Saturday, December 12, 2015

Less Than 24 Hours

Spur of the moment trip to Anchorage was exactly what I needed. Decided to go to town so I could surprise the volleyball team and watch them play in the state championship game. They took 2nd overall! I was able to spend time with friends, go out to dinner, see a movie in theatre, and enjoy my favorite....shopping. 



The thriving metropolis city of Anchorage.


Lynx it up! So encouraging to see their expressions when I walked into their practice gym. Love these kids to pieces! You all played hard and represented well.




Was extremely blessed to spend time with Amy and Adam. They always make me feel welcomed when I come. Cozy home, fresh towels, sweet notes, and much needed morning conversations. Thanks guys for being such sweet friends!







Love the beauty this village offers!
Home away from home.


Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Set a Fire

            It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord speaks to me. I know this is a blog about my Alaskan adventure, however, I cannot help but share how amazing the love of the Lord is. He is my everything and I want others to know how deeply he truly loves and cares for His Children. He has the power to heal the most broken of hearts and take the pain that has cut so deep that you never thought you would heal ever again. Wherever you are in life, there is nothing that you have gone through that the Lord hasn't felt or been in the same place as you have been. Just run into his arms and know that there is always hope. Never let go because God doesn't let go of you.
           "You have laid the hurting hearts of women at My feet." The Lord has been breaking down wall after wall and softened a strong headed, tough girl. If you don't know who that person is, it's me. I recently have discovered my strong passion and joy for sharing life experiences with females who have been hurt or are currently hurting. I see pain, fear, frustration, doubt, and lost hope. I am encouraged because I have watched some of my closest friends grow in their faith with the Lord, face their fears head on, and truly learn how to let God heal them. I not only see that in them but I also see that in my life as well. God can do amazing work in our lives when we fully let go and let God take over control of every aspect in our lives. The power of the Lord and how the Holy Spirit works in our hearts is just mind blowing to me.
           It is so encouraging to know that God is omniscient and omnipotent. These two words alone are extremely powerful, yet people, me included, do not always trust the Lord. I try to take matters in my own hands and sometimes even tell the Lord that I do not trust him. Nothing takes him by surprise and nothing is outside of His will. I was recently asked, "Why is it so hard to trust God?" Trust-reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, or security of a person or thing. That is fully letting go of our integrity, strength, ability, or security in ourselves. It does not mean to give up and never try but it is realizing that we cannot do it all on our own. What it comes down to is actually humbling ourselves before God by laying down our pride. Philippians 2:5, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus." Jesus Christ humbled himself by giving up His place in heaven, to come down here, and save us from spending eternity in hell. Humbled is the key word I am looking at. Jesus is humble and the opposite of humility is pride. Satan is prideful. So as I was asked this question, "Why is it so hard to trust God?" It all comes down to pride/humility. Will we humble ourselves before God and allow him to do what He says He will. Take care needs: provide us our daily bread, love us, forgive us, meet us where we are at, etc. Or will be prideful and continue to try to do it on our own? The answer is different for everyone because we are all giving the free choice to choose to accept Jesus as Savior or not.
         For me, there is no other option other than Jesus Christ. With all the tragedy going on in this world, the last thing I want to do is give up hope. Jesus Christ has already overcome this world and He will come back again. He knows everything that is going on and none of this shocks Him, but I am sure it brings Him much sadness when His children are turning against each other. When we become Christians it doesn't mean that we will have the perfect and easy life. It says in Mark 13:7-8-When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." In the same thought, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
         Just a little explanation about the title of this blog, it is one of my favorite songs and it fits how I have been feeling lately. Part of the lyrics are, "There's no place I would rather be." I realize they are about being in the presence of Jesus, but I feel they fit how I feel out here. There is no other place I would rather spend time searching out the Lord and really finding who I truly am in Christ. So as usually here are some of my top pictures of the past couple months. Hope you enjoy and huge shout out to Mr. Dave Kunte.


Yes, that is a bear track. Mom, I took Anna with me. 
Do not worry we didn't see the bear and we were on the look out. :D


Our small group of lady runners that day. Katie and Anna
This was only a couple months ago when it was not in the negatives and there was no snow.


Sunday laughs and giggles with Liz and Asha.


All packed and ready to go to Bristol Bay for Inservice!!




Picked out, cut, and hand sewed my own beaver hat. 
It was a blast and I would definitely do it again if I am given the chance.





Early morning local coffee shop run!


Oh Kate, how I enjoy spending time with you! You are such a sweet friend. 



Kiana you have such a sweet heart and I loved spending time with you. Thanks for giggles, popcorn, and all the movie watching we did. Hugs upon hugs girl! 


Kiana just making my day a little bit brighter. 


