Headed back to the Sunshine State!

This will be my last post from Alaska since I fly home tomorrow. It has been a little difficult packing since I'm bringing a lot more home with me. I called US Airways today though and found out that I'm allowed two checked bags, so I'm planning to check the bag that I brought as a carry on and then it should all work out.

I've had an such an amazing summer here, but I'm looking forward to spending a few weeks at home with my family and friends before I head back to college.

I've finished up all of my articles and wrapped everything else at the office up these past few days. The sign in the picture above is posted outside of the Alaska Baptist Convention office, warning the people who walk their dogs about the black bears spotted nearby. A mother black bear and her two cubs have been seen frequently right behind the office! I went 'bear hunting' with Mr. Procter the other day. We didn't see any bears, but we saw where they had been and where they had torn the top of a dumpster!

Today they had a nice little going away pizza lunch for me at the Alaska Baptist Convention office, where I've worked this summer. I loved working with the people there...they were so welcoming as they included me in their parties and prayer times. Mrs. Betsy organizes and publishes the Messenger for them, so I had the opportunity to work in a little cubicle office next to hers this summer.

After that I had one last interview and it was so interesting to hear this woman's story. I don't have time to tell you all of the details, but she first came to Alaska in 1946, before it was even a state! Her and her husband were one of the first five Baptist missionaries to work in Alaska...how amazing!

Keep me in your prayers as I travel home...I'll leave Anchorage around 4:45 p.m. tomorrow and have a short layover in Las Vegas and then I'll arrive in Tampa around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.

I only have 5 more days left in Alaska!! I've just been hanging out...trying to finish all of my articles and possibly even make one more interview.

The Native funeral was very interesting and it was really neat to hear them sing in Yupik (Eskimo language). When we arrived, we went right down to the kitchen to help prepare the food for after the memorial service. No one was assigned to bring food or get things ready for afterwards, but it all worked out in the end. Native people live day to day and don't really think about the future. They fish when the salmon run and hunt when the caribou migrate. Mrs. Nancy has told me SO much about the Native people, but most recently she told me about the month that she cared for an Eskimo baby. It's hard to believe, but the mothers chew up the food for the baby and then feed it to them, so that is exactly what Mrs. Nancy did while she cared for the baby. Native people are gradually adjusting to the American lifestyle, but many of the changes are very difficult for them. We did a lot of painting and yard work on Friday...last time to use the electric push mower! The steps are up on the deck, so now they're just finishing up the hand rails. On Saturday I took Mr. Dave to the airport and he flew to Juneau for the weekend to preach. Then on Sunday we went to Immanuel Baptist Church and that was neat! There were tons of kids running all over the church and the worship was unique too. There was a man who played the harmonica, the pastor played the drums, and a couple played the guitar and ukulele! Last night we went to First Baptist Anchorage and saw the Continentals in concert. They presented the musical, Joseph, which was great! I'm working in the office today, finishing up my articles.