If you could go anywhere,where would you choose to go?
We met so many different people on our recent Alaskan cruise — from so many different places. The staff on the ship came from all over the world, each with their own stories to tell!
It was interesting to talk to them and hear how the couples met, how the people arrived in Alaska and decided to stay, and why the people chose to work on a cruise ship.
We heard about camping trips our shipmates had made. One man who had three sons told us about camping out West with his boys. They were very excited about the hiking trail behind their tent. He was glad the boys they had found something to do! Later, he went around their camp and discovered the hiking trail they were talking about. But it was a bear trail! Thank goodness none of the boys had an encounter with one!
One couple had been on a cruise, and returned to rent a camper to explore Canada more! We met a very tall man with a heavy beard who told us he lived full-time in Alaska. He was a lineman. Gracious! I can only imagine being a lineman in the snow, ice and cold!
One of the towns we visited had about 900 residents. There was one grocery store, and a gallon of milk was $10, and so was a dozen eggs. The tourist trade in the summer is vital to the businesses that offer food, souvenirs and arts and crafts made by native Alaskans. The high school has a course in flying the seaplanes that many depend on. A student can get a pilot’s license at 14 years old! Interesting aspects of Alaska and its people.
But so much is the same. We met a young man working in an art store who looked like our deceased son, Jon; I couldn’t help but talk with him. He told me how he got to Alaska to work his seasonal job in the store this year. He said he had done lots of jobs —handyman and painting houses. He was still looking for his niche, the place he fit in. He was searching.
When we finished talking, he gave me a big, warm hug. I will pray for him to find what he is looking for along with the countless others we come in contact with. Where we are is not as important as what we are and have inside.
Hold on to God! He says in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
So, where do you plan to go?
