May 3rd

Let me paint a picture....I am sitting on the top deck of the boat, BEAR. The sun is out and I just put on my shorts.  A few clouds but just fluffy puffs here and there.  No other boats for miles, a few birds flying by and I am right in the middle of all this vast beautifulness! So much to enjoy and admire, God's greatness expands way beyond my imagination. What an honor to get to see this countryside and there is way more to Alaska than I'm going to see.
Made bacon and waffles for breakfast.  Today's lunch will be fresh caught crab and shrimp. Luke, the assistant guide will be cooking the crab and will show me what to do with the shrimp.  Have 3 salads made, macaroni, coleslaw and a green salad. Made a frozen strawberry....(bet you thought I was going to say daiquiri, didn't you?), anyways it's a frozen dessert for this evening.  Will need to make a soup after the boys all go hunting but that can wait.
Brad let me call Byron on the SAT phone but he didn't pick up, probably cuz he didn't recognize the number, so I left him a message, then I cried. Doesn't take much lately, I've only been gone 12 days and it feels like 50.  Still wonder what this experience will mean to me and my family. As far as I know, it wasn't a fact finding mission.  It just came along at the right time for a change of pace.  I'm not contemplating my future, my past or my present. But I have begun to see how small I let my world become, literally. Getting up in the morning, walking 10 feet to my desk and staying there for 10 hours with a few potty breaks worked into the schedule. Then deciding whether or not I really wanted to drive an hour for an event or just stay home.  Did I even want to go downtown for dinner or was that too much trouble. Good grief, I've put so many limits on myself and in doing so have put limits on God's creations. Why not take the time to see something new every day?  I am seeing how important it is to keep the brain searching for new activities and things to do.  My outlook every day is changing.  My activity level has increased and I feel good. I'm grateful for this time even though my heart is missing my loved ones. Almost time to start lunch......yak again later.....dj