Jasmine

I decided that it might be kind of neat to share about some of the really cool and interesting people we meet in Juneau. First off so you can kind of get a feel for who's here, secondly so I won't forget, and thirdly so you can keep them in your prayers.

We were waiting for the bus yesterday when we started talking to two older women who had both just met, were in Juneau for the day from separate cruises, and were taking the cheap city tour by riding the city bus. Their names were Becky and Amy? I know Becky was for sure one. But I talked to Becky for awhile and found out that she supported some Crusaders and had become a Christian at 26. We didn't really get into how that happened, but she just seemed really awesome. I think she was from North Dakota. It's not even a day later and I'm already forgetting.

Anyway, then we start talking to this other girl, Jasmine. She was a little rough around the edges, but after talking with her for a little while I really liked her. She's probably around 25-30, moved to Juneau around 5 years ago from Florida, and she lives in a boat with her husband of four years. She came to Juneau because she, like most people, doesn't really like big cities and loves being able to escape in nature. The best way to describe her is for sure as a hippy, but she was so open and willing to talk. I was bummed when she got off our bus. Hopefully the Lord will bring us back together sometime over the summer and we can have a really great talk and hopefully God can do some great stuff.

It was just a really incredible glimpse into the kind of people you run into in Juneau, and I'm excited. Most people so far have been really friendly and so it's really easy to just talk to them about anything.

Alaska: Getting There

After one week of spending 10 or more hours in the car, we finally made it to Alaska. The drive was really fun, and also very beautiful. The route we took was from Nebraska north to Mt. Rushmore then we headed west. Chase had a friend in Wyoming who we stayed with-he runs a summer camp and Chase neglected to mention that two of the six in the group were girls. SO, we wound up dragging mattresses into the bathroom of the dorm housing because it was the warmest place. We slept fine, though. We hit up Yellowstone National Park before heading north to Canada. In Canada we spent our first night sleeping in the car and the second night in a Super 8 Motel because they were having the worst May snow in 20 years. Then we met up with another car at Lake Muncho in Canada. It was absolutely beautiful. We had to split up though, because they were catching the ferry in a different city than we were. That day we drove the rest of the way to Haines, AK, crossing the border back into America and perfecting the jump picture at the "Welcome to Alaska" sign. It was perfect. Then we camped that night in Haines, AK and found out the next day our ferry was delayed. We spent the day lazing around Haines, though. Us girls made bracelets, hammocked, and made dinner while the boys went off hiking. As much as I liked the guys, girl time was a relief. Then one more night of camping before getting up early to catch the ferry to Juneau. Now we're all getting settled into our apartments and tomorrow we start orientation!

Richard, Caleb, Chase, Me, Sam, and Brandon getting ready to depart

Me and Sam sleeping in the bathroom

Chase (up top), Richard, Brandon, Caleb, Sam, and Me

The perfect jump picture upon entering Alaska

Sam and I hammocking in Haines, AK

Everybody who drove on the ferry from Haines to Juneau.

PTL

I'm starting to get so antsy to go to Alaska that I can barely focus in classes. I actually started drawing flip books in my spirals the last couple days of classes to help myself focus and not jitter. Anyways. I leave for Alaska in 11 days! It cannot come soon enough.

The main reason I wrote this, though, is as a thanks to anybody who has given any kind of support. I have reached the project minimum of $2950, and am still trusting the Lord in a little more money to help pay for travel expenses. PTL!