off to camp

Kingdom Air Corps is off again. Last night, a friend and I drove up to 80something mile to see everyone off for camp. 2 150s, a 152, a 170, a 175, a 182, a 206, and a 15 pax van are all in route to Bible camp, at a gold mine between Bettles and Anuktuvuk Pass.

Things are different this year. There is a lot of organization. There are a lot more people going. Several young husband and wife teams are going. My prayer is that it will be blessed. From their efforts to the kids hearts to mechanical safety in flying, that God would bless them abundantly.

I am really sad that I wont be able to spend time with the kids this year. But as I was talking to Uncle Tom, I remembered that its not about who is going, its about God's work.

I can't wait to hear stories on the other end!

the dark hole that was once my blog...

Phew. Life has been crazy here. from working 10+ hour days to moving and getting to know new roommates, I havent had much time to stop and breathe. And when I do, I am usually off on another hike. Its a crazy lifestyle, but its the only way to survive in the summer!

People ask me how we survive the summer with all the daylight. My answer is twofold:
-Alaskans need to recharge our solar batteries. When we hit winter, we aren't getting a ton of sunlight, so we take advantage of it and enjoy every second we can!
-We work and play so hard during the day that, out of sheer exhaustion, we fall dead asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows.

Ok, I am going to write several short blogs and schedule there posting, so it doesn't appear so abandoned around here!

Liz

obedience

I was listening to the radio while driving home today. Usually, I have my iPod plugged in, but the battery is running low, so I am listening to the radio until I remember to bring it in and charge it. Redeemer, by Nichole C. Mullen came on. Which is kind of odd, considering it was on this morning when I was driving to work. I sang along, and thought about the words:

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
Who told the ocean you an only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

I know its not the main point of the song. But it got me thinking. God is really really powerful. He made all of nature subject to Him. Why didn't He make humans, His greatest creation, with that same attribute? Why did He give us the choice to be subject to Him? I feel honored that He grants me that choice, when He could so easily control me. I mean, He speaks, and the universe goes into motion. No complaining or dragging of feet, it just goes. So why do I struggle with obeying Him? You would think I could learn a lesson from the ocean's waves, constantly falling where He instructs, no questioning or doubts. Why is it so hard to obey?

He gives and takes away

Last Tuesday was a big day. I had to be at the airport at 6:30 in the morning, which is kind of a strech for me, considering my lack of morning motivation. But it was great. We help the UPS every once in a while when they get behind, so we took a load of packages to Fairbanks. Here is a little bit of what I experienced:

-hearing taps at 7 from elmendorf while getting the 99 ready
-buzzing all the 747s at international
-cool canadian water bombers stationed at fairbanks
-180 knots and 10,000 feet in the 99

I also got to log some twin turbine time, even if it was second in command.

That afternoon, we watched a 206 taxi by for takeoff. Not an uncommon feature, as I work at one of the world's busiest general aviation airports. However, this particular 206 was very heavy laden. I shrugged my shoulders, and attributed it to another crazy bush pilot, just doing his thing. After all, this is Alaska.

Not too long after that, we started to hear the sirens. Looking west down past the runway, giant plumes of smoke were rising. I got off work about a half hour later, and went to investigate. It wasn't till I saw the accident scene that I realized it was the same overloaded 206. One of my co-workers called me that evening to inform me that the people in the plane were from the bush village (Port Alsworth) where our main office and maintenance hangar is based. Please pray for the family. I can't imagine what they are going through. They lost their oldest boy (4) in the wreck, and all the others are in the Northwest for the next few months recieving serious medical treatment.

its been too quiet...

Sorry for the lack of posting. As much as there is to say about my new life, there isn't much time to think about it, let alone write. Since I don't have much time to think, I really don't have much to say. However, I will still try to say a few things. Try not to get too bored.

-work is difficult. It is a physical challenge. I am getting stronger, and I am going to have the worlds best farmer's tan by the end of the summer. I will be getting lots of overtime, as I only get one day off per week. I have been averaging 55 hour weeks.

