Dear Praying Friends,
Where to begin?
(This e-mail was actually made up several weeks ago - - but I was having problems sending out "bulk" updates. SPAM for everyone makes life interesting for some of us! I decided not to "re-write anything, just add a few update comments. GH)
Summer ended in July, or so it seems. More rain this year. Days are getting shorter and I find myself saying "Oh, yeah - - this is what it's like to drive in the dark!"
Casse is back in school at Kenai Central High School, taking three classes. Then, two afternoons a week she takes two classes at Kenai Peninsula College. She receives double credit for these classes, both High School and College. And she takes one evening course, Voice, on Tuesday nights (Although she does not consider that a "course”).
But she's not out of the woods yet. She still has a few "events" , unfortunately. They are certainly related to the change in her schedule, and also to the surgery. Both the Neurologist and the Surgeon continue to re-assure us, saying we need to let thing progress as they are for the first year after surgery. I guess if it takes a year or better to fully recover from major heart surgery, we shouldn't be surprised at this for major brain surgery. Cassie is being incredible about this. Know how she reasons it all out? She told me yesterday, "I used to take these things in stride as they came along, many times every day. Now, they really 'shake me up' because I'm just not as used to having them. That's a good thing!"
UPDATE 10/19- Cassie had a pretty prounounced seizure today when she was with Kris. They are looking at adding some medication, and we are not in a real good frame of mind right now. You know I try to be frank in my updates, and frankly, we are really worn paper-thin right now and having a hard time dealing with it. We need your prayers.)
Chelsie is absolutely loving her time in Juneau, at University of Alaska Southeast. It sounds like that city and her personality go hand-in-glove. She is plugged in to a small church and has good friends and enjoys the services there. We are so proud of her.
Tyler is working for Arctic Slope Regional Corporation at a mine called "Red Dog" up near Kotzebue, Alaska. He's in the middle of a 6 week/12 Hour -a-day rotation! He seems to be doing well. Doesn't talk too much about the Lord with us, but he still tells us both he loves us when we talk on the phone (via that delayed, walkie-talkie-like satellite relay).
At ACC, there are 39 students on campus. Between now and Thanksgiving is really important. It's not unusual to see several leave because they just can’t handle being away from their small villages. One has gone home already since the beginning of the year. About a third of the students are returning from last year, living on campus and taking classes towards degrees at Kenai Peninsula College. Cassie has class with several of them! You know, Kris and I really miss flying here and there, to all the remote village, but we also see the incredible value of being here, investing in these student's lives.
Pray for Kris. Her job is still only part time, and because of this is more administrative and less mentoring. But we just think that's what we need to do right now. Oh yes, did I fail to mention? Kris is helping Cassie finish up two home school classes as well.
I am continuing to make up the difference by doing computer work. My home network has become my test lab for servers and programs, problem solving and troubleshooting network difficulties. The network I have set up at home is probably more sophisticated than most of the small to mid sized businesses here on the peninsula. My family is very patient, and they take being subjects in my test lab very well. By the way, I have added web hosting and domain registrations to my list of services. I'm just reselling a national hosting provider. But anything that can help is good. Let me know if you are interested. And you should see some of the things I can accomplish right from the chair in my office - - - remote administration of others networks is very cool. Get this - - I have even logged onto other computers from my Pocket PC phone! And to think, when we came to Alaska I was thinking of getting away from all of this (Yeah, right - I'm a gadget guy! I know. )
UPDATE 10/19/06 - I have accepted a job offer to work for the State of Alaska, as the "IT guy" at the correctional facility here in Kenai. Pray for the transition. I start Friday.
The Lord is simply amazing. When we give, He gives, when we hold back, He still gives but we don't recognize it as that. Like I have said before, Ministry is only ministry when it is a result of an overflow of our own relationship with God. Sure, he can use the things we do in our own strength for his glory - - he can use the rocks for his glory, after all. But when we are filled to overflowing, and see things happening - - - then it's true, God honoring ministry. And because we know it's from the overflow of our relationship with God, we can’t take credit for it, can we?
UPDATE 10/19 - I still mean that, even after today.
Kris can be e-mailed at maudy@gkharris.com Cassie is forgiven_free@hotmail.com
Have a great weekend!
