LATEST FROM LOUANN IN ALASKA

I promised to post Louann's last letter from Alaska and here it is:

Hello, Everyone,Well, this is my last "sleep" before leaving for the holidays. I'm flying out a little earlier than planned to be sure I take advantage of the good weather. Out here one has to take it on a day to day basis as far as the weather is concerned, and bush pilots cannot fly in the fog, the wind, the dark, or the wet, freezing weather. The opportunity came up for me to leave tomorrow instead of Friday, and I jumped on it. It means I will spend two nights in Anchorage but that's O.K.

We had our Christmas program for the village on Tuesday. The children sang and performed in a little play. Then Santa came and we had refreshments. I always enjoy having the people in the village for an event. It's the only time I get to meet people and feel a part of the community.

This time I met the new Moravian pastor and his wife from Bethel. I met the "Upi" (granddad) of most of our students (nine out of fifteen students). At the end of the program, we had the audience join us in singing Christmas carols. As I stood there singing, looking out over the children and our guests, I had this very surreal, storybook moment. Here I was singing songs that I had been singing all my life. The only difference was that I was singing along with my new Yupik students and friends of Twin Hills, Alaska thousands of miles away from home. Those feelings mixed with my excitement about going home for Christmas definitely brought the emotions to the surface.

I am attaching some pictures of our program and one of a beautiful December sunset.

Alussistuaqeataaarmek Piamteggen

(We Wish You a Merry Christmas)

Allussistuaqegtaarmek Piamteggen

Allussistuaqegtaarmek Piamteggen

Allussistuaqegtaarmek Piamteggen

Cali allrakuqegtaarmek! (And a Happy New Year!)

I wish all of you a very, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you again for your words and acts of encouragement. You really have been the "wind beneath my wings" if you will let me use that phrase. I don't know another one that quite describes your support in such an appropriate way.

I love you all, Louann