Monday.....just IMAGINE

Today was the day that we traveled to Coopers Landing to ride on a 3 hour flow trip down the Kenai River.  We all became a part of nature for three hours. We floated down the river, soaked in the sunshine, looked in awe at the beautiful nature AGAIN, and were surrounded by animals....many bald eagles. One group even saw a bear. (Don't worry.....from a distance!). It was such a calming time and relaxing time....we don't get to just "be" enough in life.  

You may have heard that Anchorage had an earthquake.....rest assured you heard it more than we did because we never felt it!  Many many mild earthquakes happen everyday.  Can we claim it on a bucket list that we were here?! Haha!

Tonight ended the evening with a little friendly competition at the bowling alley down the street.  It was a blast!  We think we were competing..... (some of the boys were more than the girls!) but without a doubt, we laughed way more!!  The owner of the bowling alley was great!  He gave pins as awards for the top guy and girl....and the low scores for the guys and girls. Karen Meister and Brandon Groenewold are our bowling champions.  Jada Moon and Colin Pfeiffer were encouraged with their pin trophies to"keep trying" ;).  Glad I didn't win because the pin would put my suitcase over the weight limit!!! Ha!

I can't believe that tomorrow is our last day.  Throughout this week we have learned so much about ourselves, our Lord, each other....and there were many examples of how to let Him into our lives.    It is not going to be easy to transition back the our daily lives.  It's easy and safe to focus and open up here.  Cellphones and schedules....drama and daily life will all return.  Our prayers are that we will use our daily devotional books and memories to keep us grounded....to re-IMAGINE when it gets hard.  Breaking the boundaries and keeping them down is a daily adventure for all of us...young and old.  It has been an incredible gift to have the adults along to share their faith stories with the youth...to share their experiences and daily struggles with the youth.  Our youth are so blessed to have so many adults here and in the congregation who support, guide and pray for them.  As we travel back to Marshall our hope is to see God, ourselves, and our place in the big world in a new and exciting way.

Tomorrow we will go out into the community and help with various service projects....to put into action our "no boundaries" and living like Jesus would.

As I close for the evening.....some are still up just visiting....laughing, and sharing.....and playing Uno. :).  And what's cool is that it's a varied group.  Knowing everyone on the trip....but now hanging out with new friends.... That's the part of the end of the week I love.

And again.......The Kenai River today reminds us that God says to each and everyone of us to...."Be still and know that I am God".....be still and know that I AM......be still and know.....be still......and to just quietly.......BE.