It is a roller coaster.. hold on!

Taking on a play, came with unexpected joy and emotion.  My first play was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever containing a rambunctious crowd of youth and adults alike.  It was a huge undertaking with a multitude of costumes and special effects.  However, it was a comedy.  Even though it was hard maintaining organized chaos, it was a feel good play.

Directing a drama, has turned out to be emotional in many levels.  We began studying each of the characters since some are historical characters mentioned in the Bible. That was refreshing and brought the characters to light.

Second, after tweaking many scenes (word choices, directing suggestions), I started to see the actors memorize lines and start owning their role. We also spent time praying for each other to have the burden bearer and our relationship with our Lord stronger.

Now, I finally saw and directed the opening scene and see the performers act without lines and with props.  Wow.  It is powerful.  I usually do three scenes and night.  Each one brings out a different aspect of Jesus and His impact to a hurting world.

It has taken a village to put on this play. When I start to get anxious, I just ask my heavenly Father.  He has used a crowd of people to put this together.  It is a JOY to see the body of Christ join together in using their spiritual gifts. (time, construction, art, music, photography, digital editing, etc).

The cross is a life changer.  I pray that others will see and be challenged and transformed by the deep love that sent an innocent man to die for me.

Invite your friends April 3rd & 4th at 7:00 (doors open at 6:30).  There is childcare for the wigglers and babies.

Lazy Mountain Bible Church
16005 East Shawn Drive
Palmer, AK 99645
907-745-2611

Turbo Tax help

I was about to file my taxes using Turbo tax.  I have for years. I have simple taxes.  But, when I was about to put my Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend they were going to charge me the deluxe rate.  What?

I decided to ask why the change using their 60 minutes chat wait.  They gave me a code for a free upgrade and told me it will be changed for next year.  So, if you have time to wait, you can still use Turbo Tax for free if you receive the 1099-misc for the PFD.  You will just need to wait for a customer service representative
and get the free code.

Dead, but Oh so Alive.

What to do?  I have been redeemed.  I have asked to die to self.  Today, the life I live now is not about me, but my Savior.

When I leave, I want people to not say "oh, she was nice person."  or  "wow, she lived differently."

I have a huge confession to make.  If it wasn't for Jesus working in my life (restraining sin, refining me, forgiving me), I would be nothing.  Yes, I would be human.  But, this "human" side of me is ugly.

I see it creeping out sometimes.  Looking like a flaming sword, I can hurt the ones closest with me with my words.

How to keep humble?  Stop shining the light on me.  Thankfully, Jesus and my Heavenly Father gets all the glory.  He turned my sorrow and ashes and turned them to joy.

Currently, I am working on a play called, "Eyes Upon the Cross."  It is a deep look into the various characters.  This endeavour has rocked my world.  I am learning about people that my eyes just glazed over in the Bible.  It is also been good to see Him.  No, it hasn't been easy.  I interact with the story for four days straight.  Working diligently in my "off time" (if a Mom has some) to imagine the scene.  If it is NOT practice, I think about it.  It is not just a "play" but it is about Him.

I am just thankful for so much.  One is to allow the people of Lazy Mountain Bible Church (and beyond) to get to use their giftedness to point others to Jesus.

Moose two

During my research, I found a easier way to get a moose. Put my name on a list. It was quite amusing because I had to select if I wanted different animals: bear, sheep, moose, and fish.

Well, it looked pretty complicated to hunt a moose. So, I learned that the department of fish and game has a road kill list. That means that if an animal was killed or hunted illeaglely, it will be distributed to the next family on the list. In Alaska, they even keep a Runnng total of those killed on the Glenn hwy.  however we never were called. We have been on the lat long enough to even have two phone number changes.

How would I get road kill fish? Ugh . Later I learned if the fish was caught illegally- without a license or in restricted waters- then the fish would be open to the list.

I had some friends talk about getting calls for animals, but over two years, silence. Until last night.

Full of thanks with James gone to the airport, my spontaneous friends agree to meet me at the roadside kill.


