Pics

 Maverick
 Out the front window at Daniel's sisters house, that's the roof with 2 feet of snow.
Out the back door.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

I hope your holidays are as good as mine.  I have had a great week.  We had a wonderful snow Sunday night into Monday, about a foot or so, and then another nearly 2 feet Christmas Eve through today.  It is one of the most beautiful incredible things I have ever seen.  I can't wipe the grin off my face, and my friends keep laughing at me.  I am like a little kid again.  I want to ski, but since I don't have the gear yet, even just playing in the snow is okay with me.  Daniel and I were outside with his dog Maverick, and I got a kick watching Mav tromp through snow twice as high as him.  Daniel shoved me straight backwards into the yard, and it was so deep that when I fell, it all caved in on me, and covered me completely.  Oh, the wonderful joys of snow!!!  It is still snowing like crazy right now.  

Christmas eve was very nice.  Four of us co-workers - Daniel, Kaylee, Joe and myself gathered at Daniel's sisters house where I cooked dinner for them before we all went to work.  His sister only lives here from January through March, but has a beautiful home with a well equipped kitchen, something I greatly appreciated.  I cooked a bourbon marinated pork loin, sided with green bean casserole and mashed potatoes.  It turned out great.

Today we are all gathering again at the same place for a Christmas brunch before we head to work.  Daniel made a breakfast casserole, I have poteezta from Mom and Kaylee is bringing food too.  We have so much food for so few people, but it's great to hang out with people and eat home cooked food again.    

Daniel's sister's home is located right at the bottom of the Warm Springs lift/ski area, tucked up against the mountain in avalanche terrain.  This whole 'culture' and climate up here is so foreign to me that I feel like I'm in a movie almost.   I love it, love it, love it!!! 

It's gonna be a white christmas!

We finally really have snow now, and I cannot begin to tell you how beautiful it is.  There was a couple inches on the ground that had gathered over the last week, but Saturday night a storm rolled in and it’s still going.  By storm, I mean gentle, but persistent falling snow.  We got about a foot throughout the day yesterday, and it’s not letting up today.  The mountains are covered, the evergreens heavy with snow, just like a picture perfect winter wonderland.  I will post pictures when I can.  My internet can’t quite handle that right now.

The resort will be busy this week, and people will be so happy now to have snow to ski and snowboard.  Once the snow rolled it, the change of energy was tangible....people get more friendly and are happy.  It’s great.

I stayed the night at Kaylee’s last night, because I’m going to use her kitchen to do some prep work for Christmas Eve dinner and I knew I wouldn’t be able to drive anywhere in my car today.  I still need to get into town for a couple things, but there is a great free bus system to get me anywhere I need to go, including all the way back to my dorm if need be.  I haven’t ridden it yet, but will today.

One of the things I miss the most now that I’m in the dorms is the lack of a kitchen.  As Christmas drew closer, I missed it more and decided that I needed to cook a dinner, so....several of us single people are going to gather for Christmas Eve dinner (at either Kaylee’s or Daniel’s) before we all head to a crazy busy night of work.  Then we will meet again Christmas day for a small brunch, before another night of work.

I am tackling quite a bit of stuff, but I have all day today, Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning to accomplish it all.  I am planning on making a couple of pies and cream cheese bars for dessert; and for the main entree: pork loin, green bean casserole and mashed potatoes.  I will leave the bread to someone else.  I have never done a pork loin before, so I’m a little nervous about how that will turn out, but the rest should be a breeze. 

..and so it goes

This week starts our ‘busy’ season.  We now have music every night, and beginning in a few days, even every afternoon.  I will be working 8 out of 9 days running, something for which I am grateful.  I will be working full time hours, but all at night, so I will still pretty much have my days free for whatever, including skiing soon, hopefully.

Up until this point, I have only really worked with four other people - Kaylee, (my manager/bartender), Daniel, my night bartender, Jan, the day bartender and Joe, the other cocktail server and occasional bartender.  I have met several of the other gals who will be working alongside me during the busy season, but only in passing, but that will change this week.  

I have spent some time hanging out with Kaylee and Daniel over the last week, and feel a little more connected, like I’m making some friends.  

I enjoy the job when I am busy, and I enjoy the staff and most of the regulars that take up our time when we have no other customers.  Live music is nice too.  We have several groups that play...a couple pianists, some that sing, a jazz trio or two.  I really like the lounge atmosphere here.  The Duchin Lounge is affectionately known as the ‘Wrinkle Room’ since it is primarily frequented by the over 50 crowd, although we have had our fair share of young wedding party groups as well.  I start bartending one day a week this week, which will be fun, and good experience.  It’s nice to do something so different from what I have mostly done in my past work experience.  

I don’t know when I will get around to skiing, seeing as I have to get some equipment first, though employee rentals are pretty reasonable.   I found some ski pants at the thrift store, and Sarah supplied me with warm under layers and a ski jacket, so I’m really only in need of gloves, a good hat and the actual skis, boots and bindings. (Or snowboarding stuff - I’ve got people encouraging me that direction too. :-) ) 

I can’t believe Christmas is so close already.  It’s always amazing to me how fast time flies - the older I get the faster it passes.  

We finally got some snow - about 4inches over about 3 days, so it’s looking more like I had expected of this place, though it’s still minimal.  The weather channel has predicted snow for the next 9 out of 10 days, but I have yet to see them be anywhere near accurate, so we shall see. 

New Things in My life

A list of 10 things I do here that I didn't do often or ever at home.

1. I eat oatmeal for breakfast

2. I eat salads for lunch

3. I work out at the Y

4. I ice skate numerous times a week

5. I watch CSI

6. I read books

7. I watch Sports Center and ESPN in general (pretty much only at work)

8. I read the newspaper sometimes and watch news TV

9. I shower in a 3'x3' cubicle - less privacy than home, but more than on the World Race, and I can  shower for as long as I want with hot water!!

