"Deeper than the Holler" Thoughts by Dear Abby (Me)

I was preparing to send out another Young Adult "events" email this morning and wanted to begin with a verse. Then that verse made me think about 'how much do I truly desire God in my life?' I decided to share my thoughts with all my friends.

Last night I took a lonely walk with Jack (my Maltipom) at Fumee Lake about 8pm. I got about half a mile and was completely freaked out by being out there alone so I turned back. The lake was beautiful and the birds and crickets had a peaceful sound, but I still wasn't going to keep going. As I was heading back to the Eastside parking lot by Little Fumee I just started talking to God. All along He was there with me, wanting to spend time with me, and I missed it!

"Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth," (Psalm 73:25). Question for thought, have you greeted your Heavenly Father today? Have you communicated with Him? Even when it feels like He's not there, the Lord is right beside us! His love for you is far greater than any love you will experience on earth.

Country singer Randy Travis sang this song (I found it as I searched for "deeper than the ocean") about the way he describes love in a way he understands coming from the country. It made me laugh, but it also can be used to describe how great God's love is for us in a way we understand! :)

My love is deeper that the holler, stronger than the rivers
Higher than the pine trees growin' tall upon the hill
My love is purer than the snowflakes that fall in late December
And honest as a robin on a springtime window sill
And longer than the song of the Whippoorwill

Whether we are surrounded by people or are alone in the woods God's love for us is so great! I am so glad I found Him!!

My Trip to Alaska - Day 4 & 5

Saturday, June 27, 2009 and Sunday, June 28, 2009

This is the day the kids left camp. I was really sad. I just started getting to know them. Deann was quite hilarious and I didn't know what I would do without her entertaining me! (Mikayla is on the right with the yellow wig. She was a good jump roper and also very entertaining!) I was excited because a couple of them were going to try to come back for Teen Camp since they were 12 years old- Karen and Tami for sure. (I don't recommend letting them return as it is difficult on the coaches as their attitudes change, but I still love them all!) After Pastor Jimmy picked up the Kotlik group I got to take a two hour nap and get a shower after we cleaned up the camp. (Typically there is only one time of day we can take showers and it had been so cold I didn't feel like freezing to death after I got out) The shower was scorching hot, because it is all one temperature. It was still amazing!! I was so glad not to smell as bad anymore!! The weather was still cold but it was starting to warm up. We got the camp ready for the teens to come on Monday. Lots of cleaning to do. Bathrooms, Showers, etc. We had to rake the chapel and clean up all the mildew that was starting to form (seen as white dots). I also had a lot of trays to clean as we no longer had the kids to help with them. The weekends were relaxing, but short lived as Monday would soon arrive. We didn't know how many teens to expect, but we had to prepare ourselves physically, emotionally, and most importantly - spiritually. We had church on Sunday so we could get spiritually charged. The PA and FL teams came in on Saturday. It was different having new people, but we instantly became friends. I was glad that Kiki and I were the same age, because a lot of the other coaches were quite younger than me. But really age didn't matter, because we were all having fun getting to know each other and working together to reach the teens for Christ!

I will write more as time permits...

The Villages Blog... My Further Alaska Research

Oh, The Places I Will Go… This stuff is so interesting to me!

"The Place of God," Camp Agaiutim Nune, established in 1996, as the name would be translated from its Yupik Eskimo origin was the name chosen by Sonny Joseph, who pastored the Yupik Assembly of God in Alakanuk, Alaska until the time of his death. The camp is remote, located 17 river miles from the nearest village of Emmonak. All supplies, including drinking water, must be hauled to camp.

The Campers came from several different villages. The camp was located off of the Akulurak River, a channel extending from the mighty Yukon River. Nunam, Alakanuk, Emmonak, Kotlik, and St. Michaels, were the areas that most of them came from by boat. The Yukon Delta Assembly of God, where Pastor Austin and Jennifer Jones minister, is in Emmonak and sort of the home base for the camp. (Note: The jail was located next to the church and there was times that Austin would be requested to take a security shift at the jail, he has built a good relationship with the law enforcement and many of the villagers)

All the following information I researched through Wikipedia about the Yukon-Delta Territory:

St. Mary's, where we first landed, is located on the north bank of the Andreafsky River, 5 miles from its confluence with the Yukon River. It lies 450 air miles west-northwest of Anchorage. The City of St. Mary's encompasses the Yup'ik villages of St. Mary's and Andreafsky. Often St. Mary’s and Bethel are stops before the plane lands in Emmonak. St. Mary's (Negeqliq in Central Yup'ik) is a city in Wade Hampton Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 500.

