McKinnis Family Alaska

Merry Christmas 2010 and Happy New Year 2011

from the McKinnis family in Wasilla, Alaska

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is just,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence,

if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

~Philippians 4:6-8~

Since our last update on December 11th, much has happened in our lives. Sadly we attended two more funerals in the midst of the Christmas celebrations reminding us that the days on this earth are few and fleeting.

"The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty;

yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone and we fly away...

so teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:10, 12

Seth, Micah, and Kenton went on several skiing excursions to Alyeska and Hatchers Pass and currently Seth has some of his buddies, Kenton, and Doug on an overnight camping trip at Hatchers Pass. Micah was unable to join them due to his practicing for the upcoming piano competition.

Papa and Grandma came over from Kodiak to join us all for the holidays. Their presence it always a wonderful blessing.

Many hours have been spent sweeping, cleaning, painting, and burning trash at the building site.

A few repairs on the sheetrock were fixed by this talented father/son team.

Dakota, Dan, Jonathon, Gary, and Matt, the incredible electricians, worked for days so that now we can turn on lights in every room in the house.

The living room

A few days before Christmas we purchased a Christmas tree with lights and plugged it in at the site. A wreath and nativity were the extent of our decorating. At the rental house we had stockings and a small potted pine tree with a few ornaments to assure Wynn that we had remembered the holiday.

Kenton tries his hand at some unique photography.

The laundry/sewing room

The front entry way as seen from the catwalk

The walkway from the garage

Kitchen track lighting

Doug has begun the process of installing tile in the bathrooms. He is new at the art, but enjoys it thoroughly, finding some similarities to woodworking. Because he already has a full-time job, the flooring work has to be fitted into his free time. Duncan and Roger are helping with some of the work so everything gets done a bit quicker.

Tile in the second-floor bathroom

The boy's bathroom floor

Psalm's bathroom floor

The downstairs guest bathroom

Seth turns 20!

Andrew joined us for a suprise birthday celebration at the site one evening.

Papa and Kenton

John David, Nathaniel, and Elsie

Papa and Grandma

Seth used some of the time during his college Christmas break to work at the site again sealing the window sills.

The guest apartment over the garage is sheetrocked and painted solely because of the extreme generosity and thoughtfulness of our top-notch contractor, Mr. Carl, of the Disotell Group. Doug and I had decided that we couldn't afford to sheetrock the apartment at this time, but Mr. Carl went ahead and had it done at his own expense. We can't quite believe it yet, and can only say a heartfelt and genuine "Thank you so very much for your great kindness and care."

Duncan and Roger contined their work throughout the house doing beautiful trim work, shelving, hanging doors, and many other tasks.

Duncan contemplates his next move.

Pantry shelving

Rosette on trim work

Psalm enjoys looking up the laundry chute.

Granite City employees installed the countertops in the kitchen.

My mother is already using the kitchen for service - serving refreshments.

Corner window completed

My sister, Tracy and her husband Dave

We celebrated Christmas at Dave and Tracy's home with Len and Pauline, Papa and Grandma, and Garret and Caitlyn.

Len and daughter, Lauren

Our new friends, Garret and Caitlyn

Rachel, Psalm, and Elsie made merry.

Seth was in shock after finishing his finals and couldn't believe the studying was actually over for a short while.

Tom and Shirley, Caleb, Yetta, and Cora invited us over after Christmas for a special chicken curry dinner and fellowship - they head to Africa in January.