I want to say thank you to everyone who has been supportive of my trip to Alaska this March.  I am overwhelmed by the generosity of people's heart and willingness to give so graciously to my cause - or should I say - God's cause.  If it wasn't for God, I would not be going, and I am so incredibly thankful for what God has done.  He has opened so many doors for me including this one to Alaska.

I am thankful for my donations.  To date, I have received $400.  I have taken $450 of my own money and put it towards the deposit that is required to "save" my spot (so to speak).  I hope to book my ticket in the next two weeks and so looking forward to doing that.  I have also purchased my very first passport, and though that might not seem like a big deal to some, I am rather excited about it.

It is interesting to me that many Americans (and maybe even non-American's) do not realize that Alaska is not actually apart of the contiguous United States.  As my trip gets closer and closer my excitement for going is increased and in that, my discussions regarding my trip are also increased.  In talking with others, I have come to find that many people do not realize that Alaska is much further north than Washington state.

Thank you again for all of you who are supporting this mission by either monetary donations or through prayer.  I am seeking God's will in my life daily, studying his Word and grateful for the opportunities where I am able to share the Gospel with others.

On a side note:  Last evening, I was able to share the Gospel with a neighbor of mine for the second time.  Although the task was difficult, I pray that a seed was planted on fertile ground (Matthew 13:1-23).  Sharing with him was difficult due to him not believing he was a sinner.   I had heard many times that if you had an hour with someone you would spend 45 minutes of that hour convincing them they were a sinner.  I don't think I recognized that statement to be true till last night.  I don't want to say that I am ignorant, but all signs point to ignorance or me being naive to think that people do recognize sin, however, we live in a world today that is filled with non-believers thinking that because they do good deeds they are not sinning.  There is only ONE person who has ever lived a sin-free life and that was Jesus Christ.  I will continue to pray for this young mans soul and that he will find the peace and freedom that comes with being a child of the Most High God!

To you - my faithful followers, I thank you so much for reading.  I know there are some out there who are reading this blog whom I do not know, but I pray that this blog is a blessing to you.  Some of you are very far away from me.  You live in places I have only studied about.  I am praying for you too.  I may not know your name, but our Father does.  He knows every hair on your head.  I will not pretend to know what it is like to live in these places, nor pretend to understand any persecution you may be under.  I wear a bracelet that is a reminder daily of my brothers and sisters who are in lands of persecution.  I know that God will sustain you and give you the strength to endure. 

I am sending you my love and I hope you know you are not alone.  God has you! 

P.S.  I have not thoroughly reviewed this website but I have received a book that I have yet to finish but it may be a resourceful sight for some.  If you are interested, please visit the Voice of Martyrs site at http://www.persecution.com/

49th State of the United States

Did you know that Alaska was named as the 49th state of the United States in 1959?  That it was purchased for a mere $7.2 million dollars?  That equals to about $.02 an acre.
Alaska has roughly 586,412 square miles - including water and land. If you were to place Alaska into the contiguous United States, Alaska would cover from North to South and spread from Florida to California.  Check out this picture:

This is pretty impressive.

The United States has roughly 312 million people.  Of those 312 million, only a small fraction live in the state of Alaska.  How small of a fraction, you ask?  If I have done my math correctly, less than 1%.  Alaska has roughly 710,000 residents.  Interesting how the largest state is so close to being the state with the fewest people.  (The other 3 states that have less people are North Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming {2010 census}).

Alaska is broken up into five (5) different Regions.

1. Inside Passage - the capital, Juneau, is located in this region and although it is the capital it is not the largest city.
2. South Central - the largest city of the state is in this region, Anchorage.  With close to 300,000 residents, this city is busting out with a lot of different things to do.  Please note: This is the area in which I will be flying into to catch a bus to go the remaining way to the village for the  mission trip.
3. South West - this region is probably most popular to all because of the show, "Deadliest Catch."  This region houses the Alaskan Peninsula and Aleutian Islands as well as famous Dutch Harbor you see on the show.  Probably a great place to do some whale watching.
4. Interior - The second largest city, Fairbanks, is located in this region, which is approximately 167,644 square miles in size.  There are approximately 100,000 residents in this region with only 32,000 of them living in Fairbanks.  That means, close to 70,000 residents are dispersed throughout this region living in small towns or villages.  Please note: This is the region I will be going to on my mission trip.
5. Far North - last but not least, inside of the Arctic Circle is where you will find most all of this region.  If you have followed any of the news  regarding the Russian vessel trying to deliver oil to Nome, then you will be familiar with the Far North.  If you are looking to be cold, chilled, frozen, or any other adjective that describes below 0 temperature, this is a great place to go.  The landscape and beauty of this region is I am sure, breathtaking and stunning.

This is just a brief synopsis of the state.  Cultural aspects will come soon.  So... Stay Tuned!

Disclaimer:
I hope that this brief information is helpful to those who are unfamiliar with some of the statistics of the state.  I am not a scholar, however I know a lot due to the research I continually do.  I have added several of the websites I have gathered some of this information and hope that in no way have slandered, falsified, or duplicated without consent any information.  Anyone who has produced this material before I deserves the recognition for the statistics at hand.  I am just trying to educate my viewers regarding a place I love, a people I love and a home I hope to know soon.

Sites:
http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/ak_intro.htm
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/rankings.html
http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/cb11-cn83.html

Surrender

Surrender (verb) to yield (something) to the possession or power of another.  

I first want to say, I am not a theologian by any means, this is just my own opinion.

What does it mean to surrender to the Lord? 
For my own self, surrendering to the Lord means giving my life COMPLETELY to Him.  To allow Him to make the decisions that are perfect and wonderful in His sight.  Not my own.  To allow Him to use me for His glory rather than for me to use myself for my own personal gain - as far as needs and wants go.  My needs and wants are mere flesh desires.  In order for me and for others to follow Jesus, we must surrender to Him.  Knowing that He has a perfect path for us.
Luke 9:23 - Then He said to them all, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

Deny ourselves - to deny the desires of the flesh - to deny the ideas and ideologies of the world - to deny anything that is not of God.  We find God in the pages of His word, in the Holy Spirit that comes and dwells within us when we ask Jesus to come and live in our hearts. 

Man and world will always fail you, but the Lord Jesus Christ will not ever.  He is always with us.  He has given us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to be with us.
I love the song, I Surrender All - it was written by Judson W. Van DeVenter.  Here are the words:

1. All to Jesus I surrender;
   All to Him I freely give;
   I will ever love and trust Him,
   In His presence daily live.
   • Refrain:
     I surrender all,
     I surrender all;
     All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
     I surrender all.
2. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Humbly at His feet I bow,
   Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
   Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
   Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
   Truly know that Thou art mine.
4. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Lord, I give myself to Thee;
   Fill me with Thy love and power;
   Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Now I feel the sacred flame.
   Oh, the joy of full salvation!
   Glory, glory, to His Name!

Again, I am no expert, but I want to mention that there are people in this world who may preach and walk in ways that are convincing, but are not Godly.
Matthew 7:15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
I was fooled too.  However, when I truly allowed the Holy Spirit to guide me, I was guided to the truth.  Find a church that is God and Word centered.  A church that preaches from the Word and not from ideas of man.
I am praying for all who are reading this and ask that you not be afraid to email me or to respond to any of my posts.
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

I love you and pray that you find Abounding Joy in our Father, Jesus Christ.