Christmas in Ice (North Pole's Ice Sculpting Competition)

Ray, Stella, Scott, Samantha M, Freddie and Samantha

As you can imagine, there are limitations to what folks can do outdoors when it's zero, or below. Even the most accomplished skier won't ski when the temperature is lower than -15. There is; however, an emerging event--ice sculpting competitions.

Ice activities begin in November with the presentation of the Turkey Carving (in ice) on Thanksgiving Day. Following this initial Holiday, this ice art will be transformed into a life size Santa Claus driving his sleigh pulled by his team of reindeer. (Visit our photos at: http://www.danielhauer.com/ to see this life size sculpture. Once you're on the site choose "portraits" and our name will appear)

BP hosted a Saturday picnic and free admission to the event. We enjoyed our short time there, and continue to be amazed at the "small world" in which we live. When we finally found two seats at a table in the cramped, small heated trailer they were next to a couple who hailed from San Antonio! They've been in Fairbanks since 1991 and now call this home.

The children’s play area features playground equipment made entirely of ice and snow.

Take a stroll thru the ice sculptures and ENJOY!

Ray was brave and took a wild ride down the ice slide!

He then tried out the kiddie slide.

Our Visit to North Pole

For those of us who still--BELIEVE--a visit to North Pole was a must and a dream-come-true.

Early in December we took a drive out to see how Santa and his reindeer team were doing. We found Santa talking to those who had stopped in and some of the reindeer were resting and a couple were eating.

Check it out for yourself!

Thanksgiving at 535 Baranof

Our first Alaskan Thanksgiving was a blast!

We hosted a few friends and gave thanks for all with which we are blessed.

Our guests included--

Stella, Freddie and Samantha. Stella and I work together in the Admin office of Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. They are from El Paso. Stella's husband--Phillip, although stationed at Fort Wainwright--is presently deployed to Iraq.

Shannon, Ken and Liam. Shannon recently transferred from Colorado with Banner Health. She is part of the IT department, where her work includes keeping the cardiology (computer/electronic) equipment running so no one's open heart surgery is jeopardized! Whew!! sure glad it's her job and not mine.

We had plenty of food, fun and laughs. We're especially grateful that their company helped us thru the holiday.

Winter...Brrrr!

Hi, Everyone!

Sorry it's been quite a while since we updated everyone on life in the frozen tundra. We've been a bit busy settling into our jobs as well as continuing to unpack. Although, we've managed to enjoy a few events.

The question everyone continues to ask is about the weather. How cold is it? Are we keeping warm? How much snow?

How cold is it? Cold! With some regularity we've experienced many days below zero. We've even experienced a few -10, -15 and -20 days. This weekend (today, in fact) is supposed to be the coldest, yet. Today's "HIGH" is supposed to be -22 with the low at -30.

Are we keeping warm? We are! With the correct cold-weather gear it isn't unheard of that folks are outdoors, but this Texas gal is quite fine staying indoors and thanking God for heating fuel! We're also giving thanks that fuel prices have come down since we arrived. While we were expecting to pay at least $500 in heating oil fuel and electricity monthly, we're estimating it's probably going to run about $375. We had our second heating oil delivery today. The other luxury we give thanks for is a heated garage. It's made it easy not to experience the cold when I get into the Explorer in the garage and Ray kindly drops me off at the front door to the hospital. He's the unfortunate one that gets to park the vehicle and plug it in.

How much snow? The record shows 10 inches, which our backyard confirms. We didn't realize the depth until the evening we went out to take our Christmas card photo. The snow here isn't unpleasant. It's dry and for the most part just falls off the vehicles and even shoes. Sure, there's some ice and some snow has an underlying layer of ice, and there are some slippery spots to drive thru around town. But, for the most part it hasn't been an incovenience.

While it's cold and there is snow on the ground, we were able to experience and enjoy an evening of fireworks. Albeit, a short firework show, with the cold it was long enough.

Enjoy!

2008 Holiday Fireworks at Pioneer Park (aka Alaskaland)

6 Weeks and We're Almost Home

Honestly, some days Ray and I feel like we've just arrived and other days it feels like we've always been here. Today is our sixth week in Fairbanks. We're both settling into our jobs. Most weekends and some weekday evenings we'd spent a considerable amount of time searching for a house to lease. Our greatest desire was to find something that was long-term. Neither of us wanted to unload our furniture and stuff, only to have to do it again in the next year. Several of the properties we were shown were going to be put back on the market (for sale) in May.

