Tyler and Emily in PNG

Our first full week in Alaska is over. We endured the huge 4th of July Mount Marathon race in Seward and lots of cloudy, rainy weather. I don’t think we saw the sun all week but finally yesterday, it poked through for a brief time before the sprinkles came back.

On the 4th, Emily and I journeyed to the bottom of the mountain to watch the women’s race come down the chute. At the base of the bottom is a very dangerous place and on the 4th this year it was wet, damp, and slippery due to the drizzling conditions. Following the that race we went to the finish line and walked the streets among the thousands of others who came to Seward. An estimated 30,000 people come to Seward for the 4th and to watch the race. This year was a lower turnout due to midweek celebration and wet/rainy conditions. I still got my bag of kettle corn and enjoyed it.

By the time Friday rolled around I was getting stir crazy and had to get outside for some physical exercise. There are endless activities in Seward even when it is not so good weather. Emily and I drove to a popular hike, Primrose Trail. The trail traverses 15 miles in total from Primrose to Lost Lake trailhead but we just hiked 4 miles round-trip. We hiked to Porcupine Falls overlook and had a snack as we enjoyed the peace and solitude of the Alaskan wilderness. I forgot how bad the mosquitos could be as they swarmed our heads and bodies but eventually hiked out of their attack soon. The next day I was prompted to buy mosquitos head nets and Deet.

Saturday I still had the bug (no pun intended) for more hiking. Emily and I enjoyed coffee and breakfast before packing a lunch/snack for our day hike. We went to another favorite hike of mine, Ptarmigan Lake. This trail is about 6.5 miles round-trip, half way at the turn around, you come to Ptarmigan Lake. A beautiful lake sandwiched between snow-capped mountains. Of course a light pity-patter of rain on the lake surface ascents the day. It was this hike 4 years ago that God spoke to me.

As I hiked to this exact location with very similar weather conditions, I sat on probably the same log and asked God, I want to hear you, I am listening please speak to me. As I opened the Bible that I brought alone with me that day, this is the passage God led me to:

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

That ‘perfect peace’ was what God showed to me in Alaska. I had peace in the wonderful, majestic Creation that was Alaska. The short time I lived in Alaska, God continue to speak to my heart to find rest and peace in Him. As my soul searched for purpose and calling, I was led to full-time service in the Lord as a servant missionary.