The other day, I sorted carrots. A lot of carrots, to be exact. I sorted, bagged, and stacked approximately 550 pounds of carrots. This can tend to get really boring. however, I was able to escape the mindless actions by thinking. I mostly thought about home. When I was going home. That was an exciting thought. When I thought of this, I started jumping up and down, singing songs, and praising God. I thought about what I was going to do when I got home. That was a little harder. I couldn't imagine all of the things that I could do! One other thing that I thought about was what home was like. That was a little harder. It scared me that I was having trouble remembering what home was like. I could kind of see a picture in my head of the house. I was also thinking of all the things that I would be doing at home. Here's my list so far.
1) See my family and Friends
That's the end of my list! I couldn't even imagine a single thing that I was going to do during the time that I'll be home.
This kind of reminds me of a verse in the bible. 1 Corinthians 2:9 "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." We have a home, a home that is even better than Alaska. It's called heaven. We used to live in a place a lot like heaven, about 6,000 years or so ago. But now we are here. We are going home soon too. We should get excited, just thinking about it! But imagining what we will do there is useless. It is written in God's word that no one has ever even imagined what God has in store for those He loves. That makes me feel special. One wonderful thing, though. This is not a "Thanksgiving break" Where we get a taste of heaven, then are thrown back into the world. We get to spend an eternal "Thanksgiving life" where we get to do just that. Give thanks to God. What a day, glorious day that will be!I can't wait to go home!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Water in the Hall
This happened a few weeks ago, but I wasn't able to write it until now.
It was Sabbath morning, so things seemed bright and cheery, even before I got out of bed. The week here is always extremely busy, almost busier then a week at home, so Sabbath is always a welcomed end to the week. And this day was no exception. I thought to myself, as I tried to muster the energy to get out of bed, "Today is going to be good. Better than good. No school to do, no problems to encounter."
However, as soon as my feet hit the floor, I knew that this day wouldn't be the typical Sabbath. Why did my feet feel wet? Was that water on my floor? WHAT!
I walked to the door, and most of the carpet was wet. I poked my head out the door, and saw puddles of water spread out along the hallway. The hallways were made of tile, so you could see the pools of water plainly. What was the matter?
After a short discussion with Sam, we decided that telling the dean would be the first thing to do. Although we really hated to wake Rosa up, we climbed up the stairs, and went to her apartment.
Within a few minutes, after getting back to my room, Rosa's voice crackled over the PA system. "Girls, there's a man in the dorm. Please dress accordingly. As some of you know, there is a problem in the basement, so please don't use any of the basement showers. Thank you."
By the time we left for breakfast, the figured out what the problem was. I never heard the whole story about what it was, but that doesn't matter. What I do know is that before Church started, the problem was temporarily fixed. Monday, it was fixed more permanently.
The water in the hallway was a lesson to me about patience. I really didn’t like the fact that my feet were getting wet. I didn’t like the fact that we had to get ready for church while trying to maneuver around the guys who were helping us. I had to learn to get over it. Things don’t always go our way.
I also learned a lot about willingness. Our dean didn’t get mad at us that we woke her up early. She swung right into action to get the problem fixed. Also, the maintenance guys got up around 7:00 in the morning, and came all the way over to the girls dorm to fix a leak. Sabbath was their day off, the day of rest. But there was a job that really needed fixed, and they were willing to fix it. Would I be willing to help other, even if it meant using my personal time? Would I be willing to lend a helping hand even if it didn’t fit my schedule? I pray that I would.
It was Sabbath morning, so things seemed bright and cheery, even before I got out of bed. The week here is always extremely busy, almost busier then a week at home, so Sabbath is always a welcomed end to the week. And this day was no exception. I thought to myself, as I tried to muster the energy to get out of bed, "Today is going to be good. Better than good. No school to do, no problems to encounter."
However, as soon as my feet hit the floor, I knew that this day wouldn't be the typical Sabbath. Why did my feet feel wet? Was that water on my floor? WHAT!
I walked to the door, and most of the carpet was wet. I poked my head out the door, and saw puddles of water spread out along the hallway. The hallways were made of tile, so you could see the pools of water plainly. What was the matter?
After a short discussion with Sam, we decided that telling the dean would be the first thing to do. Although we really hated to wake Rosa up, we climbed up the stairs, and went to her apartment.
