A taste of blessing...

Thank everyone so much for your thoughts of us and your prayers. For the first time, things seem to be 'smooth sailing.' The Lord Willing has gone out several times to fish and, all in all, has caught about 16,000 lbs of fish. Although little, we have made some money doing this! The crew is really excited and things seem to be going better with the relational dynamics...all encouraging news. We are still not sure how we will get through the next year financially, but I was reminded this week to thank God for how He is going to provide - because even though I'm not sure how He won't leave us high and dry. Just this simple gratitude helped me lift the burden, of figuring out His plan, off my shoulders and choosing to trust whatever comes.  
They left again today to go out and fish for another 10 or so days. This time they are going to the West side of the island where there is a run of reds....the more expensive kind of salmon. R is hoping to load his boat with reds and leave Alaska with something to show for all his toil and sacrifice. Yet he was just saying today that even the little they have caught is amazing considering everything that has happened in the last few months. Thank you Jesus for this huge blessing!
 
Now it wouldn't be fishing if there weren't some setbacks. :) R twisted his ankle pretty badly today and is worried about his ability to fish on it. The steering of the boat got off kilter last night after they dropped a load of fish off at the cannery, which sent R straight into a horrible mood last night, but it was a fairly easy fix today, which is good. The West side of the island is a rougher area for fishing so R is more worried about the safety of the crew and the soundness of the boat.

Praise Jesus:
- that there is more peace on the boat and in R's heart
- that we have been able to catch fish
- that there is more trust and shared risk amidst the crew
- that everyone is getting faster and more capable in their jobs during a set (casting and pulling in the net)
- that R has experienced real spiritual growth in this time.


Please pray:
- for healing of R's ankle, so he can fish well
- for safety of crew in the next 10 days
- for solidness of the boat, as there isn't much support on the West side and they will be about 16 hours away from Kodiak
- for fair weather
- for healthy interdependence in the crew's relational and work dynamic
- for fish!

Thanks guys for your prayers.

D