Governor's Cup x6

Earlier this month, my sisters and I went down to Anchorage for another weekend of hockey. Okay, so we might be a little crazy about our hockey obsession.... maybe. 

All week long we talked about the road conditions. We heard so many mixed reports about the weather and roads. My dad wasn't going to tell us no, but he said make sure you take enough winter clothing, shovels, etc. Friday morning, it sounded pretty bad, but my sister said, let's just try it. We'll drive to Nenana and if it's horrible, we can turn around. Of course, we didn't turn around. 

To be honest, in the back of my mind, I didn't want to go if we weren't going to win. I know that sounds horrible, but there was a lot of things I was putting aside in order to go. (you know, homework and important stuff) After all, our team had won the Governor's Cup the previous 5 years, was it possible to win a sixth? 

Even though, hands down our team was way better than UAA this year. But they did beat us twice here in Fairbanks back in January. Two out of only 10 wins or so they had the entire year. So no matter how good we were or how bad they were, when it comes to the GovCup, anything can happen..... 

We had to win both Friday and Saturday night. And then win the shootout. We did our part in cheering the team on. Its fun to be at home games, but it's awesome cheering for your team at an away game. There were a lot of other Nanook fans there. Pretty sure we were just as loud as the UAA fans, if not louder. 

Well, they did it! When it came time for the shootout Saturday night, we were all so excited and with the adrenaline pumping, I could hardly stand it. After Cahill saved their 3rd shot, our section of the arena went wild!! I've never see our players so happy and excited to win! This was a pretty big game for them. With the NCAA sanctions this year, it was the last game of the season, no postseason for us. 

We waited around to get a picture with the Cup. Finally got someone to stop and take the picture. But some people don't know how to properly take a picture and then make sure its good before handing the phone back.... Even with editing it, the picture below is as good as it gets. :) oh well, we still won!!

Randomness. Again.

Sunshine and warming days. The thought of spring lingers in the air. Currently, we are up to 13+ hours of sunlight each day and I am thankful for each one. Even on cold days, the sunshine gives me energy. This winter was a mild one, but Alaskan winters still last a loooonnnnnggggg time, so I'm thankful we are headed into April. There's a good chance we will have one more cold snap/snow, but still the nearness of summer is at hand. 

This semester started out well and I felt like I had more free time than last semester, even though I'm taking 5 classes instead of just 4 along with working more hours. But that has vanished. Perhaps because the end is drawing nigh, the assignments keep piling up and I can barely keep up with my reading. Now it's time to buckle down and start writing those 10 page papers... of which I have 4! Whew. 

Some days I truly hate school, well the homework at least. And some of our topics/books. Going to a secular university can be taxing on a born-again Christian. But the end is in sight. Lord willing, if all works out, I will be graduating in December of this year!! Then it's on to more exciting things. :) 

Welcome LanieRae!

Everyone welcome the newest Greenfield!! :) 

Lanie Raechelle was born February 5th. My first niece. Can't wait till I get to hold her for the first time. Its so much fun being an Aunt. Now I have one nephew (who's having a birthday soon) and one niece! So weird to think my kid brother is a father now. 

not impressed apparently

baby selfie!

Finish Strong

A couple weeks ago, I was listening to a 10 year old preaching tape in my car while going back and forth to work and school. Sometimes I get tired of listening to music while driving, so this is a good alternative. Especially since my new car only has the radio and a cassette player. So I had to dig out my old cache of preaching cassettes. 

The sermon was a great message, but I started thinking about the guy preaching. My mind went back to the year he preached that particular sermon.... he was such an on-fire young man. At the time was attending Bible college, serving at church, involved in all kinds of ministries, both at school and at his home church during the summers, greatly interested in missions. He was a likable young man, was passionate about the Lord and great preacher. Humanly speaking, most who knew him saw such a great future lay in front of him.

Now, he is still serving in the church, but his passion has seemed to fade. Still a great guy, but I wonder if the fire still burns in his soul. It is not my place to judge, but it made me examine my own life. 

I go back ten years and think about who I was then..... scary thought. haha Honestly, sometimes I wonder how people could stand being around me. So rough around the edges. And then my mind recollects the years between then and now. I look back at the times God was molding me. Pruning me. Putting me through the fire. All to conform me to His image. Times where I wondered why, and now can see how God used those times to draw me to Him. 

I've decided I may not have started well, but I want to finish strong. I would much rather keep progressing each year and come to the end of my life and know that my passion has grown, my love for God has increased and my service never slacked, then to be a ball of fire in the beginning and slowly fade into ashes. 

In Paul's words: 
            "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)

Alone, and yet Not Alone

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou has filled me with indignation.   Jeremiah 15: 16-17

Ever have those moments (or days), that you feel so alone? Surrounded by people, and yet alone. I am so glad that I may be alone, yet I am never truly alone. For my God is my constant Companion. 

God created us to be social people. He said of Adam, "it is not good that the man should be alone;" We are a people who long for love and fellowship. I do not know a single person who really, truly wants to be unloved or unwanted. Personally, it makes me happy to know that people love me. Compliments make me smile. Friends wanting to spend time with me encourages my heart. 

And the opposite is true as well. A friend stops talking to me and I ask myself what I did wrong. Negative comments hurts my feelings. Having noone to spend time with is frustrating. And no one is exempt. Everyone likes being wanted and loved. 

That's why I'm glad I have something and Someone who remains constant in my life. I never have to worry if God loves me today or not. I never have to wonder if He is listening and speaking to me. If I feel He is far away, I am the one who has moved, not Him. I may have to remind myself of His love, but that does not change the fact His love is consistent and unchanging. 

So today I may be alone. And maybe again next week. But God is still with me. So really I am NOT alone. 

2015 Goals

Even though last year, I did not accomplish all I intended to in 2014, still going to set some goals for this new year. Goals are good; they give me something to work towards. Even if I don't exactly complete them, probably still do more while working at them than if I had no goals. 

So, drumroll..... 
my goals for 2015 include....

Spiritual goals - 
1. memorize more Scripture. Last year, my intention was to memorize the book of Philippians. That did not happen, but I really want to memorize more of God's Word this year. So, I'm committing to 5 verses a month. 
2. fast and pray more. Have some ideas for fasting; I think one month I'm going to take a break from facebook. One month I'll go without coffee (gasp). And we'll go from there. It is partly an exercise in self-control and partly a way to focus more on God. 
3. Read through the entire Bible. Actually, I would like to read through the Bible in 100 days. It'll take some commitment and time, but going to give it a try. 

Physical goals - 
I've been wanting to be in better shape physically for a while. Last week, I went to a Krav Maga class.... whew. and realized just how out of shape I am! So, again its time to buckle down and do the hard things. I'm debating on taking the Krav class weekly and plan on playing more tennis, skating and running. We'll see how it all plays out. 
Also, this year, going to make a point of eating more healthy. Next month, I am planning on doing a 3 day cleanse. 

Random other goals - 
1. The other day on fb, I saw some people were talking about doing random acts of kindness throughout this next year. They were asking for people to join in and commit to blessing five people at some time during 2015 with a random act of kindness. So, I'm going to set my own goal.... once a month, I will bless someone randomly. Maybe with a note or small gift. And not someone I am close to, could be a stranger or a casual acquaintance. 
2. Last year, I set the goal of visiting 3 new countries.... but only added one to my list. So, this year, I am shooting for two new countries and one US state. (Kentucky, you have eluded me too long)
3. One goal, I am really looking forward to completing is earning my BA! (finally) I may have to do a little extra work to get it all together, but prayerfully by December I will have my degree in hand. And then the world awaits.....