Taking the High Road Less Traveled

 

Recently, I visited the great State of Alaska.  I found it to be an incredibly beautiful place.  Despite the challenges of weather and terrain, I was also quite impressed with God’s created wonders as well as the people – the native locals and those who choose to make this unique part of the world their home.  If I ever have the opportunity to return, I would do it in a heartbeat!  That’s how much I enjoyed this trip.

( On top of Flat Top Mountain in Anchorage, AK)

As I often write about my travels, I pray that our subscribers and readers don’t assume that I’m showing off or trying to make people jealous of these fantastic experiences.  I believe that my travels (primarily work-related) and once in a lifetime experiences are gifts from God. Therefore, these experiences and blessings ought to be shared.

Hopefully, you can see that I try to find inspiration and faith connections wherever God leads us – even and especially if the road is a difficult one!

While this is my most memorable experience of Alaska, it’s not my first visit.  In February 1972, my mother traveled with my siblings and me to America’s port of entry – Anchorage.  She was in charge of bringing her scared young children (I was only two years old) to connect with my dad in the East Coast.  He came to America two years prior to prepare a home for his family.  The time apart, the distance to travel under tough circumstances, and the challenge of leaving their homeland was not easy for my parents, but it was a road worth taking.  Their willingness to accept these challenges in order to provide a better home for their family is a testament to their belief that hard work pays off, eventually.  That’s particularly true for our faith!

(Cathedral in Anchorage.)

My parents sacrificed greatly, surmounted great heights, and weathered many bumpy roads to provide for their family.  I thought about my parents’ challenges on my recent trip to Alaska, especially since my mother tells stories of her first experiences of America – beginning in Alaska.  Hearing her stories gave me a whole new appreciation for the great opportunities in our country, the great state of Alaska, and in particular the Anchorage Airport where it all began.  Thanks, mom and dad, for taking the high road in life and a road less traveled.

(Mom and Dad)

Following the footsteps of my mom and dad – who just loved taking pictures and videos of our family trips – I will be sharing tidbits of my Alaskan trip throughout the month of June.  Hopefully you’ll enjoy some of the stories, pictures, and videos – including this one I called “The High Road Less Traveled.”  And you’ll also find an extra video about my trip to Alaska.

(Click to watch my latest adventures mountain climbing and going offroad in Alaska – They’re pretty exciting!)

“High Road Less Traveled” Extras

Let us pray.  Father in Heaven, in giving us the gift of freedom, You give us a choice in life: to take the easy way out or to accept the challenges in order to improve and see a view of life that only comes to those who are willing to climb.  In our lives, we will encounter many challenges.  May Your gifts of freedom and Grace inspire us to take the road that always leads to You – even if it’s bumpy and difficult to climb.  Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(The road to the top of the mountain.)

What are some of the challenges and sacrifices your parents endured for your family?  Have any of you experienced the difficulty of emigrating to a new land?  Do you know anyone who is trying to avoid the easy way out?  Do they inspire you?  How can you help them along the way?  Your comments and questions help us to keep our mission going.  Please post your comments here.

GREAT NEWS: A BABY IS BORN!

(Grace Rosalia Hansbrough)

On June 5, 2012, our Project Manager, Joe Hansbrough and his wife Erica were blessed with the birth of their daughter yesterday, believe it or not, her name is Grace Rosalia Hansbrough. She weighed 7lbs 9oz and measured 20.5 lbs. Erica (aka “Mommy”) had a fever going into labor, so there were concerns about Grace’s heart rate and health, but by God’s grace, the best outcome possible was had and the family couldn’t be more happy.

[I know what you're thinking, considering I've said "Grace" a million times in one paragraph, but you can never have enough Grace ;-P]

So join us, the Grace Before Meals “family”, in welcoming Grace into the world and keep her and all children, born and unborn, in your prayers as we hope to strengthen more families in faith and food.

(What Grace Before Meals is all about: Family. Congratulations Hansbrough family!)

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