10. I own and wear various warm beanies to keep my head warm.

A good blog to read

I have come across a blog by Carl Medearis, one of the most influential men in my christian walk and history.  My encounters with him, though not personal, and fairly brief, have challenged me and inspired me.  This is a great blog I would encourage all to read.  I couldn't agree more.

Carl's Blog

Day off Update

I had a decent night last night at work, though it certainly wasn’t busy.  I am looking forward to when it is, because even when it’s not busy for the majority of the night, I tend to make pretty good money in the last 2 hours of work or so.  Soon it will be busy all day/night, at least that’s what they tell me. :-)

I have the day off today and have actually been pretty productive, which I am glad of.  I have read, made a bank deposit, created drawer spacers to keep my stuff more organized, finished paperwork for work, mailed something off, and am at Tully’s now taking care of my online things.  I plan on reading a little more tonight and working on my knitting project, while maybe catching up on messages from Des Moines Fellowship.

I miss Julianna like crazy these days.  We had a good long conversation the other day on the phone.  Till then she hasn’t talked to me much when we get on the phone.  But the other day we had a real conversation about all kinds of things.  When we finished, she made sure she told me she loved and missed me.  She said it twice to be sure I heard her.  Anne mentioned that earlier that morning, Juli had asked if they could ‘stop by and see Liss’ on their way to the store.  Then she told Anne to invite me over for the day.  It makes my heart hurt, I miss her so much.  

Even with the travel bug in me, I have a peace about coming home to stay.  I know I will be back home for good.  I always come home.  I can’t imagine leaving for good.  I can do short term away, but I think I will always return home.

People here keep telling me how they came for a season and have been here for years now.  I may stay longer than originally planned (they say the money is as good or better in the summer working banquets and such), but I don’t think I could stay long term.  I feel like I’m supposed to buy a house in Des Moines.  That still hasn’t changed since July ’07.  I’m not sure when that will happen, but it’s still my long term goal, and even being here is working towards that. No promises about exactly when,  but I will be home again.

Making Choices

I have been thinking a lot in the last couple weeks about how I will live my life while I’m here in Idaho.  I have a choice to live either in growing in greater intimacy with Christ, or apathetically, which would result in growing away from him.  This choice has to be made wherever I go/am, but I am just really aware of it now.  I have moved up here, have started something new, and have time on my hands. 

A week ago, I spent 6 hours watching TV in my dorm room, because I didn’t know what to do around town.  Or, to be more honest, I was afraid of going out to do something alone, or that would take a lot of energy.  I am lazy.  I don’t want to be, and there are a number of things to do in the area to keep me fully occupied.  

I could choose to take my free time and delve into prayer and time spent with Jesus.  As much as I know that and so much of me wants that, it is still so hard to make that choice.  Why is that?  Why is the pull of doing nothing stronger than the desire to know Jesus more?  How can that be?  

I come back to James 4:8, though, and remind myself that God promises that when I draw near to Him, He WILL draw near to me.  I don’t have to go the whole way - He meets me when I make the smallest step. That is such a wonderful relief and a great invitation to make a move toward Him.

I know my life and purpose here in Sun Valley is different than most of the people I meet.  The Holy Spirit dwells within me and shines through me all the time, even when I’m not aware, or when I feel I’m failing.  What then would He be able to do through me if I gave more of my time to knowing Him?

I was thinking the other day about what to say when people talk to me about ‘religious’ stuff or about my beliefs.  I don’t like to simply say, “I’m a Christian” because that statement is made by many who don’t know Jesus, and there are tons of people who have been very negatively affected by “Christians.”  Instead, I thought...I will say that I just love and know Jesus, and want to be like Him.  But I realized in a moment of what felt like great revelation that even that’s not the fullest truth.  

The truth that makes the difference in me is that I know that HE loves and knows ME, not the other way around.  I know and love Him a little and I do want to be like Him, but those things only come from knowing that I am loved by Him.  I am one born into sin, a human with no hope of perfection or redemption without Jesus, just like every person every born into this world.  But I have become aware the God loves me, and that I have been made perfect, forgiven of my failings and my sin.  Because of that, I no longer have to live in fear of failing, or of falling short.  I will fail and sin, which unfortunately usually causes pain for me and often times other people, but nevertheless, I am forgiven by the One who is perfect and sinless. 

But back to the thought at the beginning.  What choices will I make over the next few months?  Will I choose to walk in obedience like a free person, or will I make decisions that come from a mindset still stuck in slavery to sin and laziness?  The choice is always looming for me.  One day, I make the good choice, and the next, the other one.  Right now, in this moment, I pray for the strength to make the choice of obedience more often, till it becomes my habit.  I want people to not simply notice that I’m a little different, but I wan them to really see Jesus.

The quotes from Andrew Shearman need to be printed and posted for me to see everyday, as so much of what he says encourages my heart and mind to do what’s right.  I don’t want to waste anymore of my time or life, regardless of where I am or what I am doing.  

Aidan and Ella

 Aidan and Ella the week I left Des Moines.

Andrew Shearman Quotes - READ THESE!!!

Andrew Shearman, one of the World Race spiritual fathers, a wonderful man of God passed on great words of wisdom while I was on the Race and continues to do so to all who have come after me on the Race.  I had thought a few times about how I should write down some of his greatest quotes, but never did.   Fortunately, though, a current Racer has done such a great thing, so I would like to pass them on.  

"Deliverance comes in going forward.  You just have to flat out decide.  If you have a bad attitude change it.  If you need to love someone just love them."

"If you have already got to "thank you" don't go back to please."

"You have been as holy and loving today as you decided to be"

"Shutup, get up and go!"

"You need a red hot heart, an ice cold brain, fire in your belly and steel in your backbone."

