I am beside myself with excitement!! I had a wonderful speaking engagement at Greenville First on Dec. 6. Gabriella turned 9. The girls donated 40 inches of their hair to Lock of Love (video upcoming). AND my new website is officially launching on New Year's Day! However to my sweet friends who loyally follow my blog, you are welcome to a sneak peak at www.jeannierevells.com. Please comment and email me and just enjoy!
Have a mercy-filled Christmas and I will be in touch - after I catch my breath!!! ;-)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Our Journey Home ~ November 15-16, 2010
Our Journey Home
Monday was a 10 hour day of the most breathtaking scenery as we completed crossing the Canadian Rockies. It snowed heavily at times as you can see in the pictures and video. We had so much footage that I had to make 3 parts to the video. We saw lots of wildlife. When you watch the videos, look for Northern Rockies Lodge. I plan to revisit there by bush plane one day (skipping the roads). Notice Muncho Lake right beside it. The water was a gorgeous sapphire.
There was one pass in particular that I hated; and my little daredevils loved! We were circling a cliff with no guardrails. Yuck, yuck, yuck! I made a lot of promises to God if He would just get me out of there – ha!
We finished the final curves and were finally on a relatively straight path to Fort Nelson. About 30 minutes from our destination, the sun had set and we hit a slick spot. Black ice. The trailer started sliding side to side. Chris tried to pull out by accelerating. Impossible. The trailer continued fishtailing. Chris steered into the slide, but nothing helped. The trailer was grandly fishtailing wider and wider and we were leaving huge marks across both lanes. Chris started praying in the Spirit. He knew we were out of control – in the middle of the wilderness just into British Columbia. Immediately the children and I started praying in the Spirit with him. A power and a peace settled in the truck. No one screamed. We just prayed.
It was unbelievable but within minutes of going off the road, we were ALL crammed inside that Cadillac and off to Fort Nelson. No fear of freezing. We were sweating.
I was so nervous about Chris being out there in the dark trying to get back to us on those dreadful roads. This was Isabella’s birthday. What a day!
We had a very hard time thinking about getting back on the road so we stayed and rested the next day. We cried tears of thankfulness that our entire family was unscathed. We were so grateful. I could hardly talk about it.
It was wonderful to have this room for two nights. It was an executive suite with all kinds of extras. We relaxed and held each other and dreamed of green grass.
My Original Blog Post
Monday – Tuesday, November 15-16, 2010
Monday was a 10 hour day of the most breathtaking scenery as we completed crossing the Canadian Rockies. It snowed heavily at times as you can see in the pictures and video. We had so much footage that I had to make 3 parts to the video. We saw lots of wildlife. When you watch the videos, look for Northern Rockies Lodge. I plan to revisit there by bush plane one day (skipping the roads). Notice Muncho Lake right beside it. The water was a gorgeous sapphire.
There was one pass in particular that I hated; and my little daredevils loved! We were circling a cliff with no guardrails. Yuck, yuck, yuck! I made a lot of promises to God if He would just get me out of there – ha!
We finished the final curves and were finally on a relatively straight path to Fort Nelson. About 30 minutes from our destination, the sun had set and we hit a slick spot. Black ice. The trailer started sliding side to side. Chris tried to pull out by accelerating. Impossible. The trailer continued fishtailing. Chris steered into the slide, but nothing helped. The trailer was grandly fishtailing wider and wider and we were leaving huge marks across both lanes. Chris started praying in the Spirit. He knew we were out of control – in the middle of the wilderness just into British Columbia. Immediately the children and I started praying in the Spirit with him. A power and a peace settled in the truck. No one screamed. We just prayed.
At this point, the road was two lanes and sloped steeply down to the forest on each side. The moon was full and bright and reflected off the eternity of whiteness. The trailer swung out wildly and took control of the truck and started dragging us into a 360 degree spin. It drug us off the road sideways down toward the forest. It pulled the truck/trailer combo into a V-shape stopping only at a stray tire. The truck ended up sideways and we were afraid it might roll. Quickly David starting putting on the little girl’s socks and shoes and coats, hats, gloves. Chris said we had to get out – QUICK! Brennan managed to climb out of the passenger seat and pulled Gabriella out. Then he opened our door and pulled John-James out. I lifted the carseat to him. I pushed and he pulled it out. I climbed out and helped Brennan get David and the little girls out and we cuddled them for warmth. I had piled blankets on top of Havah. Chris was trapped. He couldn’t open his door because we were afraid that would make the truck roll.
Immediately an old Cadillac drove by slowly and pulled over. The two men were very quiet and obviously concerned about what they would find. They offered to help and I told them my husband needed help. I was stuttering and shaking from cold and nerves. The littles started to cry. The men came over and talked to Chris about what he could do safely from what they could see. He was able to get out and grab a few essentials – diaper bag, wallet. It was unbelievable but within minutes of going off the road, we were ALL crammed inside that Cadillac and off to Fort Nelson. No fear of freezing. We were sweating.
We checked into a really nice hotel. The men stayed with us until we were sure we could get a room. One of them had 5 children at home.
