Catch Up!

Dear friends,

I have to start by apologizing for not writing for such a long time! I have been thinking about it, but just haven’t found the time to sit down and update you all! However, the good thing about putting it off for so long means that there is lots to update everyone on! So I have tried to summarize the last month or so as best I can below…

Lets see. What has happened since I last wrote?

Well, fall has come and gone. We had about a week of gorgeous weather with sunshine and golden leaves before they were all blown away. Though it was fast, it was absolutely gorgeous. I wish I would have found more time to get out and hike a bit more while it was still so beautiful, but there is always the winter for hiking (and snowshoeing!)

I now have a roommate. Her name is Brittany and she has been here just under two weeks. She is really sweet and fun, and I think that we are going to get along really well! She will be working part time with CYAK, and part time as a substitute teacher. I know we are both looking forward to keeping ourselves occupied with all that Alaska has to offer while we are here. We have lots of ideas!

I now feel fairly comfortable around Anchorage. I am not sure if this is a good or a bad thing, but I have been to Anchorage many times in the past month for various reasons. I now know where to go for good winter gear, where First Covenant Church is, where to find coffee shops, as well as craft and yarn stores (I am considering trying to take up knitting…gotta find something for the winter!) annnnd, where to get the cheapest gas!  Now I just have to get to know my way around the REST of Alaska! :o)

It now does not get light until about 9:00am, and gets dark at about 7:00pm, so the light is definitely dwindling. But at least for now (since I am new to this), it is kind of fascinating! Hopefully I will still be thinking that come January :o) 

Ok, well I could continue on, but instead I will include a few pics for you to enjoy!

Fall Colors out my front window.

Woods walk.

Foggy drive on the way to work.

BEAUTIFUL day!

If only air miles were the same as road miles!

Getting ready to hike the Butte.

Mary and her pups at the top :o)

Oh man it is GORGEOUS here.

The CYAK team!

The Gathering

Hello all!

First of all, I am sorry it has been so long since my last post! I have been quite busy, and then my internet went out for a few days due to a wind storm...but I am back! I wanted to share a little about my past weekend in big Lake, Alaska.

As some of you might already know, as part of its ministry, Covenant Youth of Alaska plans and organizes different youth retreats for various age groups of Native Alaskans throughout the year. The Gathering is a semi-annual retreat for the campus ministries throughout the state. There were students from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, the University of Alaska-Anchorage, Alaska Christian College, Amundsen Educational Center, and Job Corps. It was so great to be able to get to know some of the students and enjoy a peaceful weekend in the beauty of Alaska. I hope you enjoy the pictures!!

The whole group! Camp Maranatha, Big Lake, AK.

Morning glory.

Morning Worship.

Shooting guns! I tried three times and missed every one!

Brave souls taking the polar plunge! Brrrr.

NINJA!

Beautiful!

While the Sun is Still Shining

The last week has been unusually sunny. Not only is it unusual to have multiple days of clear blue skies in a row, but the fall is fast approaching, and we all know that the long days are soon to be gone. So, in order to take full advantage of the good weather and long days, we have been doing lots of activities outside.

One of the things I have loved the most about living in the valley so far is the fresh produce. Last week, my friend Nikki and I went to a U-pick farm where we pulled (straight from the ground!) fresh carrots, lettuce, kale, red potatoes, and snap peas. I got so much, and it was all under $5! I also have had the opportunity to go berry picking several times. I have picked currants, rose hips, lingonberries, blackberries (not the kind we have at home, but more like black-colored blue berries) and blueberries. They are all delicious! I am excited to find things to make with them :o)

Not only have I done a lot of berry picking, but I have had the opportunity to go on a few hikes as well. There is a small mountain (more like a very large hill, but small mountain sounds better!) called the Butte that I have hiked a couple of times. The first time was with my coworker James and students from the job corps ministry. Then, this morning, I went on a hike with two other CYAK workers, Nikki and Matt, up Lazy Mountain. We got up when it was still dark, and hiked to the top to see the sun rise above the mountains. We came to the conclusion that the hike was far from lazy (it was straight up the majority of the time!), but it was absolutely gorgeous, and a great way to start the day!

The leaves have been turning from green to gold faster than anyone would prefer, but I am going to make sure I take full advantage of the beautiful weather and fall colors while they last! Enjoy the pictures!

Until next time,

Lauren

Fresh veggies from Pyrah's U-Pick Farm in Palmer.

Currants and Rose Hips from the backyard!

Lingon Berries!

Blueberries!

View of Matanuska Glacier from the Butte.

Half way up Lazy Mountain.

Looking back at the Valley from the top of Lazy.

  

Made it!

After seven long days of driving, my dad and I pulled into Wasilla on Friday afternoon. Although I think it is safe to say that a long road trip at this point sounds less than appealing, I am happy to report that the trek was easier than expected. The roads were in good condition, we had fairly good weather, and there were lots of beautiful sights along the way. Our day to day schedule is below, and I have added some pictures of the highlights of the trip as well!

Night one: Shelby, Montana.
Night two: Banff, Alberta.
Night three: Grand Cache, Alberta.
Night four: Liard Hot Springs, British Columbia.
Night five: Whitehorse, Yukon Territories.
Night six: Tok, Alaska.

On the glass at the top of the Calgary Tower!

Downtown Banff.

Lake Moraine.

Dawson City, BC.

Herd of Buffalo near Liar Hot Springs!

The "world famous" sign post forest in Watson Lake, YT.

Met up with a friend, Vanessa, (who I met in Sweden) in Whitehorse, of all places!

Made it to ALASKA!

Beautiful fall colors just past Tok.

Here We Go!

Hello all!

First, I just want to say THANK YOU for reading my blog! I debated starting one up, but thanks to many requests, I decided to go for it. I really enjoyed blogging during my time in Sweden, and so I think it will be good for me to do a second round--except this time in Alaska! Since my purpose of being in Alaska is sliiiightly different from when I was in Sweden (haha), I probably will write a little less often. However, I do hope that this blog can be a place where I can share a glimpse of the experiences I have in Alaska with you all. I will probably write about any number of things from Alaskan culture, to my work with CYAK, to simple day to day experiences...we will see! For those of you who are supporting me (or anyone who is interested!),  I will be sending a formal newsletter separate from my blog. Just to clarify!

As many of you know, my Dad and I are starting the week-long drive to Alaska this Saturday, August 28, and will arrive in Wasilla on September 3. Please keep us in your prayers as we make our way up the Alaskan highway! We are getting pretty excited, but are also aware of the length of the trip (3,400 miles!), so all prayers for safety (and sanity!) are greatly appreciated!

So, here is my blog! Thanks again, and ENJOY!

Lauren