Be Still While Running

    I have not fallen off of the face of the earth but have been extremely busy. I have been preparing for Kaleidoscope which is a gathering of high school youth for a week of spiritual renewal and leadership development. This whole week I feel like I have been running. Running to and from work, to and from meetings, to and from houses. I have been dog sitting but today marks the final day. I will miss Toonie (the dog) but I am ready to be settled in one place, for good. 
    Kaleidoscope is held at a retreat center in Wasilla, AK. As I was in meetings about the event my anticipation has continued to build. This only happens once every three years and I happen to be on internship the year it takes place. It will be busy, tiring and rewarding. I am looking forward to the retreat myself and hope that in spite of  being a small group leader, lifeguard, and chaperon that I will have a chance for spiritual renewal myself. 
    This internship I LOVE! It is fast paced and something is always being prepared for or going on. I am reminded of Psalm 46:10...

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). God’s people are commanded to “be still” in this verse. The imperative gives a solemn duty to those in a covenant relationship with God — Israel in the Old Testament, but today, it is given to Christians (Galatians 3:26-29). What does it mean when God’s own are commanded to “be still”? The injunction is not given to restrict the mobility of God’s people. The duty represents a spiritual disposition that ought to characterize those to whom God’s unfailing promises have been given. Interestingly, “be weak” is here commanded. In other contexts, those who let their hands “drop” from work are condemned. Those who are disheartened are commanded to take courage. In contexts where “being still” is condemned, we find that certain obligations were being neglected, and God’s people were admonished to take initiative to fulfill their duties. Sadly, there are those who are far from “still”; they “do all the work” and give God none of the credit. They believe that by “lifting up their hands” and by “taking courage,” they can survive and thrive by the sweat of their own brow. They can do it all on their own, without any divine dependence. Here is the irony in this term “be still.” While we must take the initiative to fulfill our responsibilities and live our lives, the uncertainties of living in a world of sin and woe will continually challenge us. Personal initiative is no substitute for reliance upon God. This command — “be still” — forces us to think on two things: that we are finite, and that God is infinite. That being the case, we need to drop our hands, go limp, relax, and “chill out.” Spiritual serenity, the psalmist admits, ought to be cultivated in spite of the shaking mountains and agitated waters. This spiritual calm, that God commands, does not come from a lack of troubles; it derives from a steady, deep reflection on the ways God has intervened in history on behalf of his people. So as your world crumbles around you, the call from Scripture is: don’t flinch in faith in God. Stand still — not because of a self-made confidence, not because you are the most composed person in the face of disaster, not because “you’ve seen it all.” Be still because of what you know about God. It is “God’s past” that provides calm for “our future.” Know that he is God! Know it, not merely intellectually, but practically, spiritually, and emotionally. He is your God. He is the ruler of kingdoms of this earth and the all-powerful Creator of the Universe. If you are the last man or woman standing, be still. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth do change” (Psalm 46:1-2a). Hallelujah! (taken from Jason Jackson's article in the Christian Courier)

Exciting posts coming in one week when I'm back from Kaleidoscope :) Check back later...

Bear Paw Festival!

Yesterday was a busy day. I awoke early and headed to church for the pancake breakfast fundraiser. The fundraiser was for Justin’s (a youth at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church) Eagle Scout Project. For his project Justin is building an awning outside the kitchen where heavy ice and snow patches often develop. I was able to connect with several members and got the inside scoop about the Bear Paw Festival.

The Bear Paw Festival takes place each year in Eagle River, Alaska. The Bear Paw Festival is a very large and celebrated event in the community. Highlights include The Grand Parade, 5K Race, Bear Paw’s Got Talent, photo contest, Car Show, Dog & Owner Look a Like, duck race, and Slippery Salmon Olympics.

I began my Bear Paw adventure by watching the Grand Parade. I was impressed with the number of entries as the parade was quite long. After the parade Toonie (the dog) and I went walking around to see what was happening.

5K start!

Hannah and Ryan leading the Bagpipers--both from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church!!

Several of our members are bagpipers

We first made our way through the carnival area. There were lots of different rides set up. Farris Wheel, carousels, mini roller coasters and lots of vendors with food. I was not interested in rides since most carnival rides make me sick due to the continuing circular motions.

Lots of rides!

Toonie and I then made our way over to the vendor’s area where there were over fifty tents set up with different products, crafts and service information. After waltzing through the crowded vendors we gathered with another crowed at one of the stages. It was at this area where I witnessed the Slippery Salmon Olympics.

