Heaven is Now

All the way to Heaven is Heaven. ~ St. Catherine of Siena

Today we spent the day in Juneau. It was a glorious, sunny day when we set out to the Mendenhall Glacier. I thought we might need to layer but I found myself taking off clothes as we neared the Glacier, instead of adding them. The walk was scattered with wild flowers and pretty, shiny rocks. The Nugget Falls could be heard in the distance. The icy blue glacier beckoned us closer. The ice chunks in the sea were breathtaking. I loved especially the frizzly ice. Yes, I made that word up just now. It seems to freeze and sparkle and the word I thought of when I looked at it was frizzle which I realize is not a combination of those words.

From there we returned to the ship for lunch before going up 1,750 feet to Mount Roberts by tram. The view of Juneau and the area was gorgeous. I watched a blind bald eagle which was on display for awhile before feeling sad that it was caged.

It was beautiful as you can see, until you got a look at its disfigured eye and knew that its wings were clipped so that it could not fly.

Heading up the mountain, we ran into the Scottish sisters that we met one night at supper so we hiked together up to the Cross that was on top of the mountain and honoured a Jesuit, of all people, who loved this land and its beauty.

Tonight was the second formal night, which included lobster and baked Alaska on the menu. I walked upstairs to take a few photos of the sunset, throwing my fleece over top my fancy dress. The moon was out, peeking over the mountaintops. Really, one thing that has become very clear to me on this trip is that I expect miracles and blessings as my default. I am grateful for each step towards Heaven and I know that while I am here, God is providing me with a sampling of the Glory to come.

Peace,

Suzanne

Wash Day

Keep close to Nature’s heart…and break clear once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. ~ John Muir

I am on limited internet while aboard the ship and so if I used this quote three days ago, forgive me.

Today was a spectacular day. The ship made its way through icy fields to stop a few miles from the magnificent Hubbard Glacier.

There is something breathtaking about the blue, shimmering ice that indeed washes your spirit clean. You cannot stand in the purity of a moment like that and feel less than anything miraculous. God is such an amazing Interior Designer.

I was lucky enough to be beside a man who with an incredible zoom lens could point out the seals as we approached them. Sometimes they were on a floating bed of ice; other times, they would poke their heads through the choppy, chilly waters to have a look at us, as curious it seems as we were staring back at them.

The chunks of ice made me remember the scene in The Titanic after the ship hit the iceberg and it gave me a total appreciation of what those frigid waters must have been like on that fateful night.

I spent a relaxing afternoon, watching some guests take the polar bear plunge in the pool filled with the icy waters , dining on a scrumptious lunch of meatloaf (I know but I love meatloaf!) and salads, followed by chocolate ganache, and then a dip at last in the hot tub and lounging poolside until the sun disappeared behind a cloud. Now I am completing this blog before it is too late. I have been spotted a couple of times by other guests, apparently, sitting on a staircase late at night in a Wi-fi spot, trying to get this out as my roommate goes to bed.

Tonight after supper, a magician is performing. I have met a group of Deaf people from Saskatoon on the trip and they want me to meet their interpreters. The Deaf people are lovely and we know several people in common, not the least of which is my long-time colleague, Mar. After the performance, if I still have energy left, I may go to the 50’s and 60’s dance. The band is not great but nonetheless, I would not mind dancing a bit on this trip.

Tomorrow we are in Juneau. Stay tuned!

Peace,
Suzanne

Beauty and Bread

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. ~ John Muir

The days seem long here. I awoke and grabbed some breakfast on the deck alone. The sun was trying to shine so I shot a few photos. From there I went to the Catholic prayer time. Three other women showed up: a woman from Lisbon and sisters from San Francisco. We had a lovely opportunity to share prayer and the daily readings together before chatting a little about ourselves and our countries. It was a great way to start my day.
I went down to see if Sandy was up yet and then joined her on the deck as she had breakfast. We sat with some other people from Winnipeg that we have met and had an entertaining conversation. Some of us decided to go to a presentation on how to increase your metabolism in the Fitness Centre. I found that very interesting and helpful.

Sandy and I spent some time walking around the ship until the rain started. We had our first day ashore later in the afternoon in Icy Strait Point, a quaint little town that is in a rainforest. That is our ship in the background of this photo. Lots of people saw whales today but I did not. I did spot an eagle in the Strait, unsuccessful in its fishing venture. It flew into a tree and I managed to get a couple of good shots before the camera showed a message saying that there was an issue with the zoom lens and that I had to turn the camera off. I will be an unhappy camper if it continues to malfunction. I suspect it got slightly wet in the rain earlier today.

AS I reflect on this day, the quote seems to ring true for me. The beauty of this place, the amazing food that this cruise ship provides, the rainforest to play in, the space to pray in, and the healing nature provides while walking along the water. Truly my body and soul rejoice in this experience.

