Dog Sledding in Alaska

I have been meaning to write this post for weeks, but things have been so busy! To be honest some days I'm just more inspired to write than others. Especially as I get older, I notice it takes me a few weeks to fully process my thoughts on new experiences.
My "Bucket List" has provided us with so many adventures its unreal. Daniel would tell you in a hot minute that the list grows daily (sometimes when I'm super excited it grows multiple times in a day). Daniel views it as a challenge to cross things off my list, and I view it as some type of never ending, always adding, life adventure.

Not all things on the bucket list have been awesome (Daniel will gladly tell you of some of the most lame experiences I have put us through). BUT each adventure has been a memory (and usually a ton of laughs) and for that I keep adding more!

Since I was a kid, watching the movie Balto at my Grandma's house, Ive wanted to dog sled (for some reason Grandma's house only got like 5 channels and the only decent one was PBS and I was WAYY to old and cool for that channel) I would pack as many VHS tapes as I could in my bookbag, which usually meant like 3 max haha and so Balto almost always won the top 3.
I remember thinking how awesome it would be to dog sled. So when the bucket list began in college, memories of Balto invading, dogsledding was added quickly.
When this whole Alasaka move happened it was the FIRST thing I told Daniel we had to do. Our third and final year in Alaska and we finally crossed it off the list.
Let me tell you...IT WAS INCREDIBLE!! I have to say it was in my top favorite things Ive ever gotten to do.

For some reason, as excited as I am for the new adventure, almost every single time we are about to do something new (and particularly when we are separated from each other) I become incredibly apprehensive. I blame it on the whole Snowmobiling incident.
So you can imagine I was seriously doubting my decision when with minimal(and I am talking MINIMAL) direction my guide hopped inside the sled and said "Ok, you go!" This would be a good time to tell you that she was from Switzerland with the thickest accent ever. Of course while she was talking earlier (with probable directions) I was concentrating on her accent and formation of words so I would be able to repeat her perfectly when telling the story to Daniel (who was in the sled in front of me)-everyone knows being able to impersonate someone is a gift of mine and adds so much to a good story, haha.

So here I am with Olga. We'll call her Olga because that's what I named her in my head when she was talking (probably telling me her real name). All I keep thinking is, "so you're telling me not only do I need to guide these dogs and keep myself alive, but I'm also responsible for your life Olga?!" I know I had to be gripping that sled so hard my knuckles were white. We went a few miles and I began to get comfortable with it as I wasn't really going anywhere but straight. Olga told me to stop the sled and I was thinking GREAT, what a fun experience now I will get to ride in the sled the rest of the day! Olga begins rattling on how the next leg is more "trrrickie" "But youu ken do it! Jew are GREET!!" At this point I think Daniel realizes my panic and yells, "You don't have to if you don't want to!" Then Olga suddenly interject, oh YES. Jew are GREET!!! You go!" She hops back inside the sled before I even have to time to back out and off we go. I'm trying to pick my heart back from my butt where it suddenly fell when I realize we are now doing hills and turns, but my body is shaking so hard from the rocky hill that I forget my fears and instincts (that I developed in the last 5 minutes) kick in and I'm guiding this sled, and Olga who is continually yelling, "Oh yea, Jew are GREET!!" She yells it so many times I start to believe her and think, oh man, I AM GREAT!!
The whole journey was about 30 miles and once I got confident I was able to do this (which wasn't too long) it was incredible.

It amazing that the dogs just know where to go, I mean you are only giving them minimal direction and they just go. I also learned that even trained dogs are just dogs (which is why when a squirrel ran in my path the dogs went berserk and my foot was slamming on the break trying to keep us from flying off the path. Dumb squirrel.
We also go to see about 30 caribou run past us, which was terrifying and amazing and spectacular and did I say terrifying.

It's one of the most uneasy feelings to look around and realize you are just a speck. To be completely in the middle of no where with nothing but miles and miles of wilderness is the type of thing that makes my belly quiver. But it also makes me realize that God, who created all this, cares for me. The little speck that I am. And that, well that's mind blowing.

Happy Birthday Diana

Today is my sisters 30th birthday. For some reason her being 30 does not translate to my head-I will forever see her as 17 and me as 13. In honor of her very special day I wanted to remind her of 30 of my favorite memories of her life.

