Countdown

Big Meadows Reservoir, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Seven more days in our hometown! WOW! Looking over our past year and what God has done in us, and through us and the speed at which it all has happened is amazing.

We received word that our visas are actually in process, on step 2 of 3. From experience, those at MAF HQ are telling us still 3-4 more weeks until all the steps are completed. Please continue to pray that the process continues smoothly.

Noise Converters

Potato Spraying, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

During the summer months, you don't have to drive very far to hear a very unique sound...that of the local crop dusters converting Avgas into a lot of noise and thrust.

The local pilots got an early start this morning and were actually spraying all the fields surrounding our house. After we finished up an early morning phone call to Indonesia (it was evening there) I went out and grabbed a few shots of the Grumman Ag Cat working it's magic. It also happened to be piloted by one of my flight instructors from years ago. He took me through my instrument rating, commercial, and CFII tickets. Nathan and Becky, if you were wondering why it was so noisy when we were talking to you, now you know why.

A Very Happy 4th of July Weekend

Alamosa Fireworks Display, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

As noted on Rebecca's blog, this was a great weekend spent making many memories with both sides of the family. Last night we burned the midnight oil and kept the little girls up late for the local fireworks display. It was a blast and the weather was perfect. I was experimenting with taking pictures of the fireworks, something I have never done before. I had read about it some online and gained a few tips. Several of them turned out pretty neat. The rest can be seen on my photo album. What a blessing it is to live in the country we do, and enjoy the freedoms and luxuries that most only dream about. As we gear up to move to the other side of the planet soon, we have really been trying to soak up the small things that will be 3-4 years until we enjoy them again.

Made it Back Home

Potato Sprinkler Sunrise, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

I arrived as planned back home to Colorado to 4 very excited girls. It was great to be back together and have the fellowship of my family after having been gone 3 weeks without them.

Since I have been home, we have been busy getting our shipment finished, appointments to the dentist and eye doctor, and all the other little things like wills and powers of attorney that need to get done. We are planning on leaving from Colorado to Idaho in about 2 weeks. Still no word on our work visas for Indonesia, so we covet your prayers with us for them. We know God has perfect timing, and we are just trying to be flexible to see what God would have for us wherever we are.

Homeward Bound

Mt. Hood, Oregon, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After three weeks of drinking from a fire hose in the name of training, I am on my way home to Colorado. My girls should be en-route to pick me up at KABQ in a few hours. We aren't driving straight home however. We have one more church to share at during this "tour" of deputation. We are driving straight to Pagosa Springs from KABQ and then home tomorrow afternoon when church is over. Our next three weeks is sure to get crazy, so we would appreciate your prayers as we prepare to leave for Indonesia in July.

Show and Tell

Pratt and Whitney PT6A-27 Engine Cutaway, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

One of the great things I have enjoyed about my recent training are the numerous parts and cutaways they have to show us as they explain the intricacies of turbine power. For you techie/geeky people out there, I thought you would like this cutaway of a Pratt and Whitney PT6A-27 engine. This is the same engine used in some Beechcraft Kingairs and the DeHaviland Twin Otter. It even has a switch on the side to motorize all of the parts so you can really get a good idea of how everything moves in relation to it's neighbors. This is a very good tool for a visual learner like me.

One of a Kind

Boeing 40, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

This afternoon we had the pleasure of hearing a unique sound...a Pratt and Whitney Wasp engine bolted onto the front of a Boeing 40, the only one of it's kind flying in the world today. It was neat to imagine the things this airplane has seen since it was made in the 1920's, and the countless stories it's pilot's could tell. The aircraft is based at the same airport that I am training at, Felts Field, WA. Last month, it had the opportunity to fly alongside the new Boeing 787 for a photo shoot. The pictures can be found online.

Father's Day

Father's Day BBQ, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Yesterday for Father's Day I was invited to nearby Coeur d'Alene, ID. to spend the day with family. Rebecca's Great Uncle and family live there, and they extended the invitation to me to spend Father's Day with them. They treated me like royalty and showed me all around the beautiful area they call home. Northern Idaho is stunningly beautiful and they pulled out the stops to show it to me.  Although I didn't get to see my girls for this Father's Day, this will nonetheless be a Father's Day to remember.  Thanks guys!!!

A Break from the Classroom

Air Soft Game, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.
 

This morning I was invited to do something I had never done before...play airsoft. It was a great time "safely" shooting at each other in a number of various games. I thought our picture was pretty funny though. We look like a bunch of rednecks getting ready to shoot up the woods, and anything that would cross our path. I only came home with minor bumps and marks. However, some of the other guys had some pretty good marks on their necks and arms.  They should have stayed out of my sights!

Field Trip

Quest Aircraft Co. Factory, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Today we took the afternoon and traveled to Sandpoint, Idaho to visit the Quest Aircraft Company factory. We had planned on doing this field trip tomorrow but due to poor weather in the Pacific Northwest we were not able to get our turbine test cell outside. So we bumped our field trip up a day and postponed our outside noise making until tomorrow.

It was fascinating to be able to tour this aircraft factory. The process of taking an aircraft from concept to flight is mind boggling, and the smart people that make it happen are amazing. Some of the tooling and manufacturing processes that were happening in the factory were very neat to see. It was interesting to see where all the aircraft materials are delivered at one end of the factory, and roughly the distance of a football field later finished aircraft are rolling out of the door from the opposite end.

The New Guy (airplane)

Kalimantan Quest Kodiak, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

What does every isolated jungle village need? A red and white MAF airplane and lots of mutt dogs of course. The aircraft in the back is one of the reasons I am going through training in Spokane, WA. This photo was taken on the island of Kalimantan, Indonesia; our future home. Take a peak at this blog to read about the pilot who took this picture.

