The Team

Here is a picture of our team who you have prayed for with us. Thank you....please continue to pray for these men that they will walk with God faithfully.

Here is also a picture of the home team....the boys have loved helping in the dugout and hanging out with the guys.

Of course it is still raining and 54 degrees....we are wet, cold but loving it. Hopefully we will get the double header in tonight and our last game in tomorrow. Friday we travel to Anchorage and fly out at 1 am to San Fran.....pray that the boys will do well and safety on the road.
Danielle

Finally a Hole in One

We went to Pioneer Park. The train was broken. Mr Carl gave us a "long" ride on the carousel. We played putt putt. I got my first hole in one. I was so excited. This is a picture of me on the hole I got in one. Mommy got a hole in one too....but the brothers didn't :) Even though I still lost I don't stink at this game anymore.

Ty Woods

Dinner at the Duke's and Kids Game in the Rain

Well we had our annual dinner at the Duke's. They are dear friend with us hear in Alaska and help us with our host families every year. We had a great time of fellowship and yummy dinner. Then typically the kids have a wiffle ball game in their yard. They have a great "home run hedge" that the kids just dream of hitting it over. Well it was pouring down rain but that didn't stop the kids. Quinn and Todd (two of our players) got out their and pitched to them and they had a blast. Of course daddy was thrilled he didn't have to get out in the freezing rain. It was lots of fun.
Danielle

Debriefing & Big Daddy's BBQ

Well the summer is wrapping up. On Tuesday we had debriefing....time in discipleship where all the guys tell everyone what they have learned and commitments they have made. Chris wraps up this time with a challenge to be men of the Word and gives them each a Bible. The returning players get a MacArthur study Bible. This is a great time for them all to think through the impact the summer has made on them. We then take them out for a nice meal, which this year turned out to be Big Daddy's BBQ....which all the guys loved, especially the boys from the south since they had sweet tea! It was a great time although the reality of leaving is weighing on them. There is excitement to get home but also fear of going back to some hard things. Pray for our guys that they will Be strong, Stand for Truth and Live for Eternity.

Danielle

The rain stops for the host family picnic

Today we woke up to rain....not a great thing when you are trying to play two games in the afternoon. So Chris left to get the field ready and the boys and I went to church. The pastor spoke on Abigail and David...which was good. Then we headed to the game which was taking place in the rain :) Ty and Jackson were the bat boys. We won the first game but lost the second. While at church and on the way home we prayed that God would stop the rain and allow the sun to shine....and He graciously answered our prayers. It was dry the second game and we saw the sun for a bit.
After the game we had our host family picnic. A favorite with my boys who love any opportunity to load up their plates without me watching. We are blessed by all these families who generously take in our players. We are very thankful for all they do for them and teach them.
Danielle

Bowling & Ice Skating

We went bowling with the team before leaving Anchorage. Two of our players, Eric and Alex then took to the ice...with Ty and Jack. Here is a little footage of Ty on the ice. He thinks he is a pro.

Danielle

Midnight Ride

Well we made it back to Fairbanks after our midnight ride of 5 hours. After losing both games in Matsu we loaded up and head home. We say Mt McKinley briefly before it was in the rain clouds again. Ty didn't like sleeping in the car and woke up screaming every 40 minutes....makes me a little fearful of what a rode trip and a red eye flight will look like with him. Yet we made it home safely and headed to bed about 2:30 am. On Saturday we ran errands for daddy and went to a double header. We won the first game and the second game was suspended for darkness.
Danielle

Rain Rain Rain

Thursday and it is still raining....it has been raining in Anchorage since July 2. All week our games have been getting canceled. We were meant to travel to Fairbanks today but are staying to try to play two games tomorrow. So now we will probably arrive late Friday night in Fairbanks. Please pray for our players and everyone attitudes. These rain out cause us to have to reschedule all the games and there is only a week left. Of course the forecast is only more rain. Pray for our players that even through the frustration that their hearts will grow closer to the Lord. The boys and I came on this road trip to see daddy and the players and we haven't really seen them....pray we all finish strong.
Danielle

Anchorage Art and History Musuem

Yesterday we went to the Anchorage Art and History museum. We learned about the Eskimos there and how they have survived. I got to smell seal oil which they used to clean the animal skins. I thought it stunk. I also saw how they made a bearskin boat. And how the skin was waterproof. One unusual exhibit was how they use pee (urine) to clean things. They would concentrate the pee because of the ammonia in it and then use it as a cleaning agent. They would use this to clean the animal skins. I also got to beat on an Eskimo drum. They also had a children's area there with checkers, books, drawing boards and a stage. We played there for quite awhile.
Then after the game got canceled again we went to dinner at Moose tooth Pizza and then we went bowling with the Gillespie (coaches family). I had fun....I won for the kids with a 99. Jack got 2nd place and Ty was 3rd. Mom did terrible with lots of gutter balls. She should have used the bumpers with us.
Ryan

