Alaska (Part 1)

So I haven't written in a while. You see, the funny thing is, when life is good, I don't have much to say.  And this semester, by the grace and mercy of God, was very good. 

I am once again traveling. It has become glaringly obvious that I've been bitten by the travel bug. This is my third trip this year. I've managed to make it to Jamaica and Honduras, and after I get back to Tampa, I'll be going on a cruise to Belize and Mexico!

I am writing this post from Eagle River, Alaska! Eagle river is located about 30 minutes outside of Anchorage. I left Florida at 6:30 AM yesterday morning and after three flights, two layovers and fourteen hours I arrived in Alaska at 4 PM local time.  This is the farthest north I have ever been. I am here visiting my cousin Chase and his wife Lori and their three Children. Chase is the oldest son of my Dad's oldest brother. He's a captain in the army and got stationed here a year ago. It was so incredibly kind of them to fly me out here. This is a once in a life time kind of trip.

Want to know something awesome? I wasn't supposed to get to see my cousin before he deployed, but I asked the Lord if I could just get to have dinner with him the night I flew in. And guess what? The Lord answered prayer! Not only did I get to eat dinner with him and his family, I got to spend the whole evening with them. God is so faithful.

I cannot even begin to describe how amazingly beautiful this place is.  I feel like I'm in a movie. The trees with snow on them look just like the movies. Oh! and the mountains! They're huge! The pictures really don't do them justice. They look almost blue. I went out and played in snow for the first time. It was so surreal. I mean, two days ago I was sweating as went for a run in 80+ degree weather. I made a snow angel! Also, contrary to popular belief it's not always dark here. We get about 6 hours of daylight, It gets light around 10 AM and dark around 4 PM. It was very disorienting to wake up at 8:30 AM and have it still be dark.

My first snow Angel!

I would say I look like the abominable snowman, But I feel like that would be doing him a disservice

 

Who would have thought a Florida girl could make it this far?

In other news, I'm done with my second semester of nursing school! Two down, three to go! I'm just praising the Lord that i've made it this far. I've been in college for 6 semester now, WOW.