Celebrate Today

Monday, March 30, 2026

Dinosaur on the slopes

Anna's dinosaur onesie has now made its debut on some of the Anchorage ski hills. :)

https://youtu.be/NXSDUbcqnOE

https://youtube.com/shorts/tYwYN1WG0aY?feature=share

Sunday, March 29, 2026

More Patches of Joy

More patches of joy from the weekend....

This is the wonderful family I got to spend the weekend with-

Teja, Romel, Auggie and Arya (along with Claire the other volunteer I got to know too!)

the Reptile Man from Monroe came today and Claire and I took this hilarious picture with the alligator

Arya's face was priceless seeing the alligator posing with his mom :)

conference hall transformed into a circus for the weekend :)

dinner tonight with Sikose and Rachael and Dereck

Saturday, March 28, 2026

A Blessing for the Light that Finds Us

Below is a blessing written by my friend JJ Kissinger:

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This is a blessing for the light that finds us, in all its forms, even in the heaviest darkness.

Like an old flashlight, fumblingly found at the back of a drawer, we bless the light that brings a hint of relief in crisis.

Like a bonfire on a sunset beach, we bless the light that welcomes friend and stranger, providing warmth, and a reason to gather, and something to see and somewhere to sit when there’s not much to say.

Like a flickering candle, lit to remember love lost, we bless the light that illuminates the sacredness of suffering and sorrow.

Like a summertime sparkler, whose gleam is passed from one giggling child to the next, we bless the light that is shared with gleeful and glittering generosity.

Like a flashbulb of a camera, we bless the light that captures precious moments of memory making that will be cherished for years to come.

Like a trusty old desk lamp, we bless the light that puts in the hours, illuminating the diligent preparation that is needed for the work ahead.

Like the full moon, we bless the light that reflects a source that is stronger than our own, incandescent in an otherwise terrifyingly dark sky. Though sunny midafternoons have their appeal, we bless the complicated and mysterious dance of darkness and moonlight.

And finally, like the dawn, we bless the light that is faithful. May we show up, and show up again, day after day after day with a trustworthy and reliable rhythm.

And as we wait for the light to find us again, and again, and again, may we find a hand to hold, reminding us we never wait alone.

May the light inside of me recognize the light inside of you, and may we make a brighter way, together.-JJ Kissinger Blog | The Light Collective PNW

Light Collective Family Weekend Retreat (such a treat to volunteer this weekend and serve as a "fun finder" and to come alongside a family who has a child dealing with childhood cancer)

embracing the circus theme with JJ Kissinger who also loves to ham things up

At the Light Collective planning meetings--they begin with the question, "Where are you finding light?" although JJ has said that "a more accurate phrasing might be, 'Where has light found you?' Some days feel heavy, and light may seem in short supply, like patches of joy along stretches of sorrow. And yet, even in the darkest of circumstances, even if it's the tiniest flicker of a smoldering wick, light somehow continues to find us."

some patches of joy below...

Could the cherry blossoms be more beautiful?

birthday surprise for Kristi on Thursday

Camino dinner with Jaime and Adam on Thursday night

Friday, March 27, 2026

Ready for Adventure

Well--- these kids sure know how to seek out and find beauty! Here are photos from Anna's latest snowy adventure backcountry skiing along with some pix from Taylor's trip to Oregon for spring break