Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy....

Today we helped Gloria Dei celebrate the installation of their new pastor, Pastor Orf.  The congregation was so welcoming and greeted us so warmly.  We are constantly surprised by the number of people who live here that either lived in Minnesota OR have relatives that live there. I even met someone who worked four summers at Shetek Lutheran Ministries!  How cool is that.

After worship we headed to Kincaid Park for a picnic of grilled hot dogs chips and s'mores.  Two guests Angela and Kristy Blue came to visit us and talk about the different native cultures in Alaska...different customs and traditions.  It was so interesting and helped prepare us for our visit to the Native Heritage Center on Tuesday. 

The sun was bright and amazing today...perfect for some soccer and kickball! We never did get to go to Flattop Mountain with our schedule changes. But our hike at the park along the coast and seeing a moose and two eagles made up for it!  Woo hoo!!!!! We finally saw a moose. (Ok, I FINALLY saw one.  Hahaha!)

Back to the church to relax, nap, shower, eat and bible study.  

Our small groups had great insight and conversations about the boundaries that Jesus breaks down.  The boundaries of differences in each other, the boundaries of sin that keeps us separated from God,... and how worry keeps our focus away from our trust in the Lord.  We continue to find more ways to imagine what God can do in our lives.  

It is a true blessing to watch the youth and adults learn more about each other...to mingle with new people.....Get to know friends at a faith filled level....to wonder and share together on this faith journey. We laughed harder than ever tonight with each other.  New groups were put together to be creative and funny, and let me tell you.....IT WAS HILARIOUS!! You'll have to ask us about the game.  I can't even begin to put it into words.

A surprise "bedtime snack" brought all 58 of us together before we called it a night.  ...going around and sharing our highs so far,....our "ah ha moments".....One of my favorite times is to hear the seniors have heart filled conversations with the underclassmen and encouraging them on the FLY journey....to remind them how important it is to stay grounded in their church family....and to be there for one another.  We are truly blessed by how lives are touched and faith is fed on our trips.

So.....A full day and yet a day where we remembered the sabbath day and kept it holy! :)

More pictures to come tomorrow....it's after 1:15am again..... The silence of the night is calling....