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Thursday, 20 December 2007

  • Currently Reading
    If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name: News from Small-Town Alaska
    By Heather Lende
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    Sonrise

    On Thursday mornings, I head out south to one of the elementary schools in Ketchikan for the school savings program that the credit union sponsors. I drive directly into the sunrise ("out south" doesn't really mean "south" in Ketchikan). Most mornings, Ketchikan is cloudy and overcast and the sunrise doesn't show its colors. This morning, however, was different. The past few days, we have been bombarded with snow. We have more snow than is normal here in Ketchikan, and it has definitely hung around longer than it usually does. The schools even had a snow day, and people were stuck in various places. Most of the roads going up the mountain in town have been closed. Despite the difficulties with transportation, the snow is absolutely gorgeous. It looks exactly like what one would picture an Alaskan winter to look like. The snow is high, it covers the mountains, and it is as white as can be. This morning, the air was mostly clear, and the sunrise shone on the water. There were colors of blue, orange, pink, and gold. The water looked like glass. A low cloud cut directly across one of the mountains. As I drove out south, I tried to concentrate on the slick roads instead of on the beauty around me. A bald eagle soared directly above me, and I thought that if I hadn't been driving, and if I had been a great photographer, it would have been a perfect photo. When I got to the school (which is beautiful and brand new and decked out in kid-friendly art), I sat behind my table facing the front door. The door is glass, and it is surrounded by windows, so I can look out at the water and mountains. From the parking lot, I could see Gravina, Prince of Wales, and Annette Islands. It leaves you speechless. It's amusing to watch the children trickle in. They have no idea that they are in a beautiful place. They are still waking up, wishing that they had another snow day, and axiously awaiting Christmas. I am awestruck, and I think, "I get to live here for one year." I realize that I am blessed and that even though I miss my family, and this year has its challenges, I appreciate the environment, culture, and town that I am in. I like the people of Ketchikan, and the culture shock is wearing off. It takes time, but I am here. Most people know that I am skeptical of natural theology, because while the beauty of nature might lead someone to believe in a god or divine being, it will not lead you to Jesus. It does not lead you to a God who became a man and died on a cross and defeated death and ascended into heaven. However, I think that the nature of Ketchikan comes close. In the winter, life in Ketchikan is dangerous, and many deaths occur. Planes crash, boats sink, and accidents happen. Death is in your face a lot. But, so is the beauty of God's earth and his creatures that you can't avoid. The smell of fish is prominent, birds of every kind are everywhere, and people bring their dogs with them everywhere. We are happy to have some pooches put their paws up on our stations at the credit union, and we even have biscuits for them. Life and death are very closely related here, and when I look around, I just know that Jesus Christ has defeated death. I can see it on the face of the old woman who I helped the other day. Her husband had died the day before, and she came in very (understandably) bitter and depressed. When she left, she thanked me for my help and for being so nice to her and for offering her my prayers. She had a smile. Now, don't think that I'm getting all mushy, crazy on you, because I'm not. But, I am paying special attention to how Jesus Christ is present here and what he is doing. I'm trying to get in on it as best I can. For the past two years, I studied how he has worked in all parts of the world throughout time, but I was always reading or listening to someone else's experience of it. So, despite the challenges and frustrations and everything else, I am appreciating the opportunity to see Jesus Christ in everything.

Monday, 22 October 2007

  • Currently Reading
    Liturgical Theology: The Church As Worshiping Community
    By Simon Chan
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    Water

    The people of Ketchikan know about water. With both the sea and the rain at every corner, who could miss it? For the people here, water is life. We drink the rainwater here (and bathe with it, which is absolutely fabulous...no tangles and a great lather!), and the fishing industry is a big part of the economy (though not quite as big as it used to be). However, water can also mean death here. There have been numerous boating accidents and the like that have taken people's lives. The people here respect the power that water has. It is for these reasons that this is the ideal place to talk about baptism. These people know that water can mean life or death, and in baptism, it means both. I just finished reading Will Willimon's "Remember Who You Are." It's a great little book (recommended to me by Kevin) that is perfectly appropriate for laypeople to read when preparing for or affirming baptism. I hope that I have the opportunity to talk about baptism while I'm here in Ketchikan. Being surrounded by water on all sides has made an interesting impact on me. And it has definitely helped me to understand more about what happened to me on May 8, 1983. I died. I was reborn. I now belong to God. Amen!

Wednesday, 03 October 2007

Tuesday, 02 October 2007

Tuesday, 11 September 2007

  • Blue Skies in Ketchikan

    Amazingly, this is the third cool, sunny day in a row. It's just about perfect for me. The water looks so blue, and it's so clear that you can see the tops of the mountains, and the trees look extra green. This is rare in Ketchikan, where it normally rains almost non-stop. It is the wettest place in North America, and the fourth wettest spot in the world! But, not this week. I am enjoying walking around town, driving with the windows down, and sitting out on the deck. I know that this weather won't last, so I'm trying to savor it!

    Although I'm not very busy right now, I am enjoying the people and the culture. I applied for a full-time job at one of the schools, so I hope that it works out. Obviously, the church is my priority, but there doesn't seem to be a lot to do during the week, and especially not during the day. I'd rather be busy so that the time will go faster.

    I miss everyone a lot. Adjusting is hard, but I'm handling it well. Everyone is very nice, but I haven't made any good friends yet. I hope that you all are doing well! I'll update you soon, especially about the job and about Ghost Ranch. Blessings!

AndreaC0125

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    • Name: Andrea
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 9/8/2007

About Me

  • I am currently serving as a Young Adult Volunteer with Ketchikan Presbyterian Church in Ketchikan, Alaska. I am engaged to the most wonderful man in the world, and I can't wait to get back home so that he can make me his wife!

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