Extraordinary Steps

I've been in Wyoming for almost 2 weeks now. In my apartment for almost one of those weeks. I've thought a lot about my life path over the last six months and past thought process upon where I have come from and been brought to.

These times that I fall, crawl and struggle to think about where it is I'm headed or have come from or even feel like I'm not moving at all. Just as the Exiles couldn't fully comprehend. It is with in Gods plans to cause strong hold upon Him not ourselves or each other. To not understand but to trust regardless...


"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".- Jeremiah 29:11

I think about a lot of incredible people who have accomplished incredible things in their life times:

Theodore Roosevelt- 1858-1919 :Teddy "attended Harvard, where he studied Biology, boxed and developed an interest in naval affairs. He quickly entered politics, determined to become a member of the ruling class. In 1881, he was elected to the New York State Assembly, where he became a leader of the GOP. His book, The Naval War of 1812 (1882), established him as a learned historian and writer".- Wikipedia

Guys, I don't know if you did that math but he accomplished the things mentioned above by the time he was 24 years old! What?! Not to mention that "He was known for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "Cowboy" persona and robust masculinity".

Mother Teresa- 1910-1997: In her early years she was fascinated  by stories of the lives of missionaries and their service in Bengal, and by age 12 had become convinced that she should commit herself to a religious life. ... She left home at age 18 to join the Sisters of Loreto as a missionary... She took her first vows as a nun in 1931 (when she was 21!) and took her solemn vows in 1937 (When she was 27!)".-Wikipedia

Mother Teresa traveled to Ireland to learn English so that she could teach in India! This before she even took her final Vows by 27.

I can remember taking ballet classes with my friend Kristin. for almost a decade we danced together and also went to school together. I had seen her creative mind at work through high school and though she doesn't even realize it, her determination and Thriving has had a huge effect on those around her. She went to Hamilton College to Study Neuroscience. Then she went on to get her Masters in the midst of studying at Oxford in England. Then she proceeded to gain her PhD in Neuroscience from Brown University. She is currently rocking her Pennsylvania accent in Cambridgeshire, England working on some really cool research! She's 27 !!!! Gah! Amazing!

Experience/ Skill level/ Thriving/ Gods Plan/ Forcing/ Surrender

Perhaps we see ourselves as inadequate, failures or ill experienced at the very beginning thought. But let that thought dig deeper so that we may be able to remember  and find the incredible achievements in numbers that we will count on our fingers and toes 300 times over. These achievements are things that God had for us specifically. Just like Teddy Roosevelt accomplished so much by the time he was 28 because it was who God made him to be. In reality, in Teddy's early years he was a very ill child who wasn't very strong at all. But even in the midst of being home schooled he became a Naturalist! WHAT!

God has given me the experience of community, rigorous use of my body to serve and personality to work in specific situations. We have purpose. Thinking back upon childhood dreams of being someone experienced and well rounded, I saw a huge gap. Here I was wanting to experience yet I didn't have any experience or resources to be able to experience. So how could I ever get into the life I desired? I needed patience. Not just personally but I needed others around me's patience. In the middle of the struggles, seemingly strong people enter our lives and change them forever. I feel at times if we're gracious enough and thankful enough that we can reflect back and realize, appreciate and build upon that patience of influence therefore creating opportunity for those who seek strength. God provides this patient strength through those He puts in our lives. To speak into our lives to speak into us because that is a purpose that only that person can fulfill.

I am no different, you are no different...

You. Have. Purpose.

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectations for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by it's own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we out to pray for, but the spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts know the mind and spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified".- Romans 18-30

Cut to the chase:

Friends it's been an incredible week. Like I mentioned I moved into my apartment last weekend and already I feel at home. That's a huge win. Still keeping eyes open for a couch to go under the map! And clearly some more decor! Send it my way friends! 617 Plaza Court. Laramie WY 82070
Check out my pad:

It also snowed which was really awesome. Our SROM headquarters/office is a shed like building that can get flooded or really cold if not properly maintained so we shovel the peramiters not only for our feet but for our buns while working inside! This week I made my first few phone calls to check in with students and had multiple attempts at setting up my voicemail. Ha. Practice, practice, practice. If you haven't seen it yet, SROM is putting out the word of winning some free Patagonia jazz. The newest of jackets: Nano-air Hoody! Check it out here: Patagonia Jacket Giveaway!

Enter yours and 10 friends names, your name will be added 11 times! We have been trying to boost our contacts! I mean who wouldn't want a chance to look super snazy and discover and adventure to go with it!? It'll be ending in 2 weeks so enter soon!

I really am right where I need to be. Snow is greatly celebrated here and I have missed that so much. So let the celebrations continue!

-Keep Adventuring.

Hop on board!