Friday, September 29, 2017

Silly summer songs

Did you notice that it's officially fall?!  Fall is my favorite season, with winter as a close second.  Washington has the best cold seasons (though often lacking in snow...) with wind and rain.

Ok, but I'm not actually blogging about fall this time.  The heat I've been surrounded by has me still thinking that it's summer anyway.  This past summer was unusually full of really dumb songs.  We learned a lot of new, stupid songs with which to annoy our brains.  Between a road trip to Wisconsin and another road trip to South Carolina, we quickly found out that searching "stupid songs" (or something similar) on YouTube was an effective way to stay awake during long driving hours.  But whether you need laughs to keep you awake or you just need laughs because...well, life, then you should definitely check out these songs:

Our friend, Johannah, introduced us to this lasagna song.  SO HILARIOUS.  Time for laughs?  I've got some right here:

This duck song has got to be one of the most frustrating--and yet somehow entertaining--songs ever.  I guess ducks are slow learners.

This song=also annoying.  But have you ever had that 1 friend (or family member) that always seems to sneeze upon seeing the sunlight?  Tirzah and my mom are lovely examples in this case.  It's like a sun allergy.  (Which I think I also have, but without the reaction.)  Well, this veggie tales song informed us that sneezing in sunlight is a real genetic condition!  Whew.  They're not totally abnormal.

Johannah also introduced us to "A Question," which has become a new favorite among my friends, family, and myself.  Seriously so real!!  Really good for laughs as well.  Besides, "awkward" seems to be my life theme, so this song was like my should-be song.  You will want to subject all your friends to listening to this now.

I had actually never heard this song before this summer.  Maybe you have, but have you seen it with this funny video accompanying it?  This song has probably been the most quoted/sung of all the songs from our summer. 
So by now, if indeed you watched all of these songs/videos that are well worth your wasted time, you probably have several new tunes tripping over each other in your head.  And it will probably stay that way for the next few days.  You're welcome. 

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Alaska in August

A few weeks ago (ok, almost a couple months ago now!) I had the opportunity to return to Alaska for a few days of visiting with friends and attending a women's retreat (now that makes me feel old!) where my mom was the speaker.  It was so good to get away from home and be with these people, neglecting thoughts of college (which was only a couple weeks away at that time).  Hikes, canoe rides on a lake with a special friend, family, sunsets, and reuniting with people God has put in my life made the trip a refreshing one. 
This is my brother, whom you should be wishing was your brother as well.  I am so thankful God decided to put us in the same family because he brightens my life.  (can you tell that I'm so crazy about him?!)  Caleb took several of us on a hike one afternoon where we got to see a wide range of mountains.


At the camp in Alaska, where I actually lived my first 2 years of life, there is a lovely lake.  It is literally the most peaceful place on the property. Water is weird that way...it can really calm the heart and make one feel better about life.
I got to spend part of an afternoon canoeing with Hannah, which was an adventure!  Neither of us are very skilled in the paddling/steering thing, but I think we got the right idea after about an hour.  At any rate, we certainly had a good time laughing and attempting to get places.

Tirzah and Anna were in the other canoe, and we had started out across the lake together.  But when Hannah and I discovered our severe lack of ability, we parted ways.  They were much more industrious rowers.


Some people went swimming/tubing...

Hannah and I observed from the dock while talking and trying to keep our chocolate from melting.  (Hannah, we're going to have to remember that lakes can serve as refrigerators in a pinch!)
Gideon was practically swallowed by the life jacket, but he didn't seem to mind.





At the conclusion of the women's retreat, we actually got some group photos!  These people didn't make up the entire retreat, but these are the ones that I actually knew from there.  It was a treat to spend time with each of them--such fun people who love the Lord!
So you might recall these faces...that's right, they've appeared on the blog before.  Anna and Kea are still managing to smile after living with us for 3 months in 2016.  This was our first time to all be in the same place again since that time!


On our way back, we stopped for some ice cream, which is apparently a sign of spiritual health after a retreat.  There's gotta be some truth in that, I'm sure.  

We did A LOT of selfies in order to include everyone in the pictures!
Back in the city after the retreat, we did have a couple final days together before our return to Washington.

We were even treated to our first time in a rock climbing gym!  It was so much fun...even though it proved how weak my arms are.  This is such a great form of exercise!





Then came for goodbyes all over again.  This was to be the end of the Fabulous Four reunions taking place every 3 months.  (We actually kept that up pretty well!)  The time spent with them was so special, and saying an extended goodbye was unpleasant.  But I'm grateful that we got to finish out the summer with the Fabulous Four as well as other friends that have been constant and dear to us.


The sun sets again and again.  Now we are all spread across the country again (even more so than before!), in differing time zones.  But somehow the distance and change in time doesn't damage the relationship we have together.  And I'm so grateful it works that way.  

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

He will hold me fast

My blog has gone under rapid decay in the past several weeks.  Life has gotten busy in new ways,  and I have tons of pictures to share with you.  We had a lot of fun adventures as summer came to a close.  But I'm honestly not sure when I'll get around to all of that at this point.

By mid-August we loaded up my car with luggage from 2 college students and 2 chauffeurs (family members along for the ride.)  We headed east with no room to spare, and my heart began to realize the full reality of leaving home.
The journey to South Carolina was very long and tiring.  We were already feeling a little crazy by the 2nd and 3rd days....
Have I ever mentioned that every moment of life shared with my other half is a joy and blessing?
At one gas station along the way we were fortunate enough to find Dippin' Dots ice cream!  This is a rare treat in my life, but quite possibly one of my favorite types of ice cream.  I just couldn't pass it up.

Then we arrived at Bob Jones University...and my mom and sister returned to Washington without me. For the first time, I was left long-term in a new place without any family.  As much as I wanted to be excited about God's plan for me in this new journey, it hurt a lot.  (And admittedly still does, 2 weeks later.)  Being here at college has been so different than I anticipated.  My heart has been weary as I remember how strongly I felt that God was leading me here for at least some temporary time, only to be left with new hurts.
Back in August I learned a new song that spoke to me in the heartache I was feeling then.  This song happened to also be sung at the first church I attended after enrolling at BJU.  And it applied to my life then even more than before.  Driven back to the Lord, I am reminded that He is holding me through every difficult time in my life.  

When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

Chorus:
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When he comes at last
I can live in confidence that He is holding me fast because He loves me so.