Ephesians

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." ~ Ephesians 4:29

This month the pastor at my church challenged us as a church body to make this a personal goal and desire. What would it look like if more people strove to do this? How would my witness change if I spoke to build others up and encourage them and not judge them or tear them down? It's easy, too easy, to compare, bicker, resent, argue over the triffle things in life that really in the bigger picture, don't matter a whole hill of beans. Imagine for a minute what it would be like to set the little things aside and see things from God's perspective. We are not here on earth to destroy each other...that's satan's job. As Christians we are here to be Christ's AMBASSADORS to be his representatives. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to him. May my walk match my talk.

Africa Night!

Friday night I invited my senior girls over for an "Africa Night!" I wanted to have an entire night to share about my trip this summer, eat, learn and hang out so this was it! Nine girls came and shared first in a home made curry dinner. Yes, Joani, wonders never cease. I cooked a foreign meal from scratch and it turned out pretty darn good if I say so myself. So the girls were seated at the table with bowls and glasses. No silverware, no napkins. I wanted to give them the full Indian experience that I had eating at the home I spent the night at while I was in Durban. This time I got to sit back and enjoy watching them fumble and figure out how in the world to get the curry and rice mixed and in their mouth. They also had to figure out how to pass food and pour drinks with only one clean hand. A very rich experience indeed!

After dinner we sat around and talked over a cup of hot 5 Roses Tea with milk and sugar...very European but popular with ALL the people in Durban. They also got to sample some curry flavored "chip snacks" for lack of a better term. Caiti, one of the girls brought amazing cupcakes to wrap it all up. Thanks Caiti!

We moved into the family room for a slideshow/power point where I shared some history and general info on South Africa as well as update them on the current and future ministry plans of the Embrees and ministry opportunities in S.A.

The night wrapped up with a little lesson in Zulu. I pulled together some basic words from a beginning Zulu book I bought and had them guess different terms. They did surprisingly well! For those language buffs that are ACHING to know some for yourself..."Halala" means "welcome," "Sawubona" means "hello," and "Hamba Kahle" means "Good bye."

Hamba Kahle for now!

Bunko!

Thursday night was our kick off bunko game for this year! For those who don't know bunko is a mindless dice game that really is more of an excuse to get together and catch up than it is a game taken seriously. There are 12 in our group, three newbies this year since Carrie, Jane and Deanna moved out of state. We met at Kroon's for school color/jersey night. Wasilla, Houston and Palmer high were all represented. No Colony, it barely opened before our group graduated high school. Crazy to think it's not that old, or I guess that we ARE that old! Good times were had! We might have to come up with a bunko cheer...any takers, Amanda??

October in Alaska

Another picture of the fall color on our trip back home from Kenai this past weekend. Pictures don't do it justice but it gives you an idea!

taste of fall

Our trip down south this weekend proved to be one of the most spectacular trips down I have ever had. Fall was in full "bloom" and the sun was out w/out a cloud in the sky! The drive from south Anchorage to Kenai is about 3 hours and covers an incredible landscape starting along the ocean surrounded by mountains moving down through the mountains that wind around turquois blue glacial lakes and rivers...the mountains that are currently bright yellow, green and red along the tundra line. Absolutely beautiful! Alaska is a place like no other.

The drive reminded me of the verse in Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

Believing in God the Creator of the universe I just sat in the car in awe of all that surrounded me. I don't understand how people can look at the creation that surrounds us in Alaska and not believe there is a Creator God who put it all in place. Why?? That boggles my mind even more...for our ENJOYMENT!! The best part? This is only a tiny eye drop drip of what heaven will be like! Man I ACHE to be there some day! I can only imagine! What we see now PALES in comparison to what we will experience. THAT is AWESOME!!

For other incredible pictures click on the "My Adventure Buddy" link to Carrie's blog. She is currently taking a one month road trip around the states and is passing through the Teatons in WY and Yellowstone...she is a fabulous photographer! Thank you Jesus for blessing us with incredible scenery!!

sleepover...

