HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

This is one of my favorite holidays because I love dressing up and the CANDY! When I was growing up, my mom would always make our Halloween costumes. I thought it would be fun to share some pictures of my old costumes with y'all!

Here is the bee costume my mom made! I don't know why I was so sad! And my cousins were Power Rangers!

Can you believe this is when I was two years old?! My mom also made this costume!

My mom didn't make this costume, but you can see the pumpkin I carved by my feet! The clown is one of my dear friends still today! 

What are y'all dressing up as this year? What's your favorite candy on Halloween? Comment below with your answers! 

Love y'all!

Ali

Hey Girls!

Yesterday we were discussing our Bible study over Abraham and we talked about Genesis 18:14 which says "'Is anything too difficult  for the Lord?.." This verse goes on to talk about how God will fulfill His promise and give Abraham a son. But how often do we think that things are too difficult for God? I think God can't handle a lot of my problems, which is not right. He could handle each trouble I face, way better than I could ever plan. I think that some of the things I am dealing with are too little for God or that God can't handle it. When really, I can't handle it without God. I have been trying to pray and ask God for assistance when things begin to be hard to handle. I encourage you to do the same!

Here is a picture that I had hanging in my dorm all throughout college. It was a great reminder that God's plan will ultimately prevail and that nothing is too difficult for Him!

I hope this encourages you this week! Miss y'all!

Love ya!
Ali




*picture from http://a1.s6img.com/cdn/box_005/post_15/597325_2348177_lz.jpg

Hi!

Sorry I haven't posted lately, I was able to go home and visit with my family! On Friday night, I went to my old high school's football game to watch my sister perform with the marching band. They have a really cool tradition called Light Show. Light Show is where they turn all the stadium lights out and perform the whole marching show with glow sticks! I haven't been to a Light Show since I was performing in one during high school! 

This is a picture of my drill team friends and I after Light Show in 2006!

Here is a picture of my youngest sister and I watching this year's Light Show!

While I was home, I also got to just spend a lot of time getting to catch up with my mom and grandma! We spent hours just talking about everything that was going on! It was such a fun weekend and I am so blessed to have such an amazing family! Hope y'all had a good weekend!!

Love ya!

Ali

Hey Girls!

I was just thinking about Kamp and how much I missed spending the night in the Party Barn! It was so much fun to get to swing at night and have ice cream sundaes made by the lovely Osages! One of my most favorite memories about the Party Barn is when I got to give the nightly devo for my kabins when I was a U.C.. 

Jesus says "...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

That verse is a great reminder of how we must be an example of Christ for others. We should be servant hearted, love unconditionally and be encouraging. Not only should we do good works, but we are called to revert all the glory, back to God. By giving God all the glory, we will humble ourselves before him and show others that we are not living for the approval of man, but for the approval of God. Keep on living a life that shines for Christ!

Miss ya!!

Ali

Hey!

Lately, I feel like a lot people I know are questioning why I am at the Kanakuk Institute. It made apprehensive to tell people that I was spending 9 months learning about God's word and the Bible. Then I came across this picture.

The second half of the verse Romans 8:31 says "If God is for us, who can be against us?" and I find so much comfort in that verse. We have no reason to think that God has anything less than the best planned for us! Sure, times may be tough and people may question why you're following God, but we have God on our side. He will guide us and cheer for us every step of the way! Save this picture or memorize this verse for those moments when you feel like everything is going against you!

Love ya!

Ali

It's FRIDAY!!!!

I have a treat for y'all today! I love ordering Carmel Apple Spices at Starbucks, so I thought I would share with you a homemade version I found online!! It's super simple!

You only need two things!
-Apple Cider (or apple juice)
-Caramel 

First, make sure you have and adult help you with working the stove, we don't want anyone to burn themselves! You'll want to heat the apple cider in a pot on medium for a couple of minutes. Once it is heated, you'll add in a couple spoonfuls of caramel. The amount depends on how much caramel you like. Once you've added the caramel, turn the heat down to low and stir it every now and then. This is so it doesn't make the caramel burn and then your drink would taste funny! Once the caramel is melted into the drink, you can start putting it into cups. Just remember to be careful, because it'll be hot!!

