The VBS at Schrock Road has come to an end. There were a total of 25 kids on the last day. That's double the number that we had on Monday! It was a wonderful week!
On Saturday, we had a free day. Our host family took Ericka and me out for a day of true Alaska fun. First, we went to down to Colony Days. Seventy-five years ago, the government paid people to move to Alaska and farm. The city of Palmer was settled as a result and the people were celebrating the 75th Anniversary. There were lots of neat little booths set up and a parade with fun floats and classic cars. It was fun to walk around the downtown area of Palmer and see so many people out and about.
Next, we went to Palmer's Reindeer Farm. I actually got to pet and feed a moose! I got to pet and feed elk and reindeer too. There were even some baby reindeer to pet! They were so cute and their fur was very soft. I never realized how big elk are or that all reindeer, male and female, grow antlers! We got to actually walk in the pen with the reindeer and feed them pellets out of our hands! No, we didn't have to worry about getting bitten. Reindeer can't bite. They only have six teeth on the bottom and few molars in the back. They also can't kick backwards like a horse can due to a tendon in their back legs. However, this tendon lets them run up to 30 mph for up to 50 miles! (I think this is a fair trade, don't you?) So we had no worries in the pen. Actually, most of the reindeer were more interested in eating grass than anything else. Ericka went up to a few reindeer so she could feed them, but they just walked off. Instead of trying some different reindeer, she chased after them! It was hilarious!!! Watching Ericka chase reindeer was one of the best parts of the trip on Saturday. :)
After the Reindeer Farm (and a good hand washing) we headed up to Hatcher Pass. The actual pass isn't open yet, but the drive up the mountain is incredible. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. There are mountains on every side and a rushing stream flowing down. There's an old gold mine, Independence Mine, near the pass. We drove up to it and saw the old mining site. Some of the buildings are still standing and you can still see parts of the railroad that was used for transporting the gold. (An earthquake closed the mine.) It's an interesting bit of Alaskan history that you can actually walk through! It's really cool! As if this wasn't enough, it snowed while we there! Can you believe it? It actually snowed in June! For somebody (like me) that's used to sweltering heat in June, it was pretty mind boggling. Then to end the day, we ate fresh King Salmon with a family that attends Schrock Road. Yum!
Today has been a little more relaxed. We attended church this morning at Schrock Road. The kids got up and did the motions to four of the VBS songs they learned this week. I stood in the back and did the motions for them in case they needed a reminder. It was so much fun and they did such a great job! Even the preschoolers were doing the motions. Sure, one of the younger ones decided just to dance and kick her feet, but it was the cutest thing! She really stole the show.
This coming week I'll working at FBC Wasilla's VBS. I get to help with the Missions rotation this time! This VBS runs from 9-3. It'll be a lot different from the VBS's I've worked before, but the church seems to have a lot of success with running a longer program. We've heard that the kids really enjoy it! That's what is really important. This will probably be the biggest VBS I'll be involved with this summer. Please pray for the kids and the workers this coming week!
Thanks for reading and praying!
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