Moose Quest Completed

Moose quest completed. On the 11 hour Denali National Park tour yesterday the entire team finally saw a moose. Look closely at the photograph below. The dark spot is the moose. It was confirmed through the binoculars of our tour guide.

I almost had the chance for a better shot. But you know how the big ones always get away.

At least the entire team got to see a moose.

We also saw a golden eagle, snowshoe rabbits, grizzlies, a swan and duck, caribou, wolves eating (it was a bad day for the caribou) more moose and a toad. Not bad for a day's drive through the park.

The team has now split up to go in different directions. Three of us are staying to enjoy Denali another day. Some are going to Fairbanks. Others are going back to Tennessee. The missions portion of the trip is officially completed.

Keep viewing this blog for updates on planning other mission trips. To view my blog and follow my family through other Alaska experiences before heading home click this link.

Visitng Talkeenta, Alaska

The team took a side trip after work today. They paid a visit to the town of Talkeenta, Alaska to do some tourist shopping. Some team members took an airplane ride around Denali to visit Mt. McKinley and landed on a glacier.

Talkeenta, Alaska is a small town which offered a lot of charm. It made a good place to relax.

Team members still hope to see a live moose. Some of them are despairing that seeing this wooden moose is as close as they are going to get.

Moose Quest Completed! (For Some!)

The Moose quest has been completed! For some team members anyway... For others the quest continues. A few team members ventured out after 10:00 pm last night. They came back with the photos you see here.

No Moose on this Quest

There's been no moose on this quest. Team members did go out early this morning. They came back without photos. We've heard stories but we wonder... Are there really moose in Alaska? Will we see one? Stay tuned to our blog to find out!


The next trip out will be after dinner. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Moose Quest Continues...

The mission team is on a quest to see a moose. After visiting the Alaska Host B&B the team ventured forth to seek out a moose. We toured through the local state park but did not find one. We drove through the park for about an hour. Hopes are high that we will be able to spot one.

Plans are to go out again early in the morning. Maybe we''ll have better luck?

Our First Big Day!

Our first big day was yesterday. We participated in the worship service and got to meet many parishioners during a time of fellowship after worship. Today, we are going to head to the work site to start building on the parsonage. The weather is cold and damp but nothing can dampen our spirits today. The team eagerly anticipates getting started.

Here are a few photos. More are online at the Picasa Album here.

We have also heard a lot about Alaska wildlife. Moose are reputed to be prominent in the area. The team hopes to see one. Watch here or check the album for photos.

East Tennessee LaFollette Mission Team in Willow, Alaska

The LaFollette Mission Team got settled in today at LaFollette United Methodist Church. Startling, is the adjustment to the 4 hour time difference.

To fill in time this morning most members went exploring and were treated to their first views of Denali Mountain. Wikipedia says this is the tallest mountain peak in North America. Even though the team is 160 miles away from the mountain, the peak could easily be seen by driving less than 2 miles from the church.

The team headed back to church and was introduced to the church at the 10:00 am worship service. Invited to play an instrumental flute solo for worship was Alexandria Crabtree. She is a member of Caryville United Methodist in Caryville, Tennessee and is on the Band Staff at Berea, College in Berea, Kentucky.

Following worship, team members got to meet parishioners during a time of fellowship. Several of the church members expressed ties to family and friends in the East Tennessee area.

Later, the team enjoyed a grilled hot dog lunch before leaving for Hatcher's Pass. This is a historic gold mine and tourist attraction. More information can be found on the link above.

Tomorrow the team plans to begin work at the job site at 9:00 am. The plans are to install doors and windows in a new parsonage that is being constructed. A full slate of other weeklong mission activities and mixers are planned for church members.

Life is very different in Willow, Alaska than in East Tennessee.

There is running water and electricty but a shaky septic system. Team members are being asked to use an outhouse. The computer is old and slow. Cell phones may or may not work. The people are hardy and filled with a generous spirit. Their love for God and care for each other are evident.

