A Snippet of Life Lately

Life lately has been full of energy, bursting with the Lord's unceasing love. 

The Lord is lately teaching me that I don't have to do, do, do. My energy, my rest, my peace comes entirely from Him. Being in the Word lately has helped me immensely... the truth is setting me free from lies I believe. Lies that I can do more, I can do better. I am resting in the Lord. He works IN us and we don't have to impress, to achieve. 

Philippians 2:13: "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." 

Biggest life updates from the Luikens include:

1) I am going back to school at Wayland Baptist to get my Master's in Counseling. This is in combination with my second year of teaching (need I mention I am still learning how to do that well). So my weeknights are full of writing papers, taking quizzes and tests, and then grading my student's papers and tests... :) Some Saturdays I am going to class from 8-3. I feel each day is full of new tasks, but somehow I am finding the Lord gives me what I need for each day, with strength not my own. I am not sure what I want to do quite yet with my degree.. but I love the idea of someday staying at home with a family but working part time with kids, with families, or at a crisis pregnancy center. The Lord is good so I am trusting where this will go and we'll see!

2) Tony is enjoying his new job at the airport and being in the National Guard. 

We are both learning to balance work, community, church, rest, and time together. 

Here are some picture snippets of our last few months:

Mom and her friend Art came to visit Tony and I in Alaska in the beautiful summertime

Laura, Mom, and I ran the Mayor's Half Marathon in downtown Alaska in June

Mom and I with our medals!! :) Hard work paying off.

Tony and I ran the Color Run in Anchorage with our friends Laura and Brian

We took in incredible trip to Valdez, Alaska with Tony's family. Absolutely breathtaking.

Valdez, Alaska

Jessie (my sister in law) fishing in Valdez, Alaska

We took a summer roadtrip and drove from Phoenix, Arizona to Seattle, Washington!! Made our first stop of course at the Grand Canyon. I got chills. Man God is amazing.

Of course we made a stop at In N Out Burger

Desert Mountains

Roadtrippin'

Made another stop in Boise, Idaho

Our final destination was Woodinville, Washington where we spent a few days exploring the wineries and just Seattle area. It was fantastic!!

Stopped at the market.

Mariner's Game!

Tony wanted to stop at this distillery that was in the middle of all the wineries. Great place!!

We also stopped at Chateau St. Michelle. We spent time with Tony's family but also had some great time together to end an incredible summer.

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