Last Day with the Wuerth's

On Tuesday we went to the Wuerth's one last time. We all had fun playing baseball in their backyard while mom and Mrs. Wuerth were on bear patrol. Alex is a nice friend and I enjoyed playing with him this summer. We will miss them a bunch.
That evening after our game got rain out AGAIN! We went to the Artic Roadrunner for burgers. This is hot spot here in Anchorage and it was yummy. They playing were playing bluegrass music so we stayed and listened while we sucked on yummy milkshakes. Afterwards we through rocks in the creek in the rain. We saw 5 sockeye salmon there. It was a fun evening.
Jackson

We did have a great time with my friend Lana and her family. They were so very generous to us by allowing us to stay with them, and giving us a place to play. Their friendship is such an encouragement to us as they walk steadfast with Lord.
Danielle

Alaska Aviation Musuem

On Monday we went to the Air Museum. It was fun. I had fun playing with the flight simulator. When I was flying I did alright but Ty crashed right away. We watched a movie about protecting Alaska during World War 2 when the Kistka and Aleutian Island were under attack from the Japanese. The theater seats were airplane seats. Outside we saw a float plane take off and land....that was cool. In the gift shop we all got foam airplanes that do stunts. We had fun day even though our game got canceled.
Jack

Franklin Graham

On Sunday we went to church (Anchorage Baptist Temple) They had a nice church. It was very big. They had a guest speaker...Franklin Graham. I thought he was a good person who loves God. I also learned about the parable son which he preached from. At church they sang "When I call on Jesus". Ty loves that song and started singing along.
After church we had lunch and rested and then went to the game. We played Kenai Oilers and beat them 2-0. After the game we ate with the players at the field. Mom went out with her friend from college for coffee. And the boys and I stayed with dad at the field and watched the next game for a bit. Then dad took us to Wendy's for FROSTY'S. It was awesome.
Ryan

Saturday Game Against the Bucs

We went to the game on Saturday. We brought Alex with us. We played the Bucs and won....that was exciting. Alex and I with all the other kids played football behind the stands. I lost my game. Ryan was the bat boy. Then after dropping off Alex we went to Red Robin for dinner.
Jackson

Rain Rain Go Away

Friday we reunited with Chris and the team. It poured down rain all day so the game got cancelled and we got extra time with Chris. We are back in the hotel although not in the same room with the over flowing toilet.
Danielle

The Long Drive to Anchorage

On Thursday, we drove to the Wuerth's house in Anchorage. We were meeting up with dad on the next day on the road trip. It took us about 6 hours to get there, with one windshield wiper working in the pouring down rain. After we got there we played with Alex. We played with his micro machine cars, war and basketball inside his house. Then after dinner we got to sleep in their motor home. It was so cool. Jack and I shared a bed and Ty slept with mommy (so you can guess she didn't sleep great). It was so neat to stay in a motor home. We watched "Facing the Giants" in there and then tried to fall asleep.

Ryan

World Eskimo Indian Olympics and Dinner out with Mom

On Wednesday we went to WEIO (World Eskimo Indian Olympics). They have very interesting competitions that are based on their culture and building strength for hunting. We saw the Kick Toe event. You leap forward and kick a stick backwards with your toes while landing in front of where the stick was. It might sound easy but looks very complicated. We also saw the kneel jump. In this event you start on your knees with your bottom on your feet. Then you jump as far as you can and land on your feet. The object is to jump the furthest. After the Olympics we headed to the park for a bit.

Then later that day we went out lunch which some friends of our here treated us too. So I had my three sons as my date. It was sweet.

Danielle

Miss Eskimo Indian & All Star Game

We went to the library and we listened to some Eskimos tell us about their culture. They are in pageant for Miss Eskimo Indians. They showed us about the Eskimo Olympic Games. One of their games they race on their knuckles and toes. Another game they kick a ball high in their air with landing perfectly. We also learned that they still hunt seals and whales.

That night we came home to watch the all star game. It was a very long game of 15 straight innings. I was rooting for the National league who looked like they might have their first win since 1996 but the American league won again.