Rachel, I cannot tell you enough how grateful I am for you! 
You are such a great mama and I love your beautiful little girl!



A beautiful run with Carlin. 
Thanks for setting the pace and making the run seem like a piece of cake. 



If you look closely you can see a rainbow in the background.
Nice shot Carlin!!



Apparently playgrounds aren't just for children anymore. Foxes think they are a great place too.





Katelyn you are strong and I am happy to be apart of your life. Keep seeking the Lord with everything you have in you.  Love you Blondie!



I have been having a blast spending time helping out Kyle with his cabin when I can. 
He has worked so hard and has done a wonderful job at making this such a great home for himself. Thanks for letting me help!!

  
It has been a busy past couple of months with work and spending time with many sweet friends. If you didn't make it in this blog, I am sure there will be more to come. I am happy to be here and am blessed to have the opportunity to learn every day. Not only do I feel my students teach me something everyday but God does as well. Thank you readers for following my blog!!

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Sitting Still but Never Quitting

          How often do we stop to sit and rest with everything going on? In all reality it probably seems impossible to do that. Even if you get to sit and rest, how often is it in the presence of the Lord? Sitting still is not something I always want to make time for. There is always exploring, going, working, or having fellowship with others. These things are not necessarily bad but they need to be balanced with everything else going on.
          I don't know if you hear the same voice telling you to sit and listen, but I often put it off because there is something else that catches my attention. A few years ago, I kept using the excuse, “I am too busy.” Someone once told me that it wasn’t me being “too busy,” it was me not making time for the desired activity. Since then, I have seen that I can’t use excuses just because there is something I don’t want to do. I need to be honest and blunt with myself and other people. I have no idea where you are in your walk with God and that is perfectly fine because it is between you and Him. I hope this encourages you and I want share a few things that the Lord has been teaching me in the past month.
          After two years of being out here, I have been able to get to know the people in this community and I have seen their beautiful hearts for the Lord. These people love the Lord and desperately want to share the work God has done in their lives. It is very catchy and the more I am out here the more I want to do the same. He has shown me how much love He actually has for me, despite my sin and failures. I am reminded that I do fail, I don’t always show Christ, and that I will have hard times in this life. Despite all this, I am reminded more that I am saved and do not have to live a life in defeat and frustration. This does not just apply to me but it can also apply to you if you allow it to.
         Jesus has rescued us like a lifeguard rescues a drowning person. We are pulled out from the ocean of our sins that drown us daily.  Not only have we been rescued, but we are restored, renewed, and reconciled with our heavenly Father. Jesus paid the price that we could never pay. He has shown us grace time and time again. Why did he do all of this? He loves us with an unconditional love we can only hope and pray to show to others. He does not want us to perish and spend an eternal life in hell. He wants us to choose Him forever and ever. “But He was pierced for our transgression, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
        God is the King of this universe! Read that again. He sent his only son Jesus to die for our punishment. We have access to the highest King there ever has, is, or will be because Jesus humbled himself by stepping down from His royalty. Yet again this only happens because of God’s unconditional love He has for us. God=Love. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”
         I want to share a little bit about teaching here in Alaska. Everyone keeps asking me how long I plan to stay out here. Well, I don’t know. I try to take it one day at a time, while I keep seeking the Lord to lead me where He wants me to go. So when I find out any new information about moving I will let you all know. For right now, I am staying here to serve and live my life out for the Lord. I currently have 11 rambunctious students. I have 3 lovely little girls and 8 full of life little boys. I constantly mull over thoughts of how I can demonstrate love and compassion to my students on a daily basis. I want them to see Christ in me in everything I do. Something encouraging I read was this, “Teaching is sharing ourselves with others. We get the best from our students when we give the best of ourselves.” 
           Over these past years, I have found that the best of me is when I feel like I am filled by the Lord and by others. If I want this to happen I need to be honest with myself as well as other people. It does me no good when I sit by myself withdrawn and frustrated. It all goes back to the making time to sit still and marvel in the Lord's presence. It is by His grace that covers me and His love that reminds me of all the good He has put in my life. The Lord keeps drawing me out more and more in the most tender way possible. He keeps putting people in my life to love and care for me, even on the worst of days. I have found true friendship and kindness from those around me. So thank you to all of you who have taken time to get to know me and really see my heart for what it is. I cannot thank you enough for listening and help me process through all that runs through my head. I am excited for the Lord to keep working in and through me this year. If you want to pray for me, then I ask that you pray for the Lord's help in displaying the fruit of the spirit to not only my children but everyone I come in contact with. It has been my prayer for last year and I want to keep that on the forefront of my mind each and everyday. "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22 
             Here are a few pictures that remind me of how amazing the King of this universe really is.













Sitting Still but Never Quitting