Exploring and Serving in Alaska!
July was an exciting month! I get to explore new places in the state as well as continue investing in the lives God has placed in my path here. Between my mom's visit, hosting new friends, and leading Bible Study and social gatherings for Lighthouse, the month was full of adventure and good fellowship. I needed both!
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LIGHTHOUSE YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY EVENTS
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A couple of Lighthouse Young Adults and I decided to spend the 4th of July exploring Whittier, Alaska! This tiny harbor town is only accessible by plane, boat, or through a one-lane railroad/road tunnel through the mountain. It's the longest (2.5 miles) highway tunnel in North America! Once we made it to the other side of the mountain, we had sunny weather, cool breezes, a small town parade, and gorgeous coves awaiting us! CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
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The Lighthouse Young Adults enjoyed a backyard BBQ at my house, including my complete lack of grilling skills (it was only my second time grilling!) and general good times chatting and playing games. These guys are such a blessing, and I'm so thankful to have a home to open up for fellowship! CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
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THE MINISTRY OF HOSPITALITY
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My ministry of hospitality continues! A friend of a friend needed help and a place to stay a couple of nights as she pursued her dream of visiting all 50 states before she turned 30. Her last two states were Alaska and Hawaii! Xuan is school teacher from Oklahoma working with Teach for America, and I was beyond blessed by her laughter and fearless spirit as she prepared to camp solo three days in Denali. I picked her up from the airport, loaned her my bear spray and a cooler, took her grocery shopping for PB&J fixings and trail mix, and sent her off to Denali. When I picked her back up, I was excited to hear about her adventures in the wild! We ate some Moose's Tooth Pizza (a local favorite), let her have a shower and sleep in a real bed, then took her to the airport for her last state of Hawaii before she turns 30 soon and heads back to the classroom. She was yet another unexpected surprise this summer, but I'm so glad to have a new friend all because I'm willing to open my home to others!
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PRAYER REQUESTS
- Keep lifting the Lighthouse Young Adults as we are challenged to live our faith and continue building relationships.
- Pray for another volunteer at my church to come forward and serve with Lighthouse.
- I am looking for a new roommate this fall. Please pray for God to connect me with the right young lady to live with me.
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LIGHTHOUSE YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY
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On Monday nights, we've been studying the book of James at Lighthouse. This is challenging us all to walk out our faith in everyday life and "LIVE IT." We've talked about struggles, sin, relationships, and many more real-life, everyday things that display our true faith or lack of it. God has been present and moving! One week, a homeless man found his way into our study. He was an older man dressed in ratty, dirty clothing and had some obvious mental problems. He interrupted our study as we were talking about trials, and asked if he could listen to the "lecture" (I don't lecture, but I do use a white board! ha ha!). We let him join us, pulled up a chair for him, and gave him a Bible opened to the passage. It was UNCOMFORTABLE AND AWKWARD, but I could not deny someone the opportunity to hear the Word of God. A couple of weeks later, we studied in James about the evil of favoritism in the church. James gives the example of a rich man and a poor man in their midst and giving one a preferred seat over the other. Talk about hitting home! We LIVED IT the night of our special visitor, and God used that night to open discussion later on about how hard it had been. It hit home to us all how important it is not place our own preferences and judgments on people but to meet them right where they are in life.
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I can't begin to tell you how much fun I had with my mom visiting me! This girl needed some family time, and my mom is always good company. I've made photo albums on my website of all of our explorations. Click the pictures below to see the full albums for each adventure!
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Your giving enables me to live as God has called me to live on mission for Him in Alaska. Blessings to you all!
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