I quickly printed out the requirements from fish and game. But blindly knowing NOTHNG of what I was about to do, my heart raced. Throwing on my extra tuff boots and grabbing my youngest daughter, we left without even my jacket to the moose carcass. During the short drive I quickly called my moose loving friends if they could assist my stupidity. We found a flare and a dead moose on the right side of the road. On the other side parked an abandoned vechile no longer drive able.

I was expecting the troopers or someone to be at the scene. Nope. I pulled the car over trying to shed light on the scene. Full of eager anticipation and trembling at the site, my body felt cold.

Humbly, seven trucks and cars kept stopping to see if I needed help. Most thought that I hit the large animal. Another reason why I love living in a small town.

As I was about to recruit more assistance, the wells arrived and graced me with the fact, "We know how to handle a dead moose."

Rejoicing! They even brought lights, truck, rags, gloves, music, tarp, knives, and their current exchange student from Beligum. My thoughts kept racing and remembering just last week (Ruth and I were planning next years hunt. But we couldn't think of a way to haul a dead moose out of the woods).

Moose anyone?

What in the world? Yesterday was not what I expected. Thankfully, I was able to get into the dentist for an emergency appointment. I drove three times to Wasilla. But that wasn't the weird thing. The phone rings at 6:20 and it is the police department.

They quickly transfer me to someone who informs me that  have ten minutes to decide if I can pick up a recently killed moose. What??? My husband is needs to be driven to anchorage for his flight. I haven't packed for mine.

I decided to call my dear friends who had mentioned they would like moose if I ever got one.

You see two years ago, I wanted to be a hunter. I spent many hours researching this from how to field dress a recently killed game to how to get a permit. The story will need to be explained later... Must board the plane.

The Yak

Life is not random.  Those who call Jesus as Lord, have a specific purpose.  I am thankful for the burden God has placed on my life to love others.

I was reading this morning about the Lord and how I need to be the branch from John 15. However, since Jesus is the vine and the Father is the vinedresser, I need to abide IN HIM to bear much fruit, for apart from HIM you can do nothing.  I love that.  And we are loved by Him.  Jesus later says in the same talk, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

It is not burdensome, it is as hard as it to be a branch.  The energy and love comes from God.  I just need to be available and filled with His love to love others well. I am still learning.

Thankfully, we have a neat place to show God's love is at The YAK.  Recently opened in this fall, it host a place for the youth to hangout.  It is a safe, fun environment that youth can come and connect with friends after school.  There is no membership we just want to engage youth through conversations and games so that they know they are loved.

I recently read that prior to the Yak, a girl wrote on a survey that she would just go home and be alone waiting for her parents to get off work.  Now, she has a place where she belongs.

Often, I am just a listener of the stickiness of high school life.  Sometimes, I can share the hope I have in Christ.  Other times, I beat someone in Connect 4.  Always, I can give of my time to share love and hope to others because God has loved me so much.

Thanks to Andy and all the people who dreamed to have a Youth Center.  Thanks to all those who gave money, time, and labor to make it stunning.  If you would like to support The Yak, you can by clicking here.

Happy Run

Happy Run!

I am so thankful for the local business Active Soles in Palmer, Alaska.  I started out on the very first Happy Run, and I continue to run with them on Monday nights.  I loath road running, but to run with others and then have a chance to win fabulous prizes at the end.  It is the motivation I need.  Even the funny contest; knee high socks, wear red, Hawaiian theme, underwater run.  These "challenges" make running a bit of a game.  *love it*  Except now, we run in the dark.  We look like little fireflies.

Surprisingly, I have run into old high school classmates and into a variety of wonderful people.  It is a blessing to hear from both the young (some of my battle of the books kids from last year- to the elderly people who walk/job).  I love sitting around and chatting with new friends or old.  Just tonight, I spoke with a junior from Palmer High.

I have been prompted to invite people to MOPS and exchange phone numbers to connected with people for more outdoor adventures.

Tonight I got a teeshirt for my 10th run (it really is my 13 or 14th) but I didn't know about the cool online registry.

Thank you Lord for a fun way to run.