Identity

During my time in Georgia I was able to be a part of a wonderful body of believers. While there I quickly became known as "Alaska." Not just in passing, but truly that was my identity. Everyone called me that. It was on the contact info in their phones. Even those who only knew me through other people, called me Alaska.

Alaska was such a part of me and my conversations it's what people associated with me. Clearly my passion for Alaska showed so strongly that, that is what became my identity. It's what people saw when I spoke about home. It poured out of every fiber of my being. So much so that friends in Alaska banned me from posting on social media about missing it so I would focus on my time in Georgia.

This realization made me ponder what people see in me when they interact with me. Does my love for Christ come out and so envelope me that, that is what they see? Do I speak of Jesus with such a great passion and love that people see Him in me? That people want to know Him more because of me?

As believers we often talk about how our identity is in Christ. Easy to say, incredibly difficult to truly live by. Where is your identity? Is whose you are so evident that friends of friends know Him?

Nome: My Favorite Place on Earth

I have often said Nome is one of my favorite places on earth. Just over seven years from when I first stepped foot into Nome, and a day after returning from my sixth Iditarod, I think I have figured it out why I love Nome so much.


Nome was the first place I fell in love with in Alaska. I stepped foot in Alaska with my Dad, the first and most influential spiritual leader in my life.

I met a young eleven year old girl, who now at eighteen is pushing me to grow closer to Christ through discipling her. The door to future times serving in Alaska was opened.

I returned to Nome for Iditarod the next three years. In those times I met men and women who have continued to shape me and my walk with Christ. A young women who I watched show how to have a Christ centered relationship and marriage. Who now, with her husband are my some of my closest friends, and keep me grounded in life.

I met and continued to spend time with a mentor and my Eskimo Grandparents who invited me into her home and culture, to show and share how Jesus has changed her world. I cried with her, laughed with her, learned so much from her. And finally said see you later way to soon.

The fun, crazy, incredible executive director who I am now have the privilege of working under. The one who even before working beside I have learned so much from.

Three years ago I met incredible friends and got to enjoy my fifth Iditarod in six years. It was the first of many fun experiences with a group of people who love Jesus and are striving to serve Him by simply living their daily lives in Nome.

I have met mushers who have shared incredible stories from the trail. Who have let me into what 12 days on the trail could look like. How they have seen the Northern Lights dancing in the sky, the sun and moon rising and setting and the glory of God all around.

I have met wise men and women who have invested in me, even though I am not regularly around. Men and women who I know I can always ask for advice, prayer or even just call when I am struggling.

Nome is so much more than a geographical location, or town on the coast of Alaska. It is vital in my Spiritual journey. Each time I step foot in Nome, I am challenged, a new step in my spiritual journey is taken. It is hard to express, but Nome is ingrained in who I am and how God is shaping me.