I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me. Jesus you're all this heart is living for.

Wow, another week down! This week has flown past. Tomorrow is Friday and I am so ready for a few days off. I guess I have just been so busy reading and doing homework that I haven't paid much attention to the day of the week. This past week has been so snowy. It's crazy. Today I was sitting in class and just watching these huge snow flakes falling. It was so amazingly beautiful. Sounds cheesy, I know. When I decided that I felt like God wanted me here in Alaska, I had no idea what I was in for. I had no clue how this was going to work, the friends I would make, the things I would I see...all of it was up in the air. Here, it is almost impossible to NOT believe in God. With all the beauty here, I feel more concrete in my past decisions then ever before. It feels right here. Everything feels so perfect and I haven't quite figured out how I got here and how it worked out so perfectly, but it feels great.

♥ Melissa

Last night I went to see a play at the historic Perseverance Theater, called Wittenburg. Technically, I had to go see the play because it was required of my theater class. But I enjoyed it anyways. It was very funny and the theater is so small that you feel like you are sitting right on stage. It was a good experience. A friend of mine, and myself took the bus which was over an hour to get there. We also took it back to the school. So we didn't get home until after midnight.
This morning, one of my classes is canceled and I have a test in the other. No big deal. It is math and it is soo easy. So, my plan for today is to meet up with a friend, who is also from the Midwest (Kansas), and we are gonna get this test over with and then grab some lunch. Then I will probably go work out.
Hope your week is going well! Tomorrow is friday!

♥ Melissa

YAY SUN!

Well, my first week of classes is over and I will admit I am going to use my weekend to catch up. The teachers here require a lot more then any professors I have had in the past. However, they are all very nice and very personable. I think if I had a problem with anything in their class, it would be very easy to talk to them.

This week was very lovely. After I flew in with a snow storm that covered everything in lots of snow and ice, I was a bit worried about how life was going to be here. Middle of the week the sun came out and everything began to melt. It was so pretty. I have found myself running to the store, the rec center, eating on campus, going to see movies, or trying new things like snowboarding, just to get out of the house for a while. The first tip I got about homesickness and depression here is not to sit around doing nothing. Always keep yourself busy. So, that's what I have been trying to do and so far I have not really been homesick at all. Yeah, I miss my family but I am beginning to love Juneau and all the friends I have made here.

Here's whats lined up for this weekend. We were supposed to go ice skating but decided to postpone that for next week or weekend. Last night a group of friends and myself went out to eat at this restaurant similar to a Stake and Shake back home. It was a good time. Today I am playing some basketball at the rec center and will probably return home to do some reading for class. Sunday I am going to a Baptist church here. I am very excited as I have no clue what to expect. Sunday night I am going to see a play at the theater on Douglas Island. I have to for class but I'm really excited too because I love theater! And it's a comedy. :) We have Monday off, since it's a three day weekend, and I will probably use that time to finish up last minute homework or do some extra reading for history class. That class is going to be the death of me. Haha.

Have a great weekend!
♥ Melissa

Cuz I miss you

Cuz I miss you..body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away and I breathe you ...into my heart and pray for the strength to stand today.. cuz I love you, whether its wrong or right and though I cant be with you tonight, know my love is by your side.

Wow, this really is amazing.

We made it to Alaska. Finally! It took us four days but we made it,and brought a snow storm in with us. Because of all the bad weather and unexpected layovers, Dad didn't get to stay long. We got in town about 8:30pm and ran to Wallmart. By time we got back to the housing it was 10:00pm. He had to go ahead and leave so he could get some sleep before flying out at 6 or 7 am the next day. Like I said, originally we were planning on having a few days to look around and stuff but it didn't end up that way. It felt like i was dropped in the middle of nowhere. This was probably better for me. It made me adjust faster.
I will admit I was a mess after he left. That night was an emotional one but luckily I was so tired, I climbed in bed and wiped out. I have never had to deal much with homesickness but i have been keeping busy and it's not really bothering me yet. That next morning I had to get up and unpack everything, then head to orientation. My grandparents and parents always used that saying "When I was your age I had to walk to school in 3 feet of snow, up hill both ways." Well, I had to walk to school in 3feet of snow, up hill on the way back. Haha. The poor girl walking with me had her luggage lost on the plane and was having to walk in her tennis shoes. I felt so bad for her. Honestly, it's not that bad of walk if you have boots.
I met some awesome people at orientation. One of the CAs is taking a few of us new girls snowboarding tomorrow. Wish me luck. I'm sure I will be sooo sore on Monday.
Last night I went out with my roommates to see Bride Wars. We got to know each other better and the movie was great. So far, this is shaping up nicely. The people here are so nice and always cheery. It is a much different world and there are a lot of things I am learning. However, I think the people I have met will help me make the best of the situations.
Okay, now I have to try and catch a bus. haha. Another learning experience.

♥ Melissa

The day has come!!!! (OR NOT Updated)

Wow. This day came much quicker then I thought it would. Everything is packed and ready to go. We have to be at the airport at 11:00 am to check our bags. I will be riding with my mom and we have to pick up my sister-in-law and my grandma. Am I nervous? Uh, yeah. I think everything will hit me once we have a safe landing in Juneau. Right now it all seems like it isn't going to happen. Like I have been waiting so long and it can't possibly be happening. I just can't wait. Oh, and I have a video I am getting ready to post.
Pray for my family. They will need it!

.:::::::.
UPDATE!!! So we get to the airport and they tell us that we have to go wait in this horribly long line. I guess Salt Lake City is having weather issues and trouble keeping ice of the runway. So we wait in this line for them to tell us that the only flight to Juneau will land there at 9:00 pm on Thursday, the day I'm supposed to move in. Here's the plan, we will be at the airport tomorrow at 7:00am and will catch the plane to salt lake, then the layover and on to Seattle Washington. We will stay in Washington over night and catch our next plane Thursday night. This plan really stinks but the Delta "dude" told us that ALL AK flights are completely booked full, which is weird. The Iron Dog races haven't started have they? haha. Just pray for us to have a nice trip and arrive safely. Did find out about my rooming and all that stuff, will update you on that later!!
.:::::::.

♥ Melissa

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

Today I packed...and packed....ate left overs...and packed some more. The good news is that I have EVERYTHING packed except for four days left of clothes. At one point in time I was seriously considering wearing several layers of sweatshirts and multiple pairs of tennis shoes, but luckily I made it all fit. That would have made for a very long and uncomfortable day.

Tomorrow is a shop day! Yay! My mom, grandma (Nanny) and myself are heading to the city and spending some time together shopping. I have a list of things I would like to buy, if I come across a good deal. However, I'm not sure where I would pack it.

Saturday, I have a birthday party that I will be at most the day. Our monthly celebration of family birthdays.
Sunday is church and my last day at my Great Grandma Virginia's house. Every Sunday we meet at her house to eat lunch and it is one of the things I will miss most. Not only is her food amazing, but it is also a fun time to catch up with everyone.
Monday I don't think I have anything planned. I will probably be rushing around finishing up last minute things. Seeing a few people before I leave, etc.
And Tuesday we will be up at the airport at 11:00am and our flight leaves at 12:30pm. (This is much better then we thought. For some reason we thought our flight left at 7am) We have three layovers. Utah, Washington, and a stop in Ketchican before landing in Juneau, I think, around 9:00pm. Remember we have to go back three hours, as AK is three hours behind MO.
I am taking a good book, a puzzle book, and possibly a small blanket.

I think thats all I know for now!
Happy New Year!

♥ Melissa