Go. Be. Do.

I'm not even sure what to title this entry yet, so I'll leave it blank and maybe something will come to me in a bit. The days have been flying by...up until today. Boy, has the day lasted a seemingly long time! Maybe it's just because I actually accomplished alot that it seems to have been so many hours. It has been a good day, very good, actually...just long. My bags are packed and my thoughts are already in Alaska...left half my heart there last year (as the saying goes). So thankful to be returning this year and so excited to see what lies ahead for the week. I was asked an interesting question tonight by a good friend who's trying to figure out the purpose behind mission trips...is really to help others or is it a personal journey? I'm sure there are as many answers to that questions as there are people to ask...for me, it was a personal journey. Didn't really intend for it to be...didn't go selfishly seeking it to be all about me, but in the end I learn...

Since it's after midnight now, I can say it's only one more day now until we leave for Anchorage. Found out some more details about our trip these past couple of days...some news is better than none. :) It only makes me all the more ready to be there and getting into the swing of things again. There are alot of people who are wishing that they were coming with us again...my thought is that we'll just have to make plans for next summer. :) Who knows...with God all things are possible, right?! The boys have been holding up well this week. Maybe they've been too busy to think about me leaving. Partially intentional on my part, partially not...it just worked out that way. I told them that Mama is heading to Alaska to be a missionary and tell people about Jesus. They want to come to Alaska with me someday...and I would love to take them and get them on the mission field at an early age. They'll love it. Been thinking alot about Alaska's state flower, the "Forget...

I am so ready for Saturday to get here...can't believe it's just 3 sleeps away. If I were sleeping now it'd only be two. :) Just found out tonight, talking to Traci, that we are going to be back at Mountain View Boys & Girls Club. Yay! We have kept in touch somewhat with them over this past year by sending them pictures, cards and notes of encouragement a couple of times. Although it will be "familiar" territory, it will be a new adventure and I am so looking forward to what God has in store for me...probably more like...in store to teach me. I knew before leaving last year that I was going back again someday...and, I am thankful to be getting the opportunity so soon!!! God is good...all the time.

The city of Atlanta used to intimidate me...coming from small town Indiana, the airport alone used to intimidate me. This is changing, however, for the good. The part about Atlanta that I still am not fond of is that you can find yourself in an okay part of town and in just one block that can change rapidly. I don't understand how this happens, but I'm told it's called "transitioning neighborhoods"...whatever you want to call it, I call it unnerving. Anyway, none of that matters for our trips to the Fernbank Museum and CNN Center. Fernbank has an IMAX theatre...and, truthfully, that's the only reason to spend the time to go there on most occasions. The first IMAX movie that I ever saw was about Lewis and Clark...now, that was awesome. Seen a few since and none are as impressive as that one. However, the movie we saw just last week, "Under the Sea" was really cool. Once again, I found the movie informative, and rather upbeat...unlike two previous ones...

These days of summer have been some of the best yet with the boys. We're having so much fun just being our silly selves...no other way to be, really. :) In addition to our Atlanta attractions visits these pictures show some of our other fun adventures...water fights, BMX track, waterslide, and camping in the backyard. Who knows what we'll do next... Alex tearing up the BMX track in Peachtree City... Timmy enjoying the waterslide sprays... Alex having a splashing good time on the waterslide... Water fight with Daddy...the boys soon turned on him and he was just as wet as they were by the end. :)

Having tired of doing the normal things around our area, I asked for "City Pass" tickets for the boys and myself. This gives you entrance into 6 Atlanta attractions for a fraction of the cost of admission to them all individually. (Just google "Atlanta City Pass" and you'll get all the info you could possibly want...maybe other big cities do it, too, who knows). Anyway, today the boys and I adventured out to th e GA Aquarium and the World of Coke...considered CNN as well, but that would have been overkill for all 3 of us. What's nice is that you get to go to both places (or all 3 if you choose) with only paying parking once. However, they may say you get into shorter lines, but don't believe them...you have to go to the will call line (GA) or the general ticket line (WOC) still to redeem the actual ticket for admission. It was an okay day for the lines today, thankfully. We've been to the aquarium before...this was our 4th visit. (Still like Tennesse...

Two weeks from today is the scheduled take-off day to Alaska. It has seemed so far away for so long, it's hard to believe it's finally down to two weeks. It's just after 10 pm right now...so in two weeks, Lord willing, we'll still be in the air getting ready to land in just a little while. So many things going through my mind...excitement and anticipation with a little anxiousness mixed in too. :) This trip is being prayed for, though, and has been for a long time now. This trip isn't for me or even for the people of Alaska...it's for God and His glory. As I think about that, it puts everything into perspective. He>I...and that's all that matters.