The team members eagerly anticipate learning more. Photos are available online here. More will be posted as they are available.

Keep viewing this blog for more updates from the East Tennessee LaFollette Mission Team as we serve in Willow, Alaska.

LaFollette Mission Team Arrives!

A tired but excited LaFollette United Methodist Church Mission Team arrived at the Anchorage Airport at 7:00 pm local time this evening. Members from Willow United Methodist Churches were on hand to greet the team members and drive them the approximately 2 hours to the church where they will be working and staying.

Plans are to attend morning worship tomorrow. Look for more updates to come.

LaFollette Mission Team Members Break Down in North Dakota

The timing belt gave out in Minnesota. We got towed as far as Fargo, North Dakota. The two members of the LaFollette Mission Team will evaluate based on word from the car repair shop tomorrow.

First Team Members Leave. View photos of the PT Cruiser and follow their blog here.

The first team members are on their way to Alaska. They'll be traveling 4,100 miles over land and will meet up with the rest of the team in Anchorage. The car is loaded with their gear and with team supplies of food and tools. It was a load but the team members still had space to see out their car windows.

The rest of the team will fly out on Saturday, June 20. Keep checking here for updates.

First Mission Team Members Leave for Alaska Friday, June 12.

The first mission team members are set to leave for Alaska on Friday, June 12, 2009. Team members Gayle Crabtree and daughter Allie Crabtree will be traveling the 4,100 plus miles to Willow, Alaska by car.

The ladies will be carrying team supplies and will meet up with the rest of the group at the Anchorage airport. The team will then travel together to the mission site where they will begin their work.

The ladies are calling it the mother-daughter trip of a lifetime.

You can keep up with Gayle and Allie on the blog Youve Been Reviewed or follow them on Twitter.

LaFollette UMC After Church Lunch for Mission Team

After church, why not join the folks at LaFollette United Methodist Church for lunch? It's a spaghetti lunch with all the trimmings. There is no set cost. Donations are accepted.

The mission team will be heading to Willow, Alaska. They are tasked with helping to construct a new parsonage there. The funds from the lunch go to buy construction supplies to help build a home in Willow, Alaska.

This is a great time to have a good meal and help a cause. Why not come out and join us? Team members will be there and will gladly tell you about the upcoming trip. See you at lunch!

Join us for Lunch LaFollette UMC May 3.

Join us for lunch at LaFollette United Methodist Church on May 3. We'll be having a great taco bar. Donations for the lunch are accepted. All proceeds from this lunch will go to purchase supplies for the church in Willow, Alaska.

This is a wonderful way to enjoy fellowship, good food and support a great cause.

Will you help the church in Willow, Alaska. See you for lunch at LaFollette United Methodist Church.

Posted by Gayle
Mission Team Member

Churches of the LaFollette UMC Missions Team

There are 5 different churches represented on the Alaska Missions Team. They are listed here in no particular order.

LaFollette United Methodist Church of LaFollette, TN
Caryville United Methodist Church of Caryville, TN
Jacksboro United Methodist Church of Jacksboro, TN
St. Mark's United Methodist Church of Clinton, TN
Mill Creek United Methodist Church of Rockville, MD
Alive in the Spirit Church of God of East TN.

Only God can pull together people from such a variety of churches and make it work. We look forward to see what He does with the rest of the trip!

Posted by Gayle
Missions Team Member

Alaska or Bust!

The Alaska Missions Team is off to a phenomenal start. We met today to go over the trip itinerary. Our task is going to be to install insulation and windows in a church parsonage. These items are two to three times as thick as the insulation used here in Tennessee. Our work will be overseen by a local contractor from Alaska. This will ensure that everything done to the parsonage is up to code.

Everyone on the Alaska Missions Team will have a lot to learn and a lot to share when we get back. While on the trip we will not only be educated by one another but by the people we will be serving. Benefiting from our experiences, will be our local churches as well as the community of Willow, Alaska.

But first we have to attend to the details, which is what today's meeting was all about.

Posted by Gayle
Missions Team Member