1. All the summers we stayed home and you made me suffer through Golden Girls and Diagnosis Murder and now I watch them all the time because they make me think of you.

2. The time I slept walked into your room and woke up in your bed (and then pretended to sleep walk every other night so I could stay with you). Thankfully every one in the house let me think I was tricking everyone.

3. The year we drove separate for family vacation and we had the most fun ever. I will never forget that year. I will especially never forget DR. PEPPER!!!!!!!! (crying I'm laughing so hard here) and then the lady who said that your daughter (me) looked just like you and then you were paranoid you looked that old hahahahhaha.

4. That night in the kitchen when you told me you were leaving your job and going overseas to do Journeyman-few times have I ever seen you that sure and that excited.

5. The time I convinced you to tell mom you couldn't find something in that pantry and she got huffy and swung open the door and I was hiding inside and scared the living daylights out of her. I almost peed in that closet waiting for that moment. To date the best scare and reaction of all time haha.

6. That infamous night I threw up in your hair-and your comment to mom and dad was, "Can I go back to sleep?" That was also the night we decided blonde was a bad look for you.

7.  That Sunday morning I sneezed Fruity Pebbles all over you and we died laughing. I can never eat them without thinking of that.

8. Bullwinkle. Nothing more needs to be said about this.

9. All the performances and impressions I would do on the fireplace simply to make you laugh-and you would never let me down by crying you would laugh so hard.

10.  The time you broke my guitar-Dad superglued it back but it was never the same..

11. How much you loved when I played the Saxophone for you. It was amazing I didn't become a profession with my talent.

12. The first time you came back from college and met me at the bus stop-I was so proud to show you off.

13. How mom swore she was not taking us shopping together anymore because we never would focus and just would hide in the clothes racks and laugh hysterically.

14. How anyone reading this list is probably thinking these things happened when we were kids and a good portion of them happened in our 20's hahahhahaha.

15. The year you started interpretive movement at church and got to wear the pants and I was so jealous so I joined and that year we went with velvet floor length dresses...speaking of, those dresses in general.

16. The time you sang Shifting Sand at VA beach mission trip and ever since then that song is one of my favorites of all time.

17.  Mom making us dress alike which wasn't so bad for me but since you are almost 5 years older it kinda really stunk for you!! haha.

18. That you wore skinny jeans before they were cool (ok, I'm losing it over here).

19.  Your honesty about who you are-it makes me love you even more (if that is possible). You don't pretend to be someone you aren't and it is the most refreshing thing to be around.

20. The time I drop kicked you to the floor after you told me I may have learned how to do that in Taekwondo class but I couldn't do it to you. Your face was priceless.

21.  The time I sat on a chocolate chip cookie and got chocolate all over my pj pants and you could not stop laughing.

22. Buck teeth and the video with the fake firecracker (Im doing the impression here now haha).

23. Just my pair of boots...

24. Last night when you ran slam into me because it was so dark and you thought I had kept walking. Oh, I am still laughing so hard about that.

25. When you first started driving and we would blare the cd player and sing on Sunday nights on the way to church. I remember thinking life could not possibly get any better than that.

26. Landon-seeing him love you and you being so happy is honestly one of the greatest joys in my life.

27. The way you always have my back. You and I will always be fiercely protection of each other. You can always count on me to be there for you, and I know the same.

28.  The way just one word or look can send both of us into a fit of giggles. This has gotten us in more trouble than I can even count.

29. The insane amount of inside jokes we have: Mary did you know, dirty jeans, My name is Laura, etc.

30. The millions of conversations we have shared. Laughing, crying, joking and serious -they all mean so much to me.

Happy birthday. I am so thankful you are nearer (although not near enough). My life is fuller and happier and definitely funnier with you in it. Love you.

Lelly

My sister got married!

My sister got married! I have so many things to say about this, but it felt most right to just leave my toast here again for her. I meant every word-even though I cried though most of it! You were beautiful and Landon had the most beautiful vows I have ever heard (other than Daniels, who of course are first).  It was everything I ever hoped for you. I love you.


