Thanksgiving and Turning 25

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ryan left on November 21 to fly to Anchorage. He spent four days shopping and shipping groceries before his family showed up. Dean, Suzanne, and Kyle arrived in Alaska on Tuesday evening. Ryan flew with them out to Chevak on Wednesday. It was very exciting to see them all arrive at my door on Wednesday night.
To make the day even more exciting, our snow machine (yes, it is the same as a snow mobile) came in! Ryan has been working on getting it for a long time and finally it arrived. Needless to say, Ryan, Kyle, and Dean enjoyed the machine immensely.
On Friday we bundled up and headed over to Hooper Bay to show the Walkers the airplane project and ministry happening in Hooper. It was a cold day, but we made it. While we were there we were able to go to the restaurant that the church runs on Friday nights. It is a treat not to have to cook! When we got home Friday night we celebrated my birthday. It was a great blessing to have family around to celebrate with.
Yesterday I turned 25. For some reason 25 seems significant to me. I have never really struggled with a birthday yet, but I've been thinking about this one a lot. 25 puts me in my "mid-twenties" and makes me reflect on where I have been, where I am now, and where I am headed. I am so thankful for where I have come from and the opportunities I was given. Working with my students here makes me realize just how blessed I have been to have grown up in a loving home, in an awesome church, and going to wonderful schools. Now that I have left home and I can look back, I can see how blessed I was.
Currently, I am thankful for the life I am leading now. Not many people have the chance to do what Ryan and I are doing. We are so blessed to be able to work here in Chevak and to have all the crazy adventures we are having. I am so thankful for Ryan. We have been married for almost two years, but these last couple months have been a major growing time. Being removed from family and friends has forced us to rely on each other and we are enjoying it. He continues to encourage me, challenge me spiritually, and make me laugh daily.
It is hard to know where the next year will take me. A lot has happened since I turned 24 and honestly, I'm hoping this year is a bit less eventful. But the Lord is faithful and He holds my hand no matter what tomorrow brings.
Sorry if that post was a little heavy. Birthdays and holidays make me a bit sentimental. As we move into the holiday season, may the Lord bless your time with family and friends. And remember the real reason for all the celebration!