loving the orlando airport

10-19-2004
I’m in the Orlando airport now – waiting for my last flight – taking me to Atlanta. It’s so beautifully humid here – I’m sure it will be hot today – but for now it’s very nice – must be about 70* with high humidity. After being on the dry plane, my sinuses and skin are loving this. I’m hoping it’s similar humidity in Atlanta.
There is a ramp agent out there who looks and walks like a man from behind or the side, but when you see the hair and face, looks like a woman. I’ve been watching him/her/it for about an hour and I think I’ve determined that it is a woman bodybuilder. Walks with that bulky leg walk. She is wearing shorts, and definatley has muscular legs – big thighs. Interesting. I’m very much wanting to lift weights – but to tone not bulk. It’s so easy for me to bulk – it’s less work – more weight but a shorter period of time – only 1 or 2 sets. Toning requires lower weight and more reps – which means more time and more sweat. I’m trying to remember that sweat is good! I’m excited to go to the gym and tanning – want to try to rock climb a little next year when I get back to Alaska. Wonder if there is any rock climbing in Atlanta? Stone Mountain – but that’s not really rocks – just a big smooth rock. I’ll have to look – would love to find a rock climbing wall. Maybe some of the gyms have them

flying south for the winter

10-18-2004
I’m in the air flying from anchorage to Atlanta via seattle, then Orlando. I am on the Orlando leg, and we just passed by an electrical storm. I have never seen anything like it in my life – it was really amazing. The sky was flashing like the paparazzi at the Oscars. And because we were passing by it rather than through it – it gave the clouds a surreal quality. I never saw actual lightening – just the flashes through the air. There was one here and then one there – and then 5 or 6 in succession going through – almost like the trail a machine gun would make. It was truly incredible. I’m not sure how long it had been going on – I had been napping as it is 1:00 am Alaska time. I’m glad God woke me up to enjoy the light show with Him! :D

So, I’m on my way back to Atlanta for winter #2. I’m going with mixed emotions this time – still the firm conviction I am to go, but without the – without the what. What is it called – that THING that I get when I am walking next to Jesus and following his every step. I am reminded of climbing Flat Top and how I watched James’ every foot move the first time. I tired to put my foot exactly where he had placed his as we navigated the rocky mountain top. As I climbed the mountain more, I became more comfortable, and began to take my own steps rather than follow his. When I was climbing with Oran I took my own steps a lot – even going different ways. Partly because I was more confident in my knowledge of the flat top terrain, and partly because with my new shoes I felt invincible. Either way, I was not as dependant on someone else to lead me – but I wasn’t really seeking new paths either. I was climbing the same trail each time and pretty much following the same path up the rocks.

This is kind of how I feel my relationship with Jesus is right now – I’m still climbing but more on my own. I’m not in that exciting place of the unknown and watching every step intently and following exactly as directed. I still recall the hesitation the first time up flat top – not knowing what was going to happen, or what it would be like, and being excited and afraid as we climbed the rocks. The danger factor seemed very high and very real compared to anything I had done in my life so far, yet I knew thousands of ascents are made up that mountain every summer! Kids do it even! It was an amazing feeling to be at the top knowing I did it by following exactly what I was told. I didn’t quit. Didn’t give up.

I want to be back in that place with you Jesus. I have done my own thing this summer. I appreciate your protection and love even when I’m not making you smile. Thank you for allowing me to know that you love me no matter what. Selfishness is my king right now – I have been serving myself rather than you Lord. Forgive me. Please give me ways to focus on others and serve others. Teach me to be unselfish – what is the opposite of selfish. Just looked in the thesaurs – it is Self LESS. Lord help me die to self and live for you. Help me know how to make this transition.

