God Works For the Good

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28

Do you ever feel like with every step you take forward, you are taking two steps back? As much as we would all like to move forward in an even linear line and flow through life, that is not the way it tends to happen. In fact, if I look back on my own life, I would definitely not have a straight, even path. I would have steps forward, backwards, sideways, up, down, and beyond. My path would more resemble an EKG monitor than a straight, smooth road. Even with all the wrong paths, the ups, and the downs, the fact is, if I am moving forward, I am making progress. I have learned so much about myself and about life on my journey. Obviously, there are many paths that I wish could have been avoided. But these paths concocted the story of my life. Although, things cannot be undone or unsaid, they can be learned from. I have learned a lot along the way. When one chapter is ending, a new chapter is beginning. That, my friends, is the beauty of life.

With that being said, I am currently sitting at the lake. It's my serene place. I love this time of year at the lake. Not very many people and beautiful scenery. It has been over a month since I wrote a blog post. It has been extremely busy, and so many things have happened. Our summer season has ended, and fall is upon us. The older I get; the faster time seems to move. Some days I wish you would stand still.

The beginning of August, Mark and I had another successful couples fishing tournament. Although we didn't place in the top five, it was a great day, nonetheless. We truly enjoy our days out in the boat together. This summer they have seem to be fewer, and further in between, mostly because Mark started guiding. He truly has enjoyed the days he has guided. He says he really enjoys the variety of people, and every day is different. He thinks this is his calling.

Kalli has officially started her junior year in high school. How could the time go by so fast that our baby girl is already a junior in high school? Paislee got to go register with Kalli prior to school starting. We have course had to take our annual picture of Paislee in Kalli's locker. Oh, how Paislee lives to do things with her Auntie Kalli. They have gotten to spend a lot of time together this summer and I think both are going to miss that since school has started.

Mark and I took a bucket list trip/adventure. The end of August we headed to Seattle Washington and met Bailee and Tristan. We spent a couple of days in Seattle exploring the city. We visited Pike Place Market, China town, and the Space Needle. We went to a Mariners game and Bailee and Tristan got Mark and I out of our comfort zone as we zipped through the city on electric scooters. At one time we were going up a very steep hill and I was carrying a cookie for Bailee. The bag broke and the cookie fell, and I instantly stopped to pick it up. A stranger came running to me-thinking I was hurt-and asked if I was OK. I said, " Yes. I dropped a cookie. And I saved it." He laughed so hard and said girl you got priorities I thought you were hurt. Amazing memories were made, and great food was eaten.

After a couple of days in Seattle, we boarded our ship for a 7-night, 8-day cruise to Alaska. This was the first cruise for me, Mark, and Tristan. Bailee had been on a short cruise several months prior. Honestly, I was like a kid in a candy store. I was so excited when we check into our room and we put our luggage down, I looked at Mark and Bailee and I screamed in excitement. I have not been this excited about an adventure for so long and it felt amazing. Alaskan cruise days 1 and 2. We did lots of eating (ice cream galore), bumper cars, gambling, went to a show, more ice cream, more gambling, tried escargot (not too bad), hot tub, participated in family feud and 🥇 won. We all got up an hour before we should have because our phones failed to reflect the time change~🤷‍♀️. Alaskan cruise day 3….. Ketchikan, Alaska. Beautiful scenery, bonfire, s’mores, reindeer sausage, seals, whales, bald eagles, fishing (guys did this and got to eat their catch), amazing burgers, ice cream (of course😉), shopping, more food, I participated in the game high or low and 🥇 won, more gambling~and we were lucky today. 🏆 Alaskan cruise day 4 Sitka, Alaska. Breathtaking views, 2-mile hike, dared me to eat wild berries (they were so bitter, but I didn’t die), wildlife boat excursion (saw harbor seals, bald eagles, a humpback whale 🐋, tons of salmon, and a brown bear), ice cream, Italian Dinner, gambling (didn’t win today), music, and an evening filled with fog and misty weather. Lots of laughs and so many memories made! Alaskan cruise day 5… Juneau, Alaska. Today we were supposed to have a 4 to 5 hour cruise by glaciers, but there was too much ice so we had to go around the glacier so we arrived in Juneau earlier. Today’s adventures included… breakfast in bed, gambling (yah again😉), gondola tram ride, 2.5 mile hike up and down a mountain, gorgeous views, fresh crepes, dog sled camp~including a dog sled ride and playing with the puppies, shopping, nap, eating again, gambling (yes again), and game shows. This has been our favorite stop. Unable to go on a sea plane as they were grounded due to high wind. Alaskan Cruise days 6, 7, and 8. Day at sea, Victoria, B.C., and back to Seattle. Lots of ice cream, some more gambling, karaoke, more ice cream, whale watching (saw a pod of killer whales having dinner), beautiful sunset, brunch in Seattle at 5 Point Cafe, and airplane travels. It was an amazing trip and lots of unforgettable memories were made! #bucketlistadventure (Synopsis of our adventures taken from our Facebook).

We did not return home until four or 4:30 in the on Tuesday, September 5th. We slept for a while and took it easy. The last couple of days on the ship I started not to feel well. When we were at one a pharmacy and picked up some decongestant and other cold medicine. Once home, I had some at home test, so I decided to see what it said, and lo and behold I was Covid positive. Yep, remember those amazing scooters and all those subway rides we did in Seattle, can you say Covid? Oh well, this has been my third or fourth round of it so It's milder each time. But no matter what, the trip was worth it.

We were home about a week and Justine asked if I could watch one of the kids and she could take one to visit Bailee and Tristan in Florida. Work has been busy, and I said it wouldn't work. My mom was with me at the time and asked if she could go with and she would hold a child on her lap on the plane. Justine wanted to go so bad, so we called Tristan to see if it would work and he agreed to keep it secret from Bailee. I booked the tickets and last weekend Justine, my mom, Paislee, and Gunnar headed on a 4-night 5-day adventure to Florida. It turned out to be a lot of work in the airports for Justine, but she said it was all worth it. You see, the day before we left for Seattle, Bailee and Tristan closed on their very fist house! Justine was so excited to be able to see it before Mark and me, they all enjoyed their time and Paislee certainly enjoyed picking "apples" off the fruit trees and swimming in their pool. It has been an amazing month full of amazing memories. More has occurred, both exciting and nerve wracking and I will touch base on those when we know more! For now, remember "An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So, when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it's going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming." (web)