Tons of Vendors

Hula hoops, orange cones and a very slippery salmon are the ingredients for this comical event. People from the crowd are selected and go head to head in two teams with various Olympic events. At each event one must carry a salmon. It was comical to see the variety of competitive participants and watch some vary squeamish contestants react to the slimy salmon. (click on images for larger view)

Slippery Salmon Olympics

Slippery Salmon Olympics--True Alaskan Sport

After the excitement of the Slippery Salmon Olympics Toonie and I headed over to the Bear Paw Classic Car Show. There were lots of old cars, I took pictures of my favorites. I cannot appreciate them for their rarity or engines because I do not know what to look for, but I did appreciate the aesthetic appeal.

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia-Best Import Award

1967 Corvette won the Best Sports Car Award

 1968 Camaro received the Best Street Machine 

1955 T-Bird took the Bear Paw Award and the Best Stock Post 1958 Award!

Another event is the I-Did-A-Duck Rubber Ducky Race. It’s a quacky contest, that is the final major event of the Bear Paw Festival. The Eagle River Rotary Club members dump more than 1000 numbered, plastic ducks into the race slough in front of the main stage.  Each duck was “sold” beforehand, and the lucky ducks whose quacker cross the finish line is the grand prize winner. They used to float the ducks down the river but due to the lack of eco-friendly rubber ducks and difficulty of retrieval there been a shift to now float them down a giant trough. 

TONS of ducks!

And they are off!

 Of all of the things at the event I was impressed with the amount of free entertainment. I came across a circus act with men juggling flame and doing acrobatic stunts, and also found some amazing guitar players. My personal favorite was the robot bear show which reminded me a lot of Disney World and the "Bear Country" show.

Bubba Bear Show...It was a lot like the "Bear Country" Disney world robot show. All the robot bears played instruments and such.

My most exciting moment was when I found free pop. Dad, you would be proud! At the Blockbuster booth there were blow-out deals on DVDs and free pop. Needless to say my only expense for attending the Bear Paw Festival was a sunburn... yes you can get sunburnt in Alaska! 

Free Pop! Dad always taught me the value of money :)

Dad's Root Beer--the best!

Hiking Galore!

Yesterday Pastor invited me on another hike. This time we traveled south of Anchorage to Girdwood, AK to hike the Winner Creek Gorge Trail. The trail begins near a four star Alyeska Prince Hotel and Resort. It is about a 5 mile round trip hike and includes an awesome hand tram that spans the deep canyon from high above Glacier Creek.

We began our hike walking through North America’s Northern most rainforest. You read correctly rainforest! This is not a tropical forests, which is what most envision when we hear the term, it is a temperate pacific Costal Rainforest. We walked through dense forest, green and lush with Ferns, Devils Club, Cow Parsnips and other pants. The majority of the trail follows the original Iditarod Trail which has since been moved.  

This is an Avalanche Shoot...Avalanche comes flying down here in winter.

Growth on the tree

1 more mile to the Hand Tram...notice the official Iiditarod logo on top from the ORIGINAL Iditarod trail it has since been moved.

After traveling about a mile and a half we found the best part of the trail at Winner Creek. Winner Creek is a beautiful, clear running stream flowing through the rain forest.  When we first came across the creek we found a wide bridge crossing it. The was not actually part of the but it did provide a nice viewpoint.  The bridge was very wide and had the planks far apart I would say between 6-12 inches. I had to watch my step as some of the planks were broken, and if one stepped in the wide gaps between the plank it could result in a nasty fall. I crossed all the way only to find out that it led nowhere. I looked back to see pastor standing in the middle waving me back. On the opposite side of the bridge I did find some lasso rope and an odd trapping looking thing. I’m not sure what or who was using it but it was interesting none the less.

The bridge, watch your step!

Broken Plank

Trapping? 

 A little further up the trail was another bridge – here the trail crosses Winner Creek Gorge where the creeks drops into a steep, narrow, rocky gorge.  The sights and sounds were wonderful. It sounded like a constant rumble of thunder it was very impressive.

The trail then continued to Glacier Greek.  The Glacier Creek crossing is a lot more fun than just a bridge – it is a hand powered tram that spans the deep canyon from high above the river.  From the tram, the view is wonderful, and the tram itself is a fun diversion! Let me tell you, going down on the tram was much easier than coming back but Pastor and I managed to get back to the side and made our way out of the trail another 2 miles.

After the 5 mile hike at Winner Creek we hit the road again to travel to Portage, Alaska. The drive to Portage, and the drive to Girdwood, was absolutely gorgeous. Mountains all the way and the road follows the Alaska Railroad as it heads to Seward. I got to see stunning mountains, lots of birds, waterfalls coming down the side of the cliffs and the Alaska Railroad train.

