Life's Ups and Downs

The past week has been an interesting one. Most people's emotions are heightened when they are tired; well, right now, I live tired. So everything that happens seems so sharp and almost too focused. But just to give you some highlights......

Last Wednesday, I found out that one of my closest friends here in Alaska was moving. To Florida. Honestly, I like when I leave town, not when others do and I'm left here. When I say "one of my closest friends," I mean someone who prays for me and I for her. Someone I can openly share my heart with and she can do the same with me. Someone who keeps me grounded and anchored while at home. Someone who challenges, encourages, motivates me. Someone who loves me for just being me. To say that I will miss her, will be an understatement. But we've already cried, hugged and prayed together. I'm thankful for God placing her in my life and it will be a friendship for a lifetime, no matter how many miles apart we are.

While that was a little sad to digest, some good amazing things also happened this week..... Levi was born! Congrats to Tim & Cara on the birth of their first child! I've only seen pictures so far, but he sure is cute. And I'm not just saying that; I know most newborns are red, wrinkly and not too cute, but he is. Can't wait to meet him in person. Then Friday found out that a friend I had been praying for (Whitney and I had been praying together for this) had turned around and was making good decisions! Not little decisions, but great, big HUGE ones. For the good. I have wept over this friend, grieved at their past choices and what joy thrilled my soul when I heard that they had made a 180 degree turn. Thank You, God!

This is the first time in years I am not at camp. Right now, Village Week at Rock Crossing is in full swing. And I am not there. It's a little weird, yes. Kind of bittersweet. I have so many memories from my time out there. Yet, I am excited about what God is doing in my life and the direction He is leading. His plan is best and I look forward to discovering what the next step.

Can I just tell you about my Amazing. Loving. Gracious. All-powerful. Awe-some. God? Two nights recently I have been heading home after midnight (working), while I don't enjoy those late nights and lack of sleep, I do thoroughly enjoy the artwork of my God. Wow. One night, the entire sky was a canvas of blues, pinks and purples. Pink cotton candy clouds stretched out in front of me and the sinking yellow and orange sun beckoned behind me. Many don't get to appreciate God's sunsets in the summer here because of it the time, but Oh My. It is worth staying up for. I think He did is just for me. To tell me how much He loved me. How much He cares about one little individual in the middle of Alaska.

God is God alone. In the good times and the bad, He's still on the throne.

pictures don't do it justice

Just say NO! || Sleep? what's that??

Sometimes I think my greatest weakness is the inability to say "no" (more often than not). There's just so much I want to do and accomplish and when opportunities are presented, I jump at them. Before I know it, my days are maxed and I'm trying to figure out when I'll sleep. Sleep is important.... or so they tell me. 

And of course, everything seems to go crazy all at the same time. My schedule was a comfortably full, then all of a sudden it was so jampacked full that I missed meals and had to have people bring me food! (thanks, Tman) And there's no let up until July, actually I think it might even be fuller the last two weeks of June than it is now.  

There's a couple things that keep me sane during crazy times like these.... 
God's grace and strength. What a powerful, profound Truth to know He is my Saviour, my Lord and my friend. He is with me every step of the way. 

Good friends who keep me spiritually grounded. There are two that I talk to on a weekly basis; one by phone and one face to face. We spend time sharing what God has taught us recently, what we are going through and pray together. Those prayer times are like an oasis in the midst of a hectic life. I treasure them greatly! 

A few more things that  randomly bless my days by making me laugh, feel loved or just add a little excitement.....

Receiving mail! I love snail mail, some days I wish that's all we had again (don't usually wish very long, since I also enjoy email:) Last week arrived home late one night and had a package from my friend - with a lovely, colorful scarf, shirt and a card with kind words. Just an extra pick-me-up blessing. 

thanks to Jaime for this scarf!

Hanging with Bobby at church. Crazy kid with tons of energy! So funny how all the little kids at church love my dad. Sometimes I help him out, cause he always had a couple or more kids hanging around him. Bobby is quite the character! He can't say my name, so was teaching him to call me, "pretty girl." heehee

selfie with Bobby!

#canceledflight - so glad this wasn't our airline

Rock Crossing Visit

I had to awesome blessing to go out to Rock Crossing two weeks ago. It was the Ojala's first time out this summer, so we didn't know what we would find. There were a few large trees that had blown over this winter, but thankfully all fell next to buildings not on them! It was so early in the summer (really, still spring) that there was not much green on the trees and you could see the roofs the buildings from the river. 

This is the first summer that I won't be attending camp in forever, which translates to about fifteen years. It is a little strange knowing I won't be there (or any other camp, for that matter), but God is good! Looking back on our lives, I'm sure we would not want to always be the same as we were twenty years ago. Change is hard to accept when it first makes its appearance, but God is faithful in growing us and making us ready for change. Ten years ago, Rock Crossing was so important to me, that I planned my entire year around those two weeks of camp. Fast forward to today - I am not going and I have complete peace about that. 

But I am still thankful I had the chance to go out for the weekend this month. Rock Crossing holds a special place in my heart; I have many, many memories from my time out there. Young people I was able to point to Christ and watch as they accepted Him as their Saviour. Lives I got to see changed. Conversations and opportunities I will treasure forever. Times of prayer with fellow believers I hold precious. Lessons God taught me that have molded me into who I am today. Friendships that were strengthened. And all the crazy, funny stories of randomness that happened.... at all hours of the day. Oh, and nicknames that I received. 

late night on the sandbar

our neighbors driving by

sunset at 10:something 

Goodnight Rock Crossing!