Diana,

When I think about having kids some day, I always hope they have the kind of relationship we have.
Growing up, you were always such a mama bird-mothering me in every way..which was fine because I always enjoyed being babied. I cant even begin to count how many times you covered my behind--and of course I was so rotten I always let you take the heat (although somehow I think Mom and Dad always knew the truth).
Our fights were few and far between, and ALWAYS ended when we heard mom's van pull in the driveway. We would frantically wipe each others tears asking, "Does it look like I've been crying?!" And that was that, we let it go.

I think about the godly woman you are. My earliest memories questioning Jesus always involve conversations with you. We were always, always more than just sister-our bond is tied by the Lord, and it's clear why we've been so close-it's the bond that cannot be broken.

I smile now thinking about how mom used to always say, "You will be in each others wedding, and you will DEFINITELY be each other's maid of honor!", and we would get so grumpy that whoever was our best friend at the time would have to stand second instead. 20+ years later, as much as it pains me to admit, Mom was right. And I feel so honored to have stood next to you in my wedding and yours. You really did deserve that spot in my life and I will never regret it.

I have always seen you as wonderful, funny, so smart, zealous for Jesus and missions, a bleeding heart who would do anything for anyone regardless of the cost, and an absolute beauty inside and out. And today, I can honestly say you married a man who sees the same-and I am so happy for you!!

Landon, you should know you are the only man deemed worthy of Diana. As the song "I DO" goes, "it's always been about me, myself, and I. I thought relationships were a waste of time. I never wanted to be anyone's other half-that was the only way I knew till I met you." Landon, you changed everything-in the most wonderful way. I have no clue how many hours we even obsessed over your emails/conversations with her while you guys were overseas. Diana would call and say, "He said my hiar looks good-what do you think that means?" And of course I would respond the obvious-HE'S SO INTO YOU!! And you obviously were, so I think I gave good advice.

Landon, your love for Jesus and Diana are evident and we are so happy to have you apart of our family.
Even though i am the baby, I have always taken the role of protector of Diana. Always making sure I said what she really wanted to, but was too sweet to say. Today, I am giving her to you, entrusting you will continue to protect her in every way.

Martin Luther once said, "The first love is drunken, but once the intoxication wears off, then comes the real marriage love".
This is so true. As you weather the storms of life and face the difficulties of marriage your love will become stronger, better. Even more than today, the happiest day of your life.

Remember to offer each other grace upon grace. You will both need it. You will need to remember that on days when you are tired, and frustrated, and selfish (which will probably be most days). There will certainly be difficult days, but do not worry, for God's strength and goodness is best seen in your weakness. There will also be many wonderful days-days so good you will lay your head down at night wondering why God would have so richly blessed you.
Marriage is truely the greatest example of the gospel I have known.
As you sereve on the mission field together, you will realize just how wonderfully gracious the Lord was to give you such a perfect partner in life.
The greatest adventure of your life started today-together. We pray God's blessings and grace on your marriage. We love you both.

Wedding 3

Most people hope for one good friend-I have four.

My first day of college I remember thinking, "I hope I make a good friend". Little did I know that the Lord was about to bless me x's four.

Freshman year I met 4 girls who became my best friends. We lived on the same hall our first year then moved in as roommates the next 3 years. We shared laughs, tears, love/loathe for boys, broken hearts, secrets, and a relationship with the Lord.

One of the greatest blessings of our friendship is the sheer joy we take in celebrating each others wedding.

On Friday, Jen married Jeremy-making our third wedding together! I wish I could begin to explain the excitement shared between us when one of us gets engaged. You know its about to be a seriously good time with your best friends!
We chat for months prior to the big day all about how excited we are!

Jen was a stunning bride. One of my favorite things about watching your best friends get married is how genuinely happy you get to see them. It really is a blessing and joy to see how much we have all grown up.

Each wedding stirs up emotions in you from your big day. I don't even try not to cry anymore-its a beautiful and wonderful thing to see two people commit their lives to the Lord and each other..forever, good & bad, rich & poor, through it all.

I am so thankful that as each year goes by we still remain close friends. No matter how far apart we are we always pick up exactly where we left. 

Jen-you were everything every girl hopes to be on her wedding-STUNNING. I am so happy for you and Jeremy. We pray you both will continue to be a light for Christ. Thanks for letting us share in your special day. 

Libby did such a good job as the MOH-I know Jen was so blessed to have you girl-your toast tore us all up!! 