In our room, I got the children settled while Chris contacted a tow truck – AGAIN. He left shortly to ride with the 18 wheeler that would rescue Big Bertha and possibly bring her the rest of the way to Fort Nelson.I was so nervous about Chris being out there in the dark trying to get back to us on those dreadful roads. This was Isabella’s birthday. What a day!
When Chris returned the children were settled down, and we just held each other and cried. Both of us were at a breaking point. We were so thankful we were all safe. It was incredibly stressful to make this trip. Oh… how we wished there was another way.
Chris told me the tractor trailer tried pulling Big Bertha up onto the road. It started sliding backwards toward Chris who was in the driver’s seat of the truck! It ended up perpendicular across both lanes. Finally after an hour or so, they were successful. And our truck and trailer had zero damage! Nothing scratched, nothing bent, nothing broken. It was a miracle. And that tire that stopped the U-haul was not one of ours. We could not figure how it came to be in just the perfect place…Later we talked about how it felt like we were being carried as we weaved and circled and went off the road. It was not jarring at all. Felt very gentle – like we were ice-skating and we swished to a stop. Partly it was the sensation of being on ice; partly we were protected by angels. No one was hurt and none of our belongings were damaged. It was a miracle.
At this point, we didn’t care how much an international phone call would cost. We finally had signal in a real hotel in a real town. And we called the parents. Crying. Amazed. Longing for it all to be over with. We had a very hard time thinking about getting back on the road so we stayed and rested the next day. We cried tears of thankfulness that our entire family was unscathed. We were so grateful. I could hardly talk about it.
It was wonderful to have this room for two nights. It was an executive suite with all kinds of extras. We relaxed and held each other and dreamed of green grass.
My Original Blog Post
Monday, November 21, 2011
Our Journey Home ~ November 13-14, 2010
Our Journey Home
View Larger Map
Saturday – Sunday, November 13-14, 2010
Traveling thru the Canadian Rockies was breathtakingly beautiful. It was also scary. The mountain wall sprung up on one side of the road and the lake water glistened on the other side.
At some point around this time, we realized that Mommy sitting in the front was a luxury. I needed to move to the center of the truck so I could reach everyone with food, drink, paddle, etc. So I rode monkey-in-the-middle for the rest of the trip. Brennan took over the co-pilot seat and helped navigate. I usually have terrible car sickness, but God had mercy on me for this trip. It wasn’t too bad. Other than I was squished up against the car seat on one side; John-James’ booster on the other. The wipes by my feet, the snack jar snuggled to the left of my feet beside the lunch supplies. The trash can near the door under Havah’s seat. Computers, safe, camera’s all packed in a specific little spot. The seat pockets were strategically filled with diapers, cream, lotion, sanitizer, books, gum and other important little items.
There was nothing we could do about the accumulating dirt and crumbs in the floorboard. No time or weather to stop for a good vacuum! We realized that we had to keep a defrosted water bottle just for periodic rinsing of the outside glass. We couldn’t see out of the windows unless we cleaned them multiple times a day. They would film up on the inside and get nasty dirty on the outside. We kept a canister of glass cleaning wipes under Chris’s seat for the inside glass.
Another thing we learned was we needed to only travel in daylight. It was too difficult to traverse these unfamiliar snowy roads in the dark. Not to mention the little girls started crying every time the sun went down. We had to use a flashlight or interior light to keep Havah settled. The baby did NOT like travelling in the dark. She would SCREAM. It was unnerving.
We did have one experience that was HILARIOUS! Well, everyone but David thought so. When necessary our boys had to use empty water bottles to empty their bladders. Well, one time David had to help John-James by holding the bottle. You can imagine it is quite a delicate procedure. Well, things were going well until John-James got distracted and started looking elsewhere. I am laughing so hard I cannot hardly type this. Chris and Brennan started hollering, “Stop!” “Turn it off, son!” David was in shock and backed up slowly yelling, “He peed on me. He p-peed on me! It’s on my coat! It’s on my face!” We had to scrub and sanitize and comfort and reassure. This incident was discussed for days.
We had 2 more days of long intense travel before we started implementing our 3rd strategy to survive this trip! Shorter distances. This day, the 13th, was an incredibly long day. Over 14 hours of tedious travel… We passed thru Haines Junction and Whitehorse before settling in Watson Lake for the night. We arrived very late and Chris had to change a headlight out. So we decided to stay there the next day. We rested and Chris did some truck maintenance. We prepared to leave out early the following morning.
View Larger Map
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Our Journey Home ~ November 8-12, 2010
Our Journey Home
View Larger Map
Monday – Friday, November 8-12, 2010
Well… we had survived a very scary and potentially dangerous situation – stranded on a lonely stretch of Alaskan Highway in the Yukon. We spent the week in Destruction Bay, Yukon Territory, Canada. It was a booming town – population of 30. We increased the population by almost 30% for that week. The motel was roomy and in a beautiful location overlooking Kluane Lake and surrounded by snowy mountains. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. We did laundry there and bought a few groceries in the little motel store. A half-gallon of milk was only $7!
Chris went to Whitehorse with Charlie and got Big Bertha all settled in with a mechanic and was told we were in line. It would be at least a week, maybe more before we could get her back. While they were in town, Chris bought some groceries that we would need for the week. He bought dagwood sandwich ingredients, stuff for bacon and eggs, grilled cheese toast, juice, milk, etc.