Within a few minutes, after getting back to my room, Rosa's voice crackled over the PA system. "Girls, there's a man in the dorm. Please dress accordingly. As some of you know, there is a problem in the basement, so please don't use any of the basement showers. Thank you."
By the time we left for breakfast, the figured out what the problem was. I never heard the whole story about what it was, but that doesn't matter. What I do know is that before Church started, the problem was temporarily fixed. Monday, it was fixed more permanently.
The water in the hallway was a lesson to me about patience. I really didn’t like the fact that my feet were getting wet. I didn’t like the fact that we had to get ready for church while trying to maneuver around the guys who were helping us. I had to learn to get over it. Things don’t always go our way.
I also learned a lot about willingness. Our dean didn’t get mad at us that we woke her up early. She swung right into action to get the problem fixed. Also, the maintenance guys got up around 7:00 in the morning, and came all the way over to the girls dorm to fix a leak. Sabbath was their day off, the day of rest. But there was a job that really needed fixed, and they were willing to fix it. Would I be willing to help other, even if it meant using my personal time? Would I be willing to lend a helping hand even if it didn’t fit my schedule? I pray that I would.
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Tempest
At home, when the weather is sunny, it often stays that way for a few days. And when it rains, it REALLY stays that way. Here in B.C., however, the weather is crazy! A few Sabbaths ago, the weather was beautiful when I woke up. The day was perfect too. Well, except for the water in the hall [see later post]. The Sun was shining, and the world was beautiful.
After lunch, I called my parents while they were at potluck, so I got to talk to a lot of people from church. After talking for 20 minutes of so, the dean made an announcement. It was time to say "good-bye". I was headed to the lobby, after a trip to my room. While in my room, I heard something shocking. Thunder! Clouds had suddenly rolled in, out of nowhere!
This reminds me of my attitude. We need to keep our attitude in check. There is no reason for us to explode out of no where. In fact there is no reason that we should explode at all. We need to let God take care of out angry feelings, and give us pleasant ones. “He will take our hearts of stone, and give us hearts of flesh." Praise God for giving us happy thoughts! =D
"Temper is a valuable thing- Don't lose it!"
After lunch, I called my parents while they were at potluck, so I got to talk to a lot of people from church. After talking for 20 minutes of so, the dean made an announcement. It was time to say "good-bye". I was headed to the lobby, after a trip to my room. While in my room, I heard something shocking. Thunder! Clouds had suddenly rolled in, out of nowhere!
This reminds me of my attitude. We need to keep our attitude in check. There is no reason for us to explode out of no where. In fact there is no reason that we should explode at all. We need to let God take care of out angry feelings, and give us pleasant ones. “He will take our hearts of stone, and give us hearts of flesh." Praise God for giving us happy thoughts! =D
"Temper is a valuable thing- Don't lose it!"
Never Forget
I often look at the stars to remind me of home. I have almost the same view out of my dorm room here at fountainview as I do at home. A few nights ago, I looked out the window. No stars. I felt very lost and alone. I prayed and asked God to let my family and friends know that I love them, and to help me remember that, like the stars, although I may not be able to see them, they are there.
I crawled into bed, but something wasn't right. I then realized that my shade was not pulled. So I climbed drearily our ow bet, and right there was a star, brigtly shining.
God answered my prayer that night. He lets me know every day that he loves me, and that my family loves me. I just pray that I will never ever forget that!
I crawled into bed, but something wasn't right. I then realized that my shade was not pulled. So I climbed drearily our ow bet, and right there was a star, brigtly shining.
God answered my prayer that night. He lets me know every day that he loves me, and that my family loves me. I just pray that I will never ever forget that!
The Belly Dump
A few weeks ago, my sister and I got a wonderful opportunity. We got to go to work with dad. That was something we had never done before. We were never allowed to even ride in the trucks with him, but that day was different.
Dad was driving the belly dump. His job was to take gravel from one pile, in Tok, to another pile at the 7 mile marker gravel pit on the Taylor highway. It amazed me how easy he made it seem to drive that monster! I think I would have crashed it several times over by the time that the day was over. I can’t drive a normal vehicle as well as he drives the belly dump.
