Missions Conference

This is a little late, but better late than never! :) 

The week I arrived home in Alaska, our church had their Spring Missions Conference. 

We had several missionaries, most of whom are working in the Asia region of the world. One however was working in Lithuania. I met him two summers ago when I was in Lithuania with Couriers for Christ. Since then, Nathan and his family have been friends of mine and we've stayed in touch. It was good to see him again, though it would have been even better if he could have brought his family. 

3 Greenfields, 1 Fairchild and Nathan 

 The main speaker for the week was Bro. Gil Anger from Australia. It's been a while since he has been to Alaska, so it was good to see him again. He is a good friend of my dads. In some ways, they are a lot alike. Anyone who knows both of them can tell you that. :) Both are straight shooters - no beating around the bush. Haha Seriously, I enjoyed hearing him preach and was greatly challenged in many ways. As I hope many in our church were. My prayer is that my church will be more focused and united in the goal of World Missions. 

Bro. Anger with Dad (and Lacey)

Bro. Anger with 3 Greenfields

 Another missionary at the conference is headed to SouthEast Asia. He is going to a closed country, so he has his work cut out for him. But his passion for Christ is evident and I'm sure God will direct his steps. As Bro. Anger said, there are no closed countries. God made the world and He can make a way for you to enter the area He had directed you to. 

missionary to SE Asia

I was glad I had that first week off work, as I was extremely exhausted by the time I got home to Alaska. I was able to enjoy the Conference without worrying about work. As always, there is no place like Home. 

But truly my real Home is in heaven with my Saviour. I look forward to the day I will be there and will never have to say another goodbye! 

Graduation!

Last Saturday was the BBTI Graduation! 

It was a overcast, drizzly day, so the decision was made to move the ceremony from BBTI to the church in town. The ceremony went well. Bro. Rex's challenge to the students was excellent! and Bro. McElroy preached a good message. 

Afterward, we had an great lunch of deep fried catfish - thanks to Pastor Terry! It was actually my first time having catfish. By then, the skies had cleared up some, so we were able to eat outside.

It was a bittersweet day. 

Exciting to be done with school, hanging out with all my marvelous friends from my time in Texas and looking forward to being home in Alaska.

But also knowing that I would be saying goodbye to those marvelous friends in just a few short hours. 

Days like that make me ache for heaven, where we won't have to say goodbye!

an amazing friend! I love you, LL

haha! the Schnell kids! gonna miss them

oh the stories that could be told about this group ;)

!Fabulous Four!

next time... across the globe? 

always in my heart!

On another note....

Yesterday was my 26th birthday! 

Yikes!

Those who are younger than me think I'm old and those who are older think I'm still a child. lol

But I am thankful to my Lord for the 26 years He has given me. 

And I hope that I will be able to please Him in whatever time He gives me from today forward. 

more Jungle Camp pics

Team #1 with our shelter

Tim giving instructions about collecting water

another method of getting water from the environment

Abigail and I watching the chicken butchering

skinning the chickens

Tim and Steve butchering the pig

fresh chicken on the spit

man, it was tasty when it was finished!!

homemade raft 

had to get everyone across

Arianna and Elicia on the raft

Jungle Camp

Right after I got back from California, we began Jungle Camp! 

Monday morning we started and then finished up Friday around noon. We slept outside, some had tents, but myself and some of the other girls had a shelter built out of natural resources and a couple tarps. The weather was a little chilly the first night, but after that it was not to bad for sleeping. Course we had sleeping bags, so it was all good. Though by the end of the week, I was starting to hurt from the hard, uneven ground. But coffee made in a percolator over an open fire makes it worthwhile. :) 

nothing better than coffee around a campfire

On Tuesday, we butchered a pig and 4 chickens. Earlier we had been split into 4 teams, so each team got a quarter of a pig and a chicken to cook for a dinner that night. We had a community meal that night with everyone contributing. Our quarter of pig got stuck thru with a long stick and roasted over the fire. The chicken we started baking in the clay oven, but it didn't cook all the way, so we threw it in a pan and finished cooking it over the fire. 

roasting a leg of pig

carrying the meat to dinner

lots of yummy food

There was so much food. All cooked out the "jungle." Our team did skewered pork, baked/fried chicken, fried cactus (like fried okra, but better), onions & carrots, and (wild) garlic potatoes. Tim also baked a snapping turtle. And Josh killed and fried a snake. 

snapping turtle, anyone?

how about snake?

I think everyone had a great time living in the woods. I know I did. We learned how to make a fire, build a shelter, collect & purify water and snare/trap animals to eat, all with natural resources. Its amazing what you can do to survive with just a knife. 

We also had a great time of fellowship. Three of the nights, we all gathered together and had some singing and preaching. You can't beat singing praises to the LORD when you are surrounded by His creation! 

special song during camp service

our team's natural shelter

our team - #1

I was exhausted that week, since I had just gotten back from California Monday morning and we had some late nights. But it was amazing to be around fellow believers, who have the same focus in life and learn to work together "to survive." I think if I had to be stranded somewhere remote, I'd pick the people from my team to be stranded with. (ok, maybe Tim C. also!) :) 

I don't have many pictures I know, but might post some more soon!

