Merry Christmas Letter

Hi to all -
I decided to actually write a letter this year...so I am going to write it on here. For whatever reason I do not feel compelled to send any cards or letters out this season but I do want to connect with friends and family in some way...so I guess this is where it will happen.

2009 has definitely left a mark on my life. I would say this has been one of the hardest years that I have experienced. I don't know if it is because I turned 33(which some people have said was a hard year for them as well - possibly because it's the year Jesus was crucified?) or just because sometimes life is hard. When I say hard - I don't mean that hard is always bad. Just hard. 

I am still serving at the Director of Youth Ministries at FUMC in downtown Pensacola, FL.  I have been here for 5 years and still absolutely love what I do.  I get to walk with 7th-12th grade students as they figure out what they believe and who they are in the Body of Christ.  I also get to pray, cry, laugh, serve, ask questions,  travel, explore, hike on the A.T. every summer, sing, get messy, tell stories and so much more with all of them.  It is truly an honor when I see each one of them really work hard to hear God's voice and respond in their own unique way. 

In April, I had the opportunity to take 7 students along with two dad's (supposed to be three dad's but one wasn't able to go at the last minute) to Ihiala, Nigeria to help dig a clean water well in a village that didn't have access to clean water.  After 6 months of raising money and awareness - we boarded a plane that took us to Nigeria.  It was an honor to watch the students from my church adapt to the heat, the attention, and the overwhelming need that surrounded us every where we went that week.  They played with children in the village and at an orphanage.  We were invited to lead songs for 4 hour long worship services.  We attempted to help with the well.  But most of the time...we waited and shared and talked and watched and prayed and learned and laughed...and cried.  I don't know if any of us will ever experience the kind of attention that we received that week and I know that none of us left that country the same.  It is an amazing and frustrating experience to know that there isn't much we can do for the people in that area...but we offered our time and our lives.  Here is a link to a video that one of the students created when we got back.

I also was given permission to take a month off to hike this year.  So on October 3rd - I flew to Sydney, AUS with one of my dear friends and explored the eastern coast of Australia for two weeks with her and then hiked around different parts of New Zealand by myself.  It was one of the most incredible experiences I have had in my life - the people that I met were amazing AND I got to hike across glaciers and volcanoes and near fjords.  Seriously.  It was incredible.

But the best part of the trip - was the time I had to be still.  I am learning that I need to give myself time to be still so that I can hear God voice through all of the chaos that echoes around me most days.  My favorite day was in New Zealand - I was sitting on the side of the road looking at beautiful NZ scenery and listening to a Derek Webb album.  I cried.  I prayed.  I wrote.  I listened.  I was able to just feel like I wasn't alone and that I was particularly loved.  At this point - all I know is that I long to be a willing participant in the story that God continues to tell through my life. 

I get to see some of you every week. I miss many of you.  But no matter what I am thankful because each one of you is in my life. 

Blessings and prayers to all of you as we enter into 2010 together!

Emily

Advent. Waiting. Hope.

One thing about life that I love AND struggle with is waiting.

Not knowing what is coming. Just as soon as I decide I know how something is going to turn out...it changes. Right?

Advent is a time of waiting.

I remember one time when I was about 6 years old while laying in bed in my grandma's home, I could smell the stale smell of being in a room that isn't used much any more blended with pine, soap and pecan pie. I was listening and trying so hard to keep my eyes open as I stared out the window. I just KNEW that I was going to see Santa and his sleigh that night. I just knew it. So...I actually heard bells ring that night and am pretty sure that I saw the bottom of the sleigh pass by the window. I was soooo excited that night! I mean, I heard and saw Santa! I still remember feeling like I was the luckiest girl alive that night...

Waiting for our King to be born. Waiting for Christmas morning. Waiting for people to really get it.

I spend a lot of time hoping. Hoping that my students will see how amazing it is to follow a God that wants to know each one of us individually. That as we struggle through life - we are not alone!

Do we still wait for God to move in our lives? Or have we given up on him and are just going to do it our way? Are we trying so hard to keep our eyes open to be the ones to catch Him in action as He steps out of heaven as a baby or a friend or a stranger...to bring hope into our lives?

What are you really waiting for?

My prayer is that we really do wait. With Expectation. Start listening. Looking out your windows. Watch.