What also amazed me was how the guys on the job worked together. They were a true team. Each one had his job to do. They did their work cleanly, as smooth as clock work. Added to this was a great sense of humor.
When Dad got stuck once, one of the guys who was working close by didn't hesitate to push dad out. To me, it seemed kind of hopeless. This was a semi-truck, with a full load of gravel on the back. Getting unstuck seemed would seem like an impossibility. However, within a minute or two the truck and trailer were both unstuck.
These guys worked together so well! They each had their place, and did their work the best they could. This really reminds me of the way Paul described the way our church should work. We are all part of the same body, and working together, although it may not come naturally, should be a priority. Romans 14:4-8 explains it all. So let's take lessons from the belly dump.
Dad was driving the belly dump. His job was to take gravel from one pile, in Tok, to another pile at the 7 mile marker gravel pit on the Taylor highway. It amazed me how easy he made it seem to drive that monster! I think I would have crashed it several times over by the time that the day was over. I can’t drive a normal vehicle as well as he drives the belly dump.
What also amazed me was how the guys on the job worked together. They were a true team. Each one had his job to do. They did their work cleanly, as smooth as clock work. Added to this was a great sense of humor.
When Dad got stuck once, one of the guys who was working close by didn't hesitate to push dad out. To me, it seemed kind of hopeless. This was a semi-truck, with a full load of gravel on the back. Getting unstuck seemed would seem like an impossibility. However, within a minute or two the truck and trailer were both unstuck.
These guys worked together so well! They each had their place, and did their work the best they could. This really reminds me of the way Paul described the way our church should work. We are all part of the same body, and working together, although it may not come naturally, should be a priority. Romans 14:4-8 explains it all. So let's take lessons from the belly dump.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Weeds
For the last week and a half, I have been working in the Market Garden, more commonly known as MG. Every day we spend about 3 1/2 hours in the outdoors pulling weed after weed after weed. By the end of the day, we are all ready to drop. For most people, MG is a drag. We either spend the whole time bent over yanking weeds from the ground, or we spend it on our stomachs, riding the weed cart.
The weed cart is an interesting invention that is made to help us work more efficiently, and with less effort. It is basically a trailer, hooked up to the back of the tractor. There are nine positions on it for people to lay one. You lie on your stomach, rest your forehead on the forehead rest, and drop your arms into the carrot rows below. As the tractor pulls the weed cart, you pull up the weeds before they pass underneath you. If you lift your head up and look ahead, it is really easy to get depressed. The rows seem so long, and the weeds so many. Also looking back isn't a great idea either. You see how many mistakes you made; all of the weeds you missed.
This reminds me a lot of life. While looking a little ahead is a good thing to do, looking to far ahead can be daunting. You may feel swamped with all that needs to be done. Looking back at your mistakes can help you do better in the future, but constantly dwelling on the past will cause you to miss everything that is going on today. The best thing to do is to focus on what God has set before you at the moment. We must trust God to do what is right. You can trust that the tractor driver will drive where is best. And he is watching you. He will never go faster than you can handle. He will slow down enough for you to pull the weeds that are giving you trouble. You can trust God always, no matter how tall the weeds in your life are.
Heather
The weed cart is an interesting invention that is made to help us work more efficiently, and with less effort. It is basically a trailer, hooked up to the back of the tractor. There are nine positions on it for people to lay one. You lie on your stomach, rest your forehead on the forehead rest, and drop your arms into the carrot rows below. As the tractor pulls the weed cart, you pull up the weeds before they pass underneath you. If you lift your head up and look ahead, it is really easy to get depressed. The rows seem so long, and the weeds so many. Also looking back isn't a great idea either. You see how many mistakes you made; all of the weeds you missed.
This reminds me a lot of life. While looking a little ahead is a good thing to do, looking to far ahead can be daunting. You may feel swamped with all that needs to be done. Looking back at your mistakes can help you do better in the future, but constantly dwelling on the past will cause you to miss everything that is going on today. The best thing to do is to focus on what God has set before you at the moment. We must trust God to do what is right. You can trust that the tractor driver will drive where is best. And he is watching you. He will never go faster than you can handle. He will slow down enough for you to pull the weeds that are giving you trouble. You can trust God always, no matter how tall the weeds in your life are.
Heather
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