I can't say for sure if and/or when I will be flying this aircraft, but I will no doubt be helping to maintain it and others similar to it. While my brain has been overloaded with great information and training since last week, I can already see the value of this in-depth maintenance training and how it will come in to play when we arrive in Kalimantan.

Hands on Training

Turbine Engine Training Cell, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After a hard week of learning the ins and outs of a PT6A engine, we were able to get out the training engine today and make a bunch of noise. This test cell is the same engine used on a Cessna Caravan. I will be operating this engine numerous times over the next few days to learn proper starting techniques, engine adjustments and diagnostics. It was pretty thrilling to start this big turbine today and smell the jet fuel burning and feel the thrust tugging at the chains anchoring the test cell to the ground. If these engines are not operated and started correctly they like to throw pieces of molten metal out of their sides and in turn bring the airplanes down that they are attached to. Thankfully, when they are treated with care and respect they are some of the most reliable engines in the world.

Airport Exploring

Helio Courier on Floats, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After class today, I set out with a classmate to find the Felts Field water-port. It is illegal to land a float plane on public water in Colorado (I think) so you don't see float planes very often. After a little searching we found the nearby section of the Spokane River that is used by the local float plane fleet. It was very beautiful.

I have one more day of class going over the current curriculum of intense turbine engine know how. I have Sunday "off" and I'm looking forward to it. I am extremely grateful for this training but there is only so much a brain (at least mine) can take before it needs a rest.  Then on Monday I'll return for 2 more weeks of class. 

Training

Northern New Mexico, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

They say that a good pilot never stops learning...the same can be said for a mechanic as well. Despite the picture above of the Southwest from our nice weekend trip, I am in Spokane, WA now undergoing some maintenance training for turbine aircraft. Although we are just scratching the surface so far it is very interesting and informative.

Oswald Chambers had a good word today. "If you do not cut the moorings, God will have to break them by a storm and send you out. Launch all on God, go out on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and you will get your eyes open...Beware of harking back to what you were once when God wants you to be something you have never been."

Flower Pickers

Picking Wild Irises, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Late yesterday evening, I took my two oldest curtain climbers with me on the four wheeler to go see how a pasture full of wild irises was blooming. Turned out that they were blooming fairly well, however there are a few less blooms this morning as both of my girls returned home with handfuls of flowers for mommy. I tried to get some pics of Brooklyn, but she is so engrossed with dancing and being in fairylandia I cannot get a good shot of her while she is still. Maddie was a little more mesmerized by the flowers and the beautiful evening scene.

Per Request

Denver Zoo, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Before I am ousted out of the family for not sharing any recent pictures, here is one from our recent trip last weekend to the Denver Zoo. We had a great time and came home exhausted. There are more pictures from our recent days on my Flickr site.

This morning we are making a quick trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park with the goal of being back home for lunch. We still have plenty to get done in the next two days before I head off to Spokane, WA for three weeks to attend some training at Spokane Turbine Center.

Please keep upholding the visa process to Indonesia with us. We haven't heard any recent news and therefore do not know if any progress has been made yet.

Road Trip

Spring on the Spanish Peaks, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

We are needing to get some vaccinations for our move to Indonesia. Since we live in the sticks we are unable to get everything we need here in our small rural area. Therefore, we are driving two hours to get current with our vaccinations, then we are driving 3 more hours to Denver to spend the weekend there with my parents and sister. It should be lots of fun, and unbeknown to my girls we are going to the Denver Zoo tomorrow. We try to limit how much time the girls know ahead of time about a fun trip like this because they incessantly keep asking when we are going and how long it takes to get there. All they know is that we are getting shots today. It will be fun to see their surprise when Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Rachael are all waiting at a hotel in downtown Denver this afternoon.

Spring?

Valley Springtime, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Lately, trees and grasses and such are trying to emerge out of their winter slumber and turn into some sort of green shade. It is a slow process at 7500 feet above sea level. Usually, by the end of May, the lilacs are blooming and most flora has it's start into summer. Only a few more weeks to go!

Yesterday, Becca and I took a quick road trip and we were awed by the beauty we saw as we crossed the mountains to our destination. On the way home, we were even more astonished as four inches of heavy wet snow had fallen and even more was coming down on that same pass. Cars and semis were sliding all over the place and you never would have known that only hours before we crossed that same pass on dry roads. Spring in the Rockies is very volatile and can change quickly.

On a side note, Becca recently got done with another prayer letter which can be seen by clicking on the "May 2010" link on the right side. Have a great weekend everyone!

My Cowgirls

My Cowgirls, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

It was his fault...grandpa casually mentioned something about riding the horses and he didn't hear the last of it until he saddled them up. After our mothers day lunch, Brooklyn and Madison rode all over the property on Brodie, and then Brooklyn went all over the country with grandpa riding Jose. Both girls love to be around the horses and mules. In a few more months, they will be talking about different kinds of animals most of which cannot be ridden.

The Rubber is Hitting the Road

Medano Pass Sunrise, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

We have been so busy lately it is hard to know what month we are in. When did May get here? Anyway, from this weekend on, we have something scheduled to do (at least I do) clear through to July. This morning we had a yard sale, thus eliminating all things that we won't be able to ship to Indonesia. It is a great feeling to have that off of our shoulders. Now, we need to build crates and pack them for a sea shipment, although we just found out that the wood has to be heat treated to eliminate any "clingons." So, that will probably be another trip to "somewhere" where we will take our crates, because where do you get wood heat treated when you live in the middle of nowhere?

For those of you who pray for us...please remember to lift up the Indonesian visa process. There are numerous families, us included, that need visas to be in Indonesia, and they are having trouble obtaining them for some unknown reason all of a sudden. Right now, to make our July departure date, that is all that is holding things back.