Action Sports International - www.asiorders.com

Action Sports International - www.asiorders.com

Rain.

Monday, October 26th

I woke up to the sound of pouring rain this morning. Packed up my
stuff and hit the road in the rain...

Really it was pretty boring.

I stopped in Dunedin for lunch- today is New Zealand's Labour Day,
which means that most restaurants and stores are closed today. But
luckily Dunedin has the University of Otara so they had lots of stores
and some restaurants open. I had the best sushi and udon soup...then
I walked around to see what was in their "mall". Surprised to see an
Athlete's Foot- ha.

I am staying at the "red kettle" THA in Oamaru on the East coast.
This town has two diferent Penguin colonies that live on their
beaches. And you see stuff about penguins everywhere on the streets.
I went to the beach at 4:30 pm to watch the Yellowed-eyed penguins
come onto the beach. There are about 40 penguins who live here.
These are only found in New Zealand. So I stood outside in the rain
and wind and was so cold. I got to see one penguin...it was so cute!
I was pretty cold at this point so decided to come back to the
hostel. I also stopped by a cheese cafe... So I have local cheese, a
baguette and soup for dinner.

Have a short drive to Christchurch in the morning, then my afternoon
flight to the North Island.

Cheeky Kia...

Sunday, October 25th

I did get my tent a bit tighter- so I had no problems with the light
rainfall that started early this morning. But it's pretty cold and
wet outside...

I am dressed to hike but since the rain is falling steadily I passed
the Divide where I was planning on hiking on the Routeburn Track- and
came on down to Milford Sound.

Wow. It's a little spooky to drive through these humongous mountains
and gorges with fog and rain. I am the only one on the road this
early- which I am thankful to be able to take my time to take it all in.

Raw. Vast. Stark.

Mountain walls still covered with snow. Trees are clinging to the
mountains. The valleys of green with wisps of fog moving across.
Rivers so high the water is moving over the rocks quickly...

And then a tunnel. Into a massive stone wall. Um. I can't see the
other end...and it starting to move deeper into the mountain. I
definitely don't like going down in a dark tunnel without seeing the
other side.

At Milford Sound- I spent some time talking to two gentlemen from
Norway. They are going to take the cruise through the Sound in an
hour. I had a coffee and than walked all over the walking trails and
out onto one if the shores... The rain let up enough for a little over
an hour.

But now the rain and the thick fog is back. So I am going to head
back toward Te Anau.

10:00 pm -

So I managed to get it all in. The started and stopped the rest of
the day...I stopped by a few view poinyts on the road back to Te Anau.

My absolutely favorite thing to see was the Chasm. It's where a river
has worn down these huge rocks in a way so the rocks look like Swiss
cheese. It makes a roaring sound as the water passes through the
rocks- I took pictures but I don't think it shows it well.

Then I started my hike on the Routeburn Track. It was sunny(sort of)
when I started but it was pretty rainy, foggy and windy when I got to
the summit of Mt Key. It was a fun hike though- and on my way down, I
actually passed the hiking group that I considered joining for 4 days.

Then I drove to the hostel and showered...and got take out Chinese- mmm.

Ive met a girl from Denmark, Heidi. She is a trip! I went on a walk
after dinner with Ying, a girl I met at the last hostel. She was fun
to talk about all the places we've been and where we want to go.

I start my slow trip home tomorrow. Will drive towards Christchurch
to return the car and catch my flight to Auckland on Tuesday.

Blessings.

Be still and know...

Saturday evening, October 24th

I found a place to camp. I am at the closest campsite off of the
Milford Hwy to the Divide - which is where I am hiking tomorrow. I am
sitting on the edge of Lake Gunn(picture to come), watching the sun go
down over the mountains. Hmmmm...if I do get married than i think it
should be right here instead of Blue Lake. He.

It's funny to be out here on my own. There are about 6 campervans of
couples/friend and families and they are all doing there own thing-
and then there's me. In a tent. In the woods.

So I have to confess. 2 things.
1. I am addicted to anything with sugar- have been since I was
young. My confession is actually that today I found an entire cake of
Pavlova(the gooey, crunchy and soft meringue that I can't get enough
of) - and that's pretty much all I've had for dinner. It's soooo
good! I didn't eat it all by the way- I can get two more meals out of
it. Haha.

