Many people have asked me if I'm going to keep my name or if I'm going to hyphenate both names. My answer is simple yet complex and hard to accept but I am taking Austins last name. I am parting from Middleton, identity, "royalty" to become one with Austin. I am not loosing my identity though. Instead both Austin and I are gaining new identity by joining with God to become one flesh. One flesh that has gained the unique characteristics, talents, gifts, strengths and weaknesses of the other.
"6But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 7'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."- Mark 10:6-9
Oh common! You'd do it too I'm sure!
Another time I was sprinting through the London Airport trying to catch my second flight from South Africa to New York City after a month of ministry. I got to the gate just in time. I handed my passport to the desk person as per usual. She looked at my name then slowly looked back up at me. Mind you we are in Heathrow London International Airport. I gave a little smirk and put my finger up to my mouth and said "shhh". She laughed and I was on my way.So departing from Middleton is for sure going to be a sad day as some of my married friends can relate to. But with in that small detachment comes new exciting things!
I am becoming a Holler and God has known this all along. And I must say God introduced the name to me years ago in Sevierville, Tennessee. I was visiting a dear friend of mine after being home in Pennsylvania for Christmas. I flew down to see her before heading back to California to begin the Spring season in the Redwoods.
We had gone out to dinner, raining and no matter where we were the sweet smell of rodadendren soggied the air. It was delightful. She was showing me a little bit of downtown Gatlinburg, TN and there was a popular place called "Moonshine Holler", an ally way of moonshine tasting, At which point I looked perplexed and asked what a "Holler" was. Jenna (my friend) looked at me like I was crazy because I didn't know what a Holler was. I explained that I had never heard the term "Holler". She began to laughed.Holler: (In case you were interested like I was)
- In the Appalachians it is called a "holler" because the valley between the mountains is so small you don't need to go down the mountain, across the valley and climb but up to speak with someone... You simply "holler" from mountain top to mountain top.
-Used as a Verb and as a noun. You can holler (yell) at someone. Or use it as a location. Some people live up in a "holler" (hollow). As a noun it is used for a narrow valley between mountains.
I couldn't believe it. It just seemed so old fashioned I couldn't imagine people still doing this to each other in the midst of technology and other easier forms of communication.
None the less we had a good laugh about it all and I left for work in California for an additional 3 years. Through so many God events and happenings, God brought me to Laramie Wyoming to pursue Wilderness Ministry. Something He has been preparing me for for a while. As I began to settle in to Laradise, Laramie Wyoming, I was invited over to a friends house for dinner and I accepted. She told me "Holler" was coming too. Perplexed and humored I asked, "What's a Holler". She replied saying that it was Austins last name. I just laughed with my guard up. A few weeks later Austin and I went climbing and then we went to a cafe that led to dinner. I texted Jenna that evening shortly after Austin and I parted from each other and asked her if she remembered that night that we laughed so hard about "Holler" she replied, yes. I told her in all seriousness that God is hilarious and that Holler may actually become my last name some day and how I had just gone on a first date with Austin Holler.
I'm still laughing and life is still happening. In one month I will become a Holler... And I'm finding it difficult to wait. However I am soaking in what is currently still my life as a Middleton and tying up and wrapping up all that this season has to offer in the midst of transitioning.
Next couple of weeks are looking like:
SROMs annual Food Throw is next weekend! This is our ration system and dividing bulk foods purchased for our ration program to weigh out and divy up for food for all of our courses going out this summer. Lots of work but AWESOME company while doing so! We are excited to get the summer season ramped up and kicked off since we have already had a course go out and come back that I helped co-instruct in the Grand Canyon!
One Month Away from becoming a Holler! We are in the final stages of wedding planning! We are rather simple people so there isn't a whole lot to finalize. We are really excited to see friends and family and celebrate! 4 weeks and we are headed to a destination unknown to me. Austins planning the entire Honeymoon! WEEEOOOO!
Injury Updates on my lower back! I've been going to Physical Therapy appointments weekly. They've been doing a little bit of "dry needling". So far I have not been able to run long distances because of the discomfort in my lower back/ right hip. My PT has given me exercises to work on strengthening my glutes and inner thighs. This also helps bring strength to my core and there for making it so my body relies more on all my muscles instead of just my lower back muscles.
*Please keep praying for my back. June 4th is quickly approaching and we are running a half marathon in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
-Keep Adventuring
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