just enjoying my monday morning in Alaska, drinking some coffee and eating some Trail-Mix crunch cereal. today i want to go to the Grand Aleutian hotel for some lunch as well as the WWII museum. My grandfather died in WWII when his plane crashed into one of the islands in the Aleutian chain during a storm. i completely understand, as one minute it is sunny and blue sky, the next it is hailing, and then snow flurries with gusts over 50kts... in the harbor!

we were delayed getting here because of a massive storm off shore, we waited it out in Beaver Inlet. we tried coming in the day we were supposed to, but the wind was so bad as were the seas and swells. i was in the wardroom with the messcooks (Roberts and Redditt) when the whole room came apart including flying lazy boys and a huge freezer (3'x3'x6') and all the books and chairs accompanying the wardroom table. with the freezer out of its place, the tubs of ice cream rolled around the ground. i hoped the freezer wasn't broken, but i was afraid it was... all that wonderful Tucker's Ice Cream. but it is haphazardly fixed for now.

and the Sabbath, I praise God for the Sabbath. about 12 of us went to the local Methodist church. we arrived early to fresh out of the oven donuts and coffee. they were so nice and hospitable. the sermon was out of Mark 12 about the widow's mite. and it wasn't about giving money. when the widow gave her last two cents into the offering plate, she showed faith in the Lord her God to provide. our offering is showing obedience to God through faith. the sanctuary had a plain wooden cross and big windows showing the snow covered hills. the pastor said there is no need for banners, when God's glorious creation is right outside, always changing with the seasons for our delight.

after church i hung out by the river, watching the salmon, some were decaying after their spawning, most little swimming in their school. we skipped rocks into the lake as well before our racquetball tournament. my team lost, but that was not the ultimate goal. it was a great workout with new friends.

the Boutwell took the UniSea bar and grill by storm saturday night. us department heads chowed down on halibut sliders, pizza and Alaskan Amber. it is such a blessing that we all get along. life onboard could be so much worse. but we stayed out after midnight, thus no liberty vans running, so we walked home in the slush. we didnt realize how far we had to go, but that was an adventure. and i love me a good adventure :)

be blessed with the Love and Joy of Jesus Christ!