"Take responsibility for the impression you give.  Take responsibility for the impression they take."

"Put Christ on.  Choose until it becomes a habit and you become who you ARE!  A lifetime of good habits will keep you alive."

"Rise up man/woman of God!"

"There is a man/woman sent by God and his/her name is _______"

"My name is ________ and I am God's voice on planet earth and I have something to say and I am going to say it."

"God's word in your mouth is the same as God's word in his mouth so speak it out."

"You have chain breaking, mountain moving, prison door opening, deliverance bringing, death to life words in your mouth."

"You have the power of life and death on your tongue. Speak Life."

"If you are not under authority you have no authority."

"We win this thing!"

"Don't worry about doing.  BE.  It is all about being.  If you are living as you were created, God with skin on, your life would be brilliant."

"Be done with yourself!"

"You need to get to the place where you don't want to go anywhere else then with God."

"Gotta work it.  No more easy pickings.  Move the obstacles out of the way.  Kill some giants and be self sufficient in Christ."

"You were created to turn chaos into Eden."

"This is not whistling Dixie."

"You deserve what you tolerate.  Do something about it."

"You can't sin enough to make God stop loving you."

"The number one reason you are on planet earth is to BE LOVED by God."

"Some of you have been so busy chasing God that you forgot that God is chasing you."

"This is about the house.  Whose is the house?"

"Heaven is not the destination.  You've already got heaven, the eternal DNA of God living inside of you.  You are a daughter/son of the living God.  The destination is the King of the Kingdom of the living God."

"I am the keeper of God's dream."

"The more like Christ I am the more like ________ I am."

"The devil has no weapons.  The devil only has words, arguments and pretensions."

"Are we really going to get the resources to build the house, or are we going to stay in Egypt making bricks?"

"You will either die, or be killed.  Choose to die."

"Hollywood's lie is to make you think you could have a life of adventure without risk."

"It takes rocket fuel to go against gravity.  You can live a long time on diesel, coasting through life or you can really LIVE."

"You only learn when you don't know."

"If your always going to think through the same knowledge pattern, you'll never learn anything new."

"If your dead you can't be killed."

"You have to be dead to be free, you have to be free to choose to be a slave."

"Fear causes men's hearts to fail them."

"Commit your whole life to the journey.  Walk off the map into uncertainty."

"Your better off a sinner being made righteous then remaining innocent."

"There is no plan B."  We are the best plan God ever had."

"Don't compromise when God has spoken to you."

Bye to Sarah and Adam!

I just dropped Sarah and Adam off at the Boise Airport.  They depart today at 1pm, with an hour layover in Denver, before heading to Kenya, via a layover in London.  They plan on being on this new great adventure through Africa for the next 4 months, or for however long God leads them to stay.  I was sad to see them go, as they are my closest friends in the area right now, but I'm super excited for them about these next few months.  I can't wait to hear stories and see pictures of the places they see and the amazing people I know they will meet.  So much of Sarah's heart is in Africa, so this is a natural decision for her.  I remember how all of us on the World Race saw her come alive with the kids in Africa, knowing that was her place.  :-)  I pray, Lord, for your hand of protection over Sarah and Adam, lead them and guide them to the people and places you have planned for already.  Move in their hearts more each day and bind them together in you.  I praise you that their hearts are readily obedient and eager to fulfill Your calling in their lives.  

I love you guys!!!

Where is the SNOW!?!

It's 56 degrees out today, and sunny.  I can comfortably hang out outside in a t-shirt, and would sweat if I stood in the sun.  And tomorrow is December.  And need I remind anyone I am living in a ski resort town?  What gives?!

Baldy stands in front of us, with what remains of man made snow of a week ago when it was almost cold enough to keep it.  The last week has been too warm to keep up the machines though. The mountain was supposed to open on Thanksgiving but has been postponed till tomorrow, but it certainly won't open for skiing tomorrow morning either, unless we have some crazy fluke blizzard! (Not likely)  According to the weather forecast, it looks like we will get a rain/snow mix sometime next week, but only an afternoon of it.  And it's not even going to reach freezing.  We shall see.

I went running this morning on the trails, something I think I will do more of while I can. There is a pretty extensive trail system for biking and walking, so as long as it's nice....

I worked about 50 hours in the last 6 days at work.  It has been slow, but at least I'm at work and not sitting around at home.  I went into work on Wednesday night expecting my last day of training, but was put to work making money because they were a person short.  I was glad for that.  I am really going to enjoy working here, I think.  I really like most of the people I work with, and LOVE my manager (Kaylee), at least so far.  She is a super positive, fun, energetic 27 year old, and we have hit it off pretty well.  We had brunch today at the Lodge (taken care of by her manager status, so free for me - yay), and had a great time chatting.  I am looking forward to hanging out with her more often.  I'm already feeling more comfortable and more at home in the area.  My dorm room is small, so I'm gonna have to figure out stuff to do outside of it, or I will go crazy.

My room is small (8'x14'), and right above the Inn bakery, so even though we have a heater, we will NEVER need to use it.  Last night it got so warm (probably about 85), neither one of us could sleep.  I slept in 20 minute intervals, and kept waking up cause I was sweating, in shorts and a tank top.  At 3am I finally just got up and went outside and sat for 30 minutes till I was cold and could appreciate the heat of the room.  It's stifling in there, since there is no circulating air.  I felt like I was suffocating.  We need to figure something out.  I hope that my roommate will agree to keeping the window open at night, but since it's at the end of her bed, she might get too cold.  The room is too small to put a fan in (there is really no room for it).  Ahh!!!  I will make it, though. :-)

Killing time....