Alakanuk (ah-LUCK-uh-nuck) (Alarneq in Central Yup'ik) is a 2nd-class city in the Wade Hampton Census Area of the Unorganized Borough in the western part of the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 652. Alakanuk is located at the east entrance of Alakanuk Pass, the major southern channel of the Yukon River, 15 miles (24 km) from the Bering Sea. It is part of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. It lies 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Emmonak, approximately 162 air miles northwest of Bethel. It is the longest village on the lower Yukon - the development stretches over a 3-mile (4.8 km) area along the Pass. Approximately 25 homes along the bank are being threatened by erosion.

Kotlik (Qerrullik in Central Yup'ik) is a city in Wade Hampton Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 591. Kotlik is located on the east bank of the Kotlik Slough, 35 miles northeast of Emmonak in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Emmonak (Imangaq in Central Yup'ik) is also a city in Wade Hampton Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 767. Interesting recent news article can be found by going to the link: http://www.thebristolbaytimes.com/news/story/4512.

Nunam Iqua, formerly called Sheldon Point, is a city in the Wade Hampton Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska. At the 2000 census the population was 164. Nunam Iqua is a Yupik name meaning "the end of the tundra". A man named Sheldon opened a fish saltery there in the 1930s, and the city was incorporated under the name Sheldon Point in 1974. The name was changed to Nunam Iqua in a November 1999 referendum.[1]

One of the places I heard lots of talk about was Norton Sound.

Norton Sound is an inlet of the Bering Sea on the western coast of the U.S. state of Alaska, south of the Seward Peninsula. It is about 240 km (150 mi) long and 200 km (125 mi) wide. The Yukon River delta forms a portion of the south shore and water from the Yukon influences this body of water. It is ice-free from June to October. Norton Sound was explored by Captain James Cook in September of 1778. He named the body of water after Sir Fletcher Norton, then Speaker of the British House of Commons. The Norton Sound area has been home to Yupik and Inupiat for many centuries. It is the boundary between the two peoples; the Inupiat live to the north and the Yup'ik to the south. The town of Nome is along the northern edge of Norton Sound. The villages of Elim, Golovin, Stebbins, White Mountain, Koyuk, Shaktoolik, St. Michael and Unalakleet are on the shores or waterways flowing into Norton Sound. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race runs through coastal villages between Unalakleet and Nome.

The Yukon River is a major watercourse of northwestern North America. Over half of the river lies in the U.S. state of Alaska, with most of the other portion lying in and giving its name to Canada's Yukon Territory, and a small part of the river near the source located in British Columbia. The river is 3,700 km (2,300 mi) long and empties into the Bering Sea at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The average flow is 6,430 m³/s (227,000 ft³/s).[1] The total drainage area is 832,700 km² (321,500 mi²),[2] of which 323,800 km² (126,300 mi²) is in Canada. By comparison, the total area is more than 25% larger than Texas or Alberta.The longest river in Alaska and the Yukon Territory, it was one of the principal means of transportation during the 1896–1903 Klondike Gold Rush. Paddle-wheel riverboats continued to ply the river until the 1950s, when the Klondike Highway was completed. Yukon means "great river" in Gwich'in. The river was called Kwiguk, or "large stream", in Yupik. The Lewes River is the former name of the upper course of the Yukon, from Marsh Lake to the confluence of the Pelly River at Fort Selkirk.

Heidi, the camp lifeguard, taught in Savoonga. Savoonga is a city in Nome Census Area, Alaska, one of two on St Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. As of the 2000 census, Savoonga's population was 643. Billy Welch group up in a pastoral family in Nome. His father is the current superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Alaska. Now Billy’s family lives near Anchorage.

My Trip to Alaska - Day 3

Friday, June 26, 2009

This was the last night before Kid's Camp was complete. The kids were to leave Saturday morning/afternoon. I don't remember a lot of what happened on this day, because most days were the same. Coach devotions, wake up (Heidi walked around with megaphone saying, "Good Morning Campers"), breakfast, dorm devotions, afternoon service, lunch, free time (Moose Canteen and swimming), dinner, evening service, free time (Moose Canteen), group games, lights out (well, not really 'lights out' because it was daylight for 24 hours). We often had to chase the girls around the tents to get them to come in! Most often it was Tami, Linnea, and Angela! :) (Teens) Heidi stood outside with a jug of water and cups so the girls could brush their teeth! Pretty smart thinking! In the morning there was always coaches who stayed back as the girls awoke each moring! It was difficult to get them out of bed because they are used to staying up late and arising late in the morning. Many of them actually have to take turns at home because there is not enough beds to sleep.

