Joy in the journey

It has been another exhausting but good week! The 4th was a lot of fun and here is how it went down: First of all, like I mentioned before, we had the fireworks at midnight on Saturday because that is when it is darkest! The fireworks were cool because they set them off over the water downtown and they were echoing off the mountains which was totally awesome! Then we had an earlier service at 9:30 on Sunday morning so we could make it to the parade downtown, and then we had another awesome potluck afterwards! Boy do I love all of these potlucks (even though they are not so good on the hips!) ;-) Then we went across the bridge to Douglas (which is an island across from Juneau) where they had all kinds of stuff going on: sandcastle making contests (which we missed because the tide had come in), a soapbox derby, dog and frisbee catching contest, etc.) so we watched some of that for a little while...and then I HAD to go home and take a little nap before church that night! We also went out to eat after church that night and then watched the best movie ever: Monty Python and the Holy Grail!! Needless to say, it was an exhausting and eventful, but really fun holiday weekend! I hope that all of your 4th of July celebrations went well also!

Then on Monday I went on my first fishing trip out to a place called Echo Cove. I went with the Paden family (the ones I have been staying with) and we were fishing for halibut, but we were unlucky in our quest. It was an incredibly rainy and cold day AND we were having boat problems (and it was a small boat-a schiff, if you know what that is)...so we went to the first spot and didn't have any luck, and then Daniel and his parents had also come out in another boat. Well, the other spot was about 8 miles away but it would've taken us about 2 hours to get in and out because our engine was not running well, and so they went on while we turned around and headed back. Anyway, Daniel ended up catching 2 halibut and I am going to try again another day!

Thursday we took the younger kids to a place called Sandy Beach that is located over in Douglas, and although it was pretty cold out there and the water was freezing, the kids still had a blast playing and making sandcastles! I also hit my month anniversary of being here on Thursday, and I guess between that and being completely exhausted, I was REALLY missing everyone this week and was having a difficult time. Anyway, this was such a God thing because it just could not have been a coincidence: Ok, so on Friday I had some friends come in on a cruise ship and so I took them on tour of Juneau while they were here. As I was driving them back to their ship, and keep in mind that I NEVER make in downtown during the day...I just happen to look over at the sidewalk and I see the Jenkins shopping in a store!! Coincidence??!! I don't think so! I knew they were coming in sometime this summer, but I had no idea when!! God knew that I needed to see them that day because He knew I was struggling, and I am so glad that I got to see them, because I really thought that I had missed them. Anyway, they didn't have much time left so I dropped them back off at their ship (which just happened to be the same one that my friends were on!) and Kyra said, "Have fun on your journey...There IS joy in the journey!" and it just really struck me. Kyra, I love you-thanks for those words of wisdom, even though small...they had a big effect! Then last night we had an impromptu girls night at my house (again!) and those are always fun.

Okay, so hopefully the pictures will be up tomorrow-I am so sorry that they have taken so long! I finally got my digital camera last week and have taken a lot of pictures this week, and look forward to sharing them with you in the near future!

"You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with JOY in your presence". ~Acts 2:28

"May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". ~Romans 15:13