Crabs, Coasties and the Deadliest Catch

Crab Fest is to Kodiak what Tater Day is to Marshall County, Kentucky. For those of you not familiar with either glorious annual event, the town shuts down to celebrate with food, various venders, carnival rides and music.

Unlike Tater Day (or any other festival in the lower 48), Crab Fest features a Coast Guard rescue demonstration

Alaska king crab







Jack, Tanisha, Hannah and Andrea-don't they look happy?

Mouth-watering Alaska Scallops

Why, yes! They were quite yummy...all bacon wrapped with pesto sauce :)

Then there was the intense Survival Suit Race



Kids hunting for $1000 worth of change in sawdust (I mean, really?)





Sea creatures... Oh, and an octopus made out of recycled beach trash too :)

Me and my fisherman friend, Jay

And the highlight, according to my brother and various others I know who are taken with the show...



For those of you who may not be avid winter crab fishing fans, the Cornelia Marie was on Deadliest Catch through last season until the skipper sadly passed away

Sorry, Kentucky peeps...Crab Fest has Tater Day beat by a long shot in my book!









Adventures!

Since arriving in Kodiak two weeks ago today I have been on many an Adventure! Here at Kodiak Baptist Mission (KBM), 35-45 degrees and daylight is a sign of spring and most want to get out of the house and onto a mountain...

a rock...

a boat...



or a beach...

Adventures may involve music



The soulful and incredibly beautiful music of my friend Ellamy Tiller makes me tear up...particuarly when she sings of my sweet Jesus

Food!

I am good at eating Tanner Crab!

Wild caught Alaskan Salmon (of course) with mango and sweet chilis

There may be a game of rock baseball

or...SNOW...in May!

As you can see, I am having a BLAST in Kodiak! It's still cold so I can't wait to see what other fun times will be had once it gets warmer and greener.

Working at the Mission 

I know it seems like all fun and games (and it pretty much is), but I am actually working. Right now my primary job is getting four fairly large houses ready for summer work teams and summer camp counselors. It's a big job but everyone on staff is incredibly enthusiastic about me being here and very willing to help with anything I need. 

Ayer Cottage (where I live) will sleep 12 or so of the women

It's so exciting to see and hear about the children's ministries here at KBM. I have had the chance to see the preschool and after-school programs in action. These kids have a blast and learn about the love of Jesus! The day camp will start in a couple weeks and I am looking forward to seeing that ministry first hand.

Playing with giant bubbles on a sunny afternoon

What an incredible God to make all of this awesome creation and let me be a part of ministering to the mission, work teams, and children of Kodiak! 









Road Trip!

What could be more fitting than to start my summer with adventure with a good ol' fashion road trip!?

So after saying my goodbyes

I started out in the Windy City, visting with friends and crashing with my girl, Kerry. We had a fabulous time running around Chicago

visiting with old friends (Hi, Tyler!)

and making some new ones (Ellie Goulding/Ronnie "WooWoo")

I also had the HUGE blessing of meeting my Great Aunt Louise. This amazing 92yr old made me feel old and boring! I can't wait to read about memoirs abour her years as a nurse and teacher in South Africa, being a founder of Pioneer Girls and the ministries the Lord has lead her to since. Right now she tutors those in the hispanic comminity working toward citizenship. Such a jewel!

Then I popped over to Ft. Wayne, IN to visit with my Alaska buddies from '02, Kaydra and Dan

We got to go to the Big Daddy Weave concert and I was happy to get to see Kandice and Mike Weaver one last time :)

On to a peaceful break in Minnesota with Floyd and Amy Dauber (missionaries to Ecuador)

Beautiful and secluded Montana at Sue Payton's ranch was my last stop before flying out. I learned to drive in serious mud. Thank the Lord for 4wd!



Overnighting in Seattle provided me with the opportunity to take the train downtown. It's a gorgeous city and I hope to visit sometime soon!

Question: Who spills coffee on the original hard wood floors at the Original Starbucks? Answer: The same girl who then has a drunk plumber buy her a $150 pull tab. Boom!!! The Lord provides in mysterious ways :)

On to Alaska!

I have been in Kodiak for a week and had many fantastic adventures already. I really enjoy my job here and the people I have met. More on that later...