We had paid $1,000 for the towing (3 hours) to Whitehorse and the repair was estimated at being $5,000 - $7,000. I have to laugh in retrospect. This was crazy. We barely had enough money to get home and live until Chris found a job! What in the world was God up to?!?! Well, we had learned over the past few years that even when it doesn’t work on paper, God can make things happen and provide miraculously. He provides daily manna.
For us in our walk of faith, He didn’t provide a plan of action and the money to make it happen in advance. There was no weekly plan, no monthly plan, and absolutely no yearly plan. We learned to live and follow Him day by day. He provided exactly what we needed for the day at hand. And this journey would be no different. It started out different; we had the funds before we left Fairbanks. However with this one event, we were almost wiped clean.
We joked about staying in Destruction Bay. Joked about an aborted plan to return to the South and how God relocated us to DB, Yukon. Ha! Actually we wouldn’t have minded living there. Wilderness, adventure, off the grid. But it was TOO far from home.
We were happy to have a few boring days although we were anxious to make it home for Thanksgiving. We would dream about eating turkey and gravy and dressing and ALL the fixin’s with our families. We imagined what it would be like to hug everybody and laugh and carry on like only we can do at Thanksgiving gatherings!
I remember sitting at the little table in our room, emailing and blogging. That was my communication with the outside world. Gail had phone cards for us to use, but the payphone was not cooperative (and it was outside) and the cell phone had no signal. So my computer was my link to our beloved family and friends.
The children played outside in the mornings and afternoons. I have lots of pictures and video of the children playing and exploring. Mostly during the baby’s naps. They were a little fidgety at times. But overall it was a very peaceful time. We were trusting God to provide the next step.
My Journal Entry: Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sometimes the messiness of real life seems contradictory to your calling. Your circumstances disagree with what God has told you. This is where faith steps in. Hardship produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint. (Romans 5) So our family is rejoicing even though it is tempting to be overwhelmed. I have confidence that one day I will be blogging more about the fruit our lives produce.
Judges 6:12-14...
The angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said to him, "The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior." Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian." The LORD looked at him and said, "Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?"
God has told Chris and I, "Go in the strength you have. Have I not sent you?"
Oh, Lord, what little strength I have is yours. May Your will be done in my life, in my family's life, and in the lives of those we touch.
Judges 6:12-14...
The angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said to him, "The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior." Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian." The LORD looked at him and said, "Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?"
God has told Chris and I, "Go in the strength you have. Have I not sent you?"
Oh, Lord, what little strength I have is yours. May Your will be done in my life, in my family's life, and in the lives of those we touch.
Friday, we got the unexpected news that the truck would be ready early – 5 days early! And it wouldn’t cost quite as much as we had thought. Yay! Leaving early meant saving money on hotel and food expenses, on top of saving money on the transmission! God sent a couple of people into our lives who wanted to loan us some money to help finish out the trip. In retrospect I can insert here that we operate cash only. We have only used cash for years, probably 6-7 years. We have debit cards but zero credit cards. So we do not like having to take a loan. However that was how God chose to provide. And glory be to Him, we were able to pay everything off in a matter of months after Chris found work. When I look back at how much that trip cost us, it is amazing! We had everything totally paid for by God’s grace so very quickly.
Chris and Charlie made the trip again to Whitehorse trying to make it before the shop closed and this time victoriously brought Big Bertha home. We were so happy to see her and yet a little nervous to travel with her again. We packed and prepared to leave very early the next morning.
(Click the links below to read my original journal entries.)
View Larger Map
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The Wylers came to visit!
Jason and Amy Wyler brought their 6 children to see us today. It was a marvelous afternoon of sharing and catching up on news. We are so privileged to be friends with this amazing family. Thank you, Lord, for kindred spirits.
I plan to go back to our trip memories tomorrow. This time last year we were stranded in Destuction Bay, YT, Canada. More pics and video tomorrow! Love you all!
I plan to go back to our trip memories tomorrow. This time last year we were stranded in Destuction Bay, YT, Canada. More pics and video tomorrow! Love you all!
 |
| Jason Wyler talking with Chris Revells - man-talk... |
 |
| Gabriella Revells |
 |
| Gabriella Revells |
 |
| Isabella Revells |
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Sorry, dear friends...
Sorry, dear friends, I did not update my blog yesterday and do not plan to today. I am dealing - we are dealing - with some personal sorrow. We received sad news yesterday regarding a dear dear friend in Alaska. Missi Labean is fighting an aggressive cancer spreading 20% every 5 days. I spent most of yesterday crying and praying. My mind is so pre-occupied with my friend and her family right now. Her husband and daughters are with her at home. Rhonda is expecting a baby boy in April - their first grandchild. Jessi is studying to be a nurse. John is the most devoted husband. We are so grieving. Praying for a miracle. Anyway I will go back to my trip memories as soon as I can wrap my mind around this. I love Missi so dearly and I am going crazy knowing I can't be with her when she needs me. I just want to hold her hand and kiss her.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Our Journey Home ~ November 7, 2010
Our Journey Home
The sun starting setting mid-afternoon. We passed Burwash Landing and Destruction Bay. We still had three more hours to get to Whitehorse. The sunset was glinting off Kluane Lake. It was the largest lake in the Yukon. Hundreds of miles long. The Alaska Highway wrapped closely around its contours. We rounded a curve and then some gentle hills.
