  God in His wisdom and understanding, not only use a wonderful person to reopen the door to love and compassion, but He is using us as a mirror to reflect His light to others. I will express my gratitude to Him always for His Love and Compassion and for the one He sent into my life that brought the transformation into both of our lives