2. And, so my tent isnt as tight as it normally is. I might have
brought the wrong tent poles...but they do fit. Sort of. And I think
it will rain tonight! I have got to backpack more often withy my gear
so I grab the right things! That's what I get for seamsealing more
than one tent before a trip. I will play with it and see if I can
tighten it up.

Anyways, today has been an alone day. My own thoughts, feelings,
hopes...

It has been good to be still and feel Gods love. I love it when I
drive out of a section of trees and look up and the sun is peaking
over the tops of snow covered mountains. Or there was a large lamb
resting beside a light pole... Just watching the traffic go by- or so
it seemed. Those moments make me smile.

Fiords. Fiords. Fiords.

Saturday, October 24th

When I got up this morning I wasn't sure if I would spend the day
driving or do a short hole somewhere on my way towards Queenstown.
Queenstown is known to be the city for adrenaline junkies. You can do
so many crazy outdoor activities.

Once I got on the road though - I felt like driving. So I did. It
has been a gorgeous day. And except for a stop in one of the bungy
jumping sites...just to watch others- I completely drove right by
Queenstown.

I really wanted to get to the southern area with the fiordlands.

So I am currently in Te Anau- I booked a room at the YHA for tomorrow
night and I am going to start driving up towards Milford Sound. I
will camp at one of the Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites and
then do a dayhije onto the Routeburn Trail. I talked to the people at
the DOC info and that is what they recommend that I do for a short
visit. So I will hike on one of New Zealands great walks AND see
fiords. AND I am actually going to use my tent- since I brought it
all this way with me.

The drive up to Milford Sound is supposed to be amazing... So here I go!

Blessings.

Is there a puma in that crevice?

So...I woke up this morning a little early - I didn't want to be late for my hike on the Franz Josef Glacier...(I got there at 7:35 a.m. - didn't have to be there till 8:15 a.m.- hee).

I decided to wear shorts because I know me. I get warm when I hike...I had four layers for my top half - so I knew I would be okay. They gave me another rain jacket(which I used to sit on during our lunch break) and heavy rain pants(that stayed in my back pack.

This glacier is one of three around the world - that exists near a rain forest. The second one is the Fox Glacier about 12 miles South from here and the third one is in the Patagonia. Amazing.

I was in a group of 10 including our guide. We had to hike for about 2 kilometers and then put our crampons on and hike another 1 1/2 kilo's on loose rock and ice before we were only on ice. The group I was with was a lot of fun...willing to try things but many of them had never really hiked at all before.

I LOVED IT! It was like a giant jungle gym in ice. You all would have been so proud of the climbs and jumps and things I had to get through. I sliced my leg at one point - when I had to jump over a crevice and tried to take our guide down - he was helping me. Whoops.

By the way - there are no puma's in these crevices.

Exhilerating...I love that I hiked for the entire day and could have just kept going. I love that I have this experience.

I also met two different guys to speak German with - one from Germany and one from Switzerland. Thomas is from Switzerland - told me he was trying to do all the things here that he couldn't do back home. Like he won't be bungy jumping(which is HUGE in New Zealand) because he could do that back in Switzerland. Interesting point. It was fun talking with them.

I came back to the hostel and showered. Spent about an hour just to get that one picture up on Facebook - but notice I figured out how to get them off of my phone! I only have my phone to use for pictures on this trip - I currently don't have a camera...so I've been planning on using a disposable camera but the phone takes fantastic pictures! I can't wait to put them all on here.

Then I went down to a restaurant and sat by myself at a table in the corner where I could watch all the other people. I enjoyed a pizza and they have pavlova for dessert(mmmmm...).

I still don't know what I am going to do the last 4 days in New Zealand, probably spend too much time driving. But I think I am going to head a bit further south to see what I can.

Will let you know tomorrow!

Hey - I will be back in Pensacola in a week!

Slowing down...

I got to the south island yesterday with a basic idea of what I hoped
to see and hike over the next 7 days. I even left Arthur's Pass this
morning ready to drive long today...

But I know that I really don't want to that. As much as I would like
to see the fiordlands or thruhike one of New Zealands great walks or
see the glaciers or... The list could go on.

I stopped at 2:00 pm this afternoon in the village where the Franz
Koseph Glacier is. I have never hiked on a glacier before - so that
is what I am going to do. They will outfit me for a full day hike on
and through the glaciers tomorrow... I am flipping stoked.

