Been There, Done That.

Ever since I had begun a new relationship...With adventuring on a bicycle, I have also fallen in love with making lists that consist of things I had never done before. "Firsts"  It really makes life way more interesting and it gives different perspectives of how interesting life really is every day.
So here's another good list my friends.

Camp South Africa 2012 Uno's!

1. First time going "upstairs" in an airplane.
2. First time trying on a Rolex-$74,500 (Thanks Dima) Heathrow airport, London
3. First time Attending a South African wedding (Church 11/18/12)
4. First time peeing in a Mens room IN SOUTH AFRICA!
5. First time singing worship at the beach.
6. First time eating authentic Fish N' Chips.
7. First time seeing Great Scott perform in South Africa (Mannenburg Primary School) 11/20/12
8. First time using a pull chain toilet.
9. First time riding the cable car to the top of Table Mountain
10. First time walking through a massive cloud (Table Mountain).
11.First time eating a Grannadilla (Thanks Abby)!
12. First time having a translator (Alvina explaining steel the chicken in Afrikaans)
13. First time singing someone to sleep (Danzilique-"How he Loves us").
14. First time meeting and having a friend from the Congo (Yeah Marcus)!
15.First time going on a night hike in South Africa.
16. First time LEADING a night hike in South Africa (whew!)
17. First time playing hide and seek in South Africa.
18. First time singing and praying in fellowship under the stars.
19. First time star tipping in South Africa (Keegan, sorry you got sick Bru)
20. First time attending a Hillsong Church (Thanks Chanel)
21. First time sleeping outside on a bench in South Africa.
22. First time using a Go-Pro.
23. First time riding a bike in South Africa ( at The Ark).
24. First time petting a pig.
25. First time eating a Litchie (Thanks Rich).
26. First time running down Table Mountain (looking for the Lindsays').
27. First time running with Chanel (down table Mountain).
28. First time swimming in the Atlantic Ocean from another country.
29. First time eating Sardines (Anchovies?)...Add that to my lasts list too.
30. First time peeing off the tip of Africa!
31. First time helping take out a hair weave (thanks Pumie)!
32. First time smoking Hookah in South Africa (thanks Lindsay and Margaret)!
33. First time driving in South Africa.
34. First time ordering Kudu/ Billtongue
35. First time playing with puppies in South Africa (Helping hands- Blacky the Dog)
36. First time wine tasting in South Africa (Fairfield Winery)
(Upon returning State side)
37. First time walking/exploring NYC on my own.
38. First time visiting/exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City 12/20/12)
39. First time dancing on a massive piano (F.A.O.Schwartz NYC)
39. First time taking a bus as transportation back to Scranton.














Keep adventuring.

Pin Holes in Canvas

When we returned to City of Refuge on one of our final days in the Surrounding area of Mannenburg, I was sick... I was tired and I felt like I should be doing way more than I was. We brought food to give away and as we arrived to the former gangster pad, we were greeted by a mass confusion of kids, mothers, fathers and  chaos. We were guarded as we were helped in with our supplies to bring hope. in our hands were answers to hundreds of prayers in the midst of heat and pressure between my eyes and ears..

When we walked to the back we reached for the light switch. Instant assumptions that maybe we aren't using the right switch and then switching to that light bulb idea of well lets just put in another light bulb...there aren't any more light bulbs. Their shelves were naked and their hope and trust in the Lord to bring more had been provided but with no physical light. So Pastor woody gave us candles. Let me rephrase. He gave ME candles to hold while sandwiches were being made and packets were being stuffed. I stood there with candles in hand watching the flickers reflect and glisten off knives and eyes. The glow feeling warmer as it warmed the chills I was having from a slight fever. Goose bumps to think of the predicament we were in but how it didn't even phase us after we fell upon the truth.

As I held the candles Pastor Woody came through while controlling the chaos outside the main room, he would look at me and say, "You're doing a great job". I said thank you a couple of times but I felt less and less like I was really doing much of anything that was really helping anyone in the middle of the desperate feelings of movement and feeding. Feeding the stomachs, heart, mind and soul. He walked through again and this time looked me in the eye and told me "You are really good at that". And this time I told him, "Thanks but honestly I don't really feel like I'm doing much of anything". He laughed and looked at me and pointed to the candle. "You have perhaps the most important job of all. After all, that is all that we are... Candle holders in a dark place".

