Sunday, June 22, 2008

We Made It!

It has been a whirlwind week for us...saying goodbye to many wonderful friends and family in SoCal...visiting the beach one last time...packing and loading the truck in 100 degree heat...and taking care of all the details of buying a hew home in Anchorage.

We arrived last night at 12 AM...still daylight here. The whole 5 hour flight from LA was light. Savannah didn't sleep a wink the whole way. (By the time we got here in bed it was 2 AM). We had a good omen at LAX: no line at the check-in or in the security line. Literally, not one person in front of us either time. We were high fiving all they way to the gate. "This is like a dream." If you haven't ever had the honor of traversing LAX (with 3 kids in tow), then you have no idea how wonderfully insane that experience was for us!

I found the peace of the Lord with me on the flight. I have been asked many times in the last month if I was nervous or excited. I am excited for sure. But even more, I have confidence that the Lord has called us to be here. I have deep inner peace that this is where we are supposed to be. Of course, I'm energized about all that Alaska will offer our family...and a bit nervous about the winters here. But this is secondary to the call on our life to bring hope and grace to people here.

Here are ways you can be praying for us in the next few weeks:
  • I need to buy two cars for us to drive. (our van is still in LA...please pray we can sell our car there quickly)
  • Fun memories for our family. We want to play hard (Alaskan style...whatever that means) before I start ministry in Aug 1.
  • Serenity and Simplicity...space to rest and ponder.
  • New Friends.
Here are some fun pics of our last week in LA!



Our Family at the BIOLA fountain.
I spent many hours reading and studying by this fountain over the last two years.











Saying Goodbye to Lindsay's dad (Randy)
and her brother (JD)











My buddy Brett and I at an Angels game.













Owen and Ryan...2 of the young guys I have had the honor of mentoring.










3 of my best buddies at Talbot: Brett, Phil, and Derek

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Alaska...Here We Come!

Well...the Swain's have officially entered the world of "blogging." This will be an online journal of sorts...a place for us to ponder a bit and muse on all that God is doing in and through us...a place for you to visit on occasion so you can stay in touch with us. We'll be able to post stories and pictures and you'll be able to make comments. I am planning to update the site at least once a month, but it could be more than that. I hope it will be a blessing to all of us.

Just so you know our timeline:
  • June 20: load the truck in LA
  • June 21: flights to Anchorage
  • June 22-25: Vacation with my parents (they have had a trip planned for months.)
  • July 2: Close on our house
  • July 3: Move into our house
  • July 5: Jason going on his first Alaskan adventure...2 hour drive...2 hour ATV ride...cabin in the mountains and fishing for king salmon.
  • Aug 1: My first day at ChangePoint (www.changepointalaska.com)
Grace and Hope,
Jason