Groupon triggers Freedom

 The late fall 2012, my thoughts, dreams, soul were stirring. I was ready for change again. As much as I like change, facing the unknown always provides challenge. It requires courage. While I have always pursued goals and dreams, I have mellowed over the years in some of my drive. With the support of God, family, friends, I have been able to accomplish things others thought impossible or did not consider options. Despite this internal drive to go and do, I was fighting another internal restriction of whatever you do has to be perfect. Don't attempt something if you may fail. Find out what the expectation is and meet it. This is a difficult way to live. Rules, Rules, Rules.

Well, fall 2012, I decided to breakout of the mold I had made myself and do things on my bucket list that I had been to afraid to try. I wanted to return to Guatemala, make pottery on a wheel, shoot archery, skydive, ride in hot air balloon, travel. I joined groupon and lo and behold, there were groupons for all the above mentioned activities. I bought them and during the months of January, February, and March had the opportunity to try new things. The first one was pottery on a wheel with a good friend from work. I was so afraid to mess up. Guess what?  I poked a hole right through my pottery. I had to start again. Disappointment began to well up inside. Failure, "I can't do this. This is why I did not try before." The potter simply responded,"Well, guess you get to start again." So, I did just that; I began again centering the clay. I did what I feared; I failed. It, however, was not terrible. I got to start again. I did enjoy working with clay and would like to again one day.

Archery was the next challenge. I went with a friend from church. Neither one of us had done archery before. The class had several challenges that got progressively harder. Sometimes, I would hit the target. Sometimes it was way off. All in all, it was a fun day learning something new with a friend.

Next for my birthday, I scheduled skydiving. The day was cancelled due to bad weather. It was rescheduled and Dad volunteered to jump with me. Skydiving was amazing! I would have gotten right back on the plane and jumped again if I could have. The combination adrenaline of hurling to the earth for 50 seconds and the peaceful gliding one the parachute was pulled was unique.

April 2012, I began traveling to Guatemala, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Hamlet NC, Joshua Tree, CA, Republic of Congo with Mercy Ships, National Parks in Utah, Joshua Tree CA, trip to see friends and Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks. Each one provided new challenges and area of growth in interpersonal skills, self-confidence, facing fears of failing and continuing on, allowing myself to emerge. Each place had wonderful times as well as difficult learning experiences. What I learned in one situation carried over to the next. Life is a journey.

I also spoke to a Sunday School class about Mercy Ships and what I have/will do. I never thought I would be able to speak in front of a group of people well.  It was not graded; I was speaking to people who love me and care about me. I did not have to be perfect. I just needed to be me and share my love for people.

That brings me to last week's hot air balloon ride.I remember driving to the public library one day as a child. Mom pointed out a hot air balloon in the sky. I said, "I want to do that one day...float in the sky above the trees."  Mom replied, "Maybe you will one day." When I saw the groupon, I bought it excited to experience it. Like the skydiving, it was cancelled due to poor flying conditions. I was disappointed but took advantage of being in the area and toured the Biltmore House and property for the first time. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas.

This past Thursday, I left home at 3:30 AM to drive to Asheville area to meet the balloon group. We met at a cafe/coffee shop. After meeting the fellow riders (a interior designer, professional magician, retired army veteran,  and the pilot) we piled into the van and drove to cow pasture where the crew laid out a tarp and balloon. While they inflated the balloon, we received instructions about landing and how to position ourselves for a rough landing. Once the balloon is inflated, all 5 of us stand in the basket. The balloon slowly lifts off and away we go, floating above the trees. The valleys all around us were filled with fog. Thankfully where we were was clear. It was quiet, peaceful, unique. Once we all got comfortable floating around 5,000 feet, we started our decent. The ride was very quick (about 45 minutes). We landed easily in a field without difficulty. While it was neat, it was not my favorite.  As Dad said, if you don't try new things, you will never get new favorites. All favorites were new at once point.

So there it is, some of the journey to freedom to branch out, try new things, travel, pick myself up and move on, keep plugging along best I can. Life is much more exciting, fulfilling, and challenging these days. Although it is not all rosy and nice, it is very good. Hard, but good! I will continue to live day to day learning, trying, and enjoying. I hope you will as well.

Go! No, Wait! Ok, Go!

Nothing is set in stone in any of our lives, but it seems more prominent in the lifestyle I am currently living.  I continually learn to change plans quickly and not have a plan in the immediate due to the long term plan being insecure. Recent months have provided a learning opportunity on steroids. People often ask me what my plans are for after Mercy Ships in Spring 2015. I honestly reply, "I have no idea. I will likely get another travel physical therapy position." After Mercy Ships is so far in the future, it is not even on my radar. The realm of possibilities are endless. This lifestyle provides a wonderful opportunity to live in the present; to plan, but expect the plan to change.

One of the adventurous aspects of travel is the unknown. Yes, it is only Tuesday, but already this week everything is once again up in the air. I received an email yesterday letting us know details were still being worked out. We will be kept abreast. I am so grateful I am not responsible for making these decisions that effect so many people.

By the grace of God I have everything set and ready to go (cocked), but have not pulled the trigger on many of the things. I was talking to Dad, I have never lived life the simple way. I am continuing in that trend. Many aspects of life need to be considered when you will be leaving for at least 6 months, but returning. I am glad too that I purchased plane tickets that are able to be changed without a fee up to the hour of the flight. I am currently living with Dad, so housing is provided and can be left quickly. I am currently not employed (by choice), so I can go at a moment's notice. I have researched and made head way on the following:

Health Insurance Coverage abroad (do you keep your current as well as buy evacuation/traveler insurance?)
Car Insurance (Don't want to cancel it as you will lose your good record. Only liability is required legally. Therefore making it effective the date you leave is important. One also has to remember to reinstate collision and comprehensive upon returning