I am going to have to learn to stop blaming myself or having pity parties when things go wrong or don't look that good.  We all have days like that, but I am one who usually chooses to look on the bright side of things.

When people see me, I'm usually upbeat or smiling; but there are days where life (or my health) threaten to knock me off my feet and then I get down in the dumps.  I tell everybody just how bad I am feeling or get jealous of others whenever they get to do things.  I don't get to do a lot of things because of financial or physical situations, but I have been learning to trust in God in all things, even the bad.

Well, I must have been doing a good job because God has blessed Karla (my twin sister, Karla Dorman the Stormspinner) and myself with an unexpected blessing.  He has blessed us with a cruise to Alaska.

We leave next month; we fly out of DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth), Texas, to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, then on to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  We then spend the night in Vancouver and sail out the next day to Alaska.  The cruise is, I think, about two weeks in length.  (Waiting on the information now.  A friend is blessing us with this cruise; God blessed her, so she is using this blessing to bless somebody else; in this case, it's Karla and myself.)

Talk about a gamechanger!

We were not expecting this at all.  This has been a lifelong dream for both of us: when Karla joined the Air Force over 30 years ago, she put 'Alaska, Alaska, Alaska, Northern Japan, Alaska, and Australia' on her dream sheet.  She never left Texas.  Thirty years later, she was still trying to get to Alaska.  I've wanted to go to Alaska too, especially for the past several years.  We both want to go up there to see the northern lights and to see the natural beauty that makes Alaska so famous and a popular tourist destination spot.  

Well, this dream is finally going to be realized.  Excited?  You don't know the HALF of it!  We are both estatic!!  We are really looking forward to this vacation; it is going to be the trip of a lifetime, and we owe it ALL to God; it was HIS doing!

Just pray for traveling mercies upon us as we fly, sail, and ride the train.  Also pray for provision and protection before, during, and after our trip.  In addition to that, pray that our passports, Karla's driver's license (she has to get it renewed), and her birth certificate come in time; or else we won't get to go to Alaska!  All your prayers would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks and God bless!

~Love, your friend in Texas, Karen Lynn Vidra.  :)