I am here with lots of time on my hands right now as it’s still considered ‘slack’ time.  This weekend should pick up a little bit, because of Thanksgiving reservations at the resort, but we are still lacking snow, so the ski mountains aren’t open yet.  I have had two nights of ‘training’ which have been mostly just my manager having pity on a bored, lonely girl and allowing me to just come to work and kill time there.  We have had next to no business since there are no people at the resort yet.  Tonight should be busier for my last night of training since everyone coming for the weekend checks in today.  I am working on my own, making tips starting tomorrow night.  Yay!!!  It will be relatively slow again for a couple weeks, but then the couple weeks before Christmas through January are supposedly just crazy busy.  We have live music everyday/night, jazz piano, drums, bass.  Tonight is the first time I will get to hear it and I’m excited for that.  

Duchin Lounge is the lounge in the main lodge.  It’s primarily cocktails with a very limited appetizer menu, so the work will be very different that my previous experience, since I am not ‘waiting tables’ at all, but only cocktailing.  It should be a good change of pace.

Until work picks up, I really need to find something to do.  There is plenty to do in this town if you have the gear.  It’s still nice enough to bike the trails, but I don’t have a bike.  I will probably start taking walks.  I spent the entire day in my little dorm room yesterday because I didn’t know what to do, and then of course felt like a loser for wasting time.  So I will NOT do that anymore.  I got out of the place today, came into Ketchum, wandered around town and through the second hand store, now chilling at Tully’s coffee for the internet. :-)

I think I will one of these days go around and take pictures so I can post them on my blog.  Maybe today actually.  I was originally scheduled to work at 2, but my manager called and asked me to not come in until 6, so now I have the entire day.

I will be joining Adam, Sarah and Sarah’s family for Thanksgiving tomorrow, then driving back up here for work by 6pm.  I’m looking forward to hanging out with them again.

Dorm Video

  So after much frustration I finally got this video uploaded.  This is my dorm room here.  Small, but certainly sufficient. :-)

The Life Church - my new home

I already found a church family to be a part of while I am here in Idaho.  I had driven by this church on Wednesday on my way to SV, took notice of it, and then found it listed in a magazine I picked up.  There were a few different options, places I wanted to try out, but The Life church was my first instinct.  I walked in the door and was greeted cheerfully by Linda, the associate pastor’s wife, who subsequently introduced me to every person who walked by us.  It’s a very small church that meets in really small room, and I loved it.  

They had a Thanksgiving service, so instead of the pastor teaching, it was open to all the body to share their thanksgivings.  It was beautiful.  Non stop people sharing about what God has done in their lives in the last year, and beyond.  I was so blessed, because the people were completely honest about their failings and weaknesses, but had all encountered God and their lives changed.  People who have come out of divorces, addictions, abuse, etc... but truly encountered God.  They all expressed how this body of believers, and the pastors had supported them and truly been a family for each other. 

After church I was invited to lunch with a group of about 5 single ladies between the ages of 25 and 60, and we had a blast.  We laughed a lot, and I look forward to more time spent together.  I had invitations to send Thanksgiving with a few different folks, though I will be working that night.  I don’t feel that I have to look any further for a church to attend while I’m here.  Yay!!!

Finally getting to start working!!!

I had an actual tour of the Sun Valley Resort today finally.  I met with the manager of the bar at which I will be working and she took me all over for about 30 minutes, giving a detailed tour of the public areas as well as the deep employee tunnels and rooms.  If I tried to find any of the places on my own, I would probably get lost, but in time, I will learn my way around.

There is a bowling alley, day spa, multiple pools and hot tubs, ice skating rink, walking trails, etc.... some of which I can take advantage of, but some of which I believe are only for resort guests.  I don’t know all the rules yet, but my manager, Kaylee is really fun and was super helpful already.  I’m sure that she will help me acclimate and get involved more.

I start my training tonight with Kaylee, but she said it won’t be busy, so it will be mostly just hanging out together in the bar, same as tomorrow night.  Wednesday should be busier, and then Thanksgiving night, I am on my own for my first shift which should be busy.

I will be working at the Duchin Room, which is one of the two bars within the Lodge/Inn area.  They serve very little food, so I will be cocktail serving full time, which I am really excited to do.  It will be very different than the dining room serving I have done for so long - a whole new challenge and system.  I have a lot to learn, but that is part of the fun.

I also got a PO box today so I can get mail now!!  Care packages and the like!  Ha ha! :-)  My address is PO Box 1297, Sun Valley, ID 83353. 

Great writing from Mike

This is the latest update from my brother Mike, who is stationed in Afhganistan with the Air Force.  He's such a great writer, I wanted to share.

Hey folks,

Haven't written for a while.  Nothing major has been happening, and I haven't been making an effort to notice things worth writing about.  The weather is getting colder.  I work from 0100 to 1300, so I get to work through the coldest and most beautiful time of the day: dawn.  Bagram Air Base is situated in a relatively small valley with mountains on every side.  However, between the dust and the base's garbage disposal methods (two enormous incinerators and large open burn pits), the view of the mountains is usually restricted to dark figures looming high over the horizon.  However, with the colder weather and a few showers, the air has gotten a little bit cleaner.  Several weeks ago we had the a very clear morning, and I was awestruck as the sun began to illuminate the western mountains.  No longer ambiguous shapes, the pink-orange light of the morning cast incredibly crisp and dark shadows across the curves of the foothills and the sharp edges of the mountains above them.   Between the peaks of the closest mountains, more were visible behind them, several shining brightly with freshly fallen snow.  The brown of the rock shone with gold and orange in the morning light. I wish I had brought my camera on that day.  That sight triggered in me the first spark of appreciation for this place that I have felt yet.  We have not had a morning like that since.

Work has recently gotten a little bit more stressful, as one of our expediters (the first level of management on the flightline) returned home for a family emergency.  One of our more experienced crew chiefs stepped into his spot, stripping us of another valuable body.  Thankfully, the workload has been manageable so far.  Past the halfway point now, people are starting to get testy, and we've had a few issues between people.  However, I am continually surprised by how well we crew chiefs get along despite our differences and annoyances with each other.  We are a dirty, rowdy, moody bunch.
.... ....