Something blocked me from breathing, seeing, even hearing after that. God stopped everything so that all of that truth could sink in to the depths of every part of me. And I am thankful for that.

I have been feeling those deep moments as of late. I have been feeling more meaning in the midst of moments that normally are passed over and seen through. But God has been speaking more boldly to me than ever and it is strange yet beautiful to see the other way in which He has been making it all very trusting to me.

PTL

Grass Spurs: June, Twenty-first, Two Thousand and Twelve

79.7 miles to White Sulpher Springs, Montana

I woke up this morning doing the same thing. Pray, dress, pack, eat, ride.

Today as the sun rose higher and higher, my heart and mind felt somewhat blank. I had the opportunity to ride alone for 12 miles. The entire time I felt like it was a good opportunity to think about the future and try to talk to God to see where He wanted me to go. But my mind was blank. I couldn't focus on questions. We broke at mile 40 and listened to some Bob Marley. Today is the first day of Summer and I can't think of a better way to spend my summer.

At mile 60 we broke for lunch. And at mile 63 we scaled up a roller coaster, not knowing what would be on the other side. We soared  down into the canyon. Wide turns and the most wide sky with landscapes. I couldn't help but laugh and scream. What an incredible feeling. It was as if I were on skis. We rolled into White Sulpher Springs with one of the best tail winds while Rob convinced cows to stand up. We dropped stuff off and headed to some relaxing hot springs when after an 80 mile ride could have provided instant coma... Before the potluck.

Again and again we are blessed daily by community, food and a place to lay our heads for the night. While food was being prepared, I stared out at a cloud as it seemed stationary yet changed constantly. We are like clouds, I have decided. We change constantly. Never stopping. Gaining and loosing different things. Shaping out perspectives and views of ourselves and the reflection of those around us. Projection. Flow.

We ate then went on a tour of the town castle after bell practice with the White Sulpher Spring Ding-a-lings, where Connor helped and Meg, a 12 year old Fidler was playing with them. Her Grandmother, Jerry, was so proud and excited.

 After seeing local history my lungs were stolen by the Big Sky Montana sunset. I couldn't do anything but look. Ellen saw my shock. All I could do was cry. The shape of the clouds clashing with snow topped mountains while the pastels streamed pink, orange, yellow, blue, white, gray. Sheryl and Tim Mcguire didn't know how to react. I couldn't contain the joy. God shows us so much in such little ways. Like sunsets. It's merely a speck. A little something to slightly show us and try to help us comprehend how much He really loves us. Praise God. Thank you, though I don't have all the answers, I am blessed and thankful to know that my God is one who shows himself daily.















This was the day after toward Harlowton...Waiting for Sweep.

Escape Goats

There are times like these I am sure of it that God so desperately wants our attention that He sets things perfectly in place for us to walk right into, like a wall that physically stops us and to acknowledge Him. It began with a pumpkin patch and ended with the excitement of chasing lightning. Flashes that caused us to detour onto Coleman Valley road. Flashes that kept our faith high hoped for seeing an awesome light show swirl over the Pacific.

Cows in Pastures and patches of fog dancing to Ragina Spektor. And as we reached the coast we could see the moon high to our left and a cloud to our right. Straight ahead the yell of the Lord proclaimed, "I am alive and well!" The moon cascaded of the moving vast sea that gave off black and blue. It was as though the lungs of the earth were breathing, moving the chest cavity. And yet it was as though light and dark were dancing while our eyes focused in awe of what we stumbled upon in the heat of the moment. Searching for something that seems so pointless and forgotten in the presence of such divine beauty.

We sat for the longest time as the smells hit our senses and that wall hit our hearts. Awakening something different in each of us. Praise God. Thank God it was His plan all along.

I'm went on a Cross Country Bike Tour:

And this is what I saw...

Appalachians-J
Bikes-D
Crazy Coulee City-E
Dogs chasing me-R
Eauclaire-J
Fantastic fog-D
Gravel galore-E
Huge hills-R
Ipswitch-J
Jessica jogging-D
Kristina Iniguez-E
L-(?)-R???
Montana-J
Nectarines-D
Over large Hobbit doors-E
Painstaking Passes-R
Quick Stops-J
Ridupid Routes-D
Sweaty Bib backs-E
Timid Train hoppers-R
Unbelievably disgusting underwear-J
Various Varieties of Root Beer-D
Wind-E
X-rayed wrists-R
Yellow corn-J
Zoo York-D

Rest Steps.