update from the plane

Greetings! I am writing this on my "new" laptop computer as I am flying to Atlanta for the winter! My schedule for the last few weeks has been sketchy at best and I wasn’t really sure when I was leaving Anchorage. I am fortunate enough to be flying on a Guest Pass from my brother (he worked for Alaska Airlines) so my flight was relatively open as far as when I left. I was planning to leave October 6th, but that seemed too soon, so then I was looking at the 11th. Michael and Shinette and Lisa went to Hawaii for 10 days, and they weren’t going to be back until the 15th, so if I left on the 11th I wouldn’t get to see them after they came back. So the 18th it was… and here I am.
This transition is going very smoothly and I’m waiting for the snafu to appear…not to be pessimistic, but it seems to be how God teaches/reminds me to walk in faith. I have come to expect and almost look forward to the "glitches" in the plan – they always turn out amazing in the long run!
But for the time being all is going well. Here’s the latest:
I have purchased a used laptop computer from my good friend Oran. He sold it to me at a deeply discounted price, and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to have a computer! While it is older, it has great new and updated software – XP professional, Outlook (the whole thing, not just
express) and lots of other stuff I just don’t know about or remember at the moment. It has a CD drive (read only) that plays DVDs also. He also gave me a wireless network card, so I can connect wireless when available. I talked to one of my roommates in GA and she said the house is now set up for wireless so this will be great! I will get an inexpensive webcam when I get to GA and then I can webcam with all of my great friends on yahoo or msn messenger! :) I can’t wait! This will also allow me to webcam with my niece and get to interact with her much more than last winter!
Oran also gave me a Palm Pilot – again an older version (Palm III), but perfect for an introductory palm! I have always wanted one, but they were so expensive and I knew so little about them, that I was hesitant to get one and never did. He had this one and didn’t use it anymore…it’s so fun! I now have all of your emails, etc in the computer and in my purse! :) It’s a fabulous thing!
While talking to my roommate in Georgia, I found out that our roommate who just moved out left her bed….a full size bed – mattress, box spring and frame – and it sounds like I’ll be able to use it! I’m so excited! I thought I was excited to have a closet again – the thought of having a bed to sleep on is exhilarating! :) Last winter I went from sleeping on a loveseat to an air mattress to a futon with an air mattress on it – all generously loaned to me by friends. And while I am blessed to be able to sleep (and sleep well) in almost any position or situation, it is a very fun thought to have a bed!
Another blessing- my brother has discounts with shippers from his job, and he is able to send my "stuff" down the GA at greatly discounted rates. This has allowed me the opportunity to send stuff down that I may not normally have sent – some appliance type items, books, and clothes! I have lost a little more weight (although since my job ended I’ve gained back 10 pounds – lots of eating out and not much exercise!) so I don’t think the clothes I have in Atlanta will fit well any more. It’s great to be able to send clothes down – and SHOES – glorious shoes! I had only 2 pair when I went down last year, and left the rest in AK. I love shoes, but have pared down my collection even more, and only took about 6 pair and some flip flops.
And that includes my hiking shoes! :) It will be like Christmas when the
boxes get there on Wednesday!
My friend Sheri that I worked for in the spring of last year has offered to let me work for her again this winter – it sounds like full time will be available and through the winter, so that is a huge blessing. She also had offered to let me use their 3rd car while I am looking for one down there, and Enterprise has their $9.99 weekend special again, so that may be an option. I am still looking for a car in Atlanta, so if anyone knows of one for sale, please let me know! Thanks!
So that is the latest. I am trying to talk mom into bringing Lisa down to Orlando in January to go to Disneyworld, but so far it seems to be landing on deaf ears. I’d also love to go home for Christmas (or even 3 weeks sometime before the end of the year to qualify for the dividend), but I’m not sure that will happen either. I will miss being in Alaska (except for driving in the snow) and miss my friends and family. I’m already making plans for next years hiking and camping trips and I will go fishing if it kills me! :) I’m planning on getting into shape this winter so I can try my hand at rock climbing too! Nothing dangerous – just the fun stuff!
I will be canceling one of my emails and my Alaskan cell phone number, so if you will take a quick moment to update – my accurate email is this one I am sending from – jacklind@katewwdb.com. I will email my new phone when I get it – but in the mean time you can always call my toll-free # - 877-810- 2676. This is a really neat service, and I don’t get charged by the minute when you call this number – I’d love to hear from any of you! And don’t worry about the time difference – if I’m sleeping or unavailable, the service of the toll free # will know and not disturb me - it’s pretty slick. Actually, now that I think about it – I am an "authorized representative" of this service! Here’s the plug - $33 a month gets you a toll-free #, web based email, voice mail, conference calling, and more.
Here are some of the things I like about it – I can call the toll free # and listen to my emails – Kate (the service is called CommuniKate) will read me my emails and I can respond to them right there on the spot – it sends a wav file to the person’s email that they can listen to
- I can send these "voice emails" from anywhere – without it being a response to an email
- Kate will route the calls that come in wherever I tell her – I currently have her set to forward them to my cell phone and if I’m not there or able to take the call, she will take a message for me
- I know there is more, but can’t think right now. You can see more info at www.katewwdb.com and if you want to sign up let me know and I can get you the pass code. :)
Blessings to all of you. I am sorry I didn’t get to see some of you in Alaska this summer. If any of you come to Atlanta, please let me know and we can do our best to get together! I’d love to see you!
Blessings – until the next update...
Debbi Jacklin