This morning at chow, there was a quartet playing at one of the tables for no apparent reason.  Four soldiers playing two flutes, a bassoon, and a clarinet.  No one knew why they were there, but they were good, and fun to listen to.  They played a large variety of stuff including TV theme songs, classical music, and "Puttin' on the Ritz."  I caught some flak for knowing the words to that one.  I am up late tonight, and walked around the base after sundown for the first time yet and heard another kind of music: lots and lots of birds.  Since I've been here, the only wildlife I've seen is a lone hawk who likes to circle above the runway (not for long), mice hiding under my toolbox, and a jackal that loiters around the road we take to work.  It was so nice to hear birds again.  I can't wait for a good rainstorm either.

Thanks everyone for your support and prayers,

I'm settled in!

I’m moved into my new place now.  I arrived last night, and met my roommate Samantha.  I’m feeling lonely, but hopefully that won’t last.  I don’t know where I’m working yet, as there are a number of restaurants in which I could work.  I will find out on Monday.  In the meantime, I am trying to figure my way around here.  The staff that did my paperwork last night was less than helpful, so I really have no idea about anything.  There is an employee cafeteria, but I don’t know where it is or how it works.  My dorm room is about 8’x15’ or so, a double room, two dressers and two twin beds.  It’s tight, but will certainly work.  I haven't had real dresser drawers in quite a while, so I'm really excited to have them for my clothes! 

Originally from Washington, Samantha (20yrs old) attended school in Vegas, but has been here for nearly 4 months as a cook in one of the several Sun Valley restaurants.  Hopefully she can help me learn the ropes a little around here, and we can be friends. 

There is no kitchen and very limited space for food in my room, and she gave me warning about the cafeteria food (she went to the hospital for food poisoning), so I might have to get really creative with my meals. :-)  

I had also been told that all dorm rooms have WiFi, but apparently that meant all dorms except my building!  I was looking forward to having that, but I will have to figure out other places to do all my online stuff. It certainly would have been ideal to have to internet in my room, since I like to check my mail and stuff before bed and in the mornings.  Oh well.  I'm pretty close to ideal in every other aspect. :-)

It will be interesting to live this life, and work for this company.  Our dorms are small, and the area is pretty run down, but open a door and you’re in the high class hotel hallway of the resort.  The guest food and restaurants are good, but the employee cafeteria is apparently a little sketchy.  Interesting.  I’m nervous, but still excited and am so ready to start working though and stop being so bored.

I went grocery shopping today at Albertsons in Hailey, which is about 12 miles outside of Ketchum/Sun Valley.  I bought a few essentials - dairy products, carrots and crackers!  

Tonight, I am going to meet my friend Tom for dinner with some of his friends.  Tom did the barbeque dinner for Adam and Sarah’s wedding and we had a great time cooking together.  He’s in his mid 50’s and works as a ski patrol on Soldier mountain with Adam. I’m glad to have something fun to do tonight.

One Year Anniversary

One year ago today I was waking up in my grandparents’ house, my first whole day back in the United States after a year abroad.  It hardly seems like a year has gone by in some senses, but in other ways, that year seems so far away it’s practically just a dream.  

As all of us World Racers from A and B squad look back this week and remember our year together, there is now doubt a full range of emotions that accompany the memories. Mine are all good.  The WR was a year of growth, challenge and new opportunities for me.  In addition to those great benefits, I believe that through those experiences, doors opened to me.  I feel I have a greater freedom in life.  A freedom to fail.  A freedom to succeed.  A freedom to try new things and engage in new endeavors.  It’s an ongoing learning experience, which is proved by the areas in my life in the last year where I lived in fear and not in freedom, but at the same time, there were/are consistently areas where I have gone forward in boldness that I hadn’t possessed before.  This manifests in small things, like trying new sports, or foods, and in the larger arenas of life, such as stepping out to learn a new job in a new place by myself.  

One of the racers posted a great note, reminding us all to not let the WR be the best thing in our lives, but to always expect more bests to come as we follow Jesus and embrace the adventure he has for each of us.   For me it was a great year, a pivotal year, a life changing year, but the best is yet to come!

Why Idaho?

Why Idaho you ask?  I realized I haven’t fully explained that for those who may want the backstory. 

Back in mid October, my former WR teammate, Sarah and her husband had their stateside wedding celebration, so all 4 of us other ZEO gals took a trip to help celebrate.  Leah, Amy and I fly into San Francisco, where we met up with Lynette, and spent a few days in the city before driving to Twin Falls, ID together for the Humbach festival.  Twin is in southern Idaho, where there is not much more than desert, desert hills and a fabulous canyon.  To be, it is beautiful.  There is something about the west that pulls my heart every time I’m here.  We went a couple hours further north, spending a day in town of Ketchum, home to Sun Valley Ski Resort.  The town is cute, and the mountains are beautiful.  After the day there, we progressed further north towards Stanley, and the beauty only intensified as we drove.  We stayed in a huge, stunning log cabin overnight before we all had to part ways.  

In the midst of those times together, I grew more attached to the place, and was sick to think about leaving.  Having been born in Colorado, and being back over the years for visits, the mountains are settled in my heart, with their own definition of home.   I had this crazy idea about waiting tables and/or bartending in a restaurant in the resort area for the ski season.  The potential for money is great, especially considering the Sun Valley area services the wealthy folks of America, and I would have some opportunity to ski, something I have always desired to do.  I didn’t know if it was even feasible for me to think about such an endeavor considering that it was about the 20th of October and the ski seasons starts Thanksgiving week.  It would have to be a quick turn around.  

