Our Pennsylvannia Trip and Photos!

Greetings Friends! I hope you all are having a blessed Easter Day. I have a few things I wanted to write on so I'll get started!
~Today is Easter Sunday and the day we celebrate Christ's resurrection. Is it not amazing to think that because Jesus loves us he died and then rose again? Truly we serve an amazing God. I feel my heart becoming more in tune with His, yet growing in the Lord is so painful some times. Isn't it amazing that the God who died for us is willing to help us? "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
~Last week I was priviledged (and blessed) to go with most of my family (Daddy had to work!) to Pennsylvannia. We spent five days near the Poconos where Allie and Jeremiah snowboarded at seventy-one degrees! (Since we've spent most of our lives in Alaska I'm sure you can imagine the fun and heat-related-exhaustion they experienced :). While at the Poconos we spent good time resting, visiting with each other, sight-seeing and town-seeing, and shopping. We enjoyed eating at authentic Chinese, Indian, and Bulgarian resturaunts. Near the end of the week we left for New York City and that was an experience! We had alot of fun walking on Time Square, eating a hotdog from a hotdog stand (isn't that what New Yorkers do?), looking at the Statue of Liberty from the shoreline, walking little Chinatown, cruising through Macy's, and riding double-decker buses. There are so many people it all seemed a little chaotic, but I enjoyed it and am thankful for the time Momma spent in taking us. : )   

A tremendous waterfall at Shawnee-on-Delaware.

Doesn't Momma remind you of Maria from Sound of Music?

Indeed, New York is a big place. It is sad to think though, that many of the people are not saved.

It was a fun and relaxing trip and I haven't even finished yet!

~Saturday morning we left for a wedding in Ephrata, PA (our main purpose for our trip). It was such a blessing to see two godly young people marry. I don't think I've been to a wedding whose obvious and sole purpose was to glorify God (while marrying two who love each other). I was/am so blessed. This couple hadn't even held hands until their wedding day and were marrying each other in complete purity. What a blessing. Let's take encouragement, my fellow sisters in Christ--if we will submit ourselves to Christ He can make any relationship pure, holy, and blameless. I have not had many godly examples of courtship and boy/girl relationships, but because of this wedding I am striving foward to become the woman God desires me to be--married or single!  

~On our way home we were able to stop and see my momma's younger sister and her family. You all are  such a blessing to us and it was alot of fun (and giggles) to be with family. We love you guys!

One extra blessing was that we were able to stop in at my dear friend Diane's house. What a sweet blessing and encouragement to visit a friend's home! Thank you Diane and your sweet family for your time, puppies :), coffee, and brownies! We loved seeing you all!  

This trip was a real blessing and time of refreshment (even though we missed you Daddy!) thank you Mommy and Daddy! We loved it! Have a blessed Easter Sunday my sisters and let's keep pressing on to the Lord!

By His grace,