Arctic Winter Games

I'm sure most of you have never heard of the Arctic Winter Games. I hadn't before last summer. It's an Olympic type event for those in the Circumpolar North. In the beginning it was open to athletes young and old. In the recent Games, they've narrowed the playing field by limiting it to youth. 

The Games are held every two years. Fairbanks hosted this year's Games; we haven't had them in Fairbanks since 1988! It was pretty special to be a part of such a big event. It was a tiring week. I think I worked about 57 hours (two jobs) and volunteered about 30. Sleep? yeah that was something I only dreamed of.

There were nine different regions represented for the Games. Alaska, five Canadians - NWT, Yukon, Alberta North, Nunavut and Quebec Nunavik, Yamal -province in north Russia, Greenland and Sapmi (pronouned Sami) - northern regions of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia. Twenty sporting events ranging from outdoor winter sports like snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, biathlon and dogsledding and indoor sports of basketball, volleyball, soccer, pingpong, hockey, wrestling, gymnastics and of course Arctic sports. 

It was a lot of fun being involved and great to meet youth and adults from all across the north. The next Games will be held in Greenland.... maybe it's time to plan a trip to see the Shulls and be there for the Games as well in 2016. :) What do you think, Carole? 

I don't have many pictures from the Games, but there's plenty here.

before the Games began

the kids loved the Trooper

my friend the Trooper

Air Greenland

and it's over!

Locked out? No Problem.

Earlier this month, I flew down to the States for a week. Had this crazy friend that decided to move his wedding date up a few months. Thankfully, it still worked out for me to attend. Since I was going all that way, figured might as well make the most of it. I stopped off in several places before the wedding. Was able to see several friends I hadn't seen in a couple years and also meet a few new people. :)

Was hoping to enjoy some warmer weather while I was there, but alas, they have been having a cold, snowy winter. Most days it was the same temps there as it was here in Alaska! Oh well. Rented a little car for week, since I flew into one state and flew out of another. One day had a hard time getting out of my friend's driveway because all the snow. So much for that warmer, nicer weather.

Enjoyed some hockey while down south. Went to my first Pro Hockey game. Great game by the Blackhawks! Also stayed up late two nights watching my home team beat our rivals for the Gov. Cup. Well worth those two late nights.

One of the most interesting things that happened during that week..... Thursday was my day to be in Chicago. Originally was going to overnight there and the next morning head to central Illinois. After meeting up with people and such, decided to just head south after the hockey game. J&R were letting me stay with them again (thanks!), but they weren't actually going to be there until two days later. Figured since I wouldn't be waking anyone up, might as well drive down Thursday night. No one would care if I arrived in the wee hours of the morning.

So I set out... and after a three hour drive, arrived at what I thought was their house about 230am. I had forgotten their house number, but since I had been there before, was pretty confident I could find and recognize the house again. Pulled up to the house, got out and went to type in the code for the garage door. And... it didn't open. Oh no! was I at the right house? I slightly panicked, wondering if I was at the wrong house, if they had security and if the security people would be arriving soon to see what was going on.

After driving around the block once, I went back to the same house, cause I felt sure it was the right one. Tried the garage code again and it worked! Pulled into the (very cold) garage. I was so tired, the only thing I could think of was getting inside using the bathroom and crashing in bed. Grabbed a few items from the car, walked up to the door leading into the kitchen and the door knob didn't budge. Locked out. Really? 

I am by no means a night owl. So at 3am I do not have the sharpest mind, I'm extremely tired, cold and really have to use the restroom. What would you do in that situation? I looked around for a key hanging up somewhere. Nada. Walked out the backdoor to see if the porch door to the house was unlocked. Of course it wasn't. Getting desperate by this time, I looked around again and noticed that the hinges to the door were on my side. Yes! I've never done it before, but taking the pins out of the hinges, so I could take the door off the frame seemed like a good idea to my desperate, tired brain. 

It was challenging, since the pins were rusted and the top one was a thicker size. Being a tight fit in the hinge, it didn't want to come out. Thankfully there was a ladder in the garage, or else I would have pulled my car forward and stood on the hood. Not the best idea when it's a rental car. My only concern was, that the neighbors would hear the banging and call the police. Just what I didn't need. How do you explain to an officer that yes, you have permission to be in this house, but you are still taking the door off the hinges. Yeah, didn't think that would go over well. 

Eventually I made it inside! Praise the Lord. Was glad I didn't have to be anywhere until that following evening, so I could sleep in. So, if you ever let me stay at your house while you're away and forget to leave a key or the door unlocked, don't worry. I'll get in somehow. ;) 

Funny thing was, found out the next day, there was a key to that door in the garage. I just didn't find it when looking. Hey, I was desperate, so I did what I thought would get me inside the house! 

As for the rest of the trip. It went well. I attended my friends' wedding, which was very nice. Good food at the reception. :) and I assisted with the car decoration. Can't let a wedding happen without a good, ol' car decorating party. But can I recommend you wash your car before your wedding? Makes my job easier. 

best we could do with limited time, dirty car and scant supplies

with the bride and groom - congrats guys!

