Summer and Fall in Alaska

Emily at the Alaska State Fair

Willy enjoying a toss from Kevin at Finger Lake

Standing tall among the twin flower

Fly Agaric

Hatcher's Pass

Alaskan Springtime Flowers

Sweet Pea Hiding in the Woods

Pansies, Wild Iris, Columbine, Waddle Fence

Blue Bells

Arctic Roses smell heavenly

Precious Emily Joy turns 17

Our Precious Emily Joy

April 3, 1992

April 3, 2009

Happy 17th Birthday Precious Emily Joy

Moose Car Wash

Mama & baby moose are washing Sarah's jeep.

Memories of Mom June 15, 1933 - February 28, 2008

Joy Brown

Friend & Mom at a birthday party

Beverly Joyce Brown 18yrs old

Joy Shaffer Wasilla Alaska 2007


Joy Shaffer Anchorage AK

Mom & Me Astoria Oregon

Mom and dad at my high school Graduation 1982

Mom at 15

BJ, Marvin, Barbara Jean, Mom on ground

May 22, 1961 Don L Shaffer & Beverly Joyce are married

Don's hot secretary Joy!! 1961

Joy at 9?

I'm pregos with Sarah Beth, Anchorage AK, mom was visiting

Beverly Joyce Brown graduation day, 17 yrs old

Astoria Oregon, Mom cutting dad's hair..what there was!

Dad and Mom Potters Marsh Alaska

Great Grandma Eva June Samuelson, Grandma Voilet Elaine McDonald, Mom holding Thomas

Mom fishing with my cousin Pat

Mom greeting me at the Anchorage International Airport 1982

Mom holding Thomas at 8 months

Mrs. Maxwell, Aunt Cyndi, Aunt BJ, Mom, Aunt Beth, Uncle Gerry

At Aunt JoAnn's house after Grandma Vi's memorial services

Melissa, Mom, Me and my cat Little Squirt

Caldwell Idaho

Dad, Thom, Mom, Melissa's graduation, Me

Longview WA, 1976

Mom and dad kissing and dancing in the kitchen

Caldwell Idaho

Multnomah Falls, Pam, Mom, Thom

Joy & Don in Hawaii at a banking function

Mom & Sarah Beth Warrenton Oregon

Mom & Emily Joy Warrenton Oregon

Dad, Sam & Mom Wasilla Alaska

Pam, Mom & Sarah Beth Anchorage Alaska

Happy 20th Birthday Sarah Elizabeth

January 28, 1989

Where did the time go.

Beautiful Last day of January

Sam took photos while working today.

Sorrow and Joy

An online friend's husband died this morning. She wasn't surprised by this, she is sad beyond measure, yet rejoicing that his pain is over. A dear sister in the Lord, she will navigate the hours, days, weeks and months without her precious highschool sweet heart, married 33 years, with only babies in Heaven to make her more eager to go. I am grateful to know her, and am familiar with her sorrow, and also with her rejoicing. It is agony to watch someone suffer and feel so helpless. When our selfish and selfless prayers are finally answered by God we hope to understand, to get a glimpse of how He was glorified by their suffering, or by our agony in watching. When our sovereign God stands to greet our loved one, we breathe, we let go of all the holding in we have done for weeks or months or years. We sigh, relieved of this duty that became a blessing to us. We wonder how to survive without them.... and in time remind ourselves that the One who holds our loved one now, the One who held us when we didn't know how we could do this for one more day, will hold us now.

Ready to Go Home

Dad is waiting for us to hit the road Thursday morning for his 9:30AM flight to Seattle. He had a short delay in Seattle, but no problem for this seasoned traveler.

Stan picked dad up from the airport and they went to dinner. I called about 8:30PM and they were just getting in. Long day for dad, but he sounded energized to be home.

It is always bittersweet when dad leaves. I know how much he misses his routine and his own home, but there is an emptiness when he leaves. Today the kids and I will wander around missing Poppa a lot.

Willy, on the other hand doesn't understand where Poppa went, they were inseparable. I think Dad should get a dog, he enjoyed Willy so much.

We miss you dad and look forward to your return!