McKinnis Family Alaska

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee." Isaiah 26:3

Unknown to Wendy's Aunt Margaret, this verse held a very significant place in McKinnis Family history. This was among Aunt Harriet McKinnis' favorite verses that she often quoted to help her through the rough spots of her life. She passed it on to Doug and it has become a verse often remembered by him as well. Our hope is that our children will take hold of it also, so that in the difficult times of their lives, their eyes of faith will rest upon Jesus and that they, too, will experience the peace of God's powerful comfort. Aunt Margaret placed this card in Doug's Bible, one of the gifts she gave us after all our Bibles were destroyed by fire.

Surprise Cove, Alaska: One of the peaceful & gorgeous displays of the beauty of God's creation in Prince William Sound. In late May, ice still forms on the salt water and 5 feet of snow still rests unmelted on many areas at the water's edge.

And the pinnacle of God's beautiful creation: Long-time friends! Life is all about relationships, and we certainly have been blessed by God Himself and by the wonderful people He has graciously sent our way. Scott and Theresa stopped by from Kodiak for a nice visit. This is as close to Doug as they would dare come until after the shower. No hugs for Doug! Friendships only go so far:)

Seth came by to lend a hand after studying Constitutional Law and practicing gymnastics. We sure enjoy having him around.

Dante & Kenton worked hard and used available tools creatively to get a couple of aluminum wheels off the trashed Suburban before the scrap metal guy comes by to take it away. Progress is being made and the phase of building is coming soon. Pray for us, so we will always remember that "unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it."

One of our favorite trees in the yard, the May Tree, is beginning to bloom with its beautiful, white aromatic flowers. Only the nearby lilac excels the May Tree with its sweet fragrance, but the May Tree blooms first and is the sure sign that the long-awaited summer is soon on its way. Wynn Christian asked Doug if we would have to cut down the May Tree due to its being damaged by the fire's heat. You can see the delight of the children after learning their leafy, branch-covered friend would stay to support and cheer them for many days to come.

Doug works hard to blend in with the dumpster and the neighboring trash.

Wendy instructs Wendy A. and her daughters on the finer points of specialized bibliographical archeological preservation and archiving techniques required to excavate the site! :)

Wendy A. and her seven children faithfully worked another day to help sort out books of the library, painstakingly taking pictures of scorched covers and title pages to help document what was lost. Wendy McKinnis had prayed earlier in the day that if God wanted someone to work with us on very short notice that they would be moved to call--shortly thereafter Wendy A. called to see if we needed help at the site!" What an answer to prayer and a blessing to have their family come.

Dante and Heidi pause for a quick smile after arguing about who would get to sit in the front seat on the ride home:) Dear & affectionate 'Seppe looks on with interest while an escapee is caught on camera leaping daringly through the window on the opposite side.

The boys met with their friend Caleb for a nice visit after Caleb returned from his first year of college in Wyoming.

Tom, Shirley, Yetta, Caleb, Cora, and Grandma offered their home to us for fine fellowship and a delicious meal. Grandma topped off the meal with cookies only a grandma could make.

Skipper Sue and Svetlana blessed us with an incredible fishing trip and sight-seeing adventure to Prince William Sound.

Doug proudly takes credit for a huge red snapper caught by Micah Lee.

Wynn Christian holds the pole and looks on to see his first halibut being harpooned and hauled in by Dad--a real team effort! Though the large flat fish was a bit longer than Wynn, it weighed the same as he does at 64 pounds.

Wynn Christian is mighty happy after being assured that this time, the big one didn't get away

Shrimp! Delicious shrimp! We learned how to catch them, head them, shell them, de-vein them, and package them, but we liked the practice of eating them most of all. Galley Chef Svetlana prepared for us a delicious feast.