I got to get up and listen to Pastor Brian's devotion for the coaches about praising God during life's storms, using the Casting Crowns song, "Praise You In The Storm" as his point of reference. I could definately relate as I had been blessed by that song numerous times. Praise God is all circumstances!

I basically helped clean up after all the meals. The kids helped with the trays because they got extra points for their teams. I did get to twirl the heavy rope for jump roping. I was either twirling or jumping a lot with the kids and teens, but my arms got really sore.

The last night the kids wanted to sing all of the Hero songs over and over. Poor Hartley and Carl were getting very tired! Chris, the speaker, was so awesome to even give Billy and I the Super Hero bibles despite not being there all week. I can't wait to use the bible in my Sunday School class. (or, maybe I will give it to my 2 year old nephew)For an extra special treat the kids got to watch "Bolt." It was neat to be able to use the lap top and projector for things like this. I watched about half of it and then went to the tent. I never heard the kids come in-thankfully we had light sleeper Heidi with us! She always guarded the door well. She woke up to everything. Poor girl had a really sprained ankle (for almost all of camp), but she still was always doing something. So anyways... it was last night for the kids and I was tired so I knew that if I didn't go to bed now while I could I would struggle when the teens came on Monday. I never seen that movie and will have to rent it. Fred made the kids popcorn. I was so impressed- he cut the tops of microwavable popcorn and poured it into the skillet. He put another pan on top and kept shaking and shifting it till all the popcorn was popped. I will have to try that sometime. I love homemade popcorn!

The first few days I was at Kid Camp the weather is was pretty cold and rainy. Always wore my gloves and hat. I couldn't believe that the kids still swam in the cold river! The nice thing about it being cold and rainy is that it kept the mosquitoes away. Not such luck for Teen Camp! By the way, did I mention that I only found one box, out of 4, at camp when I first arrived? I was really frustrated, but thankfully it was the box with my sleeping gear and so I was so thankful. I did pack a little more in my suit case and it last another day until Pastor Terry and Danean were able to rescue my other 3 boxes from Emo. No worries!! God took care of me!! Thankfully now that I have gone I know now what to pack and what I don't need. Wool socks and an extra blanket are a necessity!! Plus, the blanket is double protection from the annoying mosquitoes!!

Interesting fact: male mosquitoes are the ones that buzz in your ear and are annoying, female mosquitoes bite!! :)

My Trip to Alaska - Day 2

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Jim and Linda's home is really close to the airport. There is only about 300, 000 people who live in Anchorage. Anchorage is surrounded by the Mountains. The weather is different in Anchorage then it is out in the villages. They do actually get warmer weather and some daylight during the 24 hours of darkness, but only a couple of hours. Lots of moose and brown bear roam the streets.

I rode a Beechcraft BE - 1900c to Emmonak from Anchorage. We stopped in St. Mary's before Emmonak at this little airport facility. I read the Alaskan Business Monthly on the flight. And learned about Renewable Energy Systems LLC, owned by Marvin Kuentzel, an alternative energy business on Dimond Boulevard in Anchorage. Tug and barge companies help Yukon River villages survive. The Yukon River stretches from the Bering Sea to its source in British Columbia. The Yukon has several branching tributaries or channels to which one of them the camp is located off of on the Akularak (sp?) River. More than 70 companies, including more than 40 with Alaska bases, have worked with BP on the Liberty Oil Field, located in shallow waters off the North Slope coast in Foggy Island Bay. I think Alaska history is so interesting... hopefully I will get to go back to enjoy it more!

When I arrived in Emmonak I was surprised to discover that one of the other passengers, Billy, was also coming to the camp. Billy and I were picked up by Pastor Austin and his 4-wheeler. It was so rainy and muddy that I was covered head to toe in 'silt' mud by the time we got to the Yukon Delta Assembly of God. I did learn from Billy that I have to let it dry and then it will completely wipe off, otherwise it will stain. Completely true!! By the end of the night I no longer was covered in little gray dots! We stayed in Emmonak till about 6pm so that work could be done on the new boat. Danean made an awesome dinner, including SPAM! I started to fall asleep and then we were on our way to get on the boat. I had fun playing with Aiden and Wyatt. Very cute kids! On the way to the boat I met Ronnie, Arthur, and Billie, who later were at Teen Camp.