Ryan

Public Lands & Home Run Derby

We went the public lands office.....which has lots of nature stuff. We watched a movie about the refurbishing of the largest wooden riverboat in Alaska called the Neenena. We also got booklets about becoming junior rangers. Then we ran a few errands. We also got to watch home run derby. I was rooting for Josh Hamilton....he hit 28 home runs. His first round was awesome. But he lost to Justin Mourneo. I was bummed Josh didn't win. We had snacky wacky dinner that night....we just ate snack foods. It was awesome.
Jackson

We will have no computer for a few days

Hello to all of you who check our blog. We wanted to let you know that we won't have our computer until Friday. Chris is going on a road trip to Kenai and we will join him in Anchorage on Friday (we actually will go down Thursday but he won't get there till Friday). We promise to update you on all our happenings. We are hoping to go to World Eskimo Olympics on Wednesday. I am feeling better and the medicine is helping. Please pray we all have safe trips and that the boys will be alright with daddy gone....they were very sad tonight at the thought of him leaving. Please pray that Chris has good conversations with the players and that the boys and I have a fun time together as well.
Danielle

How hard is it to get 3 boys to take a picture?

How hard is it for boys to take pictures? It seems like every time I get out the camera there are silly faces, cheesy grins, or bunny ears. I never realized how hard it would be :) So this is all we got from our visit to the North Pole.

Yesterday we went to North Pole, Alaska. This is where many of our players are housed and of course where Santa's house is. We visited his house (although Santa was MIA) and his reindeer. The boys love buying souvenirs with their money they have been saving up. Jack learned a lesson in making a good choice which is hard when you are 7 but still a good lesson to learn. It was a fun time together.

Continue to pray for our health... I have a sinus infection and was able to get some medicine. Pray that Chris and the boys don't get anything.

Danielle

Zilla & Jack in the Dugout

Well Ty and Jack got to be in the dugout together. Wow was Ty excited. We got there in plenty of time so that he could "race" the players and have a game of "catch". He loved every minute of it and Jack was excited to have him. Ty sometimes got so involved with the players he forgot his job but he is learning. The umpire tried to see how many balls Ty could bring to him without dropping them. The only bummer was when it all ended. He just cried cause he didn't want it to be all over. Maybe another day soon.
Danielle

Day Off

Well we have had a day off. We got to go to Pioneer Park to play putt putt with dad. I came in third after dad and mom. We also watched Waterhorse and Everyone's Hero. They were both good. Mom wasn't feeling well so we just chilled the rest of the evening. Pray that none of the rest of get mom's fever.
Jackson

Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles

Miss Debbie (one of the host family mom's) gave Ty a bubble wand at the game the other night. Ty was so excited. But then he spilled about 3/4 of his bubbles and was seriously bummed. Ty was happy when mom filled it with water although they didn't work as good. The next day we looked for a big jug of bubbles to refill his bubbles. First we tried Walmart, of course they were sold out. Then we went to Fred Meyer, who was also sold out. Then we went to Party Palace who doesn't even carry bubbles. Ty was sad there were no bubbles. After his nap we went to a different Fred Meyer, which didn't have any either. Then we went to Toy Quest, who had smaller bottles but at this point we were desperate. Ty was so happy to have more bubbles. Who would have thought that bubbles would be so hard to find.

Jack

His covenant with us

Last night at the end of the game we had a double rainbow! What an amazing reminder of God's covenant with us. "I set My bow in the cloud and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth" Gen 9:13 What a great way to see the love and power of our Father.

Danielle

Sunday

On Sunday we went to church and hung out with dad. After church we went to Brewsters for lunch with Cody and Kendall (our players). We had fun getting to know them and eating cheeseburgers. After that we chilled at home till the game. We then went to the game....we brought brownies which the players devoured. Early in the afternoon it had hailed so the guys had to work hard to get the field ready to play. I was the bat boy. We didn't play very well.
Ryan

Day Off

Saturday we had the day off. Dad went golfing with some of the players and a host dad. Mom took us to see Wall-E. It was a boring movie. These people in the movie were so fat they couldn't even walk and they lived in space. They then went back to Earth when they found a plant. We then went home to give Ty a nap. Then we went to Chilli's for dinner with dad. He shot a 80 on his round of golf and had fun.
Jack

Happy Birthday America!!!

The 4th of July means to me that it is the birth of freedom for us. That also our country should celebrate all the hardships it has gone through. The reason why we celebrate the 4th is because we gained our independence from England. The men that wrote the Declaration had a hard time. Even Thomas Jefferson had a hard time writing it and Ben Franklin was known to have encouraged him through the process. You see they struggled agreeing on everything. Yet these men persevered and wrote it. This was a serious process as Ben Franklin said "We all must hang together or we will all hang separate". They knew that their was a bulls eye on their back for the British would be after these men. They sacrificed a lot for their belief that America should be independent. And still today many sacrifice a lot so that we can live free. I am thankful that we are free.
Happy 4th of July,
Ryan

WIN!