Purpose... It is what is instilled in every single being on this earth. Some of us know in the very core, what we think we are made for. And yes, at times these things are made very clear. Others still fitting pieces together and looking to fill those places with other purposes.

The life that is put in these bones serve a life of purpose. And through each day as the circumstances unfold that build upon the muscles of our legs to keep moving forward and for our arms and hands to hold tight to climbing holds of community and purpose seen and felt through passions that have been built into us. The muscle of our hearts build upon faith, courage and purpose of all things around us. There is a purpose for everything. There is a purpose for everyone.

As I looked down at my dust covered, Chaco tanned feet on a mountain side with bike shoes in hand for two hours, gazing to my right at the Pacific ocean, I felt purpose in all of that. I don't know why I have been chosen to feel purpose in these various destinations while crossing other paths of purpose. But the mere glimpses of feeling purpose, I feel brings someone all the more steps closer to the fuzz being extracted from eyes balls to see the next step that must be taken up this dusty, rocky (but beautiful), epic path.

Keep Adventuring.

Strained Ear Drums.

With all of these things in mind and with a heart wide open I come here telling you that The Lord reveals His plans as the days unfold and as Love breaks through barriers and bashes down the walls of our hearts creating new paths, opportunities and New things we never would be able to imagine in our wildest dreams.

With these things said...

I will cut to the chase. The Lord is overflowing my heart with the plans He has set out for me. They are not clear in any sense of the word but I know that these directions will mean something down the road as these paths crisscross and brush alongside others. One thing I do know is that God is faithful and has been so loud in that. With various plans and callings, He has called me forth to pedal over 3400 miles. He has sent me on planes to play with and love children half way across the world. He has set divine appointments with those who have blessed me and others beyond anything I have ever encountered across an entire country and with my heart continually on the mend with His redeeming grace I have been learning so much about myself and the unveiling of spiritual gifts He has shed light on thus far in my short 25 years. And as I reach upon stepping into my 26^th year , I wonder what He has planned. Shortly after my 26^th Birthday I will be diving back down into the depths of the poverty stricken populations of South Africa to continue the growing movement and ministry of Camp South Africa. Working a long side incredible individuals who continue to hear and see Gods plans and purpose daily through day programs and residential programs that are offered for free to educate children and show them how much love there really is for them and to remind them of their self worth.

The ministry has grown tremendously over the last year. With the word of CSA spreading across the nation we have gained incredible donors and supporters from California to New Jersey. This has expanded the number of volunteers and service projects. Over the summer there have been multiple camps and day programs provided by the continued work of the South African team who continues to work diligently and enthusiastically.

A team from across the United States and I will be traveling to Cape Town South Africa on November 16^th, 2012 and I will be returning to the States on December 17^th, 2012. While we are in South Africa we will be focusing on day rallies, residential camping/ministry opportunities and furthering plans to create a more permanent headquarters for the continued growth of Camp South Africa. In order to provide these ministry opportunities I am asking for your help in support raising and prayer. To travel with the CSA team my fundraising goal is $1,750. This number is small compared to the lives that have and will be changed through the incredible ministry opportunity through CSA combined with the lives God has put in sync with the growing programs.

Through these things the Lord continues to work within me and around me, little by little moving the next thing into place that guides me through this life. Fitting the pieces together and creating more building materials for the Kingdom. Please join me again in this journey. 

Your thoughts, prayers and encouragement touch my heart on a daily basis. My heart swells with the incredible work that is being down through your gifts and words. I cannot thank you enough for listening and being open to what is not planned by us but what is planned by our incredible Father.

In efforts to raise support in this cause I will be riding my bicycle from Occidental, CA to San, Francisco, CA on October 7th, 2012. The ride will be 72 miles. I am asking for donations of $1 per mile. Please comment. email, call, or message me if you would like to give.

Blessings to you,

Daria

For more information on Camp South Africa please visit campsouthafrica

Financial blessings graciously accepted at: 
Alliance Redwoods (6250 Bohemian Hwy Occidental, CA 95465)
Memo line: Daria Middleton CSA