Tag: Alaska

Hope Dancing in the Darkness

On By PhillippiIn Depression, Faith and Trusting God, Hope and Strength5 Comments

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. -James 1:17

Ever feel like you aren’t sure when you’ll see the light of day-those times when the trials come and don’t let up-when darkness surrounds and you wonder if it will ever end-and you need that reminder of Hope?

God reminded me in a big way, recently, that He is still here, no matter what I am going through. Just when I needed a little light, BOOM! He was at work lighting up the night sky, putting on a full dancing display before dawn-while I was still fast asleep. I had no idea what I was about to witness for the first time.

Jostled awake a few weeks ago, I arose to shouting voices and a panicked rush out the door. “It’s the Aurora Borealis. Hurry.” So, I stumbled to the mud room to pull on my snow boots, still not fully aware of what was going on, and I hobbled out the front door in the dark following my family. There it was. To my amazement, we finally saw it. Just when I needed it most, He blessed us with His magnificent light show. Just when I couldn’t see any further, because I was so caught up in my trials, His blessing was around the corner-but I didn’t know that. And, I had no idea He would shine His light so spectacularly a few days later.

Then two weeks ago, as I was dropping deeper into the slimy pit of depression and had just asked for prayer from both my husband and a friend, He did it again. My husband came running in from walking our dogs before bed and yelled that the Aurora Borealis was bobbing in the sky. These two sightings were indeed blessings, because in the year and a half that we have been in Alaska, we have waited anxiously to see the Northern Lights-something so breathtaking, that it’s written on many a bucket list. These were signs of hope from our Creator.

And He likely has blessings just around the corner for us all. So, when it’s difficult to see the light, let’s remember that He is our light-waiting to shower us with His blessings. Let us not forget that he makes each day anew. So when the days are long and we don’t know when that trial we are going through will end, we can anticipate His blessings-blessings of hope that he sprinkles all around us. Let us not forget to keep our eyes open to all He has for us, because we never know when He will surprise us and shine a light on our darkness!

The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. -Romans 13:12

“Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. -Isaiah 60:1

Harbor Blessings

On By PhillippiIn Photography2 Comments 
It's Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

I was sinking down into that dark pit of depression this past weekend, but God had plans to bring me hope. One of the tools I’ve learned over the years to help combat falling deeper into this muck and mire is to change my environment. So, on Saturday, I mustered up that last bit of motivation I had to get out the door, and we headed for the beach.

Alaskan beaches aren’t like the typical beach. When we got there, the arctic wind was blowing, making it brutally cold and my mood dropped even further. We had driven an hour and a half for this and I was crushed, yet God blessed us!

What I thought was going to be a very quick, frigid trip, turned into a fun-filled afternoon that I had not expected. The wind died down a short while later and the weather became tolerable. We were headed across the street to check out the harbor, when our daughter spotted something in the water. Sure enough, we saw several sea otters swimming and splashing amongst the moored boats.

This fella was lazily lounging on the boat dock and did not seem to mind the company. Another was swimming on her back holding her baby. A few others were hamming it up, diving down, then bobbing to the surface and munching on mollusks. It was definitely the highlight of our trip and brought me a little piece of joy and some smiles I so desperately needed. His hope was displayed in His playful creation that was so beautiful to watch. God never ceases to amaze me just when I need it most. Below are a couple of those furry fellas that put on a show for us.

There really is hope for you in days to come. So your hope will not be cut off. -Proverbs 23:18

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” -Martin Luther

Copyright © 2022 Aimee Phillippi

Bear Mountain Pano

On By PhillippiIn PhotographyLeave a comment 
It's Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

Itching to explore and find new places to shoot, we took a road less travelled this past Saturday. Now that the weather is warming up, back roads that have been covered in snow for months, have begun to melt, making travel easier. Coming upon this incredible overlook, I was able to capture Bear Mountain Pano. This hidden gem on the first day of spring was a spectacular find. As the thaw continues, I can’t wait to be given more access to God’s incredible creation so I can share fresh shots of spring with you.

