I'm Coming Home!!!!

Hello My Dear Family and Friends (most of you fall under both of those categories, and I love that…)

With just over a week to go in this contract, I can’t help but to think back to start of it all. I was sad to leave Tampa, but optimistic and hopeful about the adventure that was before me, and what an adventure it has been! It’s been a privilege to share the stage with such an incredible cast of talented and loving individuals from all over the globe. When I’ve prayed for God to “expand my borders” I never dreamed that He would make it THIS magnificent! I’ve sang some pretty songs, met some amazing people that will be in my life forever, but most importantly, I’ve seen some more of this incredible earth that God created for us. I will take these experiences with me forever.

I thank you all for your love, prayers, and unconditional support as I’ve traveled. When I miss you all, looking at your pictures and reading your letters and emails have brought me to such a wonderful place. My cabin walls are covered with photographs of all of you and I often sit on my bed and look at the sea of faces and think, “I couldn’t be more blessed!” Thank you.

It’s nearly time to leave these great friends and head home. It is quite a challenge as you can imagine to bid farewell to a group of people that you have spent every waking moment with for the last several months, but everyone is headed home to loving family and friends and we are all grateful for that.

I look forward to seeing you all more than you can know. I’d be honored for you to come to my new place and sit with me while we catch up on the last few months. If we get tired of sitting, we can take a walk in the park!! It’s hard to believe that Aaron has been living at the new house at 4th and 4th for four months, and I’ve not even stepped foot in it… I am counting the minutes until I’m able to explore it all for myself.

On Sunday, Jenn, B, Selah, and Grandma board the Star Princess for last tour of Alaska! I am thrilled by their visit. Selah and Marin are practically celebrities within my cast and everyone is quite eager to meet Sweet Selah. One of the dancers, Leanne from Australia, has actually bought the 3-D movie of Hannah Montana in preparation for Selah’s arrival. She called me in my cabin and was going on and on about how excited she was that the DVD came with four pairs of 3-D glasses, so we could all watch it together…such kindness. I’m excited about the times we will share next week. I love singing for loved ones. It brings my heart to such an incredible place to look out into the audience which is usually filled with strangers and see the people that I love the most. Singing for Grandma though is my VERY FAVORITE! I see her as the start of this families love for music and know that she passed that on to her children, grandchildren, and now even her great-grandchildren, so it’s always such a thrill and honor to sing for her.

That cruise ends on September 21st, and while the rest of the clan is staying one extra night in Seattle, I’m heading straight home thanks to my wonderful travel planner with the office! I’m flying out in the 12 o’clock hour Pacific time and flying to Las Vegas. I’m in Vegas for less than an hour and then head straight for Tampa and will land just before Midnight Eastern. How perfect is that?? I will see you all soon…

NOW ON TO SARAH PALIN…
(the PRIDE of Alaska)

Well my friends…she’s the best! Despite the liberal media’s attempt at a witch-hunt, she is proving to be full of character, strength, determination, and humility. I list those characteristics before her political credentials because I believe we need someone with strong personal convictions more so than we need someone who has had their eye on Washington for years.
Her executive experience in the state of Alaska is celebrated so highly up here. She is a hero to the people of Alaska. CNN may attempt to discredit her approval rating by blaming it on her nurturing manner and kind demeanor, but it is in fact her policies that make her so beloved in this state. She has thrown the old rules out the window and challenged the “norm” with every single decision that she has made. Without hesitation, she has fought corruption on BOTH sides, which is hardly ever done anymore because of ridiculous partisan politics. She doesn’t pay attention to party affiliation, but stands on values and convictions and will stop at nothing to see the truth brought to light. She has lead the people of Alaska with a level headed kind of leadership that is bearly (ha ha ha) ever seen anymore.

I encourage you all to read up on her. Go to a bipartisan website that you trust (not CNN and not Fox News) and find out for yourselves where she stands, and what rumors are worth our time to investigate. The democrats are attempting to cheapen her in every single way that they can. They hate her for the whole “bridge to nowhere” scandal, but think of it this way. When she was running for Governor, she (as any person would) supported the federal funding to bring money to her state, but after being seated in the office as Governor and learning the details of this project, she dismissed it. She shocked everyone up here when she did that. That proves that she leads with a good balance of mind and heart.

The rumors of removing books out of the public library in her hometown of Wasilla, where she was mayor…completely false.

