Alaska Parte Uno

On the flight home from a mission trip to Malaysia in 2003, we flew over Alaska, and the picture above was my first-ever, real-life glimpse of Alaska. It just so happened that the sun was rising over the mountains and as I sat next to the window in the 'hallway' of the airplane I just cried. Yeah, yeah, I know I'm a softie, but what got me was the beauty of God's creation. The fact that His own hand formed and fashioned those mountains and He set into motion the heavens and told the sun when to rise and fall - what a MIGHTY God He is!

So as I sat there, at that very moment was when I determined that I must, must, must see and visit Alaska at some point in my life.

Little did I know, that a mere six years later He would grant me that opportunity! Not only to visit a state I longed to see but also to visit and spend some wonderful time with my childhood friend Rebecca and her family and friends. A double blessing!


So I have now been able to add another Alaskan sunrise picture to my collection -- lets hope it becomes a trend! : ) The first picture has been one of my all-time favorite pictures I have taken and it's neat to have a sequel.
I loved seeing the reflection of the sunlight in the river below. Such a sight to see from so high!!


Becca took me to her neighbor's cabin and all I could think was that I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want a cabin of my own now!! Not that I'm quite the expert hunter to bring home the array of animals he has hanging all over the place but it was really a place I could see myself curling up with some hot cocoa and watching the snow fall.




And then we made our way to Pioneer Park where the Golden Days festival is now in full swing.


"What is that???" You might ask? ^^^ Lunch! Caribou Polish sausage to be exact. And boy was it good!


Becca's daughters wanted their picture with me so I got all gussied up in my parka and hauled the dog sled out. : ) Above is me with Kayla and below is me with Alisha. Such sweet and beautiful girls!! (I guess I'll include myself in that description too!! Hehee!)

And then Becca laid out a challenge. Me - the NEGATIVE 40 degree chamber - and 10 minutes. Could it be done??

Seeing as I was wearing capri pants, chaco sandels and a short-sleeved shirt, I wasn't quite fully prepared but I took the challenge anyway. And it was quite fun! They did provide a parka, gloves and boots though. My strategy was to fill the time with taking pictures and doing a video inside. Short story long, my bare legs were turning splotchy and a few minutes (best I could judge) after my five-minute warning I got a bit concerned as my legs were very very splotchy and hard to the touch, so I decided after three times of talking myself into staying in a bit longer that I should just get out. I wasn't sure if Becca would let me know when my time was up or not and felt that surely it had been ten minutes! I was ONE minute short!!


Had I have had jeans on, it would have been no problem at all. ^^^Sassy look Huh?? Winter boots and capris. I don't think I'll be the pioneer of any winter fashion trends any time soon : )

So this is all for the first installment of me and our adventures in Alaska.

Up next: North Pole Alaska and Santa Claus' house. White water rafting in Denali. A river cruise to somewhere (I really should ask a few more questions!) and hiking perhaps at some point. Oh! And the bathtub races at the Golden Days Festival and perhaps a meeting with none other than Gov./soon to be Former Gov. Sarah Palin who will be at the festival this Sunday!!! My goal is to have a picture taken with her. If not, then atleast a picture from afar. But the Lt. Gov. will be sworn in that day at the festival at 3:00 so I'm sure it will be media galore!! Anyway, I'm off to bed and can't wait to update with the Part Dos of my journey!

Grace and peace dear friends!

Summer Reading List

Well, now that summer is about to draw to a close (speaking in terms of school break) I figured I should get around to posting my summer reading list. I have pretty much read most of what's on my list and have added two unexpected reads last minute -- but here is what I've crammed into my mind the past few months:

Humility by CJ Mahaney
:: A few more chapters to go in this one, I'm working through it slowly as it's one of those that pricks the heart and brings conviction ::

Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley
:: Very fascinating book that focuses much on the history and residual impact of feminism on Christianity ::

The Lord's Day by Joseph A. Pipa Jr.
:: Great book on keeping the Lord's day Holy and setting that day apart to keep one's mind and heart on the Lord. I highly recommend it! ::