Hope y'all have a fun weekend!!
Ali
I've included the original blog I found this on, incase you want to save the recipe!
http://thenotsosupermama.com/2012/12/19/warm-and-soothing-caramel-apple-cider/

Hey!

So today, as I was driving to the Kanakuk offices, I was blown away by God's marvelous creation! Remember how I told you that I love fall, well the leaves were beautiful today! We often overlook God's creation. In Genesis, it talks about how God spoke, and the birds, water, light, fish, trees and humans were created! How cool is it that the God that created the universe, created each of us by name with a purpose to glorify Him. 

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him" Colossians 1:16

Here is a picture of some leaves changing! (confession: I got it from Google because it was cloudy today!) 

Miss y'all!!

Ali

ps: you should stop and take a minute to look at and thank God for all the beautiful things He has created!

Reunions

Hey!

How's everyone's weekend going? I have had such a fun so far! Yesterday, I drove to Denison, Texas with 4 of my Kanakuk Institute friends to see two of our fellow classmates get married!! Our car ride down was full of laughter and singing. Once we got to the wedding site, I noticed someone familiar walk in the door...it was a kamper from my very first cabin!

Look how beautiful Caylee is!! I wish I could see all my old kampers!! I also saw Kristen, a counselor and the videographer this past summer! I could go on and on about all the things I am thankful for this weekend! What are y'all thankful for this weekend?

Psalm 118:29 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever."

Love ya!!

Good Afternoon!

It is a beautiful 72 degrees with a slight breeze rolling down Kanakomo Hill! How was your weekend? I had one of the best weekends! I got to see two of my Osages! Chandler came to visit and I saw Abby in Oklahoma! It was so fun getting to catch up with them and hear all about how their freshman year is going! 

Here is a picture of Chandler and I!

And Abby and I in Oklahoma!

At the Kanakuk Institute this week, we are learning the Bible overview. Karen Chancey is teaching us how to put the stories we know, in historical order. This has makes it easier to understand the Bible, because I can view it as one big story. It’s sort of like a puzzle! I had all the pieces (biblical stories) but I was never able to put it together (Bible overview). By the end of the week I will be able to do that! We are even learning motions to help us remember all of the events! Once I know the whole thing, I will post a video!

Hope your week is off to a great start!!

Ali

Happy Friday!!

This week, we entered into one of my favorite months of the year...October!! I love when the leaves change, drinking apple cider and Halloween! (I don’t like it when it gets really cold though...) Today I had the opportunity to eat lunch with my small group at Big Cedar, look at this fall display they had out front!

I can’t wait to reveal to y’all what my Halloween costume is this year!! Although there are many things that are great about October, a lot of people associate fear with October.

As Christians, we are not called to live fearfully. God has given us peace, so that we can live to glorify him. There are so many things in life that can make us fearful or worried. Isaiah 41:10 says “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” How comforting is it to know that the God that created the universe is with you always?! God says he will uphold you with His righteous hand! Memorize this verse, so whenever you’re scared or worried, you will be reminded that God is always with you!

Have a good weekend! Love y’all!

Ali

Hello!

Hey Girls!!

It’s Ali and I was the Osage Mom this past summer! I get to spend the year studying God’s word at the Kanakuk Institute here in Branson. I miss y’all so much and am so excited that I get to post on the blog a couple times per week! I’m going to start by telling you a little bit about myself!

1. I love to dance. I grew up dancing and I even studied it in college!
2. My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast.
3. I like snow cones a lot.
4. I can hum and whistle at the same time.
5. I love Jesus!

Now that school has started back up, it is easy for us to get busy with homework and practices. However, we cannot forget to spend time daily studying the Bible and praying! One of my favorite Bible verses is Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.”. This verse is a great reminder for us to focus on God and not get distracted by our busy lives. I hope you’re still working on your devo books from this summer! We miss y’all so much and we are counting down the days until the Kanakomo gates open again for the summer!!

Here’s a picture of the leadership girls from tribal dancing this summer! 

Love ya!

Ali