The first house we saw and fell in love with was a log home out in the hills. No garage. No fenced yard for Wendell. However, it was the only house we've seen with a (propane) gas stove! We looked at a duplex, a townhouse, and lots of single family dwellings. Some houses had potential but many were drive up and drive away. We even looked at (and weren't at all impressed) a home in "THE" neighborhood--Doyon Estates.

Then, one Sunday I saw a listing in the newspaper. 5 Star Energy rated. Built in 2002. 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 car attached heated garage. Wow! I called. Turns out the owner(s) is a dentist in town. [AND Sarah Palin was his babysitter when he was growing up!] He was very excited to know Ray's in town! As we drove there, I reminded Ray not to commit to anything. At this point we thought we wanted to live on the West side of town--close to church and church friends. We drove up and immediately liked what we saw!

535 Baranof Avenue in NE Hamilton Acres (it's on a 1/4 acre lot)

(We signed the lease and drove over to shovel the driveway.)

We took two steps inside and knew it was what we were wanting! We were home.

The layout is the living/dining/kitchen area upstairs with a 1/2 bath. Plenty of cabinets and storage. Plus, it's equipped with all appliances: fridge, stove, dishwasher and microwave. Plus, a pantry!

From the kitchen, you walk up three or four stairs into the master bedroom and bath area.

(I hadn't realized, before posting this blog, I failed to take photos of the space. The window you see upstairs from the first photo of the front of the house is the master bedroom.)

Downstairs there's a laundry room, den, full bath, and two bedrooms

As of Tuesday, the Superman border is now gone. :-) This room will become the "Texas" room.

This weekend we'll paint this room and turn it into the "Helen" room.

The backyard is Wendell's dream! And come spring and summer, I'm pretty sure you're gonna find Ray grillin' on the back deck. Come join us!

Ray had fun shoveling off the deck!

We'll be waiting...and we'll leave the light on!

Blessings,

Y, R and W

P.S. Here's our new phone number... 907-328-0813 (as of 5 pm Sun Nov 2).

Our SA cell phones still work. We have free weekend minutes and welcome your call!

Seeing Backward - Today God Is First by Os Hillman

October 19, 2008

"O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed" (Ps 30:7).

It is often difficult to recognize the hand of God when we are in the midst of adversity. We often feel God has hidden His face from us. When the Lord takes us through deep valleys, there will be fruit from the deep valley that we cannot see. You must press into Him with all you have during this time.

God uses the deep valley to frame our lives to create a change in our nature, not just a change in habits. The depth and width of our valley is often an indicator of the level of calling and influence we will have on others in the future. Our adversity is not just for us, but others who will be in our future path of influence. This is not very comforting when you are in the middle of the valley, but know this is a truth in the Kingdom.

It is often years later when we discover the wisdom of God and why He intentionally led us through the dark valley. Life is often lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back at through valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale and the spiritual deposits He has made in our life while we were there. "He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light" (Job 12:22). When you begin to realize this, you sit back and breathe a sigh of relief because you know that God was in control all along. It didn't seem like it at the time, but He was.
Do you find yourself in the valley?

Now is the time to fully trust Him to guide you to higher ground.

Wendell's First Day at Doggy Daycare

As we were preparing for our move to Fairbanks, I began expressing my concern about Wendell being by himself all day while we both worked. (Not knowing, but figuring I'd eventually get a job.) I suggested to Ray and Nic that we find a mush family to give him to. I strongly felt that we'd done our job--rescued him and returned him to his ideal environment. As I researched housing I kept coming across property after property that advertised, "No pets."

Ray wouldn't hear of giving Wendell up! In fact, as we'd been driving around looking for a house, we saw a couple of mush farms. They did not look inviting!! We both felt very sorry for the dogs (lots--50, maybe more?) as they were chained up. That wasn't what I had in mind. I thought we'd find a nice family with a few dogs. They'd get "exercised" every day and he'd have a great life. Still, I didn't let go and let God. I continued to fret.

