Yes, this is a real place.
Its the Chugach Mountain Range in the southern part of Alaska. This is my view as I drive the 3 hour trek to Glennallen, my new home.
This was taken on September 5th, 2020, which was the first time I had ever visited Alaska. It was for a job shadow and onsite interview.
My mother and I were on our way back to Anchorage after my final interview when this picture was taken. My mother pulled off the road to take pictures at this overlook, we both got out of the car and ran out to the edge. I said, "Mom! Breathe in the air, Mom!" We both stood there soaking in every last bit of freedom while it lasted. The next day, we knew we'd be back in Virginia and near a much greater population of people.
The theme that I want to embrace for this next season of my life is untamed. Untamed in my love for others, untamed in my constant exploration of creation, untamed in bold prayers.
It all started with a prayer...and if you learn anything from my story it is this - be careful what you pray for. I turned 23 on July 31, 2020. That day I prayed for a BIG year; in fact, the biggest one I would have yet - one that would require immense faith and courage, I prayed for big change and to be blown away by where the Lord is leading me and what he is calling me to do. I am not making this up, I prayed those exact words without ever thinking something this crazy would actually happen. (Why do we so inherently doubt God? How silly of me). So, not only did I pray quietly on my birthday but I told everyone about it. I said, "I prayed for the biggest year yet, guys!"
Cue my new friend Janine.
I was connected with her by a professor that both taught us in college. I shared my love for the Native community and this professor knew that Janine had already made the big move to Alaska to treat this population. Janine and I had messaged back and forth for over a year, getting to know each other, talked about work and hopefully one day me getting to visit Alaska. Well, on August 12, 2020, Janine messaged me and said that her manager asked her if she knew any nurses willing to move to rural Alaska. So, I took a couple days to think about it and consulted my family, but it really came down to me thinking, "there's no harm in applying, lets see where this goes, I guess!"
Oh boy.
I interviewed a week later on a Thursday and they flew me out the next Tuesday for an on-site interview.
Talk about whirlwind. Here's the crazy part - I flew out on September 1. That is 1 month and 2 days after the prayers I prayed on my birthday.
I accepted the RN position on September 9th. That is nearly one year TO THE DAY that I first reached out to Janine. One year. If you had told me that sending that email a year ago would shape my future forever......
It's crazy to think about the fine details of these things....
This will be the biggest life change I've experienced yet. I am a naturally very easy going person and I just spent the past year and a half working in a Level 1 Trauma center hospital in the ER, so nothing phases me anymore anyways. It is Crazy Central working in that environment so I have come very accustomed to managing chaos. This move, however, is a whole different ball game.....
What I feel in Alaska is unlike any other feeling I have experienced before. It is truly WILD. It is UNTAMED.
I have chased after freedom for many years. I know that I will never feel truly free until I am at the gates of heaven, but this world was sculpted but the perfect hands of God and I can feel its pull on me. I want to see the very corners of it and feel the earth, breathe the air, meet its people and learn of their hearts.
Finally, an opportunity to embrace this! What's funny is that I am scared to be so far away from my family and friends and birthplace.
I know it'll all be okay. The Lord is my Shepherd, I need not a thing.
Galatians 5:13 says, "For, brethren, ye have been called unto Liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another".
Luke 12:24 says, "Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?"
I know I will never walk alone
(.....but especially not in Alaska considering that there are roughly 32,000 grizzly bears and only about 670,000 people....y'all that's 1 bear for ever 21 people. IT'S NOT VERY GOOD ODDS!)
I'll talk to y'all soon. Stay safe!!