Fire Bomb

Kim here- We went out to our friend's house last night to have a bonfire, but it really turned out to be a fire bomb (see video below).  A whole can of gas had been poured onto the wood and it exploded as it lit and the shock wave shook all of us watching, including the camera.  It was pretty interesting, I don't think I've ever seen a fire bomb before. 

They say in Alaska, you create Alaska family- who are people you rely on during the winter, who also rely on you.  People you can go to when things break, holidays happen, people you are busy with because- to not be busy in the winter, you may just loose your mind.  Last winter, we acquired 2 such families.  It was heart breaking to find out in the end of July that one of the families decided to move back to the lower 48 at the end of September.  Having 2 months, knowing that they were going to leave, felt like a band aide slowly getting removed...always wondering, is this the last time we are going to hang out, having to say good bye over and over- it was really hard.  The bon fire really was the last time we got to hang out with the May's and having to say good bye, yet again...very sad feelings all over again.  =(

Alaska (Fairbanks especially) is rather transient in population.  Lots of military (2 bases here in town), a large college population, so it seems people come and go very often, and people who have lived in Alaska a lifetime say that you just get used to people leaving and then it gets easier.  But when you share your heart and life with people to make it through winter- how does that get easier?   I'm reminded of Bible Camp, I always loved their bonfires too and on the last night, the closing song seemed so fitting and was always true- The Benediction, "My friends, may you grow in grace, and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior...and if the Lord should bring us back together, maybe we be in His arms until then."