Then we felt a jerk and a pull and Big Bertha made a strange noise. Chris pulled over and we looked at each other. Our worst fear had come upon us. What in the world were we going to do? Car trouble in the middle of the Yukon in sub-zero temperatures – at night – on a lonely road. We had a front row seat watching the last remaining rays of sun and safety fall below the horizon beyond the lake. We prayed.
I kept the children occupied by feeding them an early supper. Instead of the hoped-for warm soup, we ate sandwiches and chips again. We stayed toasty warm in the truck while Daddy investigated the truck.
It was as we had feared – the transmission had gone out. Almost everything under that hood was new – or newer – except the transmission.
No cell phone coverage out there. Well, I suppose God doesn’t need a cell phone anyway. The Canadian version of a D.O.T. truck came by very soon. The guy talked with Chris and said he had a brother-in-law back in Destruction Bay, the little place we had passed about 15 min back. We hated to see him drive away, but we knew stranded vehicles are taken very seriously up in the Yukon.
Sure enough, the brother-in-law, Charles Eikland, came by and towed us back to the Talbot Arm Motel. Okay, let’s clarify. This was not a typical towing. He had a rope. We had a rope. He pulled Big Bertha with a rope! It took about 45 terrifying minutes of Chris having to keep the proper tension on the tow rope and steer in unknown territory when he couldn’t see around Charles’ truck! Up and down and around we went. I helped navigate by peering around and trying to give Chris the lay of the land.
So we all went to bed thankful and nervous about what tomorrow would bring.
Map from Tok, AK to Destruction Bay, YT, Canada
View Larger Map
Sunday, November 7, 2010
This day started perfectly. We woke up very early, got ready and packed. Dressed “the littles” and fastened them in their carseats with a breakfast bar and sippy cup of defrosted milk from the cooler. The older ones helped us re-pack and organize food supplies for the day. Right before packing the food supplies back into the trailer, I used our little espresso machine to make North Pole Coffee (St. Nickerdoodle, of course!) for Chris and I for the road. Sleeping bags rolled and stashed away, Havah’s bassinet loaded with misc. stuff and stowed away in the trunk, sippy cups re-filled and put in the cooler, and a hundred other details were checked off. And away we pulled.
We watched the sun rise over the mountains mid-morning. It was a beautiful day and such gorgeous mountains heralded either side of the Alaska Highway. Our destination was Whitehorse, Canada. We were not far from the border. We would cross Border City into Canada, thru the no-man land, then thru Beaver Creek. The border guard appreciated our organized paperwork and was amazed that we were moving with so little. We felt like it was a treasure trove since we came up to Alaska with almost nothing!The sun starting setting mid-afternoon. We passed Burwash Landing and Destruction Bay. We still had three more hours to get to Whitehorse. The sunset was glinting off Kluane Lake. It was the largest lake in the Yukon. Hundreds of miles long. The Alaska Highway wrapped closely around its contours. We rounded a curve and then some gentle hills.
Then we felt a jerk and a pull and Big Bertha made a strange noise. Chris pulled over and we looked at each other. Our worst fear had come upon us. What in the world were we going to do? Car trouble in the middle of the Yukon in sub-zero temperatures – at night – on a lonely road. We had a front row seat watching the last remaining rays of sun and safety fall below the horizon beyond the lake. We prayed.
I kept the children occupied by feeding them an early supper. Instead of the hoped-for warm soup, we ate sandwiches and chips again. We stayed toasty warm in the truck while Daddy investigated the truck.
It was as we had feared – the transmission had gone out. Almost everything under that hood was new – or newer – except the transmission.
No cell phone coverage out there. Well, I suppose God doesn’t need a cell phone anyway. The Canadian version of a D.O.T. truck came by very soon. The guy talked with Chris and said he had a brother-in-law back in Destruction Bay, the little place we had passed about 15 min back. We hated to see him drive away, but we knew stranded vehicles are taken very seriously up in the Yukon.
Sure enough, the brother-in-law, Charles Eikland, came by and towed us back to the Talbot Arm Motel. Okay, let’s clarify. This was not a typical towing. He had a rope. We had a rope. He pulled Big Bertha with a rope! It took about 45 terrifying minutes of Chris having to keep the proper tension on the tow rope and steer in unknown territory when he couldn’t see around Charles’ truck! Up and down and around we went. I helped navigate by peering around and trying to give Chris the lay of the land.
Finally we made it and checked-in the motel. Charles ate supper at the motel restaurant so Chris could get all of us settled in our room – then they went back for the trailer. We were all settled and safe and back together before we knew it. It was weird and peaceful. We were so thankful. We all prayed our thanksgiving. God had protected and shielded us. We were near a mechanic. We had not entered the intense Canadian Rockies’ passes. We broke down in a safe place on the road. My emotions were all over the place. But my faith in God was my anchor. I had placed my entire trust in Him. I would not waver now.