Note to self- pack rubber boots in luggage when traveling, don't leave them in the boxes that were mailed! You will definately need them, along with rain gear! Also, if Gator gives me a hard time about my poncho being like a kite make sure to push him over the boat somewhere deep!! Ha! ('I joke!')

When I arrived at camp I felt a little weird given it was the end of the week for kid camp and many had already been there for a while, but the kids greeted me in my tent (Deann...) by piling themselves on top of me while I was in my sleeping bag trying to change into my pajamas. I set to work getting to know their names and also helping in the kitchen by doing dishes and washing trays. I always kept myself busy.

My Trip to Alaska - Day 1

My sister asked me to share about my trip to CAMP A. N. in Alaska. Originally posted on Facebook, I thought I would also create my own blogging website. Many of my notes are what I wrote as I traveled there. This is information and experiences I want to remember... and will hopefully experience again in the years to come.

Day 1- Wednesday, June 24, 2009

When I left Green Bay I know my mother cried. She was worried for me to go alone. But I was okay! God was with me every step of the way!

The Detroit Airport had a cool tunnel between gates A70 were I arrived and the C Terminal. There was a moving walk way with a beautiful color mural that went up the sides of the tunnel and moved with the sound waves.

On the long flight to Anchorage I met a retired Human Resources Director from the Akron, Ohio Children’s hospital and a 16 year old boy with $600 worth of Warhammer miniatures. This is a tabletop wargame set in a science fantasy universe. (Wikipedia) He proceeded to tell me that this is something his brother and him do while he is visiting him at the military base. Players assemble and paint individual 28 mm (1.1 in) scale (approximately 1:56) miniature figures that represent futuristic soldiers, creatures and vehicles of war. These figurines are collected to comprise squads in armies that can be pitted against those of other players. Each player brings a roughly equal complement of units to a tabletop battlefield with handmade or purchased terrain. The players then decide upon a scenario, ranging from simple skirmishes to complex battles involving defended objectives and reinforcements. The models are physically moved across the table (using a tape measure and the instructions from cards) and the actual distance between models plays a role in the outcome of combat. Play is turn based, with various outcomes determined by tables and the roll of dice. Battles may last anywhere from a half hour to several days, and battles may be strung together to form campaigns. This game is also a fictional book the boy was reading on the plane. Warhammer 40,000's gothic space fantasy setting spans a vast fictional universe. Its various factions and races include the Imperium of Man (the human race 38,000 years hence), the Orks (similar to Warhammer Fantasy Orcs), and the Eldar (similar to Elves in Warhammer Fantasy Battle). He had a black case full of these metal figurines as his carry on luggage. Hilarious!

Pastor Jim and Linda’s daughter Kim picked me up at the airport with a sign in the passenger seat that said, “Camp A.N.” Kim has graduated from the University of Alaska with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Public Relations and works and lives with her family, Aaron (husband) and Asa (son) in Sterling, AK. Aaron works on the North Slope of Alaska at an oil plant. He is the plant supervisor and works one week on and one week off. They have a very nice facility with dorms, a gym, a pool, and a cafeteria. Kim and Aaron live in the Kenai Peninsula, a huge retirement and tourist area. They have a animal fence about 8 feet high to keep the bear and moose out of their yard. The animals travel to get to the other side of the road where there is a river. Kim and Aaron told me a lot about Alaska. They were such sweet people! Made me feel at home! Aaron and Kim buy their food from a co-op truck that comes from Seattle, along with 150 other people from the area because everything is so expensive in local stores.

Pastor Jim and Linda own a cocker spaniel named Abby. Kim and Aaron have a part lab/chow named Meeka. And, Linda was watching Titus who belonged to Patty, a miniature pincher/Rottweiler, who was very spunky. I learned from Kim that the road system is short in Alaska. There is very few roads, flying is really the only way to get from village to village. People get stuck in Anchorage because they can’t afford the flight back to their villages. *I met a lady from Anchorage to Emmonak (E-mon-ik, or Emo) that hadn’t been home in 25 years.

This was my last day with any cell reception for a week and a half! Funny thing is that everyone I wanted to call was 3 hours ahead of me in time! I couldn't believe I had full cell reception! Totally crazy! This was the first day I experienced 24 hour daylight! And the last chance I had to take a shower for a couple days!

Note to self - good to pack a couple days worth of clothing just in case your boxes don't show up at camp. Send bedding in first box.
Note to self- pack lightly and bring everything on the plane so you don't have to worry about the boxes.