To my Our Redeemer Family and all those who have touched my life this past year here in Alaska.
To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under heaven… (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
If you would have told me a year ago I would be in Alaska I would have laughed and thought you were joking. Alaska was the farthest place from my mind. Looking back now I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
Arriving in Alaska was rather overwhelming. 2500 miles away
from home, and I didn’t know a single soul. That quickly changed. The
congregation of Our Redeemer soon became my family, so much that now I cannot
imagine my life without each of you. When I say the words “Our Redeemer
Lutheran Church” I don’t think of the church, rather I think of individual
faces of people who make up the church.
I have enjoyed so much of my time here and have appreciated
having this wonderful opportunity to work and learn alongside all of you. Your
encouraging conversations, thoughtful wishes, guidance, even jokes and light
hearted pestering I will forever cherish.
I would like to thank you all for the support you have given
me while on internship. For brushing the snow off my car, dropping by my office
to say hello, invitations into your home over Holidays, a coffee date, or
simple smile to brighten my day. I cannot express with words my sincere
gratitude for all you have done for me. Every volunteer, every donated item for
a retreat or event, every listening ear or willing hand that makes my job much
easier I am eternally grateful.
This past year has gone so quickly I feel like I’ve only
been here a few months. The passion and energy I witnessed from those around me
was—and will continue to be—a daily source of inspiration.
I feel incredibly blessed to have shared a year with you
all. I’d like to think I had the best internship site of any of the interns. I
have been able to be apart of such a diverse range of experiences I feel as
though I can handle anything, in any setting God places me.
ODE TO OUR REDEEMER:
Moonwalkers in the
snow
Guitar lessons,
and youth
Confirmation,
hockey game,
And the, Mooses
Tooth.
Record breaking
snow,
northern lights up
in the sky
moose guts, sled
dogs,
my how time does
fly.
Choir Tuesday
nights
Pretty colors in
the fall
Printer jams again
Thanksgiving come
one and all
Children’s Church
each Sunday
And hand bells
Wednesday night
Children’s
Christmas Service
New year’s
fireworks delight
Mountain hiking
journey
Pretty sunsets with
a view
LWML Brunch
And a bagpipe
concert too!
Eleven feet of
snow
April fools it
snows again
Breakup is so
messy
Woodcarving fun
with Len
Staying with the
Semmlers
Housesitting
‘round the land
Flickering lights
in office
The Trustee’s lend
a hand
Our Redeemer how
I’ll miss you
As now it’s time
to part
I may be gone in
distance
But I’ll keep you
in my heart.
As of July 2nd I will be moving to a new chapter
in life. At that time I will head back to Minnesota to finish up my final
semester of college, get married to the love of my life, Adam, and await a call
as a DCE wherever God leads us.
I have never been good with good byes. They turn me into a
blubbering mess of emotion. There is joy of being a believer in Christ and
knowing that one never has to say goodbye. Whether we meet again this side of
heaven I know one thing is true that I will see you each again as promised by
our Savior and for that I am filled with joy. So to all of you I say not
“goodbye” but “I will see you later”. J
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