What a special Christmas to have my family in one place and that place being Pt. Agassiz where I grew up. I spent three weeks out there and I don’t think I have been out there that long since I lived out there when I was 16.  
My sister Tabitha, and her husband Victor and 1 year old son Ronan live out there. Then on the 21st my dad Barton and my Brother Austin took his fishing boat out from Juneau. The following day Austin’s wife Jill and there six month old son Robert Thomas arrived on the jet in Petersburg and took a skiff out and then finally the following day my mom arrived in Petersburg by Ferry boat and then skiff. This is winter in Alaska so the sea’s can be pretty rough so it was a few wild boat rides but we got everyone out there.
My greatest joy’s where my nephews. People that know me know I love babies! I got a couple weeks with my nephew Ronan who I have been around briefly twice before. There where many days filled with wagon rides, hide-n-seek, tickling, and the joys of a one year old’s life. He made me laugh a lot as he is one of the cutest kids I have seen.  When my brother’s son Robert arrived it was my first time meeting him.  Right away I developed a special bond with that guy. He is one of the biggest babies I have seen. Six months old and like 25-30 pounds. I pretty much had him as much as I could doing everything they would let me, feeding, changing diapers, bath’s, naps, giggles and play. I fell in love with that guy. This was what I was most looking forward to and I loved being an aunt!!!!
We decided to have Christmas morning at my parents little house where we kids grew up. We all crammed in and had a great morning of watching the boys with new toys and just enjoying a family Christmas. My mom prayed for snow and the Lord answered her and we had a very white Christmas.

The days after was grinding venison into burger, and all kinds of sausage. We had so much food! One day we did a trip across the river to visit our friends we grew up with.

Going home after being away s long with family makes you face many things. One thing that I realize more and more is how much I have changed. I love my family so much but when I go home I do feel its home but I am also very aware of the life the Lord called from into the life I now live. I am so thankful for my roots but also so very thankful for my journey and the work the Lord has done in me and with me. It can be challenging for family to understand that change but overall I know they are proud of me.
I have left my family many times but now that I have nephews I found it harder. I long for my own children and in many ways this is the closest thing to it, so I got a bit attached. They are both so sweet.
I am now on plane headed back to Kona. I hope to write another blog soon about my entire journey over the last four months. The journey continues.......

The month of December is spent in Alaska. I went from Denver to Wasilla, AK on Nov 30 for the release of my album “I Will Go” on December 1st. I find it just like the Lord to bring me back to Alaska for the release of my first album. Alaska is my home and place where I found my sound. The ministry Northwind Global Ministries I was apart of for seven years in Wasilla got its name from the scripture “Out of the North”. So it was awesome to be able to be in Alaska for it. When I got there I went strait from the airport to Northgate Church to speak to their youth group. The next night I spoke at their midweek service, the following night with their worship ministry team and then both Sunday morning services I got to share for a few minutes. During the day’s I was catching up with people so it was jammed packed five days but so good to be back there again. I think it had been a year a half or more. On the 5th I flew to Petersburg, Alaska which is the little town near where I grew up. I graduated high school there and claim it as my hometown. I was there for two days and had a small cd release with some old friends. Then out to Pt. Agassiz where I grew up and I am here till Dec 30th.
It has taken some getting used to being back home. Life slows down to a pace that I have not experienced in 15 years, especially in winter. It is probably just what I need. My sister Tabitha and her husband Victor live out here with the their little boy Ronan. Some of Victor’s family lives out here as well. It has been great getting to know my adorable little nephew. He is one the cutest kids ever and I am not being biased. It’s hard not being able to be around family and have these little ones grow up without you.
Nothing to crazy going out here, but a few adventures and highlights. I am staying at my parents little house which they have not lived in for years, because they live in Juneau now. So its as it was when I grew up but kinda falling apart. So I have some pots catching leaks, and trying to keep the generator running. I love the old bathtub, stains an all that I grew up with that my grandpa found in a old goldmine.
The other day I was at my sisters house and all of a sudden we look outside and there is a wolverine near the house and it was running towards her goats. Victor grabs his gun and runs outside to shoot it, but it got a smell of him and took off in the other direction before he got a chance to fire. In all my years I have never seen a wolverine come in the yard like that, but I guess those little goats looked tasty. We are hoping he does not return for them.
Yesterday we went on a Christmas tree hunting expedition on the four wheelers. We did find some good bull pines that should do quite nicely. In the afternoons I have been bundling up and going out hunting for a buck but no luck yet.
Even with being out in the wilderness I do have to try and keep up with a few things but I don’t have internet out here but I have the iphone so I leave it the window and from time to time get enough reception to receive some e-mails but I can’t really send them. I can text once in awhile, but if I want to make a phone call I have to get on the four wheeler and go down the road. I really needed to make one the other day so I am sitting on the wheeler in the middle of the road in a snow storm. Its pretty funny when I think about it all. But out here its just life.
Today I am in Petersburg, speaking at church this evening and running some errands to head back out tomorrow. My parents and brother and his family should be coming out this week for Christmas. Good times on the home front.