Peace,

Suzanne

Work Hard

Work harder on yourself than anything else. ~ Stephanie Staples in today’s session

Stephanie had used this motto during her presentation at my workplace earlier this year and it resonated with me then as it did today. As I celebrate my half century of life, I do believe that in recent years I have been diligent about doing my inner work. Last year I hired a coach to help me with some professional decisions. I have done some healing work with prayer teams. I have been to all sorts of medical professionals to seek physical wholeness. I have done some spiritual exercise. I have tried to be brutally honest with myself as I do it all. I do think I work pretty hard on myself, pushing into realms that need to be explored and refurbished. I believe though that the work is never-ending.

Today was a great day to do the session. It is raining and the waters are rough. During the waltz lesson, we looked like drunken marionettes, sloshing around the floor, as the ship rocked back and forth. The schedule on the ship is packed full of events from dance and art lessons to speakers and musicians to basketball games and Olympic playoffs. Never a dull moment for those who wish to be engaged in something!

As I type this, I am on my Netbook, outside the Martini Bar where there is a Trivia game about to begin. The bartender just finished entertaining everyone in between activities with card tricks. Earlier today I went to hear the Naturalist give an overview of Alaska, commenting on the difference between black and brown bears (have a look at their back molars), where to see humpback whales on the cruise, the number of eagles who were killed at one point in Alaska to preserve salmons (128,000 or so), and the retreat of the glaciers with the exception of the Hubbard which is advancing. I found him knowledgeable and entertaining and may try to catch him again. I caught an upbeat A Cappella group performing. I am trying to find a good balance of trying new things and going to activities with rest and relaxation. It is already a challenge on Day 2. Today would be an excellent day to submerge myself in the outdoor hot tub or lounge on one of those heated ceramic tile loungers in the Spa.

Right now the sea seems to be less turbulent. Several people are seasick so I am glad I am not. I do feel a little queasy at times. Hopefully, this will pass without too much incidence. I know some of my family members would be tossing their cookies right now.

What are you doing today to work harder on yourself?

Peace,

Suzanne

Grace for the Journey

We hold our breath for grace. ~ Sharon Smith from Tenth Church in Vancouver during morning sermon

Wow!! It seems like a long time since I woke up this morning. I had breakfast with my cousin and her family before they dropped me off at Sandy’s place. Sandy and I went to her church in downtown Vancouver where a sermon on grace was delivered. Grace was defined as an undeserved favour or God acting in goodness. I liked that definition. It is less heady than most I have heard. The readings were from Genesis and Sharon used Abraham as a model of grace. I felt challenged when she said that the call was not just for Abraham but for his people, a blessing for his nation. I may have to think what that means for me. She had us consider in three places the question, “What is this grace?” I have to ask that question of myself in this jubilee year.

Sandy and I were onboard the Celebrity Century by shortly after noon. We were treated to champagne as we entered the ship. I think we will be blessed this trip, with many graces. We had a two-minute massage in the spa and lay on these amazing, ceramic tile, HEATED loungers there. Where can I get one for my living room??

We have mostly wandered around the ship, though we took time to sit outside and enjoy the sun today as we are not sure how many sunny days we will have. We had a magnificent lamb supper, followed by crème brulee. We caught the early show and took a walk on the deck to catch the sunset, something that we won’t always have the opportunity to do with 23 hours of sunlight in Alaska.

I am excited as Day 1 of the journey ends. “What is this grace?” I must ask, at junctures of this journey. Tonight, I do feel as if I hold my breath and wait for the undeserved favours that will come my way in these next seven days.

Peace,

Suzanne

Canoe Adventure

The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure. ~ Joseph Campbell

Today was a wonderful day. After a leisurely morning, Kathy, her family, and I went canoeing down a river near where they live. It was amazing to be in the city but not feel like it. We paddled a ways and then at one point we all got out on the way back and took a break. As we were chatting we realized that the canoe was drifting off so Jay had to dive in after it, rescuing it and returning it to the shoreline. Ah, a wee bit of an adventure to spice up our day!

I have not forgotten how beautiful BC is but I have so appreciated that nature is so close to the city. Within minutes you can be walking in an old forest or on the ocean, depending on where you live here. l love that!

Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, followed by yesterday's Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In prayer this morning, I asked for a pure heart. Let it be so, Lord in all that I do, say and think.

Peace,

Suzanne

Re-settling

In a world where you can be anything, be yourself. ~ from a poster in my cousin's home

Ah...sometimes, you know when you can just be yourself. My cousin is a sanctuary for me--always has been. Here in her home with her family, I can feel my soul re-settling, finding its centre. I love our talks, her kids, her husband, and her lifestyle. We have had some amazing conversations already, catching up on our lives, laughing, listening, and just being. I appreciate being here before leaving on my trip.

We dropped her oldest daughter off at her first summer camp, and then came home and laid on the hammock in the sun which finally decided to show up today at supper time. We are just about to settle into watching The King's Speech for the night. All is good.

Peace,

Suzanne