Charles helped us coordinate the truck repair in Whitehorse because he did not have the equipment locally. So early the next morning the tow truck from Whitehorse would arrive and they would follow it in and make arrangements. Charles researched several garages and they decided which one would be the best. It was a three hour trip (one-way) to Whitehorse. So Chris wouldn’t be back until late.So we all went to bed thankful and nervous about what tomorrow would bring.
Map from Tok, AK to Destruction Bay, YT, Canada
View Larger Map
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Our Journey Home ~ November 6, 2010
Our Journey Home
Saturday, November 6, 2010
We stopped at The Donut Shoppe for apple fritters. That was some consolation.
The journey to Delta and Tok was breathtaking. I had only been as far as Delta Junction before. Beyond that was the great unknown.
We were ready for crossing the border on the next day. A little nervous because we had heard about how the road between the border crossings was not well maintained. Well, actually, it was notable for being terrible! But we had all our documents organized and ready to present to the border guard.
The children were sad to say goodbye to their friends. They were blessed with several very close friends. They were excited about the journey as well. We dreamed of the reunion with family in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. We dreamed about going to the beach. We gave the children plenty of time to talk about how they were feeling and their favorite Alaska memories and their dreams for the future. We had plenty of time to talk!
We noted one thing that was so helpful for our family in all the major transition over the past few years. We traveled as a family unit. They always had each other, as friends and confidents. Our school traveled with us. We always stayed together.
We talked about faith, stepping out into the unknown. How we couldn’t see what God had planned for us, but we knew we could trust Him completely. As a family, we had seen God provide for us over and over and we held unwavering trust in Him.
My Blog Entry "On the Road..." from 2010
View Larger Map
Saturday, November 6, 2010
We were finally ready. We had no idea of the journey we would face. But we had prepared as best as we could. It was a relief to finally be ready, but so bittersweet as well.
The Rucci’s, Pastor Paul, and Jeremy Davis sent us off with prayer, blessings and hugs all around. I love the pictures. So special. As soon as we actually pulled out and I waved bye to Mary Beth one last time, my tears started gushing again. We stopped at The Donut Shoppe for apple fritters. That was some consolation.
The journey to Delta and Tok was breathtaking. I had only been as far as Delta Junction before. Beyond that was the great unknown.
We were ready for crossing the border on the next day. A little nervous because we had heard about how the road between the border crossings was not well maintained. Well, actually, it was notable for being terrible! But we had all our documents organized and ready to present to the border guard.
The children were sad to say goodbye to their friends. They were blessed with several very close friends. They were excited about the journey as well. We dreamed of the reunion with family in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. We dreamed about going to the beach. We gave the children plenty of time to talk about how they were feeling and their favorite Alaska memories and their dreams for the future. We had plenty of time to talk!
We noted one thing that was so helpful for our family in all the major transition over the past few years. We traveled as a family unit. They always had each other, as friends and confidents. Our school traveled with us. We always stayed together.
We talked about faith, stepping out into the unknown. How we couldn’t see what God had planned for us, but we knew we could trust Him completely. As a family, we had seen God provide for us over and over and we held unwavering trust in Him.
My Blog Entry "On the Road..." from 2010
View Larger Map
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Our Journey Home ~ November 2-5, 2010
Our Journey Home
We had planned to stay with the Rucci’s for two days, leaving early Wednesday morning. However at the end of Tuesday, we realized more needed to happen before we pulled out. I felt so wanted and loved at the Rucci’s. They genuinely were sooo excited to have us stay one more night and then one more and then one more! We would sit out in the hallway after the children were in bed and drink coffee and hot chocolate and talk. It was so special. I remember Mary Beth making nachos with moose meat –so fabulous!
I was able to do laundry and have everything clean and organized in the suitcases. If I had it to do over I would have packed differently. I packed a huge girls suitcase, a huge boys suitcase, my suitcase and Chris packed his. Plus a suitcase for books and games. I wish I had packed enough for everybody for a few days in one suitcase and then packed another like it. It would have saved Chris’s back from loading and unloading all those bags every single day.
We had a farewell breakfast with Evan and Sachi Roberts and Rob and Arlene Koenig at the Cookie Jar. Three couples and 19 children – too fun! The Koenigs bought new tires for Big Bertha and took our 10 extra boxes that would not fit. They shipped them for us. We ate at Gallo’s one last time.
It was so hard to know what to keep accessible for the trip and how to pack exactly. I decided to ration the food and supplies into boxes that we would store in the back of the Uhaul. I used the church kitchen to sort all the food we had bought. We would pull one box out for every 1- 2 days. We would defrost it in the truck and in the lodges at night. It would provide breakfast goodies, snacks, sandwiches supplies for lunches, and we would pull out soups for supper. We kept a hot plate and camp stove utensils accessible for when we had no microwave.
Chris also had to prepare for emergencies. He had to purchase emergency road supplies and be prepared for our family to survive the arctic temps if we had trouble on the way. He stocked up on flares, emergency kits, fluids, de-icer, car parts, had the oil changed, etc. He strapped extra tires on the top of the U-haul trailer. He bought 2 cargo carriers for the truck. It took the full week at the Ruccis for him to acquire everything to feel “prepared”.