A look at the special day...

Happening in June

Alaska has finally gotten with the rest of the world and is warming up nicely. Thank the Lord!
Not much exciting has happened-we have been working lots!

My favorite restaurant in Alaska opened (the tourists are beginning to file in by the bus loads). I insisted we visit weekly, which Daniel has willingly obliged -I mean we are ready for one good meal a week! The pizza is out of this world, but my favorite is their baked tomato soup-delish.
If you ever visit Alaska, head on over to Denali and check out Prospectors Pizza.

                                                                 Behold the goodness..

I am so overly excited for June for many major reasons. I am heading home for a few weeks to be in 2 weddings.

My college roommate and close friend Jen (who goes by Jenny now, which I will never get used to,lol) is getting married! Weddings are only the most exciting reason to get with my best friends and be in another one all together again. I am so ready to see my girls! I will blog more about this-so be looking out for it!!

Secondly, my SISTER is getting married. WHOA. I don't know why it felt so normal for me to get married but it is SO surreal for her to be getting married! She is going to make a stunning bride (lucky lucky Landon) and I already know I am going to cry through her entire wedding-getting the water proof mascara now!! I cant wait to spend some pre-wedding time with her and celebrate her special day!!!

Thirdly, Daniel will join me for Diana's wedding and then wisk me off for a quick vaca to Arizona to see the Grand Caynon, and Colorado for the royal gorge jump, garden of the gods, pikes peak, and maybe a little rafting! It will be a whirlwind crazy time but we are SO EXCITED!

The adventure continues..

How I almost died

My Pastor, Gene, told me once, that you get more reads on your blog if you can come up with a catchy title. I completely agree with this, and so after our conversation I took a look at my blog only to find out that my most read blog was, "We're moving to Alaska". Not surprising.

 Ok. I admit it. I didn't almost die. I mean I DEFINITELY felt like I might at the time. But mostly I know that a large percentage of you are reading to see how I almost died..not sure how I feel about that.

... I digress. Here is what really happened.

For those of you who know me well you know that we LIVE by my bucket list. I keep an album on FB which I regularly add pictures to once we knock something off my list. I am always adding to the bucket list-much to Daniels delight..hehe.

I have many "Alaska only"adventures that I am currently focusing on. One of those happened to be snowmobiling.

Now neither I nor Daniel had ever been snowmobiling, but I mean, hey, it cant be THAT hard. So when one of the guys who Daniel works with invited us to go with him and some friends, we were on board.

We probably should have considered that Cantwell, AK is one of the most extreme places to snowmobile in the world-for experienced riders..which was certainly not us. This became apparent when literally we went to start the day and went up the first little mountain and flipped the snowmobile. Basically from that point on I was terrified..especially after we soon after flipped again and then 5 minutes later i completely flew off a good 5 feet from the snowmachine.

At this point I decided 2 things. 1. This was the worst idea ever. 2. If I made it out alive it would be a miracle.

Granted, the snow was so deep when you flipped you literally landed in 3 feet of fresh snow covering many more feet of settled snow-so it never hurt-except your pride. But it DID sufficiently scare me half to death each time. I kept thinking, "this is it Lord...You're taking me home today".

Ok, so looking back I was probably being a little dramatic. But what made this so different from all the other crazy things we've done-I never felt secure. Usually you skydive, or whitewater raft and at first the adrenaline is pumping and your terrified, but then you realize this is awesome, and the excitement clouds your judgement enough your enjoying it. This-this..there was nothing but crystal clear understanding I was going to die. This was, "I'm about to fly over the mountain and I cant see if there is ground or a 20 ft drop awaiting me." You would come up on these mountains so vertical that you felt like you were going to slide off the machine, only to just barely make it on the top and hope you didn't drop because you weren't sure if there was ground over the mountain.

It was probably good that the machine was so loud no one could hear what I was saying..
I kept thinking the entire day of a saying my college roommate Jen used to say. It had to do with being tense and a penny-if she reads this she will know haha.

 Here are a few pictures from our adventure.

For those of you enjoying the warm weather at home-it's been snowing here. And it's cold, so very cold!! Thank the Lord for warm clothes and heat. Truly, I think God had me in mind when heated car seats were created. It's the small things in life...

-Leslie