• Travel & Vacation: Family Vacation…..Way Up NORTH!!!

    Picture of the last Alaska Airline plane we got on!

    North to ALASKA!!!  We took a family vacation to Alaska this summer!  We had a blast!  We packed a lot in our time in Alaska.  We flew Alaska Airlines.  The girls did amazing on all the flights.  We flew through the night both on the way to Alaska and on the way home too.  They went through the airports fine, helped with the luggage, entertained themselves on the plane (and even rested).  Thankful for kids who love to travel and explore new places.

    Jake and the girls getting on the plane….notice they are entering the back half the plane.  First time on this type of plane!

    Sleeping Beauty on the plane!

    Another one bites the dust….

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Transportation: American & Alaska Airlines

    Our family traveled via the Alaska Airlines for the first time on our recent family trip.  Alaska Airlines had us fly via American Airlines to Portland, Oregon then on Alaska Airlines from Portland to Anchorage, Alaska.  On our way back we flew from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with Anchorage Alaska to Seattle, Washington and American Airlines from Seattle to Charlotte, North Carolina.

    The only complications we had was checking in with American Airlines in Charlotte at the beginning of our trip.  The person checking us in at Charlotte was busy socializing with her co-workers and complaining about how she still had another hour of work before she could leave and she already had too many people and luggage go through her counter that day she needed a break.  We weighed all our luggage at home and it was weighing under 50 pounds, however, their scales had them weighing at 50.1 pounds, 50.3 pounds, and 49.8 pounds.  She checked the first one which was the lightest suitcase, threw it on the conveyor belt, it missed, fell off so someone else picked it up off the floor and put it on the conveyor belt.  Then she weight the 50.1 and the 50.3 suitcases and refused to allow them past the counter until we took something out.  Both were 50 pounds just a hair over .1 and .3 over.  We had to lighten them by .1 and .3 which basically meant we took out a pair of socks and the other a pair of shorts and added them to carryons.  It was annoying, but we should have made them a little bit lighter before leaving home just in case the scales were off.  She could have had a better attitude and more pleasant as it appeared that she did not enjoy her job and we were just another inconvenience to her at the end of her shift.  We travel fairly often with our kids and family so we encounter a wide variety of personalities.  We have flown American Airlines many times over the year but have not encounter this type of attitude so maybe she was have a tough day, who knows…

    The American Airline pilots, stewardesses, and other crew members were pleasant.  After we got checked in with the person at the counter who had a bad attitude the rest of the trip was smooth and enjoyable.

    We arrived in Portland, Oregon had a little bit of time before our next flight so grabbed a bite to eat and stretch our legs.  Portland was a nice airport with plenty of options to eat and seating while we were waiting for our next flight to take off.

    We arrived in Anchorage, Alaska in the middle of the night.  Anchorage had a beautiful airport.  It was not busy at that time of day.  Even though most of the stores and restaurants were closed it was clean and the people we did encounter while in the airport were pleasant.  We had to ask directions to find out which luggage claim terminal we need to be at and it took the luggage a little while to get out on the conveyor belt.  Since it took more than 20 minutes to be delivered the Alaska Airlines offered everyone that asked vouchers for $25 off their next flight or Alaska Airline Rewards.  I guess they have a policy that if it takes longer than 20 minutes to deliver your luggage they compensate the travelers with Rewards or money off which was really cool.  We have never had an airline do that before and actually we thought they were fairly quick compared to some of the other flights we had been on even earlier this summer.

    Alaska Airlines seemed to have a great group of employees, high quality service, and a loyal group of travelers.  It appeared that they treated their reward members based on the interactions we had with other travelers on our trip.  It was refreshing to see an airline take pride in their work and provide quality service to those choosing to travel with them.