Now for those of you that aren't familiar with Wendell's story--I'll bring you up to speed. In January 2006, while Nic was working at Mission Park South, he watched as this beautiful red & white Siberian Husky ran around the cemetery. It was a cold and rainy day (cold for SA). By the end of the day, Nic was very concerned that this beautiful dog had been out all day with no food or water and he was limping. He had no collar/no tag(s). So, he called me. The first thing he said was, "You'll never believe what's running around the cemetery. The dog of your dreams." He asked if he could bring him home. He tried to get him into his car and couldn't coax him in. I drove over, picked him up and called Ray on my way home telling him, "He's a gift from God." Ray groaned. As soon as we drove up, Ray opened the car door and announced, "We can keep him!" For weeks afterwards, I scoured the Express-News Lost and Found classifieds, watched Websites and never saw a posting for a Lost Husky. I named him after Oliver Wendell Holmes. The Supreme Court Justice. My high school alma mater. Our mascot is a Husky.

A few weeks ago, while I was up at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for a job interview, I overheard a conversation about the doggy daycare in town. Noah's Ark. When I was offered and accepted the position (Sr Administrative Assistant in the Administrative Office) I asked my new co-worker, Jodi, about the facility. She raved about it, telling me her Lab attends every Friday.
A couple of days later, Wendell and I went in for a visit. Turned out he needed a couple more immunizations that are required in AK. He then visited the "playground" and ran around with two of his new furry friends. He passed the screening process and today attended his first day at Muttesori!

We received a note, along with the posted pictures, from his teacher. It reads, "Mr. and Mrs. Torres, Wendell did great for his 1st day. He was very shy at first, but did start to warm up to some of the other dogs. He was a joy to have here! Enjoy your evening and hope you like the pics. Jen"

Jen is the wonderfully warm caregiver. I'm so grateful God brought us to Noah's Ark and Muttesori.
Enjoy Wendell's pictures!

(Take a good look -- like every good child by recess he'd already lost one of his snow booties.)

More news about our house hunting and my job to come...stay tuned.

Every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father. - James 1:17

We love you SNOW much!

R, Y and Wendell

Who Are Our Neighbors?

After dropping Ray off at the hospital this morning, Wendell and I took a drive through our neighborhood. As we searched for a home we'd gone in several directions but not southwesterly.

So about 5 blocks down and 5 streets over, here's what I discovered---Fairbank's Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, and the Food Bank. The sad reality is this...you don't have to live in a million+ city of folks to have the same needs. Poverty, violence, abuse, neglect, homelessness, and all that comes with a less-fortunate life, is everywhere! I'm just glad that Fairbanks has the ability and obviously interest to try to meet (some of) these needs for folks.

In the early morning light the lit cross caught my attention!

There are a couple of streets that look like a possible "Habitat" neighborhood.
Can you imagine building in this weather?! Voluntarily?! What dedication. There's even a "Women's Build." Check out the link.


In the past, Ray had successfully run a food drive at the VA hospital in San Antonio. When he sought permission to do it at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, we were glad to find out they already have one in place!


The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

We love and miss you all!

Y & R

What does Wendell Think about the Snow?

Up early today to take the Explorer in to get "winterized"--an engine block warmer, a transmission warmer and a battery warmer. For those of you not familiar with a winter climate, the vehicles look odd with these extension cord/plugs hanging out of them. We're also having an auto-start installed. You wouldn't catch this Texas gal going out to warm up a car an hour before having to leave for work!

They said it would snow again today. Wendell and I waited all day. It finally started about 4:30, just as a mist. By 5:30 you could definitely see the snowflakes!

Are We Ready for This?

Rumor had it--we might see snow this weekend. As I booked Nic's return trip to Texas, I joked with him that he'd miss the snow this weekend. We both agreed he'd probably see it while boarding the plane--which he tells me he did! No sooner had we seen Nic thru security and gotten back to the car and on the road when we noticed very small, light snow flurries! However, the show was quickly over. At the time I wondered if that qualified for the first snowfall recorded date.

Ray and I ventured out yesterday to have lunch at Gamberdella's. Our friend, Kathy Deaven Uriarte, went to high school here in Fairbanks with Lisa Gamberdella and so we knew eventually we'd try it out. It was one the restaurants Ray had printed info on before we knew about the Kathy-Lisa connection.

