Adventurous Blessed Life

Do you ever get asked those "repeat questions?" You know, those questions that when asked, you think to yourself..... "this question wouldn't be so annoying if I only heard it once every other year.... but since I've heard a variation of it twenty times in the past month...." And no, I'm not talking about the "why are you not in a relationship" question. 

For me, the most often asked question is "when is your next trip?" or "when are you leaving again?" or "what country are you going to next?" etc. etc. etc. 

So, let me just answer everyone at one time. Right now. 

I. DO. NOT. KNOW.

Just the other day, I got asked again, but this time the question was "When's your next adventure?".

Adventure? I can only have adventure while I'm in some foreign country? So if I'm not traveling, my life is boring? 

I just want to let y'all know. I LOVE MY LIFE. And as much as I love traveling, I sure hope that is not what defines me. Yes, there are days, when all I want to do is jump on the next airplane. And those days when I struggle through homesickness for a tiny village in Outer Mongolia. But really, I have a blessed life! And adventure? Well EVERY day is an adventure! :D

Let me tell you a few things I love about my life....

I live in one of the greatest states ever - ALASKA! and it's coming into the greatest time of year - Summer! 

A loving Saviour who loves me unconditionally (do you really grasp that? UNCONDITIONALLY.) and is my best friend, constant companion, interceder, and the list goes on.... 

A crazy, loud family to laugh with (or at), tell stories and jokes, quote movies with, discuss hockey, eat food with and just have fun! 

Pretty sure, I have the most amazing friends ever! I am blessed to know so many awesome people. I never know when I will hear from people scattered all over the world by email, phone calls, text, fb msg and skype. THAT is a blessing. Love each of you. 

Incredible job that is flexible with my schedule! I love having more time to enjoy summer and be able to go back to school and travel! They have been more than good to me. And my supervisor is the best in the world!

I love sunshine. And jean skirts. And comfy shoes. And books. And coffee. And driving. And mountains. And school. And food.  

What about adventure you ask? Well, what about late night traipsing up hillsides through fences, over crystallized snow and mud and under fences, just to watch the lunar eclipse? 

Adventure? How about teaching a Bible study to a bus family from Ghana? When you never know who else will be in attendance or what topic will come up? Getting so share the Word of God is great adventure!

Other random blessings - 

An amazing deal on roundtrip tickets to Seattle for a friend's wedding! Did I say AMAZING? Thank you, Lord!

Finishing my online TESOL course!! That is huge blessing! 

Being able to pray together with dear friends. 

Small trips to the States this year (already up to 3) 

Friends getting married. (isn't it exciting? all these weddings? except I think I'm going to be broke soon....) 

Little Levi Wesley arriving in just two months! (T&C, that was just for you!) :D

You know, I really don't mind when close friends asking me when my next trip is, because I know they really care about me and aren't just trying to make conversation. But I just wanted to say publicly, I love my life. Today. 
I am not promised tomorrow. Neither are you. So until God directs me to travel overseas again, I am going to live in today. And enjoy the time I have here. 

And JUST LOVE LIFE. 

Love - Unconditionally

"love like you've never been hurt"

Just walking through Fred's on my lunch break, when the above saying caught my eye. I was looking for some new wall art for my bedroom and there it was, a pretty plague with that saying scrolled across it.

Wasn't something to purchase, but the words sure stuck with me.

Moments throughout my life, I've been tempted to stop showing love to certain individuals. A person who perhaps hurt me, betrayed me or just showed me a little bit of cold shoulder. It is my tendency to withdraw after such experiences. Why should I be a friend to them? Why should I open my heart to them? When all I get in return is rejection or indifference?

When you love someone, you open yourself up to hurt. An offending remark from a stranger is easy to brush off, but when it comes from a dear friend, it stings. Loving someone makes you the lover, vulnerable.

Honestly, I don't like being vulnerable.

My natural response is so say "no thanks;" to love someone without opening my heart to them.

Then my spirit reminds me, "Christ loved you by opening Himself up to you, when you still rejected Him." God loved me before I loved Him. He made Himself vulnerable to hurt and shame on my behalf!

While I'd rather just love someone simply without being deeply involved, Christ wants me to love as He loved. Yes, I may get hurt in the process - but then I can share in the "fellowship of His sufferings." (Philippians 3) It's still not an easy choice, but it is the right choice.

Choose to Love.

Unconditionally.

choosing love....