I decided that if my urge to move dwindled when I got home, as many of my other urges tend to do, then I would just let it go.  But when it didn’t, I just told the Lord to shut the doors if it wasn’t meant to be.

I applied online for a couple of jobs, one at Sun Valley Resort and one at Tamarack, about 4 hours further north.  I hadn’t heard response from either one of them before I left, but I just decided to go.  Sun Valley called during my drive up from Iowa.  I have been offered a job with them, working in one of their many restaurants, and living cheaply in the dorm housing, with a free season-long ski pass.  It came together more easily and perfectly than I had even thought, hoped or expected. 

I move in tomorrow, friday, Nov 21st and will begin working next week. I don’t know what the dorm room looks like, but I figure, I can’t be disappointed.  I already know they have wi-fi, among other amenities, an employee cafeteria with meals for about $2 and they are within walking distance of most of the resort area.  I’m excited for the new start!!

A First Time Adventure

There is something about doing something new, facing a new challenge, risking something, and tackling it that is so rewarding.  I’m not talking about moving, though my concepts include that decision.  For me, this week, it was mountain biking.  

Giving the fact that there are no mountains in Iowa, I have never experienced this great sport, but have thought it would be fun.  Around here, though, where hills and mountains are abundant, and outdoor sports are the norm, mountain biking is a short afternoon activity.  Sarah and I headed to the south hills and began our climb about 2:15 Tuesday afternoon.  I haven’t ridden a bike on a road in years, let alone on hills, so the uphill was quite a challenge.  I am not in good shape either, so I was quickly winded.  But we kept pressing on (Sarah encouraging me), and finally made it to the top.  By the time we reached the top, I had adjusted and probably could have climbed more.

Sarah had prepared me for the awesomeness of the downhill ride, and as excited as I was, I was pretty scared too.  She took off ahead of me and was out of sight in seconds, speeding down the dirt path, standing on her pedals and looking like a pro.  My descent was not quite so smooth.  I started rolling downhill, holding my brakes, but continuing to gain speed.  I ran through the instructions in my head - stand up, pressure on the handlebars, absorb the shock and respond.  It’s all simply head knowledge till you do it though.  The faster I went, the more I wanted to sick down and shut my eyes.  I did not shut my eyes, but kept sitting down, then standing, then sitting, standing... I had a hard time steering and staying in the well established, but small rutted trail, and finally, at one point, I knew any control I had was gone.  My bike bumped out of the rut, and into another, depositing me in the surrounding rocks and sagebrush.  Ripped pants, a skinned knee and bruises only made me more excited to get back on.  

I don’t think I ever continued in movement for more than 30 seconds at a time, but those 30 seconds were wonderfully exhilarating!  I crashed again a short time later, taking a dive off the bike into a ditch, where I somersaulted, and gained a few more bruises and scrapes.  I climbed back on, and finished the ride down.  I can’t wait to do it again!

I felt awesome at the end of it.  It may be a simple thing, but it was so rewarding.  I was reminded of my time rock climbing in Peru, another sport I never envisioned doing, but that I enjoyed, or bungee jumping in South Africa.  Doing things for the first time is wonderful.  

In general, most of us keep our routine (even me in the midst of my journeys), and don’t often try new things. But how often do we think of ideas we’d like to try, whether it be sports, cooking, learning a new craft, or taking on a project?  It may take risk, sacrifice of some time, perhaps some failure, but it would be worth it.  When was the last time you did something for the first time?

I just dropped Hannah off at the Boise airport.  We had a great time hanging out together.  Five days together is the most we have every spent together, just the two of us.  I enjoyed every moment of it, and I hope she did too. :-)  We saw some of this beautiful country and had fun listening to (and dancing and singing to) good music in the car, and she took a ton of fabulous pictures.  

I will spend the rest of the afternoon with Erin here in Boise, and perhaps another night, because there is a church I would like to check out here.  It's a 'seeker' church and I'm really interested to see what people are doing as such.  I haven't been to a different church in a while, and as that search is ahead of me, I will start tomorrow!  

Then back to Jerome for a couple days with Sarah and Adam before shifting gears and getting up to Sun Valley.

The Flat Tire Story

(Story took place on Friday - this is posted Saturday)

It hasn’t taken long for my (mis)adventures to begin here in Idaho.  I decided to take Hannah to Boise the longer, scenic route through the mountains.  It’s a lovely day, sunny and relatively warm.  Having left Jerome about 10:30am, we made it through Sun Valley (about 80 miles north), and another hour or so beyond.  The roads were all clear and totally dry, but had loose rocks.  Rather decent sized rocks.  

About 3 miles out of Smiley Creek, I saw two in the road.  An attempt to veer away from them both fell short and my front passenger side tire took the beating.  Busted a hole in the sidewall of the tire.  I quickly pulled over, laughed and dug out the jack from my trunk, along with my spare donut wheel.  Hannah and I successfully jacked up the car, but our female strength was no match for the lug nuts.  Several cars and trucks had already bypassed us in the past 20 minutes, but now we really needed help.  When I next heard a vehicle approaching, I stood up from beside my tire and stood in front of my car, wrench in hand, trying to look like I needed help.  The huge construction truck stopped.  Out jumped Cory and Pat, who, with great ease, loosened the lug nuts and placed my donut.  

“Your donut’s low.  You’re not going anywhere on this thing.” 

Ha ha!! Of course! 

Cory offered to drive us back the way we came (the direction he was headed) into Hailey to get my tire to a tire place, with full confidence that there is no fixing such a tire, only getting a new one.  We climbed in the massive truck, Hannah on my lap, Pat in the middle and Cory driving.  It was rather reminiscent of World Race travel, and I couldn’t help but laugh.  What else is there to do but laugh, I guess.  Oh, boy.

