Wow!! What a first week it has been. The weather has been absolutely marvelous. I feel like it's God's little gift to me since I was so apprehensive about coming to a place much colder than what I am used to. The sun is so warm and comforting. We actually got in our swimsuits today. :-)
Today is Father's Day and we spent it at the beach. All three of us saw our first whale together. What a sight! It was pretty far off in the distance but you could see it blow water and then it's huge tail would surface and come back down. Now, we just have to make sure Michaelina sees a puffin. That is the one animal that has been at the top of her list to see since before we actually moved here.
Monday I start work as the lead teacher in the 3-4yr old Sonshine Christian Daycare. I will have anywhere from 12-16 students plus 2 helpers. Josh is a helper in the 4-5 year old classroom. We work the same hours which is nice. Michaelina has been enjoying camp. The mission does a summer camp for ages 6-10. Every week there is a different theme. I believe last week was pirate themed. Michaelina hasn't missed a beat. She is right there in the middle of everything going on. Especially since we are the house parents for the college kids that are working the camps. They all love her and she loves them.
Please continue to pray for us. It's hard to be away from our families and friends. I would have loved to see my Dad today, but I did get to talk to him and wish him a Happy Father's Day.
We love and miss you all!!!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
The move to Kodiak, Alaska
Josh and his sister left two weeks before Michaelina and I.
I didn't think that was going to be too bad, but boy was I wrong. I really struggled with the separation. Josh was meeting all of these people and having these fun experiences and I felt so disconnected with everything that was going on. It was a busy two weeks for Michaelina and me but that didn't change the fact that my heart was sad from being apart from my mate.
Not only that but then it was my turn to say good-bye to our church family, friends, and family. That broke my heart even more. Even though I know that we are called by God to be here, I love everyone in Arkadlephia and my family so much. It's hard to let go. And maybe "let go" are not the right words to use, because I don't think I will ever "let go". Arkadelphia is a big part of me and I am so thankful for the friends and connections I have made there. The town has helped to mold me.
But I know I'll be back for a visit and we all know that it will ALWAYS be home for The Bell's! :-)
Josh and Sarah Jane left on May 22nd and Michaelin and I on June 5th.
My parents picked Michaelina and I up on Monday, June 3rd. We went to visit my aunt in Dallas for a couple of days before flying out of DFW on June 5th. We arrived in Anchorage that night at 7:05, but our bodies were telling us it was 10:05pm. Michaelina was such a trooper.
My cousin Jamie Sue lives in Anchorage so she picked us up and took us to this amazing pizza place called The Moose's Tooth. SO YUMMY! There was an hour wait. By the time we ate it was 9pm (felt like midnight to us). Michaelina fell asleep at the table, poor girl.
Then we went back to Jamie Sue's place and got a great night's rest.
We left for the Anchorage airport at 4:45 am and we boarded our plane at 6:20am. Landed in Kodiak at 7:05 am. Josh picked us up and got our luggage.
Of coures 2 bags were missing, but we got them the very next day!! Praise the Lord!!!
Also another big praise is that Kodiak is awful for having fog delays. I asked everyone I could to pray for no fog Thursday morning and let me just say---God heard those prayers!!
Michaelina and I both were so ready to see Josh we couldn't hardly stand it.
So we arrived to our house and started unpacking. We also recieved our first shipment of 17 boxes that day as well. So I had my work cut out for me. I got everything unpacked and situated and even had time to do some hiking. It really is so beautiful here.
We also have an eagle nesting in a tree outside our house. Eagles are huge! When they are in flight they are so majestic.
For those of you who don't know- we are the house parents for all the college kids who are here to work the summer camps. So far it's going great. Michaelina, of course, loves it. She is always in the middle of every game or converstion taking place. She has also made some new friends and even climbed the rock wall.
I'm going to try to figure out how to post pictures on the blog so that you can see. I will tell you though, that the pictures of the scenery do not do it justice. It is so beautiful here. I hope you all have the chance to visit!