Staying a couple nights in the Franz Josef YHA- 5 girls sharing one
room. Haven't met them yet.

So after i organized all that i drove over to the Fox Glacier Village
for an amazing late lunch- lamb burger with home made French fries(I
have eaten peanut butter and jam for my last three meals). Yum.

I'm about to hike around Lake Matheson which should take around an 1
1/2 hours. It's sunny where I am but there are clouds over both Mt
Cook and Mt Tasman...so I don't know what kind of views I will have.

I will head a little further south on Saturday for a two day hike near
Mt Aspiring and then I am heading back to Christchurch. No great
walks or fiordlands this time.

New Zealand - South Island

Wednesday, October 21st

I am in the larger and supposedly even more remarkable south island of
New Zealand. I so enjoyed the North Island that I can't imagine how
it can be better. But everyone has said that to me.

So I woke up before my alarm and packed my bags in the hallway so I
wouldn't wake my dorm mates. My car was where I left it last night so
I repacked my backpack (I left it in the trunk and had to still put my
hiking poles & sleeping bag in).

I gave myself 45 minutes to get out of the city of Auckland and to the
airport. I promptly got lost. I seem to have trouble with bus lanes
(you can't drive in them but that was the lane I needed to go
straight!). Then there was construction...so I pulled over and figured
out where I was and made my way to the airport. I made it but only
after not refilling my petrol and having to walk from the rental cars
at the International terminal to the domestic terminal AND looking for
Virgin Blue Airlines that in the domestic terminal is called Pacific
Blue. Ha ha. I made it.

We landed in Christchurch which is on the East coast - I picked up the
3rd (and oldest) car on this trip and promptly headed west. Um, I
passed a field of hogs and heaps and heaps of little hog houses! Weird.

All of sudden I could see snow covered mountains. They appear so
suddenly! I drove for the next 3 hours through gorgeous valleys,
mountains, rocks and by some lakes. I am staying in Arthurs Pass YHA
which is right in the middle of the mountains. As soon as I entered
Arthur's Pass the rain started...

I am pretty sure I will continue west tomorrow morning because it is
supposed to continue to rain/ snow most of tomorrow in this area. I
have a general plan for the next week but don't really know what I
going to do. I am hoping to hike on some glaciers and in the
fiordlands.

I spent time today thinking/praying about my identity as a child of
the King...but I haven't got the words to explain it at the moment.
Cept to encourage any of you to remember that is who you ARE- not what
you do or what others think of you. We get so easily bogged down by
things that don't really matter. Or...I have lately.

"Quite Choice"

Tuesday, October 20th

When I woke up this morning my legs were pretty tight but not sore
from the hike yesterday...oh, but my face is sun burned a bit. Packed
up & ate my amazing Quaker Instant Oatmeal so I could hit the road.
Before I left, I talked with Rolf & Lisa from Dresden, Germany. We
had another great conversation in mixed German/English...I am getting
better at remembering my German!

I decided to drive over to the largest volcano on the coast- by way of
the Fogotten World Highway. Wow. My pics don't even do this highway
justice. It was breathtaking. I even passed through the Republic of
Whangamomona... They separated from New Zealand back in 1989 because
they didn't like decisions that were being made for them. I didn't
get my passport stamped but I could have.

I enjoyed lunch at Sgt. Peppers cafe in the small town of Stratford.
Stratford has New Zealands only Glockenspiel and many things to honor
Shakespeare.

I drove thru East Egmont to the Plateau which is where I could have
taken a hike on Mt. Taranaki but it was so foggy and rainy that all I
did was get out of the car to take a picture of the sign.

From there I drove over to the coast to enjoy the black beaches on
the Tasman Sea. The weather cleared enough so I could see Mt. Egmont
(Taranaka).

Drove north back to Auckland- so I can get dinner and then find the
Auckland International YHA. Yummy teriyaki chicken noodle soup from a
small Japanese restaurant. This YHA is a big one - I was able to get
a room in a female 4 share...I did have trouble with parking. I
didn't know that you have to request a parking place when you book the
hostel...so I had to find a place on the street. I found one a couple
streets away- no worries, it's free till 8 am tomorrow and I will be
on my way by 7 to get to the airport.

Blessings.