Water Bottles

Home was home and christmas was christmas. I suppose when it comes down to it, most people would prefer it that way. And in many ways I'm no exception. It's good to come home to family and experience tradition and all the comfort of christmas. I have far too many friends who went home to anything but a comfortable christmas. And sure as life goes on I will probably be in their position at some point. So I will cherish my comfortable christmases.

And now I'm back. And I love it here.

Before I go any further I want to share the story of my travels back to the island.

When I arrived at the chicago airport I was greeted by an overwhelming crowd of frantic travelers waiting in the most ridiculous check-in line. It was obvious that if I had waited in that line I would not have made my flight. As I made this mental connection I simultaneously turned my thoughts into a prayer. Immediately a man walked out of the crowd and told me to go to curb side check-in. I was through in twenty minutes. Thanks man. After standing in the security line for the better part of an hour I managed to make it to my plane just as it was boarding. This was good news.

On the plane I began talking with the person next to me who turned out to be a christian military man. He found exceptional interest in the fact that I was in bible school and offered to buy me breakfast. He said that he doesn't get to talk to very many christians at the base and he would really enjoy buying me breakfast. I couldn't say no. What he didn't know was that I was traveling on a really tight budget and meals were pretty low on my list of priorities. Breakfast was a fantastic gift.

Later that day I had to take a four hour bus ride from the Seattle airport to Port Angeles, Washington. At one point on the trip we had to take a short 20 minute ferry ride on which we were able to stretch our legs or get some food if need be. It had been some time since I had eaten that breakfast so I decided to work a hot dog into the budget. I debated buying a bottle of water but in the end decided against it. Then, when I boarded my bus, the driver reached into his little cooler and offered me a bottle of water. I was a bit shocked. I must have given him the most out of place look. As if he had just handed me a hundred dollars out of the blue. I accepted the water.

After arriving in Port Angeles, I had to find a hotel because the ferry to the island only runs a couple times a day and the last ferry had been hours ago. I was completely expecting this, just like I was expecting to stay in a nearby hostel for 13 dollars. However, when I called to reserve a spot I couldn't get anyone to answer a phone so I didn't want to walk the extra distance without a guarantee of having a place to sleep when I got there. So, I decided to hit up a hotel near the ferry. After carrying my luggage up a long and painful flight of stairs, I entered a hotel only find that it was far too expensive for my wallet. When I started walking away the woman at the desk decided to take pity on me and asked me why I was in town. After a small chat she offered me a room for 38 dollars which was almost half of the original amount. I figured it was as good as I was going to get within any reasonable walking distance, and this was a very kind woman - so I accepted. Then she offered me a bottle of water. Suddenly, I found myself staring at her like a bus driver. She was confused but that's ok. I accepted the water.

That night I had dinner in a nearby diner. I had a cheeseburger and tater-tots. It was the best meal I've had in a long time. After dinner I stopped at a bookstore for a while before going back to the hotel. It was a nice place to spend time. Then I sat in my hotel room feeling exceptionally blessed. It was good day.

The next morning the woman at the hotel offered me another bottle of water as I was leaving for the ferry. She was probably testing my reaction. I just smiled this time. And accepted the water.

The ferry to the island was pretty standard. I think I took a nap. It was good to be greeted by friends on the other side. My memory of the bus ride back to camp is vivid and for some reason I feel like it will stay that way. Which is strange because it wasn't all that eventful. However, I really missed these people and it was good to see them again. Maybe that's why I will remember that bus ride.

I arrived at camp with exactly three dollars. God provided. And he kept me well hydrated in light of my cold. I'm so happy to be back.

--the end--

This blog has gone on long enough. That story took a while. I will stop now. Tomorrow we leave for Mount Washington to go skiing/snowboarding. We're spending five days in a chalet. The chalet has three hot tubs. This has potential to be incredible. It also has potential to kill me. I do not snowboard. I am apprehensive.

goodbye.