The rumors of her allowing hunters to shoot wolves from planes in the state of Alaska, a practice that has been illegal since the seventies…completely TRUE.
The videos that CNN are showing of the wolves being shot are sad and disturbing. It brings flashbacks to Bambi’s mom and tugs at our hearts, but why did she choose to allow this practice?
WOLVES KILL MOOSE.
People in Alaska, especially the natives rely heavily on moose to feed their families and by allowing the CONTROLLED hunting of wolves, the population is being kept under control and keeping the number of moose up. That’s level headed leadership.
I read in Newsweek that for years, Sarah and her husband caught all the fish and shot all the meat that their family consumed. Wow.
That’s the kind of person I want representing me. Someone who knows the reason that God made animals…to serve man and to feed us. How did we become so jaded to think that we should pass laws to protect polar bears before our own quality of life?? Don’t polar bears eat people anyways??

Sorry to be on my soapbox about this…it’s just crazy when you think about how backwards things have become.

Investigate for yourself…
She’s cool.
Read about how she’s suing the federal government for standing in the way of using Alaska’s natural resources! WE MADE THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE A STATE BECAUSE OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES THAT IT OFFERED OUR COUNTRY, and now, crazy environmentalists are standing in the way of tapping in to those valuable gifts. Alaska is big my friends…I promise you won’t see drills when you cruise, they’ll be far away from the shores and everyday life, while bringing us what we so desperately need. (oil from our own soil)


I’m Jamie Johnson, and I approve the message.

Special Visitors!!

These pictures say it all!!

These photos say it all...

Transitions

I watch a whole lot of CNN. Please don’t fault me for the station choice, it’s all I have. Although the reporting is quite slanted, as it is on ALL channels, the subject matters cannot be altered. As I watch what is going on in our country, and the rest of the world all that comes into my mind is the word, “transition.” Our country has an enormous decision to make in just a couple of months time. We are seeing obvious signs of difficult economic times and many people are looking to a new leader to fix that for us. People are losing their homes, living without health care, some aren’t able to fill their gas tanks, and we think that a new President is going to fix all of this for us?

In my own personal journey, I see transitions happening to almost everyone that I love. Selah began school on Monday; the start of her academic journey. Matt and Sarah are just a few weeks away from hearing where they are going to live for the next several years for Matt’s residency. Marin is days away from walking without the help of her toy cart; the first on millions of steps that she will take on her journey. So many people in my life, including myself, are looking for career transitions. Although it is a humbling experience to not know where your next paycheck will come from, I’ve found peace in knowing that God has us all EXACTLY where He wants us to be…solely dependant on HIM!

I never take this so far as to say, “I’m not concerned with any of this, God will handle it all.” I believe that God will deal with anything and everything that is on our hearts, but a lot of times WE are HIS best instruments for making all of the wonderful blessings take place. Although I refuse to sit back and not do anything for my own success, I also refuse to lose my peace of mind over worrying about something that God is in control of.

I suppose the reason I’m on my soapbox about this subject is the fact that I wish that we could ALL adopt this mindset concerning our futures. Whether it’s the future of our government, or our most precious loved ones, I see nothing but wonderful affects coming from living like this. We are all in charge of our joy, and I pray that more and more people come to the understanding that whether it’s a dark day, or a bright day, that God has so many blessings in store for us, and all we have to do is EXPECT them.

“If there’s anyone here tonight who has not obeyed the gospel, please come forward as we sing all 14 verses of Trust and Obey.”

J

Thanks for listening to me ramble.

Update from the Star Princess...

Happy Birthday to Matt Fox today...and TIKI pup.

Carol and Jenn arrive tomorrow in Seattle.

CRAZY week this cruise!!

One night the weather was so bad the captain came over the loud speaker and asked everyone to sit down where they were...that has never happended to me on a ship. (bad weather was to blame)

On another night, a fire broke out in one of the kitchens. That has ALSO never happended to me...everything turned out fine, but it was NUTS!

Maybe it's just God trying to keep me from being bored...

MUCH love to you all!

Me singing...

For those of you how aren't able to come to the ship...here is a song I sing in one of the shows.

ENJOY!!

RIP Estelle Getty...

Hello All!