- My Bible study at church is almost finished. We did a 13 week course, but took a week off here and there, so we drug it out into a little over 4 months. Its called Experiencing God: knowing and doing the will of God. I have REALLY enjoyed it. There are things about it that aren't perfect, but it is an excellent study tool and guide to doing God's will

-I am moving! I found a place where I can rent a room for about 300 dollars less a month than my current location. I am pretty excited about that! Its a great house, really cool roommates, and a really safe neighborhood. Its on the east side of town, which is away from everything I am used to, but I guess change is good, right?

-I had a really good talk with my boss today about my future and life plans. Its so refreshing to talk to someone who talks ideas as ideas, not making fantasies out to be realities, as someone I used to listen to frequently portrays. I have some ideas in my head now, I just have to bite the bullet to get them done.

-I feel that I have gotten a pretty clear assignment from God for this fall. Please pray with me that I will have the stamina to go through the application process so I can obey Him. Details when plans firm up!

Goodbyes... and hellos

I worked my last shift at the kitchen store today. It was bittersweet. I am excited for the next chapter of my life, but am really glad that this chapter happened. I didn't plan on this 6 month stint. I hated most of it. But looking back, I learned some valuable things, made some great friends, and proved myself to be a valuable person.

Some lessons:
-Don't try to get ahead by cheating others. Even if you do get ahead, those you cheated will dislike you. I watched a co-worker do this. It hasn't gotten her fired... yet.
-Learn how to deal with crazy. It comes in all shapes and sizes. The ability to take it, then deal with it later, is invaluable.
-Always be gracious. No matter how horribly the person has treated you in the past.
-Listen to stories, even when you have heard them already. Even though the Portuguese accent grates on the nerves sometimes.
-Always do thorough, correct work. two reasons... A) no one else has to go back and fix it, B) everyone will miss your work when you are gone.

Saying goodbye was hard. My boss almost cried. My manager tried to blow it off as not important, but based on the number of times she tried to convince me not to leave, combined with the number of times she said she was going to really miss me, i think she was at least sad.

Less than an hour after clocking out for the last time, my new job (scheduled to start Monday) called and asked if I could come in tomorrow to help. So I am ready to say hello. To a new world, a new life, and new opportunities.

national day of prayer

A friend posted on facebook, asking what all her friends are praying for on the National Day of Prayer. Here's what I am praying for:

-obedience: As I read Bible story favorites about God working mightily, I realized something. While He doesn't need a specific person to do His work, the specific people He used had one thing in common: they OBEY. They weren't perfect (David). They weren't in their prime (Abraham). They weren't always the most wholesome in their decisions (Samson). They weren't popular (Joseph). They didn't get it right the first time (Jonah). And the list goes on.
I pray that God's people will OBEY Him, so He can do mighty works through us.

-faith: Tying in with obedience, we have to have incredible faith. So often, I hear Christians say that "God could do this if He wants to, but I doubt He will." It strikes me as so passive, to be said with shoulders shrugged, sitting on a favorite couch, watching to see if my doubts will win out. Ok, Thomas, its time to change that attitude.
Instead of having a passive faith, Christians need to practice an active, aggressive faith. Something more along the lines of, "God, I have faith that You will do this." Notice the period? No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Even reading it over, it is hard for me to claim that. An addendum feels so natural and necessary. So I will add this on: Christian's cannot command God to do anything. He will do what He wills. Christians need to have faith in His will alone.
God, I pray that your people will exercise great FAITH in Your will.

-To tie them together: You can't have one without the other. As mentioned above, faith has to be active. I can't claim to have faith that God will work, and not be willing to be used in His work. I have to obey him. I can't obey God without having faith that He will provide all that I need to accomplish what He has asked of me. He is never going to ask me to do something that I can do on my own strength. He is going to ask me to do SO MUCH MORE! I can only obey when I have faith that He will be working in me and through me.

What are you praying for this national day of prayer?