Bald Eagle-click for larger view

Once in Portage we went to the entry point to Whittier which is on the other side of the mountain. The tunnel is 2.5 miles long and goes literally through the mountain. We opted not to go so turned around and instead went to the visitor center of Portage and then for another hike right up to a glacier.

 Byron Glacier-notice the blue color

Ice in the 35 degree glacier fed lake.

Byron Glacier!

Sign before Whittier Tunnel

The glacier name is Byron Glacier and it was bright blue in color. I noticed the temperature change in the car. At Girdwood it was 63º and in Portage at the parking for the Byron Glacier it was 51º. The hike was relatively flat and I was glad for the cooler temperature. You wouldn’t think that 63º is hot but it is. Pastor told me before I arrived about the temperature and anything over 65º is too hot to hike and he was not kidding. I’m not quite sure why it feels so hot if it’s the humidity or elevation but it does and until you visit Alaska you will think it strange just as I did before I arrived.

Sign warning of Avalanches...but this is the summer time

Right at the base of Byron Glacier

kids playing in the snow at the base of glacier

4th of July Extravaganza!

Each year at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (ORLC) families gather at the church for a time of food, fellowship, and crafts. The 4^th of July parade goes right in-front of the Church on the Old Glenn Highway. This makes ORLC a perfect spot for families to gather and watch the parade.  Before the parade, there is a potluck picnic to supplement the grilled hot dogs. 

Taylor and I setting up the sign by the road

Taylor and I putting on water bottle labels.

Let the fun begin!

chips, hot dogs, and watermelon 

Sword fight

There are craft tables set up to give the kids something to do while waiting for the parade to pass by.  This year they made paper towel tube streamers (to wave during the parade), an Uncle Sam paper plate, and American Flag pins. It was a grand old time.

Making paper towel streamers.

Little beads for the American Flag pin

The Chugiak community has a slight twist when it comes to parades. In the parade, the floats and cars drive by tossing candy to the onlookers. We, at ORLC,  do a reverse roll by  handing out free hot dogs and water to the people on the floats in the parade as they pass by.  It is really a neat experience as the younger kids and youth of the congregation hand them out.  It is a service project for them and they really enjoy doing it.

Nathan is ready to serve the parade participants

Taylor and Nathan

Water and hot dogs for all!

When the parade finished, it began to rain.  There was a dark cloud that had been hanging over our heads throughout the afternoon and we wondered when it would rain. I was glad that it held off until the parade was over. The only downside to the rain was that there was a scheduled softball game after the parade and most of the participants left for home.

Big hitter...Vern!

Vern has speed!

Ryan!

Players of all ages

Hannah

A few and devoted remained for the softball game. It was raining but we decided to play anyway. First we just took turns hitting  the ball, as there were only 8 of us.  We would rotate from hitting and then to the various positions of the outfield. Then the Kodiak Baptist Mission showed up! The Kodiak Baptist Mission is a group of volunteers from Kodiak Island, Alaska. Kodiak is the second largest island in the United States, located about 300 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The Kodiak Baptist Mission has it’s headquarters on the Kodiak Island). The group of individuals who showed up to play softball had seen ORLC's signs for softball as they passed down the parade route (they were in the parade). As I was talking with some of the group, I discovered that a lot of the students were my age (20 somethings). They had come from all across the United States including New York, Florida, Nebraska, California and beyond. They  go out on different missions across Alaska leading Vacation Bible Schools and day camps.

In the "stands" our faithful fans!

The Kodiak Baptist Mission!

Everyone who played: ORLC & Kodiak Baptist Mission

The game was very soggy but incredibly fun!  The field was wet and people were sliding left and right. We lost several balls in the water-filled ditch and others to the Devil’s Club, a large plant with huge stickers.  Most balls were recovered which resulted in several retrieving players to become completely soaked. We did not keep score in the softball game and we split up the teams so that is was not just Kodiak Baptist Mission verses Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (we were badly outnumbered).

Highlights for me in the game include catching several pop fly balls, an awesome grass stain from accidental sliding to second base, a softball to the back of my head from an innocent seven-year-old (I still have a bump), and three bruises from softball contact.  It was wet, but it was fun and I was glad that the Kodiak Baptist Mission could take part in the game.  I must say the 4^th of July is a busy day but it was also a very rewarding day. My internship is giving me many ideas as I continue to work towards the day when I am working in the professional DCE field. Regardless, someday I hope to come back for another ORLC 4^th of July Extravaganza!