The Valley of Vision a collection of puritan prayers
:: I'm slowly reading through this but I adore the way in which these prayers were written and very much convicted, uplifted, encouraged, captivated and comforted by them ::

Alaska by Tracie Peterson
:: The first Christian fiction romance novel I've ever read and was only drawn to it because it was set in Alaska -- For which I depart in a mere TWO days!!! Woohoo!!!! : ) The book was well written and included a lot of historical and cultural information - not to mention a few hard-hearted gals that were eventually won over by their pursuer (both Christ and a rugged Alaska man) ::

Desiring God by John Piper
:: I must admit this book is the one that is taking me the longest to wade through. I have SUCH a hard time grasping Piper -- or perhaps there is just so many nuggets of truth it takes my pea brain a while to digest it all! ::

Torches of Joy by John Dekker and Lois Neely
:: A book from Rachel's homeschool curriculum that Carol graciously let me borrow! It was SUCH a good read about the conversion of stone age tribes in Indonesia/Papua New Guinea in the late 1960's and on into the 70's and 80's. The anthropologist in me was pleased : ) A good last minute addition to reading list for sure! ::

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges
:: I'm only about 6 chapters in this book and can only describe this one as an easy read yet a hard read. : ) Easy because I like his writing style and it's easy for me to follow, yet hard because it does bring about conviction and sheds light on some dark places in the heart. I highly recommend this book and rarely do so for books I haven't finished yet! ::

Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
:: Another last minute addition but I was very glad it was recommended and was glad that I read it! It's a really easy read with juicy nuggets of truth about making decisions and not wasting time in prayer over things that are not moral issues - such as what job to take, whether we should move or not, etc. Basically if we are walking in Christ, it should be easier to make decisions according to God's will ::

Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper
:: Rereading portions of this one -- it is a GREAT book about missions and one I turn to often! ::

The books of Ruth and Esther by the One and only, Almighty, Omniscient and Ever-Present God.
:: I did a MacArthur bible study on these two books and was strengthed in my knowledge of God's providence and provision ::

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
:: I'm ashamed to admit that I have never read The Chronicles of Narnia series but am determined to remedy such a statement from my life! : ) Plus this series is an easy read and a good breather for my mind ::

The Mark of a Man by Elisabeth Elliot
:: This too is a very late addition - so much so that it hasn't even arrived in the mail yet! I bought it for the plane ride to Alaska. It is one I have wanted to read for quite a while but haven't gotten around to it. Plus I really like Elisabeth Elliot's books! :: ((Last minute edit -- sadly enough my flight leaves tomorrow and this book did not arrive in time. Boo! Looks like this will be the book I try to read quickly before classes start for the semester.))

So there you have it! Only a few more books to finish and then it's back to anatomy and all things medical once classes start again.

And to make this post a bit more interactive -- please comment and leave some titles of books you are reading/have read that you would recommend! I'm always taking new recommendations! : )

9 Days!! 9 Days To Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9 Days and Counting until I depart on a new little adventure to visit my dear friend Rebecca in Fairbanks, Alaska!

So I've been doing a lot of internet research, reading of blogs and reading newspapers from different Alaskan cities just to familiarize myself with the culture of which I am about to find myself in!

I cannot wait! I know it will be an especially sweet time between me and the Lord. I always have such sweet fellowship with Him when I experience new things, go to new places, walk in His creation, take in new sites of His wonderful and beautiful creation - every new thing seems to always point me back to Him!

I'm still amazed at how this trip came together! A dream trip - once in a lifetime it seems and yet the Lord, in His goodness has made this possible for me.

So, I'm not sure what I'll see, what I'll experience or who I'll meet (there's talk that Sarah Palin is expected to be at the very same festival I am to attend!!!)

But I know for sure, that the Lord is good, His love is incomprehensible and I cannot wait to see what His very hand created in the wonderful land of the midnight sun!





The images above are from this blog that I came across. Very interesting and it's hard for me to imagine a place that one could drive 244 miles before coming across developed land. **Sigh** I SOOO cannot wait to go!

Going to the chapel....

The scene was perfect!

