October 18, 2015: North Sister

Kinsey and I hiked North Sister today. We had no idea where we were going and tried to find the trailhead by using the "milepost" which is a detailed guide about specific places along the Alaskan Road System.  The Milepost was a liar. We parked our car where it told us, but ended up calling a friend who has hiked the mountain numerous times only to find that we parked a good 2 miles away from the trailhead. By this time, we had already started walking there so we trekked on until we found it. The climb up was really slick because of all the rain we got, but we hands and kneesed it to the top. Just as we got to the peak, we saw a pack (herd?) of mountain goats scurry down the other side. To feel like we were sharing the same mountain with the goats was a really cool feeling.  After resting, snacking, and chatting with some people we met at the top, we headed back down. Our legs were already tired from the hike up. Adding that to the super slick trails, and we probably had a combined fall total of over 10.  Fell on our butts, fell onto our hands, fell until we caught ourselves with tree limbs, and fell and slid into bushes.  It was awesome. At the bottom, we tried hitch hiking back to our car, but had no takers. Just as we were about to give up, my next door neighbor drove up to us. She and her husband gave us a ride back to our car.  I loved this day. 

October 17, 2015: Takenoko

We might be a little geeked about this new game, Takenoko. If you like strategy games but get a little stressed with the intensity and want something a little more relaxed, get this game! You build land plots, grow bamboo, and have a panda eat the bamboo.  Enough said. 

October 16, 2015: Pumpkin Carving

And new friends. And playing games on a Friday night.  Thanks to Tim and Erin for hosting a great night!  

October 15, 2015: Little bitty stinging rain, and big ole fat rain.

And that's all I have to say about that. 

October 24, 2015: Fall is...

This compilation of fall from a kodiak kid is so different than what any of my Chicago students would have written.  

I love the duck hunter and the silver salmon fishing. This girl knows her fish and game :) 

October 13, 2015: Best and Most Random Gift Ever

Got this amazing package from the post office today. Inside:

-a purple boa

-lots of plastic bling

-a framed, autographed picture of my two friends holding oscars they won at our Academy Awards Party. 

-a squirt gun. 

-a pack of mint Oreos. 

No card or explanation. Just joyous randomness.  This came at such a needed time, I cried a little while laughing hysterically in the parking lot of the post office.

Well done, ladies.  Miss you so much. 

October 12, 2015: Jar of Happiness

Katie rallied all of my friends before I left and they made me little notecards of encouragement and memories and stick them in a jar. I don't pull one out everyday because I am trying to make them last as long as possible. I pulled two out today though, and was so encouraged! 

Zephaniah 3:17 is one of my absolute favorites. It says, "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing."

What an awesome God who despite our flaws, our insecurities, our limited perspective of life, our grumblings, and our selfishness, cares for us that much.