Friday night 6 of my senior girls spent the night for a Bible study sleepover. This summer after our trip to Mexico 8 girls committed to read through the Bible in a year. We met once for a shorter time about six weeks ago but had a full fledge overnighter devoted to it this time.

We are following a similar format to two other groups of teens from WBC. There are 8 "check points" throughout the study where we get together to get our next reading sheet, talk about what we've read, things we've learned and questions we have about different passages. We are also paired into "Barnabas Buddies." Barnabas is a man in the Bible that was known to be an "encourager." Our Barnabas Buddy is a girl that we are accountable to throughout the year to touch base with once a week and encourage to keep on track.

Our study time and sharing was awesome. I wish we would have done this type of study in years past. I love hearing what other people are learning and to be challenged personally to keep up and be reading my own Bible daily. We had a fantastic night of fellowship! Blessings on you girls! I am proud of you!

Kenai River Marathon

This weekend was a two for one bonus trip down south. Not only did I get to see my senior girls and some other WBC youth run at the state cross-country meet, I got to run in a race myself! About a month ago Rebecca Buchanan asked me if I'd like to join a marathon relay team for a race in Kenai. I eagerly said yes, not having or making the opportunity to do a fall race very often.

I didn't realize at the time but this was a first annual marathon in Kenai and all in all it went really well and was a great course. There were four on our team, Rebecca, myself, Kristy Smith (a friend from high school that teaches) and Trisha Kenny (another teacher friend). We each took a leg of the marathon and had a blast! Our overall unofficial watch time was 3:18. There were about 6 other relay teams, two high school teams...runners that had just competed in the state meet!! They ran significantly faster than we did. :-)

After doing a couple relays with my youth girls and now this one, I really like racing on a team. It breaks up the length and you have your own personal cheering section at check points and you work together. I highly recommend trying a relay race it's diffent but a blast!

This is a pre-race picture of our team. The weather was drizzly with a nice chill, how's that for a meteorology report? Hence the winter coats and pants! The baby is Toby Rebecca's son...he was not in the race but was a trooper car rider! Rhett, Rebecca's husband was our check point transporter. Thanks Rhett!

Grand Finale!

Another post race photo op. Johanna, one of my senior youth girls, comes from a family that RUNS. I think they have run since they knew how to walk. :-) Her dad, Mark, is the head coach at Colony and has had the privilege of coaching his son (former CHS graduate), daughter Jo (senior) and daughter Heidi (freshman). Merry, their most awesome mom, got to go down with the team as the team cook. For those who don't know Merry she is a FABULOUS cook! Everything (even the flour) :-) is from scratch. Merry has also been a mentor to me and holds a special place in my heart. The whole family does.

This was Jo's final race at the state meet this weekend. She was the first Colony runner to finish and had a great race! I am glad I got to be there to celebrate the event. I am proud of you Johanna!

Cross-Country

This weekend was the high school state cross-country meet down in Soldotna. Two of my youth girls from Colony High made it to state and competed, Erin and Johanna. They both ran hard and did an awesome job! Erin pushed herself so hard that she colapsed at the end. After getting her feet back under her, a little and some water she was up for a picture op. Great season Erin! I'm proud of you!

fall...

My set is now complete. As of today I have pictures of my favorite bridge in all four seasons. We're experiencing our Alaskan 2 week fall right now and today turned out to be gorgeous and sunny! I would not be deterred from capturing the moment getting the Knik River Bridge during one of our shortest seasons of the year. I actually went out right after church this morning but the sun was behind the mountain and the colors didn't show so I went back this evening to get another set.

Homecoming was this past week for CHS and WHS. I went to the Wasilla High Powder Puff game to watch Mayerly play some of the junior girls from our Merge trip. As is tradition the seniors cleaned house...it ended up being 40 something to zero. Kind of crazy to think I did that 11 years ago!! Can I really be that old?!?

For those who know Elizabeth, she is doing MUCH better! Her operation went well. She's on crutches and sore but getting around. She was at church today and looked GREAT! She is hoping to do half days at school this week depending on how her energy level holds up. A long patient road lays ahead of her. One day at a time Elizabeth! We're praying for you!

