Let The Nomadic Lifestyle Commence...Again.

Let's see here. I have things to say but I don't know where to begin. I have things on my heart but I don't know which words should be used to best describe them.

I rode my bicycle today. I am getting used to new things. Shifters, saddle and handlebar placement. Settling into this contraption that propels me from one place to another. From one season to another... I remember riding different bikes. How much we really do get to know ourselves and our bodies when it comes down to riding on something that is not the one God truly blessed you with. Almost like a wand from Olivanders.

I recalled my first ever team ride heading to Seattle and how exciting yet odd it felt. I remembered the feeling as we rode to Rockaway beach and ran to the ocean. How much life changes in 8 weeks. I put my fingers up and 8 is not 10. But 8 is still a lot. and with in that 8 weeks new discoveries were made and it will happen again and again and again through out even shorter seasons of life.

I hit the road in less than two weeks to begin the trek from Minnesota to Washington (washing tongue).

I've begun packing up my room into the same boxes I pack these things into every 6 months it seems, sometimes less. These happenings cause me to look into the photographs in which I pin up and tear down often and it is fun to have these people in my room constantly. To have them reminding me who they are, who I am and why I am again diving into this rather nomadic lifestyle, adding another layer of this story to the depths of my soul.

If there is one thing I have realized in my encounter with life, it is this; God is faithful and He knows how we are built and what we need. God continues to put these kinds of things in people form in my life. and I am very excited to begin the trek. Truth, depth and growth. With others who have been delicately placed into our lives. And with the weeks that have been following up to these moments and that will lead up to when we are all standing in the flesh with one another. It will be joyful.

Though I have experienced something like this before. This tour this Summer I have never experienced. Because it hasn't happened yet. So my expectations are simply this, I have none. Just memories of places and faces with the strength and will of God propelling me forward through these miles and smiles of individuals who I will see many layers to their stories and souls as the journey commences. I am already very thankful.

I am already very thankful again that God has given us temples for Him to work through, to strengthen and to  show the forces of His love and compassion. He builds the story with in us as we see each hill and make the climb. He builds our hope and sees it through to it's completion. It will be completed. I am thankful for the once in a life time opportunity that has turned into twice. Knowing that I have been given the choice to follow or to disobey. He will push me further and harder than I ever could imagine and I am so thankful for that to know that through suffering there is joy. And through suffering there is triumph and celebration that the hope in which I ride for is the same hope that fuels the lives of so many others.

Let these legs be blessed and His strength and love overflowing through all of us that leaves a trail and soaks those who surround us in these 3,448 miles that we will be propelled across... Like wings on Eagles.

Keep Adventuring

Ironwomen

I felt like a inspired little girl today looking to those who are so much more capable than I am at accomplishing so much more than I could ever imagine. Thinking, "I want to do that someday". I must admit that I haven't felt this inspired in a long time. This inspiration stirring with in me from long ago. Wanting to do something really incredible.

Sacrifice. There are many definitions to this word. Many different meanings and interpretations. Many kinds of views, understandings and enlightenment to what the seasoning of sacrifice brings to our lives and how strong or light at came be to zest so many different things.

I am inspired by my dear friends, Shannon and Ashley. Today, they completed the Iron man in Houston Texas. Merely a thought almost a year ago while we rode bikes, this idea was born into existence at the proper timing of Gods will. And from these roads, these hearts began to yearn for that. To sacrifice time, effort, and will power to train, suffer and triumph in baby steps to places and phases of the months that pass.

To see the time count down and dwindle, I became rather excited to remember watching the Ironman in Kona, Hawaii. And the funny thing is this. I just so happened to be dog sitting and this dogs name is Kona.

As friends posted bib numbers and prep photos leading up to the start this morning at 7am central, I followed them all day long. Constantly wanted to run long distances and ride my bike forever. Feeling intimidated by the swimming yet found myself running with energy to various places at work, secretly pretending I was in the race. Since when has my imagination gone wild again?

Inspiration does that and bring out deeper desires of our hearts. Makes us long to be better, long to be stronger, and long to seek deeper with in ourselves who God wants us to be and what we can SACRIFICE.

Again pushing these tents to the ultimate brink. To think outside the box and outside of this body to prove all the more who God is and what kind of strength He puts in us and what we can actually do if we allow ourselves to be strengthened by Him in these ways.

As of today I have indeed made the decision to do an Ironman before I turn 30. I am not one for bucket lists. If God wills it. Yet I have very much desired to do this for a long time and with in the time and transitions of many things, I feel very much like this is a huge possibility. And I am very excited on top of inspired. I ask you to hold me accountable. You know who you are.

Praise God for inspirations in daily life. For friends who God strengthens through and through.
 I am so proud and stoked for Shannon 15:25:53 and Ashley 14:03:38. The Lords strength in you blows me away on a daily basis!!!

Congratulations!

Today Felt So Far Away

Have you ever had one of those moments where you meet up with someone after a while and it instantly takes you back to the day, time, season, feelings and smells of that day when you last saw that person? Down to the very temperature and feelings of heart ache and such joy bursting out of that sorrow.

I had that tonight. I had that the moment I hugged Chanel Thompson. These moments that I recall were our last day before the airport in South Africa. Surprising her at work while sweat soaked our backs from sitting in an over crowded car all afternoon. It took me back to seeing Jacky and Franco and picking up puppies in Wellington.

Seeing her face in front of mine again reminded me of the moment when we I saw her mane and Calebs
 tie coming up the escalator  How wonderful it felt to know what caring feels like when you are the one receiving it. Seeing us off on a very sad day yet an exciting new beginning. It reminded me of the "just one more hug"s and the hard goodbyes because today felt so far away. And yet here it is and she is here. At last, from across the vast pond months later. What seems like yesterday and fresh heart ache mixed with faith and longing for patience has persevered into the present. And it is lovely.

I had a dream last night about good friends being back and I woke up this morning, split second sadness with and overwhelming aftershock of joy to remember that today was May 15th. Today there would be reuniting of many smiles and many hugs. Many inspirations and many hopes continuing on.

There is yet another season blooming into this path as there have been some frosty moments where things have been more shaded. Now the light, again, brings new perspective. New hopes and more vivid dreams that the Lord seems to have been speaking through as of late.

It's more than nice to see you again.

Vast, Rich Exploration

I am a farmer by default. I gain the most pleasure out of planting seeds and watching progression. Taking delight when fruit is bared and stocks tall. Relationships deep in the soil with intent to hold steadfast. Reminding me and others that we may bend, hard, but we will not be destroyed.

God breaks us as easily as we break dried mud on a river bar. And it is satisfying to see it break down and carried away by the wind. Placing it right where The Lord will have it, for safe keeping. Certainly we feel, at times, like blown about dried mud but even Satan can't prevent us from getting to where God needs us most. Placing us ever so carefully a midst this small earth. We are so small, like a grain of sand that even a river bar feels like eternity. Even a small area like this river bar feels like this is all that there is. YET, we have heard of the quenching waters. We have seen glimpses of the reflecting sunlight and cool breeze from places unseen. And it is in this moment we are reminded how small we really are. In each of these moments we are reminded how precious we are in the middle of these vast, rich explorations.