    Our flights home were pleasant, smooth, and enjoyable on the Alaska Airlines again.  We were only in the air for 28 minutes from Vancouver to Seattle, but we rode on a type of plane the kids have never been on before so they were fascinated by the ride.  It was the only flight that I can remember that allowed the passengers to board both the front and back of the plane simultaneously (you went in the front if you were in the front half of the plane and in the back if you were in the back half of the plane) which provided for a quick and easy boarding for everyone!  The plane arrived at the gate in Vancouver a few minutes later than planned but they gave us a heads up in advance and they still had us loaded and we took off basically on time because they made of the delayed time by loading rather quickly which was really nice.

    We would definitely fly Alaska Airlines again if we have another opportunity.  It was a great experience and a wonderful first impression of the beautiful state of Alaska.  Flying the Alaska Airlines was a great experience for our family.  We have flown a variety of airlines both within the United States and internationally.  We would highly recommend you check out Alaska Airlines if you ever have the opportunity to visit their beautiful area!!

  • CONGRATULATIONS to Our “Significant Work” Winners!

    The names have been drawn for the giveaway!

    CONGRATULATIONS to

    Laurita

    Heidi

    Amanda

    Ashley

    Maria

    for winning the book

    Significant Work by Paul Rude!

    Thanks for making a comment in honor of our Giveaway!

    Enjoy your new book!

    An email will be sent to you with more information*

    Don’t forget to enter our next Giveaway (the next giveaway will be announced later this morning)!

    *Giveaway must be claimed within 5 business days of the prize being announced.  Failure to claim the prize within the allotted time frame means you forfeit the prize.  The actual gift card may or may not be identical to the one pictured above.

  • Giveaway & Review: “Significant Work” by Paul Rude (5 WINNERS)

     

    Deep down inside all of us we want to know what we are doing is significant.  How do we know if our lives are making an positive impact on others?  An eternal impact.  As we go from day to day – working, doing laundry, household chores, and a myriad of other daily activities-living our regular everyday lives how do we know even these daily routines are significant in the whole scheme of life?

    I am excited to introduce you to Paul Rude’s new book Significant Work!  Paul has worked the full spectrum from Fortune 500 companies to mission fields of Alaska and is struck with the conviction that everyday of the Christian life is significant.  This led him to to launch Everyday Significance, an organization dedicated to helping people connect Christ-centered faith to everyday life.  Paul along with his wife, Misty, and his five kids live in beautiful rural Alaska.  When he is not speaking, consulting, or writing, you might find Paul rafting whitewater rivers or climbing mountains.

    My husband and I met Paul and Misty many years ago at our church.  Paul was the head of  our church’s Awana Outreach program in South Carolina.  It has been really neat seeing God call his family to Alaska and the amazing journey he has led them on over the past few years.  His book was refreshing to read and I know it will be a blessing to many people.

    5 lucky readers will win a FREE copy of the Significant Work book by Paul Rude!  ENTER NOW for a chance to win a copy of this great book (it only takes a couple seconds to leave a comment and be entered into the giveaway, please see all the giveaway details below)!

    Why I love this book:

    Paul’s book hit home in many areas.  As a child of a loving God, wife, Mom, homemaker, blogger and all the many other roles the days can seem a little crazy.  Some days it’s all I can do to find the floor when I am standing in front of a pile of dirty laundry and have trail of toys and books scattered throughout the house it is hard not to wonder……is it worth it?  How does all the day-to-day picking up, meal planning, cleaning, working, and everything else leave an eternal imprint?  Does it really matter?

    So often we believe the lie…..the lie that those directly in ministry fields are the ones who have a direct connection with God, that they are the ones making the biggest impact on the lives of others for eternity.  As I look around me I see many people that I interact with regularly – my husband, kids, family, friends, neighbors, and strangers.  While all the little never-ending activities can seem mundane with little significance when my heart is all-in I will slowly see pieces of eternity shaping not only in my heart and life but in the lives of those who I interact with regularly.

    Many of us work in the everyday marketplace from truck drivers, waitresses, pilots, accountants, and more.  Our work is a gift from God.  We want to do work that matters to God, but the everyday demands of life constantly pull us in the opposite direction.*  Life is a balancing act.  Each of us wants to know that what we do every day counts.  We’re busy measuring externals, but all the while, God is looking directly at our hearts.

    We burn more time and energy at work than anything else we do in life by far.  Our jobs, along with the daily grind of errands and household chores, will consume the majority of the waking hours in our adult lives.  The hours consumed are not our second rate hours-our highest energy, peak creativity, and sharpest intellect.  Once all the necessary activities are done for the day there isn’t much time or energy left for doing work for eternity.  Sure we may have an opportunity to volunteer at church, go on a mission trip, or some other great activity but the majority of our days are filled with work and other obligations.  Can the normal everyday tasks be my way of making an impact on eternity?

    …..God usually chooses not to tell us the specific game plan for our lives.  He doesn’t swoop down in a fiery cloud and explicitly tell us what to do in life’s pivotal decisions.  How do we know we are doing God’s will for our lives?  Some people seem to know exactly what they are suppose to be doing while others struggle with knowing what they should be doing.  God does not play cruel little games, taunting us with his plan while holding it just out of reach….If he wants us to know something we will know it – absolutely and without any doubt. 

    While many people work outside of the home some people have the opportunity to stay home with their children.  Many moms feel guilty, because they don’t have the time or energy to volunteer more hours at church-hours that impact souls and make a lasting difference……How does washing a load of laundry change eternity? …….The truth, however, is stunning.  God uses our regular, daily, earthly work to forge the very shape of eternity.  I am so thankful that the time and energy we invest in our family really does have an eternal significance.  God can work in our hearts whether we are folding clothes at home or overseas on a mission trip.  Isn’t it awesome how he can use even the simple stuff to help shape eternity!

    No matter how obscure our lives may seem today, we will one day radiate the glory of God before redeemed humankind and all the mighty hosts of heaven.  No one will be forgotten, ignored, or belittled as insignificant to God.  The work you do today matters!

    God is forging his masterpiece with our random-arrow lives.  He’s given each of us an unique life to live – a particular place to strike the white-hot ingot of eternity.  We each have our very own place in his story.  Like master to apprentice, he entrusts the hammer to our hands.  He says, “Strike it. Strike it right here.  This is your place.  This is where I want you to shape eternity.  Live the life I gave you to live.”  In stammering awe, we take up the hammer.  We live our regular, everyday lives.  The hammer falls.  Sparks fly, and the Master, our Father, is delighted. 

    *Information that is in bold and italics are quotes from Paul Rude’s book.

    After reading Significant Work I think it will help inspire and encourage you as well.  I really like how Paul is upfront and honest with his readers.  I know many of you will enjoy this book!

    Giveaway Details

    As a way to say thank you to my readers and to share Paul Rude’s book I am hosting a giveaway!  5 WINNERS will receive a free copy of  Significant Work book by Paul Rude!

    Enter the Giveaway (up to 4 entries per person)!

    1. Sign up to follow my blog (if you haven’t done so already) and leave a comment below telling us how you follow Blessings Multiplied.  Put a separate comment for each way you follow Blessings Multiplied (Email, Twitter, or Facebook) plus an extra entry for your bonus answer!   Each comment counts as an entry into the giveaway.

    All comments must be made by January 31, 2013 at 10:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.  Good Luck!

    I encourage you to check out more information about  Significant Work by Paul Rude if you are interested in reading it.   This book book may give you the just right dose of motivation to get you on the road more eternal significance!  What are you waiting for…….get a copy and start reading today!

    More information about Significant Work by Paul Rude can be found:

    Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from the author. The book, specific product information, and photo were provided by Paul Rude, however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”   A special thanks to Paul Rude for providing me a copy of his  Significant Work book to review as well as five to giveaway to my readers!