It is April already and to say 2024 started with a bang is an understatement.
It’s hard to believe that April is already here. Lots of things have happened since the beginning of the year. It was
nice to have celebrated Christmas and New Year here in Alaska, but it was bittersweet not having family around to celebrate with us. In January, Jocelyn’s mom and sister, with our new little nephew, came for a visit and were able to go to a local ski hill in Anchorage for a day of fun on the slopes. This was the first time we were able to go downhill skiing since we moved up. We had a great time.
February rolled around and brought with it some unexpected, let’s say, challenges. February 18th, I (Kenny), had a heart attack. As with most of these things, it caught me completely off guard. Apparently, due to some genetics, and the fact that exercise was something I hadn’t done in a while, I had a clogged artery. After being life-flighted to the hospital, I had 2 stents placed in my artery. Now the question that is probably on your mind is “How has this affected you being able to fly?” Well, I have officially lost my medical certificate, which does prevent me from flying. For the time being, I am not able to fully flight instruct any student at MARC, but I can still teach on the simulator and give ground instruction. My role at MARC has shifted slightly. I am now basically managing our flight school with scheduling and billing. The good news, and probably the next question on your mind is “Can you get your medical back?” and the answer is YES. I have a bit of recovery time before I can apply for my medical, you know, healing and whatnot, but in six months or so I can begin the application process. I must prove that my heart is back in good shape and no more blockages. Well, as you can imagine, I have made a few lifestyle changes. I have cut out eating a bunch of things and have begun a workout routine that fits what I am allowed to do with my heart. So far, in three weeks, I have lost approximately 20lbs! I feel great and according to my Cardiologist, I am doing very well. My EKGs of late are showing no signs that I have had a heart attack. Praise the Lord for that. I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers. I am working hard on recovery and working a bunch at MARC anywhere I can be of assistance. I am also a mechanic, so I can help in that area when needed.
Okay, Now it is my(Jocelyn’s) turn…… Since February’s turn of events with Kenny, I feel like our life has been a bit hectic. Doctors appointments, figuring out a whole new way of eating, homeschooling the girls, and all the other things we do as moms. Learning a new diet has consumed most of my time. Making new meal plans based on little to no meat, or dairy has been a challenge but I feel like I am finally getting the hang of it. We have made Friday’s “Fish Friday” and we have been enjoying salmon. Thank the Lord he brought us to the land of “Salmon Abundance”. We have been trading beef for salmon and have been blessed by several friends who have given us salmon and halibut. YUM!!!!
March brought Kenny’s mom Pam for a visit. We had a great time showing her around where we live and serve. She enjoyed the snow and walking on the FROZEN beach. The girls enjoyed building a snowwoman with their Nana and playing in the snow. Pam treated the girls and me to breakfast on her last day with us. We went to a local coffee/waffle place that was in an old train car. Breakfast was amazing but unfortunately, as we were leaving I decided to stand up too abruptly and smashed my head on the upper level. This gave me quite a concussion and put me out of commission for almost two weeks. No driving, screens, reading, and short trips to the store with Keira as my chauffeur. I am so thankful to be almost back to myself.
The girls are doing so well. Keira took the practical driving test in February on her 17th Birthday and is officially a licensed driver. This is cool but also………..how are we here so fast? It is so weird watching your child drive off, by themselves, for the first time. Keira is finishing up her Jr. year of high school and currently applying to many places looking for a summer job. Layla is finishing up her first year of middle school. She is excelling in all her subjects and I am so proud of her. Keira and Layla have been enjoying extracurricular activities that are a part of their homeschooling in AK. Keira has been taking Cardio Boxing and Jujitsu and Layla has been going to horse riding lessons with some of her other homeschool friends. I feel so blessed that Alaska has a homeschool allotment that covers their activities. They both have made some amazing friends at our church.
May will be bringing around a change in our housing situation. The Lord has opened up the door to another home for us to rent. It is a bit bigger and lower rent each month. This is something we are thanking the Lord for. The girls will have their own space again. Currently, they are sharing a room that could be a nice walk-in closet. We will meet with the owner of the house in mid-April to sign the lease and we can start moving things into that home shortly after. The girls are so excited about the move. Kenny and I are excited about more space.
Summer is quickly approaching and things are already starting to get busy. Right now at MARC, we have been flying around Carry the Cure. A ministry based out of Palmer, AK. Carry the Cure focuses on connecting all of the community resources within a village, as well as resources outside a village. Their goal is to connect clinicians, elders, administrators, educators, clergy, parents, and youth with a message of hope so we can end suicide in our state. Please be in prayer for this ministry as they are reaching the youth in the villages. Also, be in prayer for all the camp flights that will be taking place over the summer as well as the many groups coming up to help MARC and serve the interior communities and churches.
We can not thank you all enough for your prayers and your partnership. We have been so blessed with an amazing group of people who are walking alongside us. We are looking forward to seeing how God uses all the events that have taken place this year for HIS glory.
