Up at 4, off to the airport and waiting for a 6 AM flight. Travel to and from Alaska means something different than it means to most of the world. I just spoke to someone who flew RT between two nations in Europe for $39. We have villages in Alaska where the cost from Anchorage is closer to $1,000. It's simply a part of living in the last frontier. And yet- we CAN travel. We CAN buy a ticket and s...  Read More

Though we have collected an almost unbelievable amount of stuff over the years, for my wife, Laura, none of it matters. Life is about people and relationships. She is a lover of people, and the beautiful thing is that it doesn't matter who they are or how old they are. Seeing her interact with others is like a momentary glimpse of heaven. She SEES you and wants to KNOW you and BLESS you. How about...  Read More

In my experience, usually violent winds on top of a mountain blow horizontally. In other words, all you need to do is drop off the summit to find calm- the wind will be blowing above you and you won't feel it. Occasionally, however, those incredibly strong winds will blow straight down the side of a mountain like a freight train going downhill. That was our Friday morning. We were forced to look u...  Read More

I had the privilege of coaching in Alaska for more than 30 years. What is the purpose of competition? Most of the world gives a 2 word answer: TO WIN. I disagree. I never pushed my athletes to win... but I DID push them, and I pushed them HARD. I wanted each athlete to become the very best that he or she could be. I wanted individuals to learn to work together as a team. I wanted them to love and ...  Read More

We've talked about joy, but do you have PEACE? In other words, do you have the ability to set your struggles and your longings on the shelf, accept where you are in life at this moment, and simply be your best YOU today? This is what it means to live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). In spite of our challenges, we are blessed beyond measure and have an amazing life ahead of us. This is why, eve...  Read More

Joy often escapes us. You want to be joyful- you want to be the one who lights up a room as you go in, but you forget. Why? Because you choose to live a REACTIVE life. You walk into a room thinking of your own responsibilities and stresses and disappointments. You choose to live as though you are carrying the weight of the world. Everything in your face and demeanor, in your tone and questions and...  Read More

I've always enjoyed fishing from shore much more than fishing from a boat. I trace this back to my childhood when we would launch our boat on the Mississippi River in the dark and be out all day. No bathroom breaks, no stopping in somewhere to eat lunch, just long days in a small aluminum boat out on the water. Don't get me wrong. I'm not opposed to fishing from a boat. In fact, I generally like i...  Read More

I grew up in Minnesota and then lived in Montana before the army sent me to Alaska. One of the questions I get from my friends outside this time of year is, "Have you been catching any fish?" It's inconceivable to them that in late April we don't have open water. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." From the moment Christ ascen...  Read More

It has snowed for 7 days in a row at my house. This came after 7 days of glorious sunshine. While this is little more than interesting trivia, I would point out that we are beyond our 6th month of winter. Why do people choose to live here? For many reasons, but for me just one- God has called me here. I never intended to come to Alaska, and I never intended to stay. And yet, in this far away place...  Read More

From the moment of birth, life is a series of 'firsts.' We remember a baby's first crawling, first steps and first words. Later, it's the first day of school. As young adults, we have our fist day on the job or first day of college. For men who hunt, it may have been your first turkey or your first deer (or in Alaska, your first caribou or moose). And somewhere along the line, whether in early chi...  Read More

I've gotten back into my practice of morning climbs. Heavy socks, heavy mountaineering boots, hiking pants, 2 light layers under a thin wool shirt, gaitors, warm hat, light backpack with emergency gear, crampons,  hiking poles, warm gloves... this is my morning regimen of getting dressed for the climb. The photos from the top of the mountain are fantastic, but it isn't just the photos- BEING on to...  Read More

Every sunrise is special. It brings hope for a new day. It signals a fresh start. No matter what you went through yesterday, today is brand new. Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!" Why should we rejoice? Because the God who created the universe knows us by name! He loves us and is preparing our future home- a NEW heaven and a NEW Earth wi...  Read More