It was a cozy place, our waitress' name was (is) Erika. She's from Germany. Hmmm...what a Godincidence...today would have been Ray's mother's 70th birthday. For those of you who don't know, her name was Erika, too. She died in 2002 and it has happened that at significant times of the year (his birthday, her birthday, the anniversary of her death, etc.) Ray will cross paths with an Erika. So, he believes that's Erika's way of saying, "Hello."

Anyway, the real point of the story is that as we sat waiting for our food it began to "snow" again. This time the flurries were a bit bigger, but still nothing significant to write home about. Although, I did call Texas to let them know!

About midnight last night I noticed someone had spread salt...or whatever that "don't slip" stuff is...about the sidewalks around the apartment complex.

Well, I'm here to report that this weekend will now take the honors of the earliest recorded snowfall date for Fairbanks!! Here's what we awoke to...

View outside our front door.

View outside our back door.

Another backyard view.

Ray and Wendell decide to investigate.

Our car!

We're heading out this morning to worship at University Community Presbyterian. I, for one, will be giving thanks for indoor heating and thermals!! When we return, we'll be celebrating Erika's birthday by eating German Chocolate cake and watching the Cowboy/Redskins game!! How 'bout them Cowboys!!

Congratulations Rev Shannon Pappas who is being installed at FPC, San Mateo, this morning! We wish we could be there!! Praise God for Nic's safe return. Please keep our friend, Frank Lynn, (FPC, SA chef) in your prayers as he faces surgery tomorrow. And for the homeless and those less fortunate (especially here in Fbks) who don't have the luxury of heat, warm beds or clothing.

This is the day the LORD has made. Let's rejoice and be glad today! Psalm 118:24

Yvonne

Getting Settled

Fairbanks is a community of approximately 30,000 people. 80,000 if you include the entire North Star Borough. I'm grateful that God didn't call us to a big city as I'm feeling comfortable finding my way around here, just fine! Yep...I've gotten turned around, already.

We've met a couple of our neighbors. Greg lives to the right of us (different bldg). He & his wife, and their 6 yr old son, are leaving tomorrow morning. She's a travel RN. They have been coming to Fbks for the past 3 summers and are now heading back to southern CA...via Austin.

Marcia, who lives two apartments to the left of us, just relocated from Nome. She's a medical technologist. She's been in Nome for 14 years and has a home she's trying to sell there. Luckily, she works days and I've conveniently been able to pick up her wireless signal for our laptop.

I've shared with some the fact that the apartment is just as small as the city. I'm not so sure I'm grateful about that. Although, for free--we won't complain! Ray and I are making do in the space as we make our way around the kitchen as well as sharing a bathroom--something we haven't had to do in the 18 years our marriage.

Here are a few photos to show you around our humble abode.

Front door

Artic Entry

It's keeping Ray's 8 month supply of Big Red nice and cold.!

I'm not sure what this space is called...but it's come in really handy!

I think in most homes it's known as the foyer. You just hang what you need to grab on your way out--including Wendell's elusive leash.

The cozy kitchen in it's entirety! It is furnished nicely with a microwave, coffee maker, toaster, pots/pans and dishes. What it doesn't have is a dishwasher!! Thank God I have YEARS of experience.

Here's the living room. Considerately decorated in Cowboy colors! There's Nic in the corner working on getting our desktop computer hooked up to our own wireless router. The floor heater is all along the front of the living and dining rooms, thus eliminating one whole wall to work with. Same goes for both bedrooms.

The dining room that is presently serving as my unloading table. We have managed to have a couple of sit down dinners! Check out the 'pass thru'.

Here's the "laundry area" at the top of the 2nd floor landing. It's also home to Wendell's kennel.

One of the two bedrooms.

Our quaint bathroom!

Really--that's all of it!!

Oh, we do have a small deck out back. If we planned to be here thru the spring it would probably come in handy.

1623 22nd Ave, Apartment E

Fairbanks, AK 99701

Note...here's the phone number to the apartment: 907-374-8945

I passed the test and got my Alaska drivers license today!! It was a good day. Glory to God!! and Peace be with each of you.

yt