July 18, 2016: lessons in poo

We learned a valuable lesson about poo today.  But it takes a short story to explain it. 

My friend who will remain nameless and I went on a new hike today.  We have heard that there are lots of bears on this hike, so we made sure we had our spray, and we made lots of noise along the way.  We kept running into piles of poo like this along the trail.  They looked fresh; they were still glistening as if they just came from the bear's bottom.  And they were huge.  We were kind of intimidated. 

We passed 5 or 6 of these piles along the trail, each looking fresh, so our anxiety continued to grow.  But, being seasoned Kodiak hikers, we weren't about to turn around because of some poo.  After about 3 miles of walking, my friend realized that she too needed to go poo.  Like, now.  At this point, we were on the trail, in the woods, completely surrounded by Devil's Club, which is this really intense plant covered in sharp thorns.  Between that and the Bears, we decided it was best if she just pooed right off the path rather than wandered into the woods too far.  She literally liqui-pooed almost directly onto the path.  Then we walked away as fast as possible so nobody could connect us with the pile.

After about another half mile or so, the trail came to an end and we had to turn around and head back the way we came.  When we got back to my friend's poo pile, it was SWARMING with flies.  Hundreds had found their way to her pile.  Clouds of them.  We were so grossed out, but at the same time we realized "That bear poop isn't that fresh! There were no flies on it!!"  (Yes, we basically shouted this in unison).  Lesson learned: rejoice in bear poo that has no flies on it. 

July 17, 2016: North Sister

This morning we woke up, packed up camp, (I peed while watching a mountain goat climb up the ridge), hiked down to the ridge between Middle Sister and North Sister, dropped our packs, ascended North Sister, took this snazzy picture, hiked back to our packs, hiked down the mountain, trekked back to our cars, and made it to church by 10:45.  Go us! 

July 16, 2016: Three Sisters Hike

I really like these people.  

One of my summer goals was to hike up all three sisters in one trip.  I have hiked North Sister before and loved that hike, so I was beyond excited when Alanna suggested we do a backpacking trip and camp overnight on the sisters.  Yes!! 

We started by hiking with our packs up the backside of Middle Sister.  Middle Sister is the shortest of the sisters and looks completely mundane wedged between the other two.  I was feeling sorry for her as we ascended.  North Sister definitely gets all the hype in Kodiak, South Sister is pretty tall and majestic, and poor Middle Sister is suffering from Middle Sister syndrome.  However, I learned quickly that though Middle Sister looks timid and humble, she is a terror.  The sides of this mountain were rocky and steep, and this turned out to be the most intimidating climb I have done thus far.  After we reached the top of Middle Sister, we threw off our packs and hiked to the top of South Sister. That's where this picture was taken.  You can see Middle and North Sister behind us.  We hiked back down to our packs, set up camp, made dinner (freeze dried pasta is the BEST), watched a gorgeous sunset and enjoyed each other's company.  

The sunset was amazing. 

July 15, 2016: summer stroll

My favorite part of pushing Henry in the stroller is when he cranes his fat neck to look at you through the mesh in the top of the stroller.  Most of the time he smiles at you, but sometimes he just looks at you like YOU'RE the strange one. 

July 14, 2016: dinner at Aunt Mandy's!

I couldn't pick between these two pictures today because both of them made me so happy.  Meg and the boys came over to my house for dinner and I made them tofu stirfry.  This picture is Arthur, looking very pleased with himself for successfully learning how to use "chompsticks" so he can "be like Alanna" 

And here is Henry.  Picking up on some bad habits early. 

July 13, 2016: It's good to be back

These two were my first friends that I made on my own in Kodiak.  I met them on an Audibon hike last August, and I am extremely grateful we remained friends.  How can you not love these weirdos?

June 20, 2016: Final thoughts on my first year

So I officially made it through my first year as an Alaskan.  I couldn't be happier with my decision to move to Kodiak.  There were some extremely rough moments along the way.  Between having a really hard time transitioning to a new grade level in school, missing my friends and family more than I thought I would, tearing up during almost every episode of Chicago PD because of an overload of nostalgia, and having insane cravings for Panera, Chipotle, Portillos, a good margarita, and Dairy Queen, this year has had some challenges.  But the benefits have far outweighed those.  I am in love with the way of life here.  I love living so close to my nephews.  I have met amazing friends and can't get enough of the adventure that hangs out around every corner.  I have a new found appreciation for small town living.

I was having coffee with a friend while I was back in Michigan.  She was telling me about her twin daughters and how they are the most fearless children she has ever seen.  They jump into every situation with their entire selves, leaving no room for trepidation.  I told her I was jealous of them, and I wished I had that sense of fearlessness.  My friend told me that she thought I did, and I explained to her that I am a total break rider.  I love adventure, and I am usually up for anything, but once I am out there, I am terrified.  When I'm biking down a hill, I'm riding my breaks.  When I'm climbing a mountain, I'm taking the easiest, least scary path.  I'll get out there, but my fear sometimes holds me back from really experiencing adventures fully.

After coffee, I kept thinking about this, and I realize that I tend to ride the breaks a lot in other areas of life too.  Whether it's in my job, my relationships, and even my faith, I have a hard time fully letting go and diving in.  I hold back out of fear or uncertainty.  I look back on this year and can see that even though I have experienced so much, learned so much, lived so much, I have allowed myself to miss out on the fullness of these experiences.  Fear sucks. 

So this year, my goal is to not hold back.  Take risks in relationships.  Take risks in the classroom.  Trust God that He fulfills His promises and that He wants to use me on a daily basis.  

While I was home, lots of people asked me what my plans are for the future.  I have none!  Well, my plan is to listen to the Lord and be obedient.   I love living here, and would be happy to stay.  Meagan and Kyle are here for two more years, and I would love to be here for both of those years.  If God wants me to move before then, I'll go.  I know that before coming here, I was contemplating teaching abroad somewhere, and I would still love to do that at some point in my life.  That might be a great post Alaskan life choice.  :)   I looked into missions before moving here, and if God tells me to go, I am praying I listen.  I'm not too stressed about it though!  I'm focusing more on trying to listen to the Lord in the little day to day things.  I just want to love Him and be obedient.  

I am thankful to Him for the blessings I have received this past year.  His faithfulness is astounding.  Despite the countless times I have let my sin take over, He has given me the grace to start over.  I have a lot of those ugly moments, and I am grateful for a Savior who loves me so much in spite of those moments that He died to give me life.  When it all comes down to it, bear sightings, mountains, good friends, tide pools, camping trips, and cute nephews are nothing compared to His love.