Increase my Faith

This week I had to put my faith to test and really trust in the Lord and He came through once again! 

A few weeks ago, the opportunity was presented to me to go to India to help out a missionary. When my decision was made to go, I had to get an application for a visa done ASAP. I already have tickets for leaving the country and of course need my passport to do so. At the time the decision was made, I had 3 weeks to send in my passport and visa app. and have it returned before my departure. 

With the days usually required to have the visa processed at the consulate, I thought I would have my passport back maybe two days before I left. That was cutting it close and I was nervous about it. But I thought - if this is of the Lord (which I was sure was) then it's no problem, He'll make sure I have in time. 

So, the application was sent. The first week went by. 

Then the second week started and I began to be concerned. I told myself that God was in control and I am doing His work. I reminded myself of Psalm 37:5 and committed to trusting the Lord. 

Sometimes though with our flesh, trusting is hard to do. 

Yesterday morning, I was praying specifically about my visa. I asked the Lord to increase my faith. 

My prayer was that my visa would be approved this Wednesday- which meant it would have been processed in 5 days. The normal is 7-9 business days. 

Not even 10 minutes after I prayed that specific prayer, I checked my email. 

I had an email from the Visa Co. and my visa had been approved! 

It was processed and sent back in 3 days!!!

today's sunrise thru the trees

My God is an Amazing God! 

He delights in me!

and He answered my prayer - before I even prayed it and much more abundantly than I asked for!!!

Thankful and in Awe of the God I serve

Wind and Rain

A windy day in Anchorage made for a busy day at the Fairbanks Airport. 

They had wind gusts over 100mph! Which by the way is hurricane strength.... but nope you didn't hear about it on national news. Wednesday we had an excess of planes land in Fairbanks because they were diverted from Anchorage. I love planes! I think it comes from loving traveling. So I love seeing planes at our airport, especially when they come from Japan, Korea, China and other places. Makes me want to sneak aboard one of them and fly away to places unknown....

but my time is coming! 

This weekend I planned a trip down to Anchorage and Seward. 

Course I had to pick the week that it's rained constantly and now there's flooding in Seward and other parts of our state. I did see water coming almost on the road in Willow. And I only had to drive thru water at one point, just a mile from my final destination. (sorry, Chelsea, I disobeyed)

I'm just hoping I can make it home safely tomorrow without having to get my paddle out. 

But I did get some amazing pictures of God's creation on the way down. 

Isn't He an Amazing God!?

just outside Fairbanks

love those mountains!

sunshine for a brief moment on the Seward Hwy.

and my favorite from this trip

Less than 2 weeks now until I leave the country. So much to do! I'd appreciate your prayers for my visa that is being processed at the moment. 

Pieces of Life

Ever had one of those days that did not start out right? 

Yesterday was a crazy day. 

First thing I did yesterday morning... 

spilled my freshly poured cup of coffee on my desk at work.

My keyboard was very wet, sticky and coffee flavored. 

thankfully I didn't spill in on myself and only on my keyboard. 

I was able to take all the keys off, clean it up and put it back together. 

Worked just fine! 

I attempted to put my keyboard back together with no help. I've been typing for years now, so I should know where all the keys go, right? 

I did pretty good by the way - only had trouble with the bottom row of letters. 

But it made me think about how I view life sometimes. 

I look at my life and all I see are a bunch of pieces, just like the keys waiting to be put into the board. 

I wonder how things should go and what I should put where, what to do first. 

Every day we need to be reminded that the Lord knows best and He DOES have a plan. 

My job is trust Him and follow His leading. Trusting is hard to do sometimes, but that's where real peace comes from. Knowing that it's out of my control but the One who formed the universe has it in His hands. 

"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

Psalm 37:5

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 104 is one of my favorite Psalms. 

This summer I've been amazed over and over again at God's greatness!

His handiwork displayed in Creation is incredible. 

I have no idea how people can look at the world around them and deny there is a God. 

There is no logical explanation for our world being here by evolution. 

Bless the LORD, O my soul. 

O LORD my God, thou art very great:

thou art clothed with honour and majesty. (vs. 1)

Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: 

who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: (vs. 2)

He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.  (vs. 10)

He appointed the moon for seasons: 

the sun knoweth his going down. (vs. 19)

O LORD, how manifold are thy works!

in wisdom hast thou made them all:

the earth is full of thy riches. (vs. 24)

I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live:

 I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. (vs. 33)

I want to praise the Lord for His continued goodness in my life! 

He works even when my days are long and tough. 

He gives peace and provision when I don't see how I can make it. Thank you God for saving my soul! for all Your daily benefits!

Friends - who make a difference

Friends. 

I am grateful for them! 

Some friends remain friends for a life time. Some God brings into your life for a certain period of time. 

But whatever the case may be, the people you call friends have a big part of shaping your life. 

One of my favorite songs is from the play "Wicked," which I saw in London a couple summers ago. (awesome show by the way)

The two main characters, Glinda & Elphaba are parting ways, but confirming their love and appreciation for each other. They both recognize that other has impacted their life in vast proportion. 

I too, realize that there are people in my life that have impacted me in ways I could never begin to explain or thank them for. 

So, just a small token of thanks to......

my parents - lets just say I wouldn't be here without them ;)
you 2 are amazing!

Mr. D - where to even begin!? He has challenged, inspired, spurred,
aggravated :) me to new heights time and time again! 

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led to those who help us most to grow

If we let them and help them in return"

some of those friends who are in your life for a time...
John & Kevin - amazing memories of our time in MNG! 

Lkhamaa - my best friend/sister from across the globe! 

my Mongolia family - loved me and made me one of their own
I LOVE living with you! 

"Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you"

Steph & Rachael - has it really been 16 years? wow!

Sarah - a short time together and instant friends! I miss you. 

"Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good"

my Canadian sister, Angie! with a random NYC Firefighter. :) 

Jaime! we are so much alike! thanks for loving this "eskimo" so much 

my dear, sweet roommate! you got me thru that year! haha
(Hey Snuby, its going to Row!) LOL

"It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me is made from what I learned from you

You'll be with me, Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have rewritten mine

by being my friend...."

TANNA! what a summer. ;)

Last but Definitely not Least!
LL, Aimee and Nicole.
Can not even BEGIN to thank you for the influence you've had on my life this past year!
I LOVE YOU THREE!