California for the weekend!

It has been three years since I've been in California! Not that I like Cali that much, but I have many friends there and its always good to see them! I flew into LAX Wednesday afternoon. After getting my rental car, I drove to Moreno Valley, or MoVal as we call it. Stopped in for the services at Lighthouse Baptist. That night I stayed with my wonderful, artistic friends, the Wilsons. They have a beautiful family and it's great to spend time with them... even though their kids didn't really remember me. Guess I should visit more often. :) 

Donna, Violette and me

with big boy, Ian

I stopped off at Lancaster for a day and half. Just happened to be Youth Conference time at West Coast Baptist College. Which actually was pretty cool, since more of the people I went to school with four years ago were actually there. Got to say hi to many people and even scared a few. Seems I did that frequently with I was there at school, so decided to keep my reputation. haha

known these girls almost all their lives! Man I feel old. :) 

From there, Jaime and I drove north and then west to the coast where she has family. It was raining when we pulled out of Lancaster/Palmdale, but as we drove on, it cleared up a lot and turned into a beautiful day! We saw some very pretty parts of Southern California (I know, surprising, huh). 

It was very windy on the coast and kinda cool. We were hoping for nice, hot, sunny days, so we could enjoy the beach. Well it was sunny, not so hot (in the 50s), but still nice. We walked a nice trail, spent time at the beach, ate at some good restaurants and overall just had a good time. It was nice to just relax and not be in a hurry for anything. Oh, and of course, we went to this amazing ice cream shop... :) oh yeah! we've both been talking about it for the last 4 years, since the last time we were there. 

waiting for the sunset on pier

at the beach

Also, met up with brother and sister-in-law on Sunday. We attended church together, had lunch with other WCBC friends and then drove south. We stopped at another church that night north of LA, saw more people... some we knew would be there and some we didn't. That was a nice surprise! 

Flew out early Monday morning. Flight was supposed to be just after midnight, but didn't end up leaving until almost 2am. So, got back into Dallas much later than planned... made it back to BBTI, changed clothes and headed out to Jungle Camp.

Spring Break

Well, Spring Break was a total of 10 days for me, during which I drove roughly 2600 miles. Yeah, it was a break from school, but I arrived back in Texas very tired! 

This first picture illustrates my life motto. :) 

Have Passport, Will Travel

 First stop of the trip was Louisiana, where I stayed a night with my friends the Labouves. Well half of the Labouves, only 4 of the 8 were there. I think they heard I was coming and took for the hills. :) Had my morning devotions sitting on their back porch swing. I love mornings with the Word and a cup of coffee.

view from back porch

southern Louisiana

 Stayed in the Pensacola, Florida area for a couple days. It was hot and sunny pretty much the entire time. Spent time with several friends who are students at PCC and others who live in the area. Also, went to a great church that Sunday in Milton - Victory Baptist. 

with Candace & Doug

 with Chelsey

 Next stop was a couple hour visit with Dusty and her kiddos just an hour southeast of Milton. They had been stationed in Alaska a few years back and my sister babysat for them for a while. Great family! 

Gwen, me, Dusty, Natalie, Dominic

 Then across the rest of the top of Florida to Jacksonville. Had a great time with Matthew & Cory, got to meet some of their friends. We went downtown Jacksonville one day and then to Chloe's house to eat. Bonfire at night with friends - can't beat that! 

Chloe, Matt, me, Cory, Nathan
downtown Jacksonville, FL

 Six hours north to Atlanta, Georgia. I didn't realize that my friend Sauleja lived right downtown! And there were NCAA games that night at the Georgia Dome so traffic was awful. But I made it! We walked around for a bit, seeing the town. The next morning, she, her little sister and I went to the Botanical Gardens. Very cool! Lots of plants. :) go figure! but it was pretty awesome. Another gorgeous day! 

Downtown Atlanta

Sauleja, Jenina, me

From there, I drove up and across Tennessee to Jackson. In the hills just east of Chattanooga ran into some crazy rain! It was a downhill, curvy interstate and it was raining so hard there was practically standing water on the road. Could barely see the road and cars in front of me... and then there were crazy (trying to be nice) people who didn't have their headlights on! 

Went to church in Jackson that Sunday morning and then drove all the way thru Arkansas back into Texas. There was construction on I40 with no prior warning signs. So one 10 mile stretch took me an hour to complete. I got off the interstate as soon as I could. Stopped for a short visit in Hot Springs to see some college kids from back home and then back on the road.... 

driving, driving, driving. 

Got in to BBTI right at 3am. 

And class started at 755am.
But I was there! 

Honestly, I was tired, but got to see so many friends and spend time with them, that it was worth it!