Into the "Wild"

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Beautiful Moments

Since I have arrived in Alaska, well more accurately, since I have set eyes on Alaska- I have been in awe of it's beauty. When the plane descended below the clouds and the mountains came into view, my breath was taken away. My camera was out and I was basically flipping out. The beauty was captivating.

I am unable to express my gratitude to all of those who helped me and supported me on my journey to serving at Victory Bible camp.

Not only have my eyes witnessed the outrageous beauty but I have been able to be a part of truly beautiful moments.

I was a counselor at Alpine camp (middle school/high school). These are the handprints and/or footprints of the Alpine staff. These are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. It was truly a privilege to serve with them. (Camp names are written by their prints, My camp name was Gus Gus.) (My first footprint smudged. . . a lot. . . so I had to do it over in red. It was QUITE the fun process.)

This is at the Alpine camp out. That is MuddChopps. One of the best men I will ever meet. He is amazing. He is one of the Visible boys. Phoenix had my camera and took this picture . . . . laughter is rarely unheard.

This is one of my campers. I called her "gimpy" because she had an injured knee coming into camp and then injured it again at camp out. She was such a trooper though. She has an amazing heart and was so patient with other campers. She is one of those really special people that you know God is going to use in really big ways.

Oh I LOVE these two girls. They also have some of the best hearts I have ever come across. So patient and kind.

This moment was truly precious.

I can not express to you, just how much I love these two amazing women. Kymie and Kelly. Ugh. I just love them.

If this doesn't just make your heart sing, well I don't know if your heart ever will. Prayer outside of Miracle Lodge before lunch time.

My dear friend Swix.

This was the first week of camp. The amazing girl to the left- she just had my heart. I wish that I could protect all of my campers from any sort of hurt for the rest of their lives.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these girls!! They are sisters. I had them in my cabin for week one and week three. They are a couple of spit fires, to say the least.

On the fourth of July, at the Matanuska River.

The adorable little girl is Maverick's daughter (my director) and the beautiful Kelly.

Monday night, dropping Zak off at the airport. It really was a beautiful moment- I was able to really say goodbye to this summer of camp. Since I am still at camp but almost all of the staff are gone and all of the campers are gone-- well it just isn't CAMP. The transition was really rough at first- so being able to leave camp, say goodbye to a good friend, and then return to Kelly's house--- well it just was really a beautiful thing.

Saying goodbye to one of my campers. . . . the most difficult part of every week. We do it seven times. It doesn't get any easier. At the end of the week the campers are going home, wether its to a loving family or a heart aching situation. It just doesn't get any easier as the weeks go by.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Random Beauty of Alaska

Alaska is beyond beautiful.

The beauty of God's creation is in your face and breath taking.

Another aspect of beauty in Alaska is the events that take place. The seemingly random events captured on SD card (sounds so much better "captured on film").

These moments are beautiful in their own.

After putting my footprint onto the wall in the Kwanzit hut I needed to wash my foot off... I thought I had all of the paint off. However when I turned around I realized that I had left a foot print trail-- of only my left foot.

Every Thursday Alpine hikes to our campsite. On the trail my campers pointed out this odd tree. I have walked this trail so many times and never even noticed this little guy...

wild blueberries for pancakes at camp-out

beautiful dandelion found on the walk back from Chapel

at the airstrip one evening

a mushroom by waterfront

The Visible Boys

I'm not even sure where to start...

Once upon a time, there were three boys.

One boy was from the land of Ohio. He was a mere 19 years old.

The next boy came from the land of Kentucky. On July 20th he turned 20.

The third and final boy was from the land of Wisconsin.

When they arrived at camp they threw out their old names and received different ones.

The boy from Ohio chose to be called Phoenix, after a favorite song.

The boy from Kentucky did not settle on a name for quite some time, however he introduced himself to me as Geddy (after Geddy Lee from Rush-his ultimate favorite band). So Geddy he is to me.

The third and final boy was given the name MuddChopps. Mudd because his name is Clay. Chopps because of his facial hair.

The three boys came from the same school of music, known as Visible Music College (www.visible.edu) in Memphis, Tennessee.

As the summer progressed my appreciation and love for these boys did as well.

MuddChopps became a dear friend.

Phoenix became my little brother, who seriously enjoys picking on me.

and Geddy, oh Geddy... he has become to be a brother to me as well.

These three boys have been an example of what it is like to be a young Christian seeking God--- passionate about music and using their serious talents to glorify God.

Boy oh Boy are they silly and even a little wild sometimes.

But it has been my privilege to have gotten to know them, serve alongside them, and now call them my friends.

----

Sunday I wanted to get a nice picture of all of us... MuddChopps went MIA (he was taking a nap).

I really should have known better than to ask for a "normal" picture....

I think if we would have all just stood there and smiled at the camera it would not have accurately shown our personalities- so yes one of these silly photographs will be framed.

Attempt One

These are just a few of the MANY attempts...

This one we look the most "normal" but not very happy, bahaha.

All I can do is smile and laugh at these boys.

If one isn't making me laugh, then it is for certain the other will be. :)

Oh my little brother Phoenix.

This is just typical...

Possibly my favorite.

Kelly and me brought Geddy to the airport. This bear was by the luggage check in. It was shot by Kelly's orthodontist! This summer I've begun to realize that I am quite, uh, short in stature. Geddy, so kindly, scrunched down so I appeared "normal size" as he called it.

Once of my favorite moments on our staff trip.

Yes, this is really where all of the fishermen weigh their fish. Yes there were pieces of dead fish on that hook.

Our epic game of "add on" during Week 7.

MuddChopps "dressing up" in one my camper's glasses.

Don't you just love them?!

patrolling

Was the whistle really necessary?

Geddy was the worship leader. MuddChopps played guitar/bass (they switched back and forth). Phoenix played the drums (and seriously amazingly). They all are SERIOUSLY talented.

I have countless photos of these boys "photo-bombing" my pictures. Looking at them make me smile and remind me just how blessed I am to have made such wonderful friendships this summer.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Tonight we (Sandy, Kelly, and myself) went to Sheep Mountain Lodge for desert...
and a little lesson about the Iditarod Race.

The owner of the Sheep Mountain Lodge has raced in the Iditarod 6 times!
He has placed 3rd out of 97!!!

He so kindly spent a large amount of time telling us about training and then answering all of our questions.
The questions ranged from "How did you propose to your wife?" to "Do you know Todd Palin?"

*Answers:
-He secured the engagement ring, very securely, to the collar of his lead dog for his first Iditarod race! When he crossed the finish line in Nome he proposed :)