Alaska: Precious memories

At Creekside Park, Anchorage, Alaska. (Sydni Aceves Photo)

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Trying to pick one story from this summer has proven to be a difficult task. It’s not because there are none that stick out to me, but because the most meaningful stories are the little glimpses of love I saw throughout the summer:

sydni aceves coworkers300Sydni Aceves with fellow student missionaries in Alaska.•Smiles and laughter of kids as they used me as protection in order to not get tagged while playing mouse on ground.

• The first time the kids wrapped their arms around me because they hadn’t seen me all weekend.

• Times when my kiddos ran to me in tears seeking comfort because they had just gotten hurt.

• When they ran up to tell me in excitement to tell me their accomplishments, because they wanted me to celebrate with them.

• The first time they said they were going to miss me when I left.

• The first time they told me they loved me.

• When they started to make me crafts every day so I could take them home with me.

• Hearing them talk about Jesus and the Bible stories.


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• Tears and sobs and telling me, “I love you,” as they said goodbye to me on my last day. 

Tears stream down my face as I write this. I realize no words truly can describe these precious moments. It truly is only God and God alone who can place such a deep love for people and a place I spent only two and a half months. 

Walking away from my kids as I heard them crying behind me was by far the hardest thing I’ve had to do. My heart aches for Alaska, and I want to see my kids’ beautiful smiles at least one more time. One thing is for sure: Those kids have been imprinted on my heart, and they shall remain there for the rest of my life.

Sydni Aceves, a student at Sam Houston State University, served with Leadership Boot Camp in Achorage, Alaska, this summer through Go Now Missions.


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