Bethel

This winter Julie (my coworker for the year) and I get to go out to a few of the remote areas of Alaska. First we spent a few weeks in Bethel. Bethel is a large native village of about 6000. There isn't housing for 6000 so I wondered where everyone lived until one day I was out walking and I saw a truck pull into a driveway and 13 people fell out. Then I heard about a house that our friends visited where there wasn't room to walk because there were people sleeping on every inch of floor space. So that's life in Bethel. Julie and I had quite a bit of time on our hand while our friends were at work so we spent a lot of time exploring the tundra and getting caught up on projects. We also had two Gospel meetings a week and a couple of the neighbors came and listened. We were so thankful for the warm welcome we received from our friends and enjoyed the time we had with them. 

Our little group on Sunday. Missing one

Sorry!

It has been brought to my attention that i haven't blogged since i blogged about how i was planning to blog at least once a week, that was about 4 months ago. Sorry for the long blog break, it will probably happen again :)

We've been really busy these last few months in SE Alaska. Lots of dear friends to visit, and meetings to be in. It's been wonderful. I'm so thankful for all the blessings and privileges i know when i am found in my place with a willing heart. I can't say we've had any grand adventures, or done anything super exciting, but we've had many special visits and wonderful fellowship.

Now I'm in Juneau and it's preps time! I love preps, I love being with my brothers and sister everyday and i love the morning studies and i learn so much. It's a special time. I also love that Juneau has shopping, it's not Seattle by any means but there is a Joann's and a Fred Meyers and a Safeway! Yep i was even excited to see a grocery store with a name i knew.

I would love to post some recent pictures of the last few months but i'm not sure where i put my camera, i'm hoping it's just misplaced and that i didn't forget it on the ferry. It's hard to get off a ferry at 3 am and remember everything because my brain is just dead! So i'll see if there are any pictures on my computer right already from the last little while i can post.

Also i'm now an honorary auntie once again! My cousin and her husband welcomed a sweet baby girl a few days ago!

 I was a little terrified that it would attack me and also it was really slippery and hard to hold onto.

 We found this super cute tiny little starfish.

 My sweet little friends and i out for a walk

 The newest baby in our field. She has the cutest little button nose!

 Salt and pepper shakers!

 Feeding the swans

 Brown bear Yoga

Beautiful day along the coast!

Welcome 2013

Happy New Year!

My good friend, and co-worker Kari and I started out the new year in Ketchikan, AK with a Polar Plunge! 

The water was freezing! Thankfully it wasn't snowing, but it was windy. We jumped (actually we ran in, there was nothing to jump off of) in once then everyone ran to huddle up around the fire and as we were all starting to feel warm again along comes the newspaper man. He was late and still wanted a picture so a few of us brave (foolish, dumb, still in shock from the first jump) people went in again. The second time was much colder than the first! It was really fun, and i think i'd do it again next year if i got a chance! 

So on to New Years Resolutions

* remember birthdays~ and not just write happy birthday on facebook, but send a card or pick up the phone

*re-connect with old friends~ pick up the phone and make a phone call instead of just sending a text.

*figure out a suitcase option that really works for me, and that will help me to be organized.

*run at least 3 times a week, and spend a little bit of time everyday outside.

*not let fear of the unknown stop me from doing what needs to be done.

*eat more fruits and veggies, and less sugar.

*go to Target at least once this year!

*learn to cook for preps.

I think that list should keep me busy for a while! Hope you all had a wonderful start to 2013! 

Alaska!

I turned on my computer just now with the goal of doing the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred workout and somehow here i am blogging....I think that might be the story of my life. I'm always planning to do one thing and then getting distracted by something else.

So here i am in Alaska and loving it! It's such a different world but it's amazing and soo beautiful! Not that i've been here long enough to really know what it will be like but so far it's been perfect. I feel like i'm home already. That's something that always amazes me no matter where i am, just how quickly i feel like i am home in a new place. I feel so lucky that I've been given the place I have, and that i have the privilege of meeting and staying with so many wonderful people.

Anyways not a lot to write about just yet. We're on special meeting rounds right now which are always wonderful! I get to speak on Sunday with Ed and Joyce (i think it's Ed, it might be Tom i can't remember). It's kinda weird to think when i was just a little kid i used to sit in meeting and hear Ed and Tom speak and now i get to be in a meeting with them.

We've gone on a few little walks around town, and the we went along the Totem Pole trail, it was beautiful. I don't have the pictures from that because i don't have the cord to my camera with me right now, but i have a few pictures from the Wednesday. The town of Sitka is where i'm staying this week and then next week we'll be going on to Ketchikan for specials.

Ok no more delaying the workout, i'll post again soon. I'm really going to try to be good about posting at least once a week so that you know i haven't been eaten by a bear or anything! :)