Hockey, hockey and more hockey

The past few weeks have been full of hockey. At one point, was on the verge of too much hockey. I know, hard to believe for an Alaskan, right? Couple weekends ago, we (UAF Nanooks) played Ferris State, who was at the time ranked #2 in the nation. Though they were #2 and we aren't ranked, we swept them, winning both Friday and Saturday night. It was pretty awesome. Saturday was Skate with the Nanooks, so stuck around since the others wanted to skate and get pictures. Might as well get in on the pictures, eh? 

w/ G. Perry #12

Sarah and "her man" - J. Tateson #2

The weekend after that, I was in the states for a friend's wedding, because of which, I had to miss the Governor's Cup. :/ Normally the only time we play Anchorage is for the Governor's Cup, because we have been in different conferences. This year, things were switched up and we are now in the same conference; for the Cup we played UAA four times instead of the normal two. Course, this was all while I was States, so I wasn't able to be there. :( but I did listen to the radio and watch part of the games on the internet. Friday we did great, beating UAA 7-2! Kunyk got a Texas Hat trick (four goals in one game)! We split the series, each winning two games, so the winner was determined by a shootout. Which we won! Five years in a row, we've won the Gov. Cup.

Friday's game against our arch rival UAA

Since I had to miss the Gov. Cup, decided my time in Chicago could be put to good use by going to my first NHL game! Blackhawks were scheduled for a home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. For sure, it's better hockey, but totally different atmosphere! I'm used to watching my home team with three to four thousand other fans, not twenty thousand! That arena is huge. Not the greatest to go by oneself either, but hey, when you travel by yourself, it's the way it is. It was a good game, Blackhawks winning 6-1. Awesome experience. Can't wait for next time; will just bring a friend along in the future.

United Center - Blackhawks Win!

at the Blackhawks game (by myself)

The next night, I took some young friends to another hockey game, this time in Peoria. It was a semi-pro game. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. Wasn't really a good game. But the kids enjoyed it. I was just enjoying the time with them. :)

w/ Julia and Seth at the Peoria Rivermen game

Back at home the next weekend, for the first week of the WCHA playoffs, where we faced UAA once again. This year instead of playing them the normal two games, we played Seven! For the playoffs, it is best of three. It had to go to the third game..... which we lost. :( We fought hard, but it just didn't happen. We had several out with injuries, so that had some effects. It was intense that final third period. I had worked all day and was very tired and hungry during that game. The excitement of that game was almost too much for me to handle. Haha. I've always enjoyed hockey, but this year I've really gotten into it. It was a disappointment to lose. We did have some crazy plays and scores though! Still don't know how Parayko's second goal Saturday night went it the net. He had his back to the net and there were several people between him and the goal, but he shot and scored! 

So, now our season is over. Have to wait six months until Nanook hockey starts back up. Gonna miss our three seniors - Beck, Kunyk and Quinn. All three excellent players - wish them the best in the days ahead.

w/ the 3 seniors - #37 #6 #36

The Climax of Scripture

Recently, my brain has been a whirlwind trying to maintain order of all my school assignments, travel arrangements, scheduling of the summer, getting ready for AWG (more info. on that later), staying busy at work, etc. Whew, that's tiring just typing/thinking about it! 

In the midst of so much chaos and activity, I love the blessings God gives. With my English class the past few weeks, I've been brushing up on the fundamentals and structure of literature. Relearning about the plot, setting, characters, theme and literary devices within a story. My teacher has pointed out that each author is the creator of his fictional work. He or she determines what needs to be included into the story and nothing is there by accident. Everything has a reason, even little details and descriptions. He equated it to the author being the "god" of the story. Every plot has a climax, the conflict of it's characters reaching that one pivot point in the narrative that ultimately has the potential of changing the ending.

Couple days after that English review, I was reading in Mark 15 about the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. I came to verse 38. Here was the climax, the pivot point. Now the Bible isn't a fictional story book, it is the true, accurate account of God's creation of earth and mankind, man's sin and God's redemption plan for sinful man. But with all those English aspects of stories flowing through my brain, I couldn't help but connect the two. God's perfect, amazing story of love summed up within one verse. 

Mark 15:38 - And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

That verse may not seem like much to you, but when I read it, it jumped out at me. This is the climax of the incredible story of God's love for us humans. You see, the veil in the temple separated man from God. Beyond that huge, thick veil was the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant and during the ancient days of Israel where God was said to dwell. That veil symbolized the disconnect between us and God. Only one person was allowed past that veil in the temple and only once a year. When Jesus died on the cross, God tore the magnificent veil separating us from Him in half! He was telling us, that no longer would we have to offer sacrifices and go to a priest to get our sins forgiven and to know Him. We could now freely come into His presence! As Hebrews says, we can come boldly into the throne room of God, we do not need a priest to intercede for us. Jesus Christ paid our sin debt with His life, thereby allowing us free access to Almightly God. 

I'm thankful for even English classes, because it has made me recognize in Scripture that I would otherwise pass right over. And even more thankful for God's amazing, abundant love for me that He would choose to die in my place!!