I was so full of emotion, I could not say any more good-byes. If we had another month, we would have met with more friends and spent more time with them. As it was, we were fighting against time and the weather.
God absolutely had shut every single door to us staying. He provided only enough work to pay our way back. We only had one way to go. God gave Chris favor. The company that owed his last paycheck agreed to give it to him earlier than usual so we could deposit it and have it in the account for the trip.
Our nerves were tingling. This week had been very productive and we were wrapped up – literally. It was time to go. November 6 was a Saturday and we would officially pull out.
Tuesday – Friday, November 2-5, 2010
Mary Beth and Rob opened their apartment to us for a few days. The children thought it was the most awesomest sleepover. It was a time of wrapping up our plans, buying tires, a new Milepost and socks and a thousand details for the trip. We were so tired after the huge push to move out of our home that this gave us time to get our game face on.We had planned to stay with the Rucci’s for two days, leaving early Wednesday morning. However at the end of Tuesday, we realized more needed to happen before we pulled out. I felt so wanted and loved at the Rucci’s. They genuinely were sooo excited to have us stay one more night and then one more and then one more! We would sit out in the hallway after the children were in bed and drink coffee and hot chocolate and talk. It was so special. I remember Mary Beth making nachos with moose meat –so fabulous!
I was able to do laundry and have everything clean and organized in the suitcases. If I had it to do over I would have packed differently. I packed a huge girls suitcase, a huge boys suitcase, my suitcase and Chris packed his. Plus a suitcase for books and games. I wish I had packed enough for everybody for a few days in one suitcase and then packed another like it. It would have saved Chris’s back from loading and unloading all those bags every single day.
We had a farewell breakfast with Evan and Sachi Roberts and Rob and Arlene Koenig at the Cookie Jar. Three couples and 19 children – too fun! The Koenigs bought new tires for Big Bertha and took our 10 extra boxes that would not fit. They shipped them for us. We ate at Gallo’s one last time.
It was so hard to know what to keep accessible for the trip and how to pack exactly. I decided to ration the food and supplies into boxes that we would store in the back of the Uhaul. I used the church kitchen to sort all the food we had bought. We would pull one box out for every 1- 2 days. We would defrost it in the truck and in the lodges at night. It would provide breakfast goodies, snacks, sandwiches supplies for lunches, and we would pull out soups for supper. We kept a hot plate and camp stove utensils accessible for when we had no microwave.
Chris also had to prepare for emergencies. He had to purchase emergency road supplies and be prepared for our family to survive the arctic temps if we had trouble on the way. He stocked up on flares, emergency kits, fluids, de-icer, car parts, had the oil changed, etc. He strapped extra tires on the top of the U-haul trailer. He bought 2 cargo carriers for the truck. It took the full week at the Ruccis for him to acquire everything to feel “prepared”.
I was so full of emotion, I could not say any more good-byes. If we had another month, we would have met with more friends and spent more time with them. As it was, we were fighting against time and the weather.
God absolutely had shut every single door to us staying. He provided only enough work to pay our way back. We only had one way to go. God gave Chris favor. The company that owed his last paycheck agreed to give it to him earlier than usual so we could deposit it and have it in the account for the trip.
Our nerves were tingling. This week had been very productive and we were wrapped up – literally. It was time to go. November 6 was a Saturday and we would officially pull out.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Our Journey Home ~ November 1, 2010
Our Journey Home
We could only pack 10 minutes at a time because of the freezing temps. We paid extra to get the trailer early. We would gear up, open the garage and the trailer and work so quickly to put in as much as possible. The boys helped Chris and I. After about 10 minutes, we would close up the garage and open the door to the house and try to heat it back up as quickly as possible. The concern was that the pipes would freeze and burst – a serious problem for Alaskan homes. We did not have enough fuel to run the garage heat so we heated it with the wood stove in the house. We had a lovely supply of wood and had plans to stock up for the winter. When we decided for sure to move, we kept the wood stove stocked day and night. Very cozy.
The Koenigs had brought by supper the previous week and helped us. They returned with a trailer to help us haul off trash and donation items. They ended up purchasing our van but wanted us to use it until the following week – right before we left.
The vacuum cleaner broke on this day and we couldn’t finish cleaning the home for the next family.
While Chris and David were out taking off the trash for the last time, I filmed the other children walking around the property telling me about their special places. I wanted them to have closure. They had been thru so much with us as a family. I didn’t document much else that day with the camera.
Finally, we finished. We had to leave many boxes behind in the garage – they wouldn’t fit, even after our careful measuring. We put some boxes in the van to ship via USPS. I drove the van; Chris drove the truck and trailer. I wouldn’t drive the truck again for over a month. I was terrified at the thought of it!
We drove to the Ruccis for a late supper. I remember sobbing all the way to Mary Beth’s apartment. I loved our little home. Havah was born there. I would miss our little dirt road full of potholes. I would miss the wilderness and birches and snow and moose coming thru our yard. I would miss the cute little town of North Pole. And the bigger little town of Fairbanks. The frozen Chena River and the BBQs. The cold taking my breath away. And most of all, I would miss the deep friendship forged there in the last frontier. Such amazing people. So beloved to our family.