I know only a few people in the nearby area, namely Twin Falls/Jerome area, so I contacted them. I didn’t get a response from Sarah and Adam, but did from a friend that I had met at the wedding and recently hung out with.  He is graciously driving the hour from Twin Falls to Hailey to pick us up, then drive us the hour to our car, and help me replace the tire so we can get on our way into Boise.  

As I type this, I am presently sitting at a Subway across from the tire place waiting for Andrew.  And laughing.  

I have to say, I love my life.  My thoughts are again in blogging mode..... ‘oh, this is a fun blog-able moment!’  I am glad to share my adventures with Hannah.  It’s good to have such adventures.  I am so thankful that it was sunny and not snowy and cold, with stunning beauty all around.  And God sent good people to get us to where we are.  I have learned to not allow things to be such a big deal...what happens, happens, and you do what you have to do to keep on moving.  I realize now yet another thing the World Race taught me!!

I'm in Idaho!!

I fully intended to keep a blog from the time I got home from the World Race last November, but I didn’t follow through very well.  I suppose I felt like life didn’t offer much that was worthy of sharing so publicly, or maybe it’s because blogging was no longer required.  At any rate, I believe I only posted about 5 blogs over the course of the last year.

But, life has changed again for me, and now that I am away from home, I will perhaps have more to share since I my family and close friends are not a part of my adventure here.  

I moved to Idaho, and will be working at Sun Valley Ski Resort for the ski season, waiting tables and possibly bartending.  I moved without a job or a definite place to live, trusting that I would be able to find both when I got here.   I applied for two jobs online, one with Sun Valley and one with Tamarack, another ski resort further north.  The ideal situation in my mind was to work for a resort, live in the employee dorms and ski for free.  The secondary option would be to get a job or two at various restaurants in town and find a cheap place to live.  I e-mailed several churches in the area to see if anyone in their congregations would be interested in housing a young Christian lady while she works.  I got word back from one church that said he would ask around.  

After plenty of second thoughts and finally just following through with my decision, I left the morning of November 10th, for the two day journey with my sister Hannah.  It was a nice and uneventful drive through Nebraska and southern Wyoming, then through Utah, and into Idaho.  We arrived in Jerome, ID around 6pm on the 11th, and are now staying with Sarah, one of my World Race teammates.  

About two hours prior to our arrival in Jerome, I received a call from Sun Valley Resort company and we scheduled an interview for the following day (Wednesday).  It was the shortest, funniest interview I have had.  He asked if I was full time, and if I had experience, and then asked if I had questions.  I asked a few, then he said he really liked me and would work with me to see which of the 13 venues I would fit best in.  He told me to couldn’t tell me 100% that I had the job till next week, but that he would reserve a dorm room for me.  I can move in the day he calls.  He also mentioned that I could look for another job, but that in reality, once I start working, I probably won’t want both, and that there will as much work as I want or as little as I want.  Much is what I’m looking for.  

So, it looks like my ideal scenario is playing out.  Working for Sun Valley, living in really cheap dorm rooms (with 3 other girls and community bathrooms), and skiing for free in my off time.   I’m pretty excited for this change of pace.  I am looking forward to learning a new job, facing new challenges, meeting new people, and learning to ski, as well as perhaps some other fun winter sports.  

Sun Valley is an upscale resort, frequented by celebrities and millionaires, so it will be a totally new experience for me to say the least.  

Encountering God - An Old blog, but oh so good

Flight from London to South Africa, May 4^th and 5^th 2007, depending on which time zone I count.

It's very late and I am quite sure that everyone else on the plane is sleeping, but I am wide awake. Missing home, missing my family, particularly my 2 day old nephew, Aidan. I am feeling totally unprepared spiritually and emotionally for Mozambique in a matter of days. I have a cold and I haven't had any significant sleep in 2 days, and won't for nearly another day. Travel days are hard. I am fighting a stuffy head cold, so all these things combined are making each thing seem more dramatic than it is actually. I am aware that this is true, but my emotions are still so tangible right now.

I'm glad for the plane engine noise that covers the sound that my seemingly unstoppable tears bring, and for sleeping people who are unaware of my personal struggle. To be honest there is a part of me that wishes someone would awaken and see my tears, but for what? My own sympathy. But I know my tears are to be seen and carried by my heavenly Father alone.

How have I allowed myself to become so complacent in my time with Jesus, in honest seeking relationship with him? I don't know what will happen in Mozambique - what things I will be exposed to, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I will make it through, no doubt; the question is, will I be as God has called me to be within it all? Can I be the woman he wants me to be there and then, when I didn't prepare myself enough ahead of time?

I look out of the window into the midnight sky, but see only clouds. I know we are flying over north Africa, and I am suddenly overwhelmed with love for the people in that land. I begin to pray for the countries, for their people, for salvation and the knowledge of Jesus to penetrate the hearts, for missionaries to set foot there and prosper, for God's grace and truth to be known.

'Lord, I know it's dark, and I wouldn't be able to see much, but can you move the clouds so I can try to see the land?'

I continue to pour our my heart to Jesus, perhaps more accuarately, he pours His heart into me for these people for this brief time, and I embrace it, and the tears that come from that as well. Clouds still in place, I close the window, and my prayers go back to my previous thoughts.

What should I have done to be more prepared? A lot of things - more prayer, memorization of scripture, more time with Jesus, more time worshipping, etc... But I know I can't go backwards, only forward from here. How Quickly I am distracted, by things even such as ministry and other valuable relationships.

'Forgive me Father, and receive my worship. Forgive me for not being obedient in everything along the way.'

My heart hears him whisper, 

"It doesn't matter, Alissa. You are forgiven and my mercies and grace are new and abundant everyday. Grab them and go forward with me."