Yahoo....we won the game last night. The team played well and finally got the win. It got a little heated between the umpires and coaches last night and I wouldn't be surprised if they got kicked out tonight....but to play well and win was refreshing. The boys and I just shot hoops yesterday and played at the park. Then Ryan was in the dugout last night as bat boy as Ty and Jack helped Mr Henschen in the ticket booth. Of course the true excitement was the kids game afterward!

Danielle

Pioneer Park

This morning we woke up to a beautiful day of sunshine! The boys and I decided to hit Pioneer Park again. We rode the carousel twice thanks to our friend who lets us ride for free. Then we had a round of Putt Putt. Ryan scored a 62, Jack 69 and Ty 105....he still stinks at this game. Then we played on the playground and had Popsicles. What more could a kid ask for....maybe a win tonight!
Danielle

Rain Rain Go Away

Well the last few days have been uneventful. We had a half day on Monday and got to have daddy home for dinner and a movie (Daniel Boone episode). It was fun to hangout as a family. Then Tuesday it rained most of the day but the sun shone for the game last night. We went and hung out at the library in the morning and came home for some reading and naps. Then we went to Denny's because on Tuesday night kids eat free. It was quite the Alaskan experience. I think every child that lives in Fairbanks was there. But my kids seem to think the food at Denny's is very exciting. Of course my stomach hurt the rest of the evening, but hey the kids were happy. We then went to the game which was fun, especially since there was a kids game afterwards. Ty is starting to hit the ball pretty good and Ryan and Jack love getting to play.
Danielle

Skeeter Hiking

We had a hard time figuring out what we should do on our day off. So Ty, Jack and mom thought we should hiking. But we didn't think we would get a nasty surprise which is the bug that everyone dreads....the deadly mosquito. We drove to Birch Hill Ski Area. After about 5 minutes of walking we were attacked by the skeeters. We quickly drenched ourselves with bug spray but they still swarmed us. We kept thinking they would subside a bit but they didn't let up at all. So after about 20 minutes we quickly turned around and walked as fast as we could to the truck to escape the deadly attack. Of course dad thought mom was crazy with her brilliant idea. But she still has memories of hiking in Germany where the killer bug isn't as common. It is nuts here...those bugs are everywhere. When mom asked Ty on the way home if he had fun...he said "No those bugs are nuts attacking me." Even now as we write this the smell of OFF is everywhere.
Ryan

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting

Saturday we had a day off with dad. It was raining so we decided to see Kung Fu Panda at the theater. The movie was great with lots of action. When we got home we recreated the movie with our Kung Fu moves on daddy. After naps we went for a walk and a little bit of football. It is cold here so it feels like football weather....50 degrees. Then we were headed up for dinner when we found out that five of the players were coming over for dinner. So we scrambled everything we had and still had leftovers. We had fun hanging out with the guys and playing with Quinlann. We finished the day with an episode of Daniel Boone on the laptop in bed while dad played cards with the guys.
Jack

Finally a Win

Last night it finally came a Win for the team. Ever since we have been here in Fairbanks we have had a losing streak, which is not only hard on the players but the boys too. Wednesday night after the lose Ryan was beside himself upset over it. Yet we have to keep reminding ourselves that although we want to do well in the league and win there is alot more going on than just baseball. These guys hearts and minds are being challenged with the Word of God. They are realizing that they have a choice to make whether God will be Lord of their life or just something that they grew up with. I want to ask you to pray for one of our guys Eric! He came thinking he was saved but has realized that really he isn't. He is wrestling with the decision before him. Pray that he will come to know the Lord. We play again tonight (Friday) and then we have Saturday and Sunday off and practice on Monday with a game on Tuesday. Pray for these young men....that the Lord will grip their hearts.
Danielle

