Summer In Alaska

Daniel and I had the wonderful opportunity to spend seven weeks in Alaska, at Higher Ground Baptist Bible Camp in Sterling again this summer!:) During the weeks we stayed very busy with camp life. So, this post will be about some of the fun opportunities we had to experience more of beautiful this state, during the weekends!

Each time I have visited Alaska I always marvel at the handiwork of God in the surrounding creation! 

A trip to Homer down at the Spit.....The five of us spent the day walking down the docks admiring the boats and occasionally the fishermans catch.;)

Another time some of us cooled off on a homemade slip'n'slide.....

A quick glimpse of camp schedule: Angela and I doing an activity with our cabin- tackle your counselors!;)

 Here's Daniel have a bit of fun while waiting for his next job.....

Back to the weekends, an afternoon trip to The Salmon River for some refreshing swim-time!

Some contented, quiet, visitors who maintained a respectful distance at all times...;)

Warming ourselves by the fire, eating dinner after a fun, cold day canoeing, swimming (for those who dared), and exploring at Cooper Lake!

In the van, with a beautiful, simple bouquet of fireweed which was a gift from Daniel.:)

Emma, Daniel and I hiking Skilak Overlook with the staff! That was a beautiful, challenging hike, but far easier than Skyline!:)

The view from the top.....

Our group...

Thankful for the protection of my brother.:) Here we enjoyed cooling off at a nearby lake!

Emma, Angela, Daniel and I saying goodbye!;) The four of us shared a lot of common convictions and had a wonderful summer getting to know each other, working hard and having fun!We sure miss those girls~;)

Melissa and I heading out for our last hike with some special bouquets from the younger kids.:) Daniel, Melissa and I were the last staff to fly out, so the Cravens took us to Seward for one final hike!

Daniel, Dakota, Montana, Neko and Laredo...Nekos parents (who are good friends of the Cravens') recommended this trail and it turned out to be even better than we imagined.

Halfway down the trail, we felt like we were in the Hobbit, as we wound down through thick woods and eventually came to this river where the Salmon were spawning...

It was without a doubt our favorite trail!

After the stream, we walked below as huge, moss covered trees towered above us! We almost expected the Dwarves and Bilbo to pop out somewhere!

A neat shelter we found near the end of the trail....

 Unlike our other hikes this one led us down below the mountains, through the woods, to the beach facing the amazing Exit Glacier.

Enjoying a late and well-earned lunch...

Mr. Garris (he and his wife drive up from Virginia each year) treated us all to ice cream at a little shop before driving back to camp.

 Sunday after morning service and communion, Mr. and Mrs. Craven drove us into Anchorage. Our flight didn't leave until one in the morning, and the Lord provided warm fellowship with the England family who live there. Their youngest daughter had been my camper last summer, and when they heard we would be in the area, they invited us to come over for a few hours and even gave us a ride to the airport!:)

 We had a really fun evening getting to know the England family better and playing games! We really appreciate their example of hospitality, in opening their home to us so warmly!:) The young lady beside me, Karis, is a friend who is staying with them while she works and takes classes there in Anchorage! We enjoyed getting visit briefly as well, as her family is a big part of the camp ministry and attends the same fellowship the Cravens do.:) The two younger guys in the front had been fellow campers with Daniel both summers we've been at Higher Ground!

 Once home, Danny slid right back in...

 Sharing about the trip with the family....

This past summer trip was truly a neat experience! We were so grateful to be able to return to Alaska, and learn many important things, grow in our walks with the Lord, and meet new friends! Being there provides more and more opportunity to see the goodness of our God revealed in His general revelation in creation! We don't know what He has planned for next summer, but we eagerly await it, knowing it will be very good!

The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them^. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant. He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.

The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.  He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: holy and awesome is His name.

Lassen Pines 2014

( Catching up here...:)

 

The week before Daniel and I arrived home, the family had the opportunity to go to Lassen Pines Christian Camp with the Buena Park Meeting Room where Momma was saved as a little girl! She had the opportunity to go to there in the summer, when she was a young person. She also brought Daddy there while they were dating and eventually, the whole family.

The bus leaving around ten-o'clock at night with a thirteen hour drive ahead! That was an adventure sleeping on the bus. The little ones did pretty well.

They drove all through the night and enjoyed seeing this sunrise on their way!

An encouraging sign in Williams, Ca,

During a breakfast stop Daddy snapped this lovely picture!

Finally there!

Unloading and finding Yurt

Daddy and Isaiah, ready for a fun week!

They have cabin, tee-pees and yurts for campers to stay and in.  With our family's size they got a yurt with ten double bunks! It was a little chilly if the single square window was left open but a fun adventure to experience!

Walking through the campground...

Camp Schedule...meetings, volleyball, swimming, meals etc.

 Although the family slept together, during the day the kids were part of particular cabins under counselors and participated in the activities. Here is Isaiah with his cabin guys and he got to have Stephen Frendl (old family friend) as his counselor!:)

Getting ready for a meeting by the lakeside....

Momma, Timmy, Evie and Joe participated in a different schedule for the younger ones. They also had meetings, learned and sang songs, played games, went swimming and did a hike!

Swim-time in the lake with friends....

Having fun in the sand!

A really fun highlight of Lassen is their go-cart track! The kiddos sure enjoyed driving the cars for the first time!

Mommy and Evie ready to take off! (I have memories from when I was little riding this track!)

 Evening meetings were overlooking the lake. Years ago there was a nightly fire and sing, now there are outdoor lights that would definitely catch on fire if there was a campfire,

 After a sing at the reflection circle, three of our kids were baptized in the lake which was special and the guy who got to baptize them is a family friend of ours, Sid Osborn! Here Natey was first...

 Isaiah going under....

"Nevertheless, not I but Christ lives in me.."

The water was quite cold....;)

 Daddy got this adorable picture of Evie hanging out with Paul Bunyan...talk about size difference!

 Some of the little ones getting a ride on the golf cart with Mr. Foyle, another family friend!

 Evie in her seat!

Meals where they served buffet-style with a nice outdoor eating patio....

 The little boys getting ready for a hike on their schedule....

 Joe and Timmy enjoying the hike with their camp buddies...

 During the day the young people played sports and here Ryan was playing in a game of softball!

And when it wasn't sports, people enjoyed swimming in the lake, using the water slide, and jumping onto the "blob" (red and blue) in the water! It was a very popular place!

One of the days several people hiked halfway up Mount Lassen, 2 miles roundtrip. It was a neat experience, the view was amazing and they even were able to see a storm happening not too far off  .

The view....it's always rewarding to see God's creation in such lovely displays!

A selfie of some of the hikers here.....

Singing....

 It was a week full of encouragement and memories.

 

The ride back home was more of a challenge, since it was during the daytime. It was pretty hot coming back down and we were thankful for cooler weather back home.

 

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,  and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

                                                                                                            1 Thessalonians 5:9-13