It felt so much like failure, leaving Alaska. I knew in my mind, this was our walk, but my heart was aching.
After we had only been in Alaska for a few months, God told us we would be there 2 years or less. We were heartbroken. Here we had walked away from everything, relocated our family across the continent! We were just getting started!! We were slowly acclimating to the newness of everything and trying to figure out how to minister to the precious youth. We loved them from the beginning, and we were just making plans about what we felt God wanted us to teach them. 2 years or less!? No, we said, IF this is God, then we certainly were not going to make it happen. We would go on and do what we had planned to do. Circumstances prevented us from doing what we had planned, but we loved our church family until we had to move on.
We had stayed in North Pole to give God opportunity to continue to use us in that area even after our time at Jubilee was finished. After Havah’s birth, we all had a sense of closure and readiness for the next. We had planned to spend the winter in our little house planning a trip home in the spring. We had thought of many options, RVing home, flying home and shipping our stuff, driving and pulling a Uhaul, etc. Chris and I have a standing coffee date early each morning. We would sit on our couches in front of the fire and discuss our ideas.
However in late September, our hearts were turning toward home, especially with the new baby. In October, it became apparent that financially, we were not going to be able to stay. We tried EVERYTHING to stay in Alaska. We spent weeks outlining our options and researching the details one by one. Option One got crossed out. Then Option Two literally got crossed out. Option Three was Operation 48 Bound. We only had weeks to act on it and implement it. We kept double checking that Option One and Two stayed impossible. They did.
Interestingly enough, the children on their own started saying things about going back to the South. Two of them approached us separately in tears about wanting to go. They were happy but so lonely for home. As we started listing some things for sale on craigslist, Brennan privately prayed that we would get three nibbles that first evening if we were supposed to move back. By 9 o’clock that evening, not only did we have three nibbles, we had three bites! We had sold 3 things and they had come by to pick them up. Then he told us what he prayed. It was on!
In retrospect, we realized that if we had stayed until spring like we had planned, we would have stayed past 2 years. As God closed every door for us to stay until spring, we ended up being in Alaska less than 2 years. We were so thankful that God had spoken that to us. Even though we didn’t receive it at the time, it was a comfort to know that He Knew… all along.
November 1, 2010
One year ago... This was a difficult day. Saying goodbye to the little house in North Pole. And literally moving out.
I remember sitting in the floor of the barren living room and crying. I felt like there was NO way we could finish packing and cleaning the house that day. There was too much to do. We had been working so hard for weeks and we were weary. The children were restless and packing was tedious. I had to stop constantly and nurse Havah and feed everybody else it seemed. The past weeks had been so stressful trying to get a trailer for the trip, making preparations and actually packing. Everything had to fit in specific amount of space we had taped off on the garage floor. We sold things. We gave away things. We hauled off things. So much had to be done. We had to take turns running errands.We could only pack 10 minutes at a time because of the freezing temps. We paid extra to get the trailer early. We would gear up, open the garage and the trailer and work so quickly to put in as much as possible. The boys helped Chris and I. After about 10 minutes, we would close up the garage and open the door to the house and try to heat it back up as quickly as possible. The concern was that the pipes would freeze and burst – a serious problem for Alaskan homes. We did not have enough fuel to run the garage heat so we heated it with the wood stove in the house. We had a lovely supply of wood and had plans to stock up for the winter. When we decided for sure to move, we kept the wood stove stocked day and night. Very cozy.
The Koenigs had brought by supper the previous week and helped us. They returned with a trailer to help us haul off trash and donation items. They ended up purchasing our van but wanted us to use it until the following week – right before we left.
The vacuum cleaner broke on this day and we couldn’t finish cleaning the home for the next family.
While Chris and David were out taking off the trash for the last time, I filmed the other children walking around the property telling me about their special places. I wanted them to have closure. They had been thru so much with us as a family. I didn’t document much else that day with the camera.
Finally, we finished. We had to leave many boxes behind in the garage – they wouldn’t fit, even after our careful measuring. We put some boxes in the van to ship via USPS. I drove the van; Chris drove the truck and trailer. I wouldn’t drive the truck again for over a month. I was terrified at the thought of it!
We drove to the Ruccis for a late supper. I remember sobbing all the way to Mary Beth’s apartment. I loved our little home. Havah was born there. I would miss our little dirt road full of potholes. I would miss the wilderness and birches and snow and moose coming thru our yard. I would miss the cute little town of North Pole. And the bigger little town of Fairbanks. The frozen Chena River and the BBQs. The cold taking my breath away. And most of all, I would miss the deep friendship forged there in the last frontier. Such amazing people. So beloved to our family.
It felt so much like failure, leaving Alaska. I knew in my mind, this was our walk, but my heart was aching.
After we had only been in Alaska for a few months, God told us we would be there 2 years or less. We were heartbroken. Here we had walked away from everything, relocated our family across the continent! We were just getting started!! We were slowly acclimating to the newness of everything and trying to figure out how to minister to the precious youth. We loved them from the beginning, and we were just making plans about what we felt God wanted us to teach them. 2 years or less!? No, we said, IF this is God, then we certainly were not going to make it happen. We would go on and do what we had planned to do. Circumstances prevented us from doing what we had planned, but we loved our church family until we had to move on.