Putt Putt

Well today after waking the kids up at 10:45 (yes Ty really slept that long :) we headed to Pioneer Park with the Gillespees. We usually go there a couple times a week. It is a park next to the ballpark which has different things to do. It has a huge playground, air museum (really old airplane junk), train, carousel, old wooden riverboat and a few shops and places to eat. The kids always look forward to going. Today they all wanted to play Putt Putt golf. So Ryan, Kirkland and Kaylee took the hard course and Jack and Ty took the "easy" course. It was so funny watching Ty take hacks at the ball. He would just keep trying and trying and still not make it thorough the loop de loop. He finally looked at me and said "I stink at this game" yet he never gave up. We finally had mercy on him and would only count 10 stokes instead of the 20 it might of took to get the ball in the hole. Jack tried to teach him and Ty would listen and still just take a hack. On one hole he was an inch away from putting the ball in the hole and it probably took him 10 tries to get it in. Jack and I were laughing and so was Ty. What impressed me about the whole thing is how Ty never gives up on something he wants to "do himself". I pray that one day his heart will be that way for the things of the Lord. He has a lot of determination. At the end of the game Jack had a 71, Ty had a merciful 101 and the other three somehow had a three way tie of 70. Of course Ryan had a stellar moment at the 19th hole. If you get a hole in one you get a free game and he made it. He was beaming with confidence.
Danielle

Stinky Cheese Van

We have been waiting to receive a car since we got to Fairbanks. Dad has been using the van which we like to call the Stinky Cheese Van because it has a horrible smell in it. Yesterday dad got an extra car so mom could have a car for us. He got a sweet, brand new silver truck from the dealership. But he gave us the Stinky Cheese Van.....us boys are in an uproar over this. Of course every night after the game we are hoping to drive home with dad in the sweet ride.
Jack

We are in Fairbanks

Well Sunday we arrived in Fairbanks. The kids did great on the drive. We are getting settled into our apartment. We are on the third floor so trying to keep three boys from jumping like crazy is a bit hard so we are praying the people below us are gone most of the time. Yesterday we had our first game in the rain. It then got delayed in the 5th inning and we will try to finish it today, but it is still raining. So we will see. Ty helped Mr Henschen in the ticket booth. Ryan and Jack worked the dugout and Kaylee was our mascot. She got herself a moose hat and is now the moose mascot. We had fun although very wet. Ryan and Jack came home with dad after dinner of pizza with the players. While Ty and I came home to snuggle under the covers with our new Jesus Storybook Bible (thanks to Bob and Nancy Wells). Ty loved the book. Today we are waiting to see if we will play.

Continue to pray for our players.

Danielle

Bear Tooth Theater

Today we went to the Bear Tooth Theater. It is a movie theater that serves food. I never expected to get to eat pizza while watching a movie. We watched Horten Hears a Who. It was cool because there is a table in front of your seats. We had a great time. Tomorrow we leave for Fairbanks! I am not a big fan of the drive but it will be good to get there.

Ryan

Sleepover at Alex's

Last night Jack and I went to our friend, Alex's house for a sleepover. First, we went and played miniature golf. That was very fun. After that we went to his house and played football and then war. We had a delicious dinner of burritos. Then we got to watch a movie and then we all got a good nights sleep after chatting awhile. In the morning we got to watch the military channel and Mrs Wuerth made us Swedish Pancakes for breakfast....which I didn't care for but Jack liked. We had a great time there.
Ryan

Ty gets to be bat boy!

Well Ty's dream has come true....last night while his brothers had a sleepover with Alex he got to be bat boy. He was jumping up down when I told him that he would get to go in the dugout. He made sure that he had his uniform on, snacks packed and a smile from ear to ear. He stood with daddy for the National Anthem. And then hung out in the dugout. At the end of the inning he would run out to get the bats holding on to his huge helmet all the way. He was thrilled and it took a long time to settle him down last night for bed. Of course this morning he woke up asking if he was going back in tonight. He doesn't really understand that this was a special event that may take place periodically. But it was a great night for Chris and Ty. Of course it was nice for me....I actually got to watch the game...although we got crushed 10-0.

Danielle

Playing all week at the Wuerths

All week while here in Anchorage we have been blessed to hangout with friends. My roommate from college lives here in Alaska....so we have been with them all week. The kids look forward every year to going to Alex's house. Of course living in Alaska is different then the lower 48....for example at home in Ohio I send my kids out to the backyard by themselves....but here in Alaska you have to go out with them to be on bear patrol. Seriously...they get bears in their yard. And the boys have had fun playing basketball in their house. Yes in their house....but hey it is Alaska. And baseball in the backyard. We have had a great time though catching up. The older boys are thrilled to sleepover tonight too.

Fun at the Wells

Here are a few pictures of the fun we had at the Wells house while we were in California. The last night there we had chocolate fondue which was huge hit with all 6 children. We are thankful for such dear friends that open their home and hearts to us every summer. The kids always look forward to it. And it is great to see their friendships developing. We were all thankful too for how well Ty and Ethan hit it off this year....they became great buddies. We will miss them but look forward to seeing them on our way back through.
Danielle