I Don't Understand...

Two shootings this week.
One right next door in Portland and another across the country in CT.

I barely even know what to say. I've held in my tears until now and I have so many questions...that can't be answered. What could be so wrong with a person to do this? How come nobody saw the danger in this guy before it happened? Why didn't God make the danger known to anybody before this happened? Why weren't these children saved? Why these children? Oh it breaks my heart into a billion pieces for these families without their children...

Here is an article with their faces and descriptions. Just be aware that I lost it and you might too.

Their faces...









How could you?!

Good Friends.

It's been a while since my last update! The transition back to Portland is finally becoming easier as I figure out my new routine here. I've been searching long and hard for a job and I have great news! I was hired by an amazing family to be a nanny for their 4 month old. I don't officially start work until after Thanksgiving, but they were so kind and invited me over for dinner last week so they could get to know me better. I haven't laughed that hard with people in a long time. I have a feeling it'll be a good thing for me for a little while.

I'm baking! These are cinnamon roll cookies and though they tasted AMAZING, I doubt I'll spend 4+hours cooking them again. haha Thank you, Pinterest.

 

My friend Amanda came to visit last week and I had no idea that hanging out with her for a few hours would be SO refreshing to me. 

 

Also, Joey came to visit this weekend and we had THE best time!
We saw Lincoln at Cinetopia (amazing btw), visited his friend in Portland, jumped on tons of trampolines at Sky High, ate a TON of good food and had awesome conversations.

Finally, for Thanksgiving, I am going to visit Anna in Boise!!!!!!!!!!!!  I can't even begin to describe how excited I am.

Here's to friends that love me. I am SO thankful for them! 

Home?

I'm home in Oregon, but somehow it feels like I don't really have a permanent "home" anymore. I knew that this transition would be difficult, but I wasn't expecting it to be this hard. I've been applying for jobs since August and even more now since I got back a few weeks ago. I feel like I just need a job now less for the money and more for the sanity. I'm making my calls, but the jobs are being filled. I'm running out of things to keep me busy and I'm beginning to feel more and more discouraged. Please pray for me during this time. I just want to be back in Alaska, but know that I have to be here now.

The good news is that Halloween is just around the corner and I get to dress up and carve a pumpkin. David and Elena are growing some in our backyard!

The view on a little bike ride of mine. :) Trying to see the good in things right now.

Northern Lights Captured

I have only been able to see the Northern Lights a few times this summer, but the other night was just AMAZING and I had to share these pictures that my friend Tim took with his awesome camera! You can't capture the lights on the camera unless you have a long exposure setting. I am SO glad we could get these on film! I was freaking out! The lights seem like they are dancing in the sky.

Here's a picture of Joey and I. We had to stand still for so long!

That's the moon! 

I just HAD to share these with you all! I hope you enjoy them and I hope I get to see these a few more times before I come home next week. :)

Coming Home.

It's official. I made a decision and bought a plane ticket to come back to Oregon at least for the winter. I will be arriving on October 8th. Though the season ends on September 15th, I found a second job working at a pizzaria/brewhouse here for an extra week and am still looking for other side jobs. Some of my friends are sticking around until then doing some construction work and I wanted to stay just for a little while longer. :)

So the end is near and I'm coming home.

Please pray that I healthily prepare myself to leave. I have a feeling that I'll be super sad and go through friend withdrawals as they all begin to leave before I do. :/ It's been amazing and I hope to come back here next summer.


-Danielle

 It's getting really cold here...

Dear Dad.

Dear Dad,

When I was a child, I was your little girl

I’d stand on your feet while we danced and we twirled

You were the world me to and nobody knew

That the bond we shared was stronger than the strongest glue

You would listen to the a.m. radio while riding in the car

You had the windows down and we had to drive real far

You were the funniest man I have ever known

I look for your humor in everyone and I’m still looking, full-grown

You were the richest tooth fairy and you tucked me in the best

Your butterfly and Eskimo kisses have never topped the rest

You taught me how to ride a bike, skip rocks and fish

Being your best friend was a better gift than the biggest wish

We would call you daddy only when we wanted a toy

But you caught on and played our games, you knew our “secret” ploy

When we had to do chores we’d ask “Do we have to?”

And you’d respond by saying, “No, you get to.”

We would watch the best shows on TV

And we developed inside jokes just between you and me

You made the best sandwiches in the world

I’d make them like that every day if I could

Your love and taste for music is the greatest I’ve heard and sang

The Pumpkins, Peppers, Clapton, Petty, and Pearl Jam

Their songs are the soundtrack to my heart and soul

There was nothing better than singing out loud to your rock and roll

Baseball was our favorite sport to watch together

I’d always root for the same team as you

But somehow I ended up being an Angels fan

While you continued to be a Dodgers man

Somewhere down the line we drifted apart

You lost my trust and broke my heart

We tried to make it work but could never quite figure it out

But I knew you still loved me without a shadow of doubt

It’s been three long years since I saw you on graduation day

You couldn’t stay long, but it was special anyways

I last talked to you on my birthday and the conversation was better than the last

You learned that I was in Alaska doing what I love most

And then last Tuesday I found out that you died

My sister told me what happened and I collapsed and cried

I always had a feeling you would leave this world sooner than later

But I have a feeling you aren’t suffering and are feeling much better

I wonder if you can see me right now and if you can secretly hug me

That’s all I need from you in the midst of this quiet agony

I’m mad that you left us but sort of understand

You were needed somewhere else and your time had to end

No matter what happened between us, you will always be my dad

And I am so thankful for all the sweet memories that we had

You helped shape the person that I have become

Despite what I have said to you in anger and what I have done

I’ll be a grown up with a different life and family eventually

And I will continue to keep you in my heart and share you with my memory

I know that I haven’t told you lately, but I sure do love you

I’ve never stopped and never ever will

When I see you again in heaven we will have been made new

I hope you tell me funny jokes, sing me songs, and love me like you used to

Cause I sure do miss and love you, pot-bellied dad

I can’t wait to see you again and hold your weird 3-fingered hand.