I didn't think that was going to be too bad, but boy was I wrong. I really struggled with the separation. Josh was meeting all of these people and having these fun experiences and I felt so disconnected with everything that was going on. It was a busy two weeks for Michaelina and me but that didn't change the fact that my heart was sad from being apart from my mate.
Not only that but then it was my turn to say good-bye to our church family, friends, and family. That broke my heart even more. Even though I know that we are called by God to be here, I love everyone in Arkadlephia and my family so much. It's hard to let go. And maybe "let go" are not the right words to use, because I don't think I will ever "let go". Arkadelphia is a big part of me and I am so thankful for the friends and connections I have made there. The town has helped to mold me.
But I know I'll be back for a visit and we all know that it will ALWAYS be home for The Bell's! :-)
Josh and Sarah Jane left on May 22nd and Michaelin and I on June 5th.
My parents picked Michaelina and I up on Monday, June 3rd. We went to visit my aunt in Dallas for a couple of days before flying out of DFW on June 5th. We arrived in Anchorage that night at 7:05, but our bodies were telling us it was 10:05pm. Michaelina was such a trooper.
My cousin Jamie Sue lives in Anchorage so she picked us up and took us to this amazing pizza place called The Moose's Tooth. SO YUMMY! There was an hour wait. By the time we ate it was 9pm (felt like midnight to us). Michaelina fell asleep at the table, poor girl.
Then we went back to Jamie Sue's place and got a great night's rest.
We left for the Anchorage airport at 4:45 am and we boarded our plane at 6:20am. Landed in Kodiak at 7:05 am. Josh picked us up and got our luggage.
Of coures 2 bags were missing, but we got them the very next day!! Praise the Lord!!!
Also another big praise is that Kodiak is awful for having fog delays. I asked everyone I could to pray for no fog Thursday morning and let me just say---God heard those prayers!!
Michaelina and I both were so ready to see Josh we couldn't hardly stand it.
So we arrived to our house and started unpacking. We also recieved our first shipment of 17 boxes that day as well. So I had my work cut out for me. I got everything unpacked and situated and even had time to do some hiking. It really is so beautiful here.
We also have an eagle nesting in a tree outside our house. Eagles are huge! When they are in flight they are so majestic.
For those of you who don't know- we are the house parents for all the college kids who are here to work the summer camps. So far it's going great. Michaelina, of course, loves it. She is always in the middle of every game or converstion taking place. She has also made some new friends and even climbed the rock wall.
I'm going to try to figure out how to post pictures on the blog so that you can see. I will tell you though, that the pictures of the scenery do not do it justice. It is so beautiful here. I hope you all have the chance to visit!
Standing In Awe!
There is a song called "Let My Words Be Few". That is how I feel. The whole song describes my feelings perfectly! After we made the announcment of our calling, our house sold the very next week. We never put it on the market or advertized it or anything. Not only that, but it sold to a precious family from our church. The chilling thing is they have been trying to sell their house for 3 years or so. They sold it the week or two before they came to look at our house. They came to look at it, left, drove around the circle, came back and offered our asking price! God is amazing. After they left I sat at the piano and just sang "Let My Words Be Few" over and over, praising God for all that is doing.
Our church recently hired a new youth pastor. His wife is a music teacher, just like me. Guess who was hired to fill the postition I'm leaving??? Yep, you got it. Our new youth pastor's wife! When you are following God's voice He will continue to open doors and not just for you but for others too.
Words really cannot express the graditude and apprecation we have for the support that has been given to us. Please continue to lift us up in prayer as this transition takes place.
.....So I'll let my words be few.
Jesus, I am so in love with you.
Our church recently hired a new youth pastor. His wife is a music teacher, just like me. Guess who was hired to fill the postition I'm leaving??? Yep, you got it. Our new youth pastor's wife! When you are following God's voice He will continue to open doors and not just for you but for others too.
Words really cannot express the graditude and apprecation we have for the support that has been given to us. Please continue to lift us up in prayer as this transition takes place.
.....So I'll let my words be few.
Jesus, I am so in love with you.
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