We had stayed in North Pole to give God opportunity to continue to use us in that area even after our time at Jubilee was finished. After Havah’s birth, we all had a sense of closure and readiness for the next. We had planned to spend the winter in our little house planning a trip home in the spring. We had thought of many options, RVing home, flying home and shipping our stuff, driving and pulling a Uhaul, etc. Chris and I have a standing coffee date early each morning. We would sit on our couches in front of the fire and discuss our ideas.
However in late September, our hearts were turning toward home, especially with the new baby. In October, it became apparent that financially, we were not going to be able to stay. We tried EVERYTHING to stay in Alaska. We spent weeks outlining our options and researching the details one by one. Option One got crossed out. Then Option Two literally got crossed out. Option Three was Operation 48 Bound. We only had weeks to act on it and implement it. We kept double checking that Option One and Two stayed impossible. They did.
Interestingly enough, the children on their own started saying things about going back to the South. Two of them approached us separately in tears about wanting to go. They were happy but so lonely for home. As we started listing some things for sale on craigslist, Brennan privately prayed that we would get three nibbles that first evening if we were supposed to move back. By 9 o’clock that evening, not only did we have three nibbles, we had three bites! We had sold 3 things and they had come by to pick them up. Then he told us what he prayed. It was on!
In retrospect, we realized that if we had stayed until spring like we had planned, we would have stayed past 2 years. As God closed every door for us to stay until spring, we ended up being in Alaska less than 2 years. We were so thankful that God had spoken that to us. Even though we didn’t receive it at the time, it was a comfort to know that He Knew… all along.
It was madness to leave at the beginning of winter. The roads were already white. The temps fast approaching subzero. We were not just driving, but pulling a trailer and traveling with 7 children through the wilderness of Alaska and Canada. How much crazier could God’s plan be? Well… we were about to find out.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Getting Ready
We just received beds, dressers and mattresses for ALL the children. We ordered them and they are here! Now we just have to decide on linens and curtains! Too many decisions. I think I will bring out the sewing machines and have a go at it...
I am speaking at Greenville First Assembly at their Christmas women's event. So I am working on preparing music, speaking notes, photo/video, etc. The woman's ministries director wants me to share my testimony including our journey to Alaska and back.
John-James' face is looking much better. The children are running around yelling in the back yard, thoroughly enjoying this lovely fall weather.
I am speaking at Greenville First Assembly at their Christmas women's event. So I am working on preparing music, speaking notes, photo/video, etc. The woman's ministries director wants me to share my testimony including our journey to Alaska and back.
John-James' face is looking much better. The children are running around yelling in the back yard, thoroughly enjoying this lovely fall weather.
Monday, October 17, 2011
John-James got into a fight with some poison...
pain. It just hurts to look at him. Poor fellow!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
My Kitchen Garden
much fun to harvest and prepare our homegrown organic herbs!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Oatmeal Song
Hilarious, hilarious and more hilarity!!! Rob always knew David would be a singer with his husky voice! Listen and weep... :)
P.S. This first two are originals made only available to our family and friends on my vlog. Last version is on YouTube... :)
P.S. This first two are originals made only available to our family and friends on my vlog. Last version is on YouTube... :)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Pah-stor David
The children are growing so strong in faith. They talk about how we have all learned to trust God. David asked our new neighbor's 10 yr old son today if he knew Jesus. He told me he was nervous to ask, but he was glad he did. I haven't even been able to make the cookies like I had planned - to carry next door and meet the family - David beat me to it...of course there's the fact that I don't own a cookie sheet yet - we are still equiping the kitchen! When the Holy Spirit is at work in David... he is sensitive and moves with Him. Priceless lesson.
For Lynn and Linda
These are some "thank you photo/videos"! We love you both very much.
Thanks for everything!!! :-)
Thanks for everything!!! :-)
Jeannie
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
One day, John-James came downstairs and matter-of-factly said, "God spoke to me."
I waited in curiousity. John-James said, "God told me to be a better brother and show honor and be nice and share things. God told me I need to obey my parents." He was so calm and sincere.
Yesterday, when we had family devotions, John-James took his turn praying and then said, "Let's all be quiet and listen to the Lord." Thirty seconds later he lifted up his head and asked each one of us, "What did God tell you?"
Havah is "commando" crawling EVERYWHERE! Isabella is potty-training. She told me, "I have a poopsie-whoopsie." Gabriella is beating the boys at Geography. Brennan has taken over lawn-mowing (with the push mower). David killed 27 black widows and says there are 5 more. Elysiana loves playing with her "sister-friends" and her "brother-friends".
David slept in his closet last night. The girls couldn't resist and wanted to join him. We are looking for beds and linens for the children. Soon I will be posting room makeovers - one by one!
Have a blessed weekend my dear friends. Love you!
--
--
Jeannie Revells
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Columbus, NC
I LOVE small towns!!!! We try to go the farmer's market every weekend.
One of our favorite pizzerias...mmmmmm... :)
Posts