Love your daughter,

Danielle

Prayer.

Hi everyone,

I am writing to ask for some prayer regarding where I will be heading next, once this seasonal job ends here in Alaska. 

I'm torn about whether or not to stay here or move back to Oregon...

I've been assuming that I'd move back to Oregon, so I've been applying to various jobs there and today I found out that there are some job openings at the local school here and they need some help. I'd also have a few other things to do here as well, but like I said, I'm torn because I love BOTH places.

If you could please pray for and with me in this decision, I would be very thankful. My co-workers are already buying their tickets home and I'm beginning to feel some of that pressure. 

I think that it will be good where ever I end up, but it would be nice to not have to decide this alone. 

Thanks,

Danielle

Shootin' Things with Guns.

It was fun shooting guns here, but it kind of hurt. hahaha

Landing on a Glacier

Yesterday, I had the amazing opportunity to fly with a few people and land on a glacier near Mt. McKinley! I even got to fly with the same pilot who flew me around the summit of Mt. McKinley. It was such a neat experience. The sun was shining and all of us had a snow ball fight and the only thing missing were some sleds, but I really can't complain. :)

 On the flight!!!

 

Travis, the pilot, and I. 

 On Ruth Glacier!

 One glacier from the plane!

 

 Mt. McKinley!

Another glacier!

 

And another glacier! They were gorgeous!

My friend Moser and I. Yes, there is another Moser that I work with as well. Long lost siblings, perhaps? :)

Half Marathon

Last Sunday, I ran my first half marathon through Denali National Park! It was one of my New Year's resolutions this year and it is now complete! I did much better than I thought and ran the ENTIRE time!!! I'm super proud of myself and just excited that I had the opportunity to run it. :) We didn't take any pictures after the event because all of us were just exhausted, but here are some pictures from the bus ride to the start of the race and Ashley running ahead of me. Travis finished an hour before we did. Crazy! Ashley and I finished at 2.31 and 2.32. I'm finally getting over being sore. :) It was all worth it though.

Run of the Coal Mine, 10K

Last Sunday, my friends and I had the opportunity to run a 10K where all of the donations went to the local fire department that I am currently volunteering for. It was a blast and at least half of the run was uphill. If you know me, you know that I hate hills...haha, but I finished and had a really fun time! Here are a few pictures for your entertainment.

Highlights

Here are some highlights of my time in Alaska so far. It's been a busy season, so the updates I have are not as lengthy. Enjoy the pictures!

 Casey and I at Denali National Park.

 My friends and I at the Husky Homestead.

 The silly folks that I live with.

 Just hanging out at North Pole, AK and visited Santa's house.

 The Alaska Oil Pipelines.

 Me with some crazies after we conquered rising creeks, flooded machines, and scared customers.

 

I joined the local softball team!

 

We took a little walk to a spot my friends here have named the Hobbit House. 

And one more highlight to add, last month I got to go on a summit flight, met some cool people and flew around the summit of Mt. McKinley/Denali. It was quite amazing. The whole time I was speechless.

Peace.

I've been reading through Philippians and God is continuing to speak to me through these two verses.The first verse says that the peace of God is powerful enough to protect my heart and mind and the other states for us to not dwell on the past, but to press forward because it's better for us. That's what I am going to try my best to do because it's better and good.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

The Best 25th Birthday I've Ever Had

On the eve of my birthday some friends and I went out for dessert, drinks and dancing.

 I then came home to this wonderful cake made by Hannah!

 I took part in a Danielle sandwich...

 ...went on a little boat ride on our lake...

 ...played two games of softball and won both (no picture included)!! Woo!
...had this wonderful birthday cherry pie made for me by the wonderful Ashley...

 ...was serenaded with a guitar and harmonica at a bon fire...

...and then spent some time with God and then went to bed.

It was the best 25th birthday ever. :) Thanks everyone!

Into the Wild

Here in Denali, we have this brewery called the 49th State Brewery. They house the same bus that was used in the movie "Into the Wild." Last night, I had the opportunity to walk through it and meet a man who has made the crazy trek to the actual bus. He was definitely a story-teller and invited us to hike with a group in September (after the river lowers). We'll see if I can make it out to the actual bus where Chris McCandless died or not. But until then, here is the "Magic Bus" as they like to call it:

Volunteering with the Tri-Valley Fire Dept.

Every Tuesday night, the Tri-Valley Fire Department here in Healy offers training to those who are interested in volunteering for their department during the season. Last night, a few of us went to their training on how to rescue people from cars with the "jaws of life." It was such an awesome experience.

First, they geared us up in some EMT garb, took us out into a field of junk cars, and walked us through the steps that it took to use the jaws of life.  Oh, and I also got to ride back on their fire truck!!!

Here are a few pictures of the evening:

 Casey volunteered to be the "victim."

 Casey, Travis, Kyle, and I (all from Denali ATV).

The end! :)