Farewell 2015

Well, 2015 is gone. 

In some ways it was a mellow year; school kept me pretty occupied and my international travel was held to a minimum. But it was a good year nonetheless. The most prominent part of the year was school. I took a full spring semester, one class during the summer and another full fall semester. And tested out of 3 classes during that time also. Some days, it sure felt like all I did was homework. But my Undergrad is completed and yes, I am relieved. 

Other highlights from the year include:

My first niece being born! She's almost a year old already. And even though she lives several thousands miles away, I've been blessed to see her 3x this year. 

Traveling in the Lower 48- I went 3x this year for a total of roughly 6 weeks and was in 11 different states. 

Mongolian family in Colorado

USS Alabama in Mobile

Navy Pier in Chicago

Memorial Day in Wisconsin

backwoods Indiana

southern Cali

The wonderful experience with work in the field of ESL. Had some amazing coworkers this summer and great students. It was a rewarding time teaching English and exploring various places in Fairbanks with my students. 

learning English

exploring Fairbanks (with strangers photobombing)

Then there was that trip to Arctic Canada that was epic, crazy, fun and slightly dangerous all rolled into one.

autumn in the Arctic includes snow

Canadian friends

Welcome 2016! Looking forward to some grand adventures! :D

Welcome 2015

Reflecting back over 2014, again, I am so amazed by my God. He is ever faithful and so good to me. He not only gives me my daily needs, but blesses far above what I deserve. God has given me so many amazing opportunities in this life. I am grateful. 

A year ago January, I was home in Alaska, working and debating on what was the next step in life. Before making any major decisions, decided to have some fun first. :) Went down to Anchorage for the weekend with so crazy awesome friends. Enjoyed a hockey game, Piano Guys concert, cruising around town with a Dodge Ram, a midnight trip to Seward and so much more. 

Road Trip! 

In March, I decided to go back to school and finish my Bachelors. Took one course during the spring semester and one during the summer months. Then hit the books hard in the Fall semester. There were a few days, when I questioned myself, wondering why I was going back to school. But I am close to being finished and I look forward to what God has next. 

Even with school, the days weren't all drudgery and hardwork. I had plenty of crazy, fun times.... like the night of the lunar eclipse.... or traveling in Illinois, which included a NHL game and breaking into my friend's house.... volunteering for the Arctic Winter Games held in Fairbanks this year....  trip to one of my favorite cities, Vancouver, BC for a wedding.... a weekend flight to Selawik.... camping in Denali.... so many stories from this year.

night of the lunar eclipse

wedding fun

Selawik, Alaska

Denali, AK

This summer was a full one; was still working at Aerofuel and then a couple nights a week at the airport. Also, had an opportunity to tutor a teen from Hong Kong in English. During the summer, that was usually 6 hours a week of tutoring. Yes, sometimes I tend to be a workaholic. 

The end of the year found me with my nose in a book or writing papers. This semester at UAF was a tough one since I am nearing the end of my degree and most of my classes are upper level. I had several writing intensive classes, which means a lot of reading and then a lot of writing. So glad for this Christmas break! 

One of my not so favorite moments of this year was my very good friend Whitnie leaving.... :'( Whit has been a true friend from the first day we met. We've had wonderful times of just talking, laughing, drinking coffee and praying together. I miss having her here, but glad she is following the Lord's leading. And Lord willing, I'll see her in a few months!! 

sweet time with Whit

A major highlight for me this year, was getting to go to SIBBC and teach a two week English Writing class. It was tough fitting that in, since it fell in the middle of my fall semester, but we made it work. What a blessing it was to me to meet young people, who love God and his Word, who want to use their serve God with their lives, either in translating the Bible into languages or other ministry. It was a refreshing time for me spiritually. 

my class in India

And now, 2015 stretches out in front of me.... an huge, empty slate.Ready to be filled with my choices. May I always listen and yield to God's promptings.  

Arabian Desert

Welcome 2014

I know everyone says this every year, but time sure does fly! 

2013 was a full and exciting year. There were rough days and joyful days. There were moments I cried and many, many moments I laughed. With all that happened this year, I'm even more thankful to my God for being with me every step of the way. He is my constant. 

To recap....

2013 started with me sick in bed. What a way to start the year eh? I was fine New Year's Eve, but four hours into the year found me rushing for the outhouse. Not a pleasant thing in the dark and frigid 4am. 

After recovering from that nasty bug, I enjoyed the first part of the year.... I was in Mongolia, which I consider my second home. Those first few weeks of the year were a restful time for me. Life is a much slower pace in the villages of Mongolia, so I had a lot of time to spend with my Saviour and in His Word. I see now He was preparing me for the trials that were coming.

sunrise in Khatgal, Mongolia

I continued traveling through the first few months of the year and it was during this time that God manifested His grace to me in amazing ways. The trials I faced last February and March, can't say I would have chosen them if given an choice. But I do know my God loves me and He provided the grace and strength to face the mountains that stood in the way of my peace and joy. Without a doubt, I drew closer to God through those dark days; He was all I had to cling to. It was an incredible comfort to realize that my Saviour experienced many of the same emotions I was dealing with and to remember that I had the Holy Spirit within me. 

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16

I had just recently memorized these verses from Hebrews chapter four. Never ceases to amaze me how God prepares us long before we have to face a hardship. He was already working in my life before the blow occurred. What a loving God!

traveling in Central Asia - living day by day with God's grace

This summer I said goodbye to a dear friend, who moved to Texas. I had the awesome privilege of working with her for several years. She was a constant encouragement, source of laughter, sounding-board, advice giver and prayer warrior. She may have started out just as a coworker, but now I count her as a dear friend. Thanks, Shelia, for your heart for God and the blessing you've been in my life. I pray that I can be a blessing to others as much as you were to me! 

being blessed

Some people God places in your life to bless and encourage you. Some people He places in your life so you can encourage them. So thankful I have the opportunity to bless others as God has blessed me. This year has been a challenge in many ways, but every step of the way God granted wisdom, strength and grace. I'm incredibly grateful I was able to pass that on to those I love very much. 

being a blessing

Summer 2013 was another great one. I do believe Alaska has some of the best summers ever! It's beautiful here and never too hot. (for which I'm very grateful) I worked at the airport parttime again and enjoyed my (most) nights of work. Watching the sunsets at 2am is pretty awesome. Had a blast floating the Chena River and hunting along another Alaskan river farther north. Hiking Angel Rocks at night is now a part of my summers - a tradition that will have to continue. Would be nice if we didn't have to sleep in the summer, there's so much to do and enjoy. :) 

2013 began with being away from home and the travels continued till almost the end. End of October through beginning of December, I spent on the road. Covered three states, one city in Canada and the entire largest island of Fiji in about seven weeks. Fiji was new territory to me, so was able to mark one more country off my list to visit. :) 

enjoying friends in Canada

being crazy in Fiji

This Holiday season had the extra blessing to be at home with family. The past two Christmas' I was either in another US state or another country. Almost forgot how crazy my family is at Christmas time. :) We had a great time in anticipation of Christmas Day and a relaxing day to celebrate our Saviour's birth. 

Christmas Sunday on Bus route

Well, 2013 was exciting. and painful. and thrilling. and joyful. and rewarding. It was marked with new adventures. dear friends. good food. travel. memories to be remembered. new friends and old. 

It was a good year. 

My prayer for 2014 is that I would be yielded to whatever God puts in my path. I want to continue to grow and be stretched by Him. He knows me best and understands what things are necessary for me to be conformed into His image. 

Hopefully a year from today I will be more like my Saviour. It all starts with a decision today....