A few more tears of appreciation and worship, and my heart finally rests. I am ready to sleep now. I grab my pillow and rearrange my seating in order to get comfy for a couple hours of rest. I utter another prayer of thankfullness as I settle into my window seat and empty middle seat - that is indeed a blessing. Sleep can finally come now.

"Open the window and see the land Alissa."

'What God?! - you're kidding right? I just got comfortable.'

"Not kidding. Just check."

I know I can't argue with my loving Father too much, and besides, I am curious now. I get up and my pillows fall from position; I turn and open the window, and again the tears begin to flow. The clouds have completely dissolved, and from the light of the moon and that stars that shine in great abundance above, I can see the land. I can see the desert below. Not in detail, but I can see it.

This is how much my Father loves me - that he allowed me to see this sight, the beauty of his creation. But even more, the simple reminder that he hears my prayers. I am overcome knowing that if He hears a prayer to move the clouds so I can see the land, I can count on Him hearing all the other prayers that left my heart and mind. And He will be faithful to answer them. All of them... My prayers for Aidan, Julianna, the rest of my family; team ZEO and the rest of the racers; North Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland; prayers from my aching heart, my confessions, my praise, and my adoration of Him.

The emotions have been altered now, from sadness and feelings of overwhelmingness, to those of gratitude and joy, and I know that I can rest now.

The clouds are back now. But that's okay. I have see what I needed to see tonight. I have seen God.

'I have seen YOU, Lord. Thank You. I love you. Good night.'

I close the window and drift to sleep.

Thunderstorms make me dreamy

It’s raining here, not quite the thunderstorm I was hoping for, but a good solid spring rain.  I’m so happy to be experiencing my spring a couple weeks early.  Spring rains are meant to wash away the winter remains, and I love them!

I was talking with Catherine and Spencer last night, about my trip, and realized I haven’t really talked about it much lately, as is expected.  I had to ‘get in the zone’ to remember things...people groups, where I was, what I did, when I was there, etc...  It sure was good to look back again.  I found that some of the issues I thought were a big deal as they occurred and then even when I first came back, are now not.  It makes me laugh now. ... ‘Oh, so and so was so annoying then, but now I can’t even remember why’, or ‘I was so upset and offended during that time, but now I can’t remember why or at whom.’  It’s nice to realize that life moves on and perspective changes as time passes.  I hope to one day live with a clearer present perspective, less offended and more graceful.

I love being with friends, talking about life, about my trip, about knowing Jesus, finding passion, living with purpose and raising kids to do the same. (Not that I have them, but now many of my friends do, and I have great influence on my niece and nephew even now).

Being with friends here again makes me all the more motivated to do what it takes to make and find good friends in Des Moines.  I have wandered around in loneliness too much at home, mostly in years past, but the temptation is there now again.  I know they are out there, and I have been too caught up in my own selfishness and self pity to find them, hoping that people would come out of nowhere to be my best friend.  I am reminded that I do have great friends all over the country even if I don’t talk to them all the time, and certainly never really see them.  

I love Catherine and Spencer because our relationship during the 7 weeks I lived with them showed me that I was able (and even really enjoyed) relating to married couples, and that it’s normal for married couples to relate well with singles.  I have to put in a word for them, and say that they are amazing people, and I don’t think they are normal (in a good way:-) ), but they instilled hope in me to have friendship with other marrieds.

Back in Gainesville

I’m sitting in Catherine and Spencer’s living room in Dahlonaga, GA, just north of Gainesville.  I arrived in Atlanta late Wednesday night, and Danielle picked me up from the airport.  I spent the night, the following day and night with her in Lawrenceville.  We had a really refreshing time of talking, along with some great food from the restaurant at which she works.  

After some debating and attempting to arrange to see all my scattered Georgia friends, I opted for renting a little car, a Kia Rio to be exact.  It’s about the size of a jelly bean, and gold, but good enough for me.  So this morning, I jumped in my little ‘gold nugget’ and headed up to Gainesville, stopping at REI outdoor sports store, and Panera on my way.  I dropped by my original Starbucks store, and said hello to the one person working that I knew from nearly a year and a half ago.  Then on to Catherine and Spencer’s, where 

I plan on spending the whole weekend, with visits into Gainesville here and there.  I am excited to simply be in a beautiful, warm place, enjoying friends, sharing stories of our respective years, and doing a lot of nothing.  

My hope is that now since I have my own computer and a little bit of time on my hands, maybe now I can get some of my million World Race pictures sorted out.  ...Hopefully....

I love it here in Georgia.  Signs of spring are much more abundant than at home (certainly to be expected), and I’m soaking in every bit of it.  Some trees are green, but the most lovely are those that are blossoming with pinkish white flower blossoms before the leaves show up.  They remind me of the “White Way of Delight” of which Anne of Green Gables so fondly spoke.  I’m surrounded by hills and never ending woods and forests.  I had forgotten how pretty it is here, and how much I actually enjoyed living here last year...er...the year before....2006.

It felt good to travel again too; to be at an airport, flying, waiting for luggage...the whole bit.  I was alone this time, not with 20-50 other people, but it was still fun.  I have always loved the being in airports, and flying, whether alone or with company.  Admittedly, I would prefer to travel with someone, (though maybe not 50 someones), but there are certain adventures one can only enjoy alone.  I love people watching, and then having brief conversations with strangers, opportunities I am not so eager to take with a familiar face right next to me.  I was able to make the decision to walk the half mile to the next terminal instead of taking the train without consulting anyone, and as I did, so did the flight crew from my flight, so I chatted with them as we walked. (The train didn’t seem to be coming and the computerized timer kept counting down from 3 minutes, over and over....obviously there was a problem, and I didn’t feel like standing around with frustrated people.)  Oh, the simplicity of traveling alone.  I loved the last year when I didn’t have to make all the decisions, and be responsible for all the gang, but this week, I am really appreciating the freedom of making decisions for myself, since it only affects me. :-)