Adventurous Blessed Life

Do you ever get asked those "repeat questions?" You know, those questions that when asked, you think to yourself..... "this question wouldn't be so annoying if I only heard it once every other year.... but since I've heard a variation of it twenty times in the past month...." And no, I'm not talking about the "why are you not in a relationship" question. 

For me, the most often asked question is "when is your next trip?" or "when are you leaving again?" or "what country are you going to next?" etc. etc. etc. 

So, let me just answer everyone at one time. Right now. 

I. DO. NOT. KNOW.

Just the other day, I got asked again, but this time the question was "When's your next adventure?".

Adventure? I can only have adventure while I'm in some foreign country? So if I'm not traveling, my life is boring? 

I just want to let y'all know. I LOVE MY LIFE. And as much as I love traveling, I sure hope that is not what defines me. Yes, there are days, when all I want to do is jump on the next airplane. And those days when I struggle through homesickness for a tiny village in Outer Mongolia. But really, I have a blessed life! And adventure? Well EVERY day is an adventure! :D

Let me tell you a few things I love about my life....

I live in one of the greatest states ever - ALASKA! and it's coming into the greatest time of year - Summer! 

A loving Saviour who loves me unconditionally (do you really grasp that? UNCONDITIONALLY.) and is my best friend, constant companion, interceder, and the list goes on.... 

A crazy, loud family to laugh with (or at), tell stories and jokes, quote movies with, discuss hockey, eat food with and just have fun! 

Pretty sure, I have the most amazing friends ever! I am blessed to know so many awesome people. I never know when I will hear from people scattered all over the world by email, phone calls, text, fb msg and skype. THAT is a blessing. Love each of you. 

Incredible job that is flexible with my schedule! I love having more time to enjoy summer and be able to go back to school and travel! They have been more than good to me. And my supervisor is the best in the world!

I love sunshine. And jean skirts. And comfy shoes. And books. And coffee. And driving. And mountains. And school. And food.  

What about adventure you ask? Well, what about late night traipsing up hillsides through fences, over crystallized snow and mud and under fences, just to watch the lunar eclipse? 

Adventure? How about teaching a Bible study to a bus family from Ghana? When you never know who else will be in attendance or what topic will come up? Getting so share the Word of God is great adventure!

Other random blessings - 

An amazing deal on roundtrip tickets to Seattle for a friend's wedding! Did I say AMAZING? Thank you, Lord!

Finishing my online TESOL course!! That is huge blessing! 

Being able to pray together with dear friends. 

Small trips to the States this year (already up to 3) 

Friends getting married. (isn't it exciting? all these weddings? except I think I'm going to be broke soon....) 

Little Levi Wesley arriving in just two months! (T&C, that was just for you!) :D

You know, I really don't mind when close friends asking me when my next trip is, because I know they really care about me and aren't just trying to make conversation. But I just wanted to say publicly, I love my life. Today. 
I am not promised tomorrow. Neither are you. So until God directs me to travel overseas again, I am going to live in today. And enjoy the time I have here. 

And JUST LOVE LIFE. 

Heart Issues

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."           Matthew 11:28-29

I am a planner and a doer. I enjoy living my life to the fullest. My mind is constantly thinking ahead, looking for new adventures, setting goals, strategizing how I can accomplish everything, scheduling visits with friends, searching for airfare deals, etc. While my mind is whirling with future ideas and plans, I am also trying to juggle work, ministry, online English class, online TESOL class, online training for a 2nd job, books that have to be read, Bible studies to teach, friends and other random projects, all with deadlines, of course.  My mind just goes and goes and goes..... until my heart yells,  "Stop!"

Physically, my heart can only handle so much. Doing too much, compounded by lack of sleep and too much caffeine causes my heart to act up. There have been times that my blood pressure has been.... well, let's just say one time a nurse friend told me I needed to go to the ER cause it was so high. Add to that the fact that one of the valves in my heart is thicker than it's supposed to be. Not a big deal, they really won't do anything about it unless it gets worse, but it's enough that I can tell when my heart's not right. When I get so busy that I barely have enough time to remember my name and age, it puts undo stress on my heart. 

Not just my physical heart though. My spiritual heart. That's why I love the verses above. I have to remind myself to stop. To be still. To know God. To spend time in His presence. If I don't, my spiritual heart gets out of rhythm. It doesn't matter how many Bible studies I teach. How many friends I encourage. How many missions trips I take. If my heart is not in tune with God, all of it is pointless. 

It's a daily task - reminding myself to slow down so I can enjoy God and life. I want to rest in my Saviour's arms. Want to enjoy His presence that brings joy (Ps. 16:11) Desperately want my life to reflect His light and grace and that will only come as I spend quality time with Him. 

I'm working on my heart.... how's yours? 

Lunar Eclipse = Nighttime Adventure

I've had a post on my mind for the past week and a half... but it is still unwritten. Maybe this weekend.... sometimes life just keeps moving forward swiftly and the time to write a blog post gets swept way in the current. 

In the meantime, here's a couple pictures from an adventure earlier this week. I'm sure you heard of the lunar eclipse that occurred this past Monday. Midnight hikes have been brought up a lot recently.... so it was a good excuse to go. 

We didn't plan this one very well though. It's missions conference at church, so we went in what we were wearing.... such as one individual who had flip flops on. I don't recommend wearing flip flops in April on a hike, short as it was. Lots of mud, patches of crystallized snow, fences, darkness, hills, etc. 

Even with all the "mishaps," it was a great night. Moon wasn't as spectacular as I was thinking it would be, but we still have another crazy, night time hike to laugh about! 

Lunar Eclipse (not solar!) 

with Jordan, Tanya, Travis and Justin. heehee