Ferrying to Alaska

This post is four months late and for that I am very sorry. Driving my car onto a boat and being stuck there with one of my best friends for five days has been a highlight of my life.

Linzay and I on top of the space needle in Seattle

We started our journey in Seattle where I picked Linzay up from the airport. We experienced Seattle from the top of the space needle Friday night and Pikes Place Market Saturday morning.

 After we explored Seattle we drove to Bellingham and roasted in the sun waiting in line to load my car on the ferry. It was almost surreal realizing that at moment, there was no turning back. I was actually moving. Even now four months later it doesn’t completely feel real. 

Our days on the ferry where spent just having fun. We sat outside as we left Bellingham watching the scenery as we moved away from the US and into international waters. We watched the sunset over the water, one of the best parts of the day. It was a fun night.

 























The following days where much of the same, watching the scenery pass by as we talked about a million different things. No matter how many days we where on the boat I never tired of watching the water, wildlife, the mountains and the sky. God’s hand in creation was so obvious throughout the entire trip. I could see it all a hundred more times and never tire of seeing it.

Five days after getting on the boat, seeing Ketchikan, Junea, Yakitak and everything in between, we landed in Whittier and finished our trip with a short drive up to Anchorage. While I could write a book about my trip, and may consider it, I could not have done it without the amazing friend beside me Linzay.

 

Five days after getting on the boat we landed in Whittier and finished our trip with a short drive up to Anchorage. While I could write a book about my trip, and may consider it, I could not have done it without the amazing friend beside me Linzay. 

She is someone who no matter what the topic is she has wisdom, depth and love. From ministry, to community around you, to just making me laugh with her crazy awesomeness. You know that feeling when you try so hard to adequately explain someone or something that you completely miss the mark? That is what I am feeling trying to describe the blessing I have of calling Linzay a friend.

  

Though there have been times when we didn’t talk to each other much, yet I always knew that when I called she would be there for me. I am incredibly glad to have experienced this amazing trip with her. There are so many memories that will never be funny if I tell you, but I mention them to Linzay and we will both have an image in our head that will result in copious amounts of laughter. 

She is outstanding. I thank God for putting her in my life. Linzay I love you and hope one day I can be the incredible example to someone that you have been to me. 

 

 

Aggie Ring Opening

I got on here with the thought of posting about my trip up to Alaska on the ferry from Washington. Who knows, maybe you will get two posts out of me today. But first I have to share about one of those random awesome moments God gives us.

This past Sunday Aaron Brown (Skilled Missions Operations Director) and I volunteered at the Iron Dog booth at the Oxygen and Octane show. We worked the booth, answered questions about merchandise pricing and random Iron Dog questions. One of those interactions speaks to how all of our life, everything we do, and all the challenges we face, God brings together for His glory.

Each year Iron Dog supports a charity with the proceeds of their raffle. This year the charity is the Armed Services YMCA of Alaska. Buddy Whitt is the Executive Director. I was talking with him about a few of the Iron Dog items when he asked me if the ring I had on was an Aggie ring.

Of course the answer is a resounding yes. He is a Fighting Texas Aggie class of 1998.That first question led us into a conversation about why I am in Alaska, what my purpose is and what we do as a ministry. The longer we talked the more we realized several similar goals. His family had worked with Samaritans Purse on construction projects, had discussed whether there where people meeting needs through construction and how they could serve through their gifts and talents. Many of which are construction oriented.

When our conversation ended I realized that the entire conversation, the way I got to meet another person who has a heart for people, and works to better those around him all came from the fact that morning I put on my Aggie ring.

If I had attended Oklahoma State like I wanted to, that conversation never would have occurred. If I had not spent many of my school breaks in Alaska, this conversation would not have occurred. If I had said no to moving to Alaska I would not have had the conversation.

Isn't it crazy how amazing our God is? How no matter how often we think our conversations and actions are our decision alone, God uses them for great and amazing things. When I get discouraged, in a rut, or just don't want to go on, God shows His mighty hand in the small significant ways.