Blake and Natalie

last minute reminders before the ceremony


Blake, Natalie & Ben





Courtney and Amy Elder, Blake's sister and mother


running out to their gettaway mobile, a snowmachine, BRRRR!!!

About the "marrying" part of my last blog . . . well it turns out Ben got to practice his pastoral skills this week performing his first wedding for some friends of ours at FBF. Ethan Hansen, our senior pastor was lined up to officiate Blake and Natalie's wedding last night but a family emergency came up a week ago Thursday.

Ethan got a call from his brother in Dallas, TX saying their 16 year old son, Ethan's nephew, was killed in a car accident. Ethan's parents had just arrived two days prior to AK to spend the holiday in AK with the Hansens but all that changed quickly in a matter of hours. The grandparents flew out immediately to TX and the Hansen's left this past Sunday.

Blake and Natalie called Ben last Saturday and asked if he would offciate in Ethan's place. Of course Ben accepted and was honored to be asked. He was a little nervous not having had much time to mentally prepare for the ceremony but he did an awesome job! Blake and Natalie are happily married and Ben is greatful all went well with the last minute change.

I know I am biased but I must say my husband is a natural, truly when it comes to being a pastor!

Ordination Sunday

Yep, I'm about a month behind again in blogging! The first Sunday in December was one that we won't soon forget and we want to share with family and friends. Ben was ordained officially at our church, Faith Bible Fellowship, in Big Lake, AK. He can now as he calls it, "marry and bury" and do all the other things ministers do. He will actually be performing his first wedding this coming Thursday for some friends of ours. We are blessed to be in full time ministry and love being a part of the church family at Faith Bible.