Catching Up!

The spring has come, and with it - sunlight, and lots of fun happenings. In late February, CYAK hosted its annual winter Young Adult Retreat in Big Lake. It was a fun time, as it always is - lots of hanging out, snow machining, singing, eating (especially some tasty smoked salmon - SO good), learning about the Hope we can find in Christ, and so much more. It was an awesome weekend!

The day following the retreat, Kara (my pal and fellow CYAK worker) and I packed our bags full of salmon and headed out on a CYAK fundraising trip to Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. We had a grand time visiting with supporters and churches, cooking up some tasty silvers, and sharing about CYAK's ministry to youth and young adults in Alaska. It was such an encouragement to see and experience the excitement so many people have about what's happening with the ministry, and we truly enjoyed our time with them.

Not only was it a good trip for CYAK, but it was a good trip for us! Lots of road-tripping, late night laughing, a visit the Omaha Zoo (If you are ever in Omaha, go to the zoo. It is incredible!), and multiple stops to the one and only Trader Joe's. In short, we had a blast. Plus, as an added bonus, we were able to visit with some of my family while we were in Kansas City - which was such a treat. I love them :)

Since being back, things have settled into their normal rhythm once again. Alaska is still convinced that it is winter, which I am ok with for now - though I will say that lately I have been daydreaming about the deep greens of summer grass and freckles and evening BBQs. Nevertheless,  I am so incredibly thankful for the sun that has been streaming into my windows more and more the past few weeks. It really is a gift that we Alaskans (or I guess I should only speak for myself) forget how wonderful the sun really is while it is away in the winter time. It makes me wonder, "How did I ever go without?!"

Regardless, it has come back, and I am quite happy about the fact! Now, I plan to embrace the celebration of Easter, and all of the joys of Spring. I hope you do too!

Boarding behind the snowmachine.

Frybread, smoked salmon (yummmmm), and herring eggs. They didn't last long.

Alaska communities represented...sweet!

Dawn, Nuya, and Alyssa.
See more pictures from the Retreat on the CYAK Website: CYAK Young Adult Retreat

A little drawing of our trip: Kansas City, KS, to Clyde, KS to Aurora, NE to
Lanyon, IA, to Omaha, NE, and back to the lowly KC. Great trip!

Early morning Kansas sunrise. We love Kansas.

Small town Kansas.

Yummy salmon - lemon pepper and onion.
I wish I had more pictures from the trip to share, but we were too busy talking to people!
You'll just have to use your imagination :)