Tuesday, July 1, 2008

 

Awoke to fair skies.  Tim and Deaune got up and had a bowl of cereal, and the kids slept in.  We went to the front of the boat to see what we could see.  There was a man with the National Park service who spoke occasionally about where we were and other interesting details. 

 

We went through Narrows Strait on our way to Sitka.  We were there for about 2.5 hours because we entered and were able to depart at a point when the tide was neither going in or out – they said the current is tricky if you try to maneuver in at any other time.

 

We got off and went for a hike.  It was in a rain forest, and was very beautiful…lot’s of moss and large, leafy foliage.  We expected trolls or dwarves to appear at any moment.  It was quite pleasant with temperatures probably around 70.

 

We got back on the boat and fixed fajitas for supper.  The cafeteria has a microwave, and a number of passengers bring food on with them.  Our fajitas smelled better than anything they were serving!

 

The sunset this evening was so great that Deaune and Chris about wore out their cameras taking pictures of it.  It changed appearance numerous times, and sunsets up here last much longer than in Kansas.  Being around the mountains up until now, we had not seen many beautiful sunsets since leaving Kansas.

 

Late in the evening we were all hanging out in the cabin when we spotted a whale…then another!  We saw a couple more, none real close, but well enough to see them come up, spout, and raise their tails before they went under.  What an amazing way to end our day!  This was also the first night in a long time that it actually got dark.

 

We said our “thank you” to God for another great day, and asked Him again to bless and watch over our family and friends back in Topeka and especially our church family.  We miss them very much and they are always in our thoughts and prayers. 

 

Any time you are away from home for very long, you gain a whole new appreciation for your family and friends.  And it never fails, while you are gone, good things happen as well as things that are heartbreaking.  But God is faithful, and he has His family, the church, that pours out His love and healing in amazing ways.  We are so blessed to be a part of a tremendous church, full of imperfect yet very forgiven and redeemed folk who are living life with one another in the daily grind and pleasing God in the process.  What a joy it is to live life out among folks who love God and love people….sorry for the preaching, but it is what I do!