Better than Fireworks!

Gabe, Derek, Tanner, & Wes enjoying Byron Glacier.

First let me make a disclaimer: I love fireworks. However in a land that doesn't really get dark in the summer its hard to enjoy flaming bursts of fascinating light, its just not the same. This July 4th weekend we went on a combined Chapel/Hospitality House camping trip. The trip started with a death-defying white water rafting trip, which will have a post of it's own so that's all I'll say.

The weekend included loads of fun and quality time with great people. I know that the single guys had their own campsite, and had their own discussion times at 11pm every night (on top of our group devotions at 9). It was really encouraging to me, to see them take steps of their own in this and encourage each other as brothers in Christ!

The spiritual highlight in my opinions is that our dear friend Mattie believes in Jesus! She is an Airman from Elmendorf. She's been around for about a year, a consistent member of our ministry. She is a (self proclaimed) "cashew" her mom is Jewish and dad is Catholic. And it was great to see her finally break through her own barriers to believing that Jesus truly is her savior! :)

Mattie, hiking.

The recreational highlight of the weekend was probably the hike up to Byron Glacier. (from Wikipedia: glacier is a large mass of ice moving slowly over some land surface or down a valley, formed over long periods from the accumulation of snow in areas where the amount of snow that falls exceeds the amount that melts.) We were actually able to hike up through the snow field below the glacier and get right up next to it. So much ice, so much summer day, it was a bit of a paradox!

Byron Glacier

I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend as well! We'd love to hear what you blog-readers are up to!

To see more photos from the glacier hike click here.

God Bless,

Elaine (& Wes)