Picture it: the Downtown Farmer's Market, rain clouds looming, police officers doing free fingerprinting of children,watermelon, banana peppers and sweet corn galore, and right there beside the trash can, it happened!

My first ever marriage proposal!!

Little did I know that I had caught his eye as my capri-clad self mosied through the crowd in search of feature pictures for the next issue of the business magazine.

He had just finished making a balloon animal for a wide-eyed little girl when I heard him.

"Psst!"

I turned my head his way and my eyes were filled with a vision of suspenders and a clown nose that was intensely bidding me to come his way.

"I noticed you don't have a ring on that finger," he said as his eyes glanced toward my bare left hand.

Taken aback I forced a smile yet was at a loss for any kind of clever return.

It's not my style to strike up a conversation with clowns who notice me and my single state. And besides, I wasn't in search of an admiring glance - I needed photos!! Stellar photos that scream to readers - COME ON DOWN TO THE FARMER'S MARKET!!!

Still at a loss for words, He continues to ask me, "If I give you something will you wear it?"

I said "yes," but then said, "only if you'll take my picture with it." (Which we then proceeded to talk about how photographers never have any pictures of themselves.)

So, here I was expecting a flower hat or a monkey or a fun little sword to carry around with me while taking pictures.

As I watched I saw a little flower emerge and then quickly realized he was fashioning a ring!

He came my way, as his wing-man reached for my camera, placed the flower ring on my finger and shot me a make-up laced grin.

We posed, we laughed and then he slipped me his card and said several times that it had his number on it.

Was this clown really hitting on me??!??!?!?! Ahahhahahahahaaa!!!! I laugh because I can use "clown" here LITERALLY!! : )

Surprised by "Uncle Buck"

The ring and the card

He was sweet, it was fun and I got my pictures for the magazine.

What a way to start the workday off!!

So Uncle Buck....wherever you are.....keep up the good work!

Neat Artwork

I was out shooting a photo assignment at a local church today and saw these posters in the foyer. I wish I had more wall space because I would totally save up to buy a couple of these! They are so neat and such a great idea! Essentially it is the whole book of Genesis on one large poster. They also have the books of Exodus, Proverbs and Psalms.


Cannot imagine having to be the designer and fitting all that type on there! but kuddo's to the one who did!

Here's the website if you want to check them out!

Bad

So, some friends shared this with me and I laughed. Piper is a good sport! So I thought I would share it here too! Hehee!

I plan to update with the rest of the pictures from Michigan soon. I'm a bit behind this week.

Ah...Michigan....

I've spent this past week with my wonderful family in Michigan and we've gone and done sooo much!! I've climbed the dunes in the coast of Lake Michigan, dipped my toes in the frigid waters of Lake Superior, gazed at lighthouses, caught teeny-tiny frogs for the inspection of little eyes, driven the golf cart around the Christmas tree farm, got left in the back of the Christmas tree farm while the nieces left me in the dust, and was followed into Subway by a Homeland Security police officer. It has been great! : )

"Aunt Nasty" made an appearance on the car ride to Michigan as monkeys, minnies and babies were flying from the back. Aunt Nasty confiscated them for a brief respite before returning them to their short little owners : ) Of course she played along in launching the little critters back and forth.

Part of the fun was had on the golf cart! We rode around the Christmas trees on the farm and followed trails for hours on end. Then.......

I gave Madison the wheel only to be left in the dust as the girls sped off and teased me as they offered to come back and get me but then would race on by! It was all fun though!!

Beautiful Lake Michigan!

The Cherries were almost in bloom on the cherry trees in the UP!

The Old Mission Point lighthouse.

Me on the 45th Parallel on the shore of Lake Michigan.

A teeny little frog I caught that Lauren took a liking to. These little frogs were all over the place at the Old Mission Point lighthouse.

So those are just a few of the pictures, I have many more to post, but figured I'd do it a little at a time! Besides, I'm beat and ready for bed. This week has been great. I love my family, I just love the time I get to spend with them. I'm truly blessed with a wonderful family that we can get together and always have such a good time!

More pictures to come!