Frontier Fancies

For those of you who took the time to share your thoughts and opinions -- thank you!  I truly believe the Lord used you to give me peace and comfort about the decision I made -- and I feel comfortable. 

 

I left it in the Lord's hands -- if I get a loan and can purchase the vehicle for a fair amount -- then that is the one I'll buy.  If not, I will go for one of the other two vehicles that were put in the path.  The Lord opened the doors ... and I basically slid through ... so I feel that He is in control.  We are in the process of purchasing a 2005 Rav4 with 34,000 miles on it in Portland.  It will be shipped up on Samson Tug and Barge -- who quoted the best price.

 

I leave on Saturday for a week long training in Scottsdale, Arizona with the Healthy Native Communities Fellowship program.  I am very excited about it!  We will learn how to be change agents and how to train others in our communities.  It won't, of course, hurt that it is in the high 70's right now.  I also feel that the Lord is putting the right people into my life to make things happen.  Who knew?  Well, He did.  So I may actually have a youth group that I can tap to do a lot of the legwork.  In exchange they will learn how to do graphic design, layout books, videography, write, photograph, and learn traditional skills from elders.  Doesn't that just sound exciting???

 

I hope that this finds all of you well -- and staying warm and safe!

 

God bless you and keep you,

 

Nae 

I have two opportunities ... and I think both are good ... but I'm not sure which is the more wise choice.  I really would appreciate if you would weigh in and give your thoughts and reasons for them (in order to help me learn -- in the future -- how to make these decisions).

 

I can fly up to Fairbanks and buy the '99 Rav4 (2WD) with 101,000 miles.  It has a new timing belt, thermometer and water pump.  It also has Blizzak tires and summer tires (all on wheels).  I couldn't get a loan for the $5750 -- 'cause it is too old.  I can get a personal loan (more interest).  My other option is a '05 Rav4 with 34,000 miles.  I can get a loan for $13,000 -- which is what the Rav4 costs.  It is in Portland.  I can have my son put it on a barge (or the ferry) at the end of the month. 

 

Which is the way to go?  Let's not think just about today ... but also five - six years from now.  I don't buy cars -- and I certainly don't "deal."  I wouldn't know how to bargain a deal down if my life was at stake.  So ... wise advise is ALWAYS needed.

 

I trust the Lord will help give me peace through the wise counsel I am seeking!

 

God bless you and keep you,

 

Nae 

Thanks for the prayers and encouragement.  I think we will be buying a '99 Rav4 in Fairbanks.  It'll take 2.5 days to get it back to Sitka ... with the help of planes and ferries!  It'll work!

 

My happy news --- I ran a 5K (3.1 miles) in 28 minutes!  I was pretty hyped!  After all -- it isn't like I'm "Jane of the Jungle" and in fab shape.  BUT ... I'm on the way to be in better health ... and I'm thrilled that I could do that.  I haven't run 4 miles since before I joined the Navy -- so I'm lookin' to be able to do that again (at least).  If it continues to feel good -- I'll go for a 10K.

 

Okay -- past stuff.  Having Eiric home for Christmas was nice.  I still have more photos to post.  We had a quiet Christmas, but had TONS of fun with the Wii Fit.  For those of you who may have been wondering ... it is great fun ... and you get a fabulous workout!  Even Eiric sweated.  I still have our Christmas stuff up -- but that is because without a car -- it makes it hard to take stuff back to storage.  Good thing I love my Christmas decorations.  Eiric and I had some great discussions regarding life, school, and his future.  I was really proud of the many mature thoughts he shared.  He spent a lot of time playing with his brother and visiting with Rosella.  All in all, it was great!  We grilled steaks for New Year's.  I rarely do that, but I sure enjoyed the treat.  Who knew I was such a great chef????

 

Sorry I've been out of the loop.  I keep battling one cold after another ... so am very tired when I get home.  I'm hoping to catch more sleep ... and then most of the cold symptoms will go gone, gone, bye-bye, diddly wob!

 

I hope that you are all staying warm, driving safely when you go out, and taking care of yourselves!!

 

God bless you and keep you,

 

Nae 

First a friend in Vancouver found a nice van under $2,000.  Then my brother in law offered to give me a van free -- all I had to do was ship it.  So I got a quote.  Then I checked out how much it would cost to fly down and get it, but it was so close (and it is winter) ... that I thought .... well, best to let someone else drive.  THEN the whole shipping the van from MN kind of fell through.  They upped the price by $900.  I figured I could fly down (on miles) and drive it back and save money (from the quote) ... BUT I wasn't comfortable trying to drive a 2WD vehicle back to Alaska with the winter storms.  There have been just too many accidents ... even if it isn't my driving ... some other nut could take me out!

So, I decided to go ahead and purchase a mini-SUV (4x4).  It has been a tough winter ... with nasty driving conditions ... not to mention the fact that I can NEVER drive up a hill in the winter in the van I owned.  AND ... if we are going to continue responding to EMS/fire calls ... then we need a vehicle we can trust to go up the hill and down (safely).

I studied up on the mini SUVs -- and have come to decide that I would prefer a Ford Escape XLT (2002 - 2005) or a Toyota Rav4 (98-01) with UNDER 100,000 miles.  So -- I've been looking -- and they are tough to find!  There are NONE in Sitka and NONE in Juneau ... in my price range (definitely BELOW $7,000).  I did find a 2WD Rav4 in Fairbanks in my price range, but it is 2WD ... so I might not be able to go up hills here.