Tonight was Morgan Bacon's 2nd birthday party. A totally girlie party. Abby Novak showed up in a full on princess, shoes, jewelry costume and brought a spare for Morgan to wear. No J.D. tractor rides from g-pa this party! I love the simplicity and excitement of life at that age. She has no idea that this is all in honor of her, but loves opening gift after gift each time her "oooohhhh, ahhhh, YAY" getting louder and longer. She is a cutie pie!

Another eventful thing happened today. My cousin Eliza"Beth" was commissioned into the Army. She is now officially a Leutinent Nurse in the U.S. Army! I am totally proud Beth! She'll be heading to TX the end of this week for a 3 month training after which she'll move up to the cold land of DC (January) for her first assignment. A little change of pace for a life long Californian. Blessings on ya cuz! We're still on for our weekly calls! Love ya!

I'm also housesitting again now. I'm watching my old HS band teacher's house on the Palmer side of town so my commute to work is a little longer, but it's nice to have my own space for awhile. They have two dogs to keep me company and make me feel safe at night being located more in the back woods. They have an AMAZING view of Pioneer Peak out the back side of their house!! The back side is covered in windows so I eat breakfast every morning in the dining room and watch the sun come up. I get paid to live in gorgeous places! Thank you Lord!!

hospital visit

Yesterday one of my youth girls, Elizabeth Golter, was running in a cross country race at Kincaid Park. All was going well, she was about 20 yards from the finish line when she dropped to the ground in excruciating pain. Her leg has been bothering her for the past couple months and it gave out today. After about 30 minutes laying on the grass an ambulance came and took her to Providence hospital where they found out her femur was fractured just above her knee. VERY painful and strange that her femur of all bones would break at a race. They don't know right now what caused it, but it is likely some kind of weakness that has been building up that "gave in" at this particular race.

Amanda, Emily and I went into Anchorage today after church to see her before surgery. She was on a morphine drip and a partial cast to keep her leg from moving too much. About 8:00 p.m. this evening they took her in for surgery which will consist of placing hardware in her leg. They said she will not have a cast, just a lot of pins and will be on crutches for 10 weeks or so. She'll be in the hospital until Tuesday or Wednesday this week. A tough way to start off your senior year!

We had a good time reading horse magazines, catching up on school and youth group stuff and braiding her gorgeous LONG hair for pre-op.

You are a trooper Elizabeth! We love you and are praying for you!!

State Fair

Sammy and I went to the great Alaska State Fair last night. I've been several times in the past and it doesn't really change much but this particular night was fun and memorable. One, the weather was AMAZING!! Clear skies, warm-ish temps, not TOO crowded, and it ended with a great fireworks show.

I have to admit I don't usually check out the produce even though it's one of the biggest draws known even to outsiders. Alaskan's grow HUGE vegetables and this year was no exception. One of Sammy's friends is in 4-H so we checked out all the produce and animals. There were cabbages weighing in at 65 lbs., a kalorabi (sp?) that is pending a world record at 87 lbs.! It was gigantic! A corn stock that measured at 22 feet! Not being a green thumb myself I'm not sure how they grow that big, some super duper miracle grow or plant steriods comes to mind, but they are impressive produce. If you're ever in AK during the state fair ya oughta check it out!

The night ended for us with a 17 minute fire works display. Sammy's friend (having worked years at the fair) got us front row seats to the show with about 5 others in a top secret spot that the public doesn't have access too. I say "top secret" b/c we were told by her friend, Irene, to not disclose this info to anyone. My lips are sealed. :-)

a tribute...

I haven't updated my blog in awhile b/c there hasn't been much new going on. However, as I was talking to my dear friend Sarah Brown on the phone last night I was given a request to add a picture of us to the site. Following your criteria Sarah, no nose picking, no double chin shots, etc. took out about half my collection but I finally came up with one that will be a nice addition I think. It's not of us, but this shot speaks so much more. I like to call it...The Farmer and His Wife shot. I know, it's stunning. The angle, the lighting, the facial expression. People ask me often if I've ever considered going pro, I'm still considering. That would require me to quit my day job.