Greetings for the Last Frontier. I’m ready to be done saying that. I can truly say that Alaska is the most beautiful place I have ever been, but honestly, traveling this much in the last couple years has taught me that there is nothing more beautiful than HOME! By home, I’m not necessarily referring to the Hills of Zephyr, but more so where my loved ones are. I can’t wait to be home with all of you, share my new home with you, and hear all about what I’ve missed while I’ve been away. Selah is starting kindergarten. Marin is close to walking. It’s time to come home.
Things here are excellent! The cast is friendlier than any other team I have been a part of and that makes work so much more enjoyable. No conflicts, just joy…We all care so much about each other and provides such a sense of security and for that, I’m grateful.
Thank you for all the wonderful correspondence! I can’t tell you how excited I get on Sundays when I get back on the ship to start another cruise and I have letters and cards from you guys. It’s always such a nice surprise! Jalyn sent me some new photos of the girls. I’m in awe of what’s happening to them. Beautiful.
Grandma sent me a letter and the clipping from the newspaper announcing mine and Aaron’s purchase of 4th and 4th. I loved seeing that. Besides my checking account balance, I really had no proof that I actually owned it, so thanks to Grandma, I believe it!
Mom sent me a card that sang to me as I opened it. That was a wonderful surprise. She wrote me a short novel sharing her heart with me, a beautiful letter that I’ve read several times. We had such a great visit, and reading the letter reminds me of all of our fun times together.
Aunt Kaye has sent me a couple INFORMATIVE letters, which I LOVE! She updates me on her and Uncle David and of course Sarah and Hannah. I love reading them, and everyone that sees the letters on my desk inquires about her beautiful penmanship. I enjoy getting those updates a great deal and appreciate the time and effort she must put in to that.
Carol sent me a care package with new music and pictures along with a handmade card and some treats that remind me of late nights at her house. Carol could teach seminars on how to make someone’s day. She is so gifted in that arena.
Believe it or not, Aaron actually sent me a card! I didn’t know what to do when I saw it sitting in my box. I smiled when I saw the return address was the new house. He pretty much told me that he couldn’t care less when I come home, but that Tiki misses me every single day. (I’ll take that as Aaron’s own way of telling me he wants me home…at least I tell myself that!)
Jenn never writes.
Yesterday, when I got back onboard, I had the very best surprise though…A CARD FROM HANNAH! When I saw her name on the envelope, I immediately started to cry and told my friend that I was standing with how special it was that I was getting mail from her. Her words were beautiful and sincere. God’s timing with her journey has amazed me. The horrible times in the past will all be worth it when she’s back home. Visiting her before I left I KNEW in my heart that she was a transformed young lady. The work isn’t done, but it isn’t ever done for ANY OF US! It’s all a journey, and it’s so important to appreciate the valleys as much as the peaks. I’m so thankful that places like Steppin Stone exist for situations like this one. God is good.

I hate to sound like Oprah with the book recommendations, but I’ve got another one that you MUST READ!
The Shack.
Without telling you too much, it’s about a man who is suffering through the loss of his little girl. She was abducted and there is proof of her murder. This proof was found in a remote shack.
Four years after the kidnapping, he receives a note inviting him to the shack for a weekend. The note is signed by someone claiming to be God.

That is all I am going to tell you about the plot.
Read it!!!!!!
I warn you of the intensity. It’s CRAZY, but more fulfilling than any other book I have EVER READ!
It perfectly answers the question, “Where is God during chaos and turmoil?”
Read it, and then pass it on to someone who needs it.
Robbie Brown in who called me with the recommendation. I will be forever grateful to him for it. Without exaggerating, it truly was life-altering to read this book.

In less than two months, I will be HOME! I’m counting the days.
In the meantime however, Carol and Jenn are coming to visit on August 3rd, and then the following cruise Matt and Sarah are coming along with Dr. and Mrs. Pancotto! That is going to be two crazy weeks. I’m so blessed by all of these wonderful visitors. My friends onboard can’t seem to get enough of my friends and family. I can’t either.
The newest development with visitors is Jenn, B, Selah, and Grandma coming for the last cruise of the Alaska season! That is going to be incredible!!!! I will be overwhelmed with joy having them all on at once. It will make packing much easier for me after I bribe one of them to bring an empty suitcase with them to help with my ridiculous amount of STUFF. Jenn and Byron will have their room, I’m getting Grandma HER own room, and I’m hoping that Selah will want to “campout” with Uncle in OUR own room. I’ve already gone through my DVD collection to see what she will enjoy. I brought Matilda, Pippy Longstocking, Annie, and Free Willy…so that should cover a few hours of entertainment for her.
Thanks to Byron for arranging this.
It will be magical.
It just seems so right them coming on my last cruise and bringing me home with them. I’m thrilled just at the thought!

Please keep your eyes and ears open for used cars that are for sale and good jobs that will pay me ridiculous amounts of money. Thank you.

I love you all and feel your love all the time.
Thinking of you with every note I sing.
Jamie