So, I've extended the search to Anchorage, Seattle, Portland area ... and have considered Phoenix and even Vegas (because I'll be in Scottsdale at the end of this month).  I've asked Pat (an ex boyfriend and mechanically inclined) in Anchorage, Dad (in Vagas), my son, Dan (an old friend and car salesman) and Athena's uncle (a mechanic) in the Portland area, my cousin Curtis in the Seattle area, and EVEN my brother in law, Jon, in the Minnesota area ... 'cause the drive would probably be equally as far as Phoenix ... but maybe not as safe through those mountain passes.  Anyway ... it looks like the Phoenix vehicles might be less expensive ... but I'm not sure about buying a car long distance.  The other bad thing is that the ferry leaves Bellingham one week after I leave Scottdale or 8 eight days later if I drive to Prince Rupert ... either leaves me with a few days to kill ... and burning my annual leave.  What do you think???

If I buy out of Seattle or Portland, then Eiric can put in on the ferry in Bellingham and I can have a gal pal meet the car in Ketchikan and move it off and put it on the connecting ferry the next day.

Anywhere else I'll have to use my mileage to fly down and drive back (in accordance with the ferry schedule).  If I buy from Anchorage (Pat will look at cars for me there), then I just have to drive up two days ahead of time to drive it to the ferry terminal in time.

Thoughts???

This buying vehicles is giving me a headache and making my stomach twist.

 

I hope that all of you are having a safe and happy winter!

 

God bless you and keep you,

 

Nae 

AUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I hate trying to figure out what mini SUV to buy.  Not made of money!!!  If I have to fly out of here to pick up a car, then I need the vehcile to be less than $5500.  If I buy a vehicle then I want one under 100,000 miles.  I've read that the Ford Escape XLT (after 2002) has great gas mileage and cargo space.  I've read that the Toyota Rav4 is good, but I'm pretty positive that I can't afford one that is newer than a 2000.  I've read that the Subaru Forester is good ...

 

All these cars are expensive and slim to none.  I'm surprised that so many of these cars are pricey ... even the ones in the late '90's.

 

So -- my question is what do you guys know about these vehicles?  First hand or knowledge from a friend / family member who owns one of these vehicles?  Can a 6'5" guy fit into these vehicles?  How do they handle on snow and ice ... going up hills????  Steep hills?  Would you trust your loved ones in these vehicles?  What type of car repairs do they need?  Any bad reputation????

 

Next -- how do you negotiate for a vehicle????

 

C'mon ... toss me a bone and share the knowledge!!!!!!

 

PLEASE!!!!!!

 

Thank you!

 

God bless you and keep you,

 

Nae 

~A MountainWings Original~

Gooberless

I sat in the movies last night. Unfulfilled.

I was Gooberless.

My normal ritual is to go to the movies and purchase a pack of Goobers (well two packs if you must know) and enjoy them while I watch the movie. I often have a problem with my wife sticking her hand out for some. I’m not a stingy man but those are MY Goobers. Generosity has its limits.

I had to go to a different theater to see the movie and guess what? They didn’t sell Goobers. No other candy substitutes for Goobers, so either it’s Goobers or nothing.

I sat there and realized three MountainWings Moments.

1. I was a grown (supposedly mature) man sitting there unfulfilled because of the lack of candy. A thing that I knew beyond question was not healthy.

2. Who you hang around with influences you greatly. My wife is now in love with Goobers and seriously threatens my supply.

3. Perhaps many of the things that we want and don’t have it’s a doggone good thing that we don’t have them.

Often, we are better off with nothing than something that’s not good for us.

Much better off.

If you liked this, and would like other encouraging daily emails please check out:  www.mountainwings.com

 

I received this on December 22 ... and it struck me as I was thinking about resolutions for the New Year.  How many things or people do I want in my life that are not good for me?  Is this the time to finally let go of unhealthy habits or relationships?  How often do we keep things/relationships in our lives because we think it'll improve or we can manage it?  How much time do we let go by before we decide that something really and truly isn't good for us?  When do we choose to finally let go?

I had to think long and hard about it -- and then I chose the things / relationships that I've long held on to (or are in storage) that I haven't seen (or heard from) in a long time.  Perhaps ... with the economy the way it is ... it truly is time to simplify our lives.  I'll be spending a lot of time in my storage areas, closets and cupboards determining what I do use ... and what I don't.  I won't sell most of the things ... yes, I could use the money ... but I'm sure that there are people out there who need these things I'm sure to find ... and I'll pass my blessings on to them.  As far as letting go of people ... well, it is only on my end.  After all, if you don't hear from people ... then they certainly have let you go.  Right?

May you find the strength and motivation to carry your resolutions through to the end this year.  May the Lord bless you with peace and contentment.

Thank you so much for coming to visit, for encouraging me, and for sharing your lives with me.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

Nae  :o)

 

PS -- For you gearheads -- my van died.  Big boom.  Put the crankshaft rod through the oil pan.  It is dangerous driving here in the winter.  I'm looking for a mini-SUV for under $5,000.  I think I would like a '99 or '00 Toyota Rav4, a '02 Subaru Forester, or a Ford Escape XLT.  Unless ... of course ... you guys know something that I don't about these vehicles!  Let me know what you think!  Thanks!!!

 

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.  Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree.  Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there.  Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday.  If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.

Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember:

I LOVE YOU, JESUS

 

Author Unknowm