This particular shot, for those inquiring minds that want to know, was taken in Sarah's cozy cotton mill home (that I love) in March when I was down in NC for part of my spring break. Tosha, the "wife," used to lead the now Sr. youth girls with Sarah and me. She's since moved to the great land of Colorado. Just so you know I miss you BOTH!!

back to work

So the festivities are officially over and I headed back to work today. Dave and Aimy flew out to Maui early Sunday morning, all the family left Sunday and my vacation is over. I took some personal leave days last week Wed-Friday for the wedding, well worth it! I wouldn't have missed a moment of any of it.

It was nice actually to go back to work today and be on a somewhat "regular" schedule again for a little while. I am feeling the lack of sleep from the past couple months so I'm heading to bed, but I wanted to update the wedding before things got rolling with work and youth group. I'm tired, but it's a good tired. A lot of incredible experiences for one summer. I am blessed beyond measure.

wedding party

A shot of the wedding party. Dave's groomsmen were Marc Spear (best man and long time friend from HS), Luke and Casey (Aimy's brothers and good friends of Dave), Carl Larimer (good friend they used to fire fight together), Nate Bair (youth ministry bud). The guys wore olive green dress shirts with ties and black pants. It was a nice combo with our dresses.

getting ready...

Aimy with Micah (her sister) and Beth doing last minute primping before the ceremony. I like this shot b/c it shows her hair, beautiful!

the girls

A fun shot of Aimy and her bridesmaids. From left to right: Michelle Sande (friend from church), Micah (Aimy's sister and maid of honor), Aimy, Laura Beth (friend), Beth (friend), me (sister-in-law). We were barefoot for the ceremony on request of the bride. It was great actually to not have to stand up in heals that long! Originally it was going to be an outdoor wedding, walking barefoot in the grass.

bride and groom

A snapshot of the bride and groom on their wedding day. Aren't they good lookin'? My dad officiated the ceremony. Good call, 3 Ellers in the wedding?? There is NO CHANCE we were going to make it through without tears. Three Ellers and four Denbleykers (Aimy's sibilings) were in the wedding ceremony. I lied 5 Denbleykers, Lacea, Aimy's 2 year old neice was a flower girl.

A fun memory and tid bit for those who like "details" as Ella would say, Aimy had a handkerchief made with "Dave & Aimy Aug. 19, 2006" on it in red embroidery. So when my dad got a little choked up, she pulled it out from behind her boquette and gave it to him. He was pretty tickled. For those who know the Denbleyker boys, there was bound to be a prank somewhere in the mix. They were our comic relief. Casey started it by walking down the aisle with red glittle shakey wire heart head band on his head. He looked like a love bug. Then when dad asked if there was a token brought (rings) the groomsmen huddled and Luke and Marc proceeded to get a ball and chain out from behind the back stage and wrap it around Dave's ankle. Then they brought out the rings. All in all it was a great day. A smallish, quaint ceremony and a larger reception later that afternoon for all family, friends, co-workers and church family to stop by and visit.

sisters!

As of this past Saturday I know officially have a sister! Pretty crazy really. I've never had a sister before. I've known Aimy for quite awhile, I went to youth group with her older sister and brother and have been friends with Aimy for the past 3 years or so. We are both kind of "no nonsense" girls. Not big into drama etc, and have a similar flare for humor. She's a great match for Dave. I'm looking forward to building a deeper relationship with you Aim! Love ya!

Did I mention that she was a stunning bride?? Her dress had red beaded accents and the bridesmaid dresses (as you can sort of see) were red with white embroidery and white sashes. Very Aimy. She looked like a super model with her long gorgeous curly hair.

rehearsal dinner

Friday night was Dave and Aim's rehearsal dinner. We had it at the reception hall at the Agate Inn where our family was staying. It was a Hawaiian theme b/c they are now in Maui for 2 weeks honeymooning! Rough huh?? The wedding was moved that night inside due to the incredible amount of rain fall we've been having. It turned out to be a good move, Saturday was equally as chilly, windy and rainy outside...not ideal for an outdoor wedding. The picture is of me and Aimy at the dinner that night.