But why?

When it began to sink in, that I was actually going to leave my family, my friends, my house, my garden, my dog, my kitchen, my bed....etc..I felt something akin to panic! Cold feet, alarm, fear...and then, I moved toward confidence and security in knowing that this was what God had in store for me.

I have never lived alone. Never been in a situation where all I have to worry about is me, and my job. I've at no time lived without family surrounding me.
I'm looking forward to being alone. I know it will get old, and I'll be a puddle of tears at times. And, I will be busy as well, working potentially 60 hours a week or more. (My friend, Jeff, told me he's working on making a hammock for the coach, so I can get a nap in here and there!)

I'm going to read my Bible, journal, take pictures, go for walks, and get to know  and love my Alaska friends more! And in the process, maybe discover myself. Not how I think my family, or my friends, or anyone else should see me, but who my Creator fashioned me to be.  I am in the process of "becoming"...and I'm delighted to see where I will be at the end of my adventure.

At my "going away party", as I was surrounded by loved ones, I was reminded that this experience won't be just about me.  I will have the ability and opportunity to affect those around me, for good or for bad.  I'm praying it will be for good. 

"Lil'" Lydia gave me a journal with this fantastic quote...I will end with this..

           "A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future.

You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and unknown."

-Denis Waitley

Looking back at January...

January 7, I received the call from HAP Alaska, offering me the position of Driver Guide. That night I attacked my husband and demanded he give me everything he had in his possession regarding driving in Alaska.  He gave me the materials he had, and like an overachieving student, I went right to work and started studying.

One could find me in the car, waiting to pick up Jonah from school, or at the plasma center, furiously writing notes about the history of Fairbanks or the pre-trip checklist. Then, my dear husband downloaded the Alaska Drivers Manual, and the Commercial Drivers License, and I had new reading material!  During my studying, I came across several nuggets of wisdom, which I will share with you now. Hanging meat...can be a very unstable load...livestock can move around in a trailer...

o        If your vehicle is on fire, don't pull into a service station.

o        A nap can save your life or the lives of others.

o        You can't avoid striking or being struck by something which you can't see.

o        Drowsiness is the first step in falling asleep.

 I also learned about “wig wag” warnings…but that’s a whole thing in itself, which I won’t go into at this time.

I found some quotes those early days in January, that were very applicable to what I was feeling inside..  I posted them on facebook, and some people replied with interesting responses.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.”
Helen Keller

I have no words...for once in my life,...so..I'll sleep on it.    January 7 at 1:12pm  Jeff Powell and Denise Hirschel like this.

• ·          Elizabeth Andrews Williams If you're dreaming now, that must be worth at least 1,000 words!
• ·          Jeff Powell You could start with the words of the safety speech
• ·          Beth Anne Taylor ugh...and so it begins....no....really....I'm excited!

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Andre Gide

Adventure is calling....

How did this even come about?

Rick was hired by Holland America as a driver guide in the summer of 2008.  He spent June through September based in Fairbanks, AK, and was then hired to train drivers here in the Inland Northwest. At that point in time, I had no desire to even visit Alaska. My brother studied it in kindergarten.  I knew Forget Me Nots were the state flower, and that was enough for me.
Rick trained January through April, 2009, and drove up for the summer again. So, I decided to bite the bullet and go up for a few days in June to visit.  The Alaskan Interior was nothing like I expected! I fell in love, and ended up flying up in August to drive down with Rick. Driving down the ALCAN (Alaska-Canada Highway) I decided I was going to come back. We dreamed about the possibilities of both coming up the next summer, and driving, but at that time I was helping Mom take care of Dad, and working at Valley Christian, so there was the issue of training, how and when, etc.
Rick ended up training drivers in Fairbanks the following year.  He left in February, and I went up for spring break for a visit, and then again in July, to surprise him and to celebrate me getting my Bachelors Degree. Again, I was struck by the beauty and the simplicity, and was determined to one day get my CDL and drive for a summer.
In the fall of 2010, I left Valley Christian, and spent three special months with my Mom and Dad. When Dad went to be with the Lord in December, there was a tug in my spirit that said..."You can go now!" I didn't pay attention until later in the month, when a friend mentioned the same thing.
What?  Really?  Could I?  Should I?
Rick and I talked, and I decided to apply for the position of Driver Guide. And see what happened.  I prayed a lot during the waiting process, and when they offered me the position, I knew it was what I was supposed to do.
Not only to help financially, but also to have kind of a sabbatical...to learn about depending on God, and no one else...to discover what direction I should take next...to take time to grieve...
So here is a middle aged woman, who had no desire to step foot in Alaska...going on the ultimate adventure. I
I will be there in nine days...bring it on.