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” -Martin Luther

Copyright © 2022 Aimee Phillippi

Multi-Peak Pano

On By PhillippiIn PhotographyLeave a comment 
It's Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

It was so refreshing to get out into the cool, crisp air this weekend. It had warmed up quite a bit and was a whole 42 degrees. The snow was beginning to melt and we were blessed with sunshine and beautiful blue skies. Signs of spring and new hope were among us. It wasn’t difficult to snap some gorgeous shots of God’s incredible creation. Multi-Peak Pano was one of those that I was able to capture this past Saturday.

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” -Martin Luther

Copyright © 2022 Aimee Phillippi

Mountain in the Middle

On By PhillippiIn PhotographyLeave a comment 
It's Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

I snapped this Mountain in the Middle at one of our favorite spots in Alaska. It’s a beautiful campground with an incredible view. Just a stop off the highway, with a large frozen lake, and grandiose mountains, there are few visitors in the winter. We often have this place all to ourselves, making it extremely quiet and peaceful. This place of solitude is where I can really feel the presence of God.

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” -Martin Luther

Copyright © 2022 Aimee Phillippi

Elevation Sunset

On By PhillippiIn Photography2 Comments

It’s Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

We set out this past Saturday on a little day trip to check out a small town we had never been to. Feeling a sense of adventure, we figured it was time to see what this small town of Hope, Alaska, was all about. That’s right! The town is actually called Hope. With all the challenges we’ve come face to face with lately, it seemed especially fitting to explore this old gold rush town, but maybe not in the dead of winter. Our trip was stopped short, due to a 10-degree temperature drop and an extremely icy highway separating us from the our destination.

And while we were disappointed that we did not land in Hope, Alaska, this last weekend, God kept us safe. The town we hoped to reach was just that-a town. We know that our real hope is in the Lord and there will never be anything that can separate us from His love.

Heading back, I captured Elevation Sunset. As the sun dropped behind the peaks, hues of blue colored the mountains and shades of gray were swirled in the cloudy sky above.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:39

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” -Martin Luther

Copyright © 2022 Aimee Phillippi

Lone and Charred

On By PhillippiIn PhotographyLeave a comment

It’s Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

This past weekend, we took a risk, a turn down a mystery road leading to a beautiful overlook. Amongst a backdrop of several snowy peaks, there was this tree, Lone and Charred, standing after a terrible forest fire. It was one of the strong ones, a survivor.

Maybe you have been thrown into the fiery flames of life’s circumstances and you too, are a survivor. Let this be a reminder that God can still create beauty out of your life. Your story isn’t over yet!

“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. -Isaiah 48:10

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” -Martin Luther

Copyright © 2022 Aimee Phillippi

Mountains Posed

On By PhillippiIn PhotographyLeave a comment

It’s Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

It was a very gray kinda day in Alaska, yesterday. How it reminded me so, of back home in Portland, where the skies are drab and the rain drizzles constantly. The temperatures warmed up, and the roads thawed making for a nice Sunday drive, however. And although I didn’t catch any sun or blue skies, these Mountains Posed for me.

The mountains will bring peace to the people, And the little hills, by righteousness.
-Psalm 72:3

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” -Martin Luther

Copyright © 2021 Aimee Phillippi

Sundown Sunday

On By PhillippiIn PhotographyLeave a comment

It’s Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

Alaska is truly God’s country and a photographer’s paradise. There’s no denying it. Even if I can only give you teeny glimpses of our Creator’s magnificent beauty in my photos, that is my hope.

Today’s photo, Sundown Sunday, was a shot I snapped as the sun was setting behind the peaks, leaving a golden glow in the sky. A bald eagle screeched moments before and took off in the opposite direction flying over the icy cold river. Unfortunately, I wasn’t quick enough to capture it. It was a beautiful sight, however.

For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. -Psalm 95:3-4

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” -Martin Luther

Copyright © 2021 Aimee Phillippi

Wispy Winterland

On By PhillippiIn Photography2 Comments

It’s Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

Wispy Winterland was an image I shot while riding shotgun yesterday on our Sunday drive. With a little too much cabin fever, I needed a change of scenery-to take in our Creator’s beauty that we are so blessed to be surrounded by. Getting out-even for a short drive, does wonders to combat going stir-crazy during these long, frozen winters.


The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. -Psalm 19:1

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” -Martin Luther

Copyright © 2021 Aimee Phillippi