How it came to be.

This last summer sometime (or in the spring maybe?) Bob Lenz talked to my Dad about the possibility of the Fitz Family joining him on his trip to Alaska this coming December.

Bob speaks at public school assemblies and usually travels with some sort of entertainment (a band, a comedy act, an illusionist, a juggling family) that performs before him during the assembly and then acts as part of the draw to for people to return to the evening program. But as talented as all of the groups that travel with Bob are, we all know that it is not just the entertainment that brings them back. Bob's speaking captures their attention and the truth he speaks about resonates in their hearts.

Immediately upon being asked I said, "Yes. Yes, absolutely. Yes."

My parents spoke with Bob this summer. Bob was trying to lay it on the line how it was not going to be a picnic. He had some example that he told my dad who relayed it to me. I think it may have had something to do with outhouses... I don't know. I can't remember what it was, but whatever it was, I was not concerned. I gave birth to a human being for crying out loud. I can deal with an outhouse.

I was really more worried about freezing to death. Not "freezing" in the, "Wes-why-can't-we-turn-up-the-heat--to-seventy-its-‘freezing’-in-here.” But... literally freezing.

I've endured some cold winters in the Upper Midwest. I’ve spent a few Christmases in Alberta, but we were always in a city. If you didn't have the right mittens on you could just complain about it in the car until the heater kicked in. But you wouldn't lose a finger. You could just pop into the Macy’s. Or the Target. Or the Chinese Buffet. You wouldn’t have to split open your Tonton and sleep inside of it just to survive until the search party finds you. Blech.

Most of the places we are going, I don't think, are that much different than here. Except when we'll be taking small planes into each of the little villages.

The only other Alaska stories I've heard from Bob involve not being able to land at some of the villages because of the snowstorms... That is what I'm worried about.

But that is completely ridiculous. Right?

Oh, I just remembered the story Bob told my dad! It wasn’t about an outhouse at all! As they were flying the small chartered plane into one of the villages they had to circle and circle and circle the village to get their approach just right. One of the people on the plane threw up. Everyone could hear it and smell it, so the rest of them nearly threw up as well.

Sure. That's disgusting. That is no reason not to go.

So, my dad and I discussed our show routines over Thanksgiving, and I've been practicing in the living room with Charlotte. I'm borrowing my brother's really good digital camera. I'm packing all of my recently purchased long underwear and my long-ago purchased big furry hat. And I'm ready, I guess.

I'm incredibly excited. I'm really excited to see Alaska. And I'm really excited to see Alaskans. And I'm really excited to juggle.

I know part of the reason that I'm the only Fitz kid going on the trip is that I'm the only girl. It makes me think about what Jilly says about the ComedySportz goal that at least one of the captains in each show be a woman. (Beware I'm about to paraphrase Jill from my memory) "No. It doesn't make me mad. Because sometimes we go to these little tiny towns and there is an eight-year old girl just staring up at me with big eyes, and she is thinking, 'you're showing me that I can do something with me life.'" Well. Jill says it better. If you're out there, Jill, feel free to correct my poor memory.

So, all of that to say, that I take very seriously the opportunity to do this. And I'm praying about it nearly constantly. Though I do not know what lies ahead I pray that we can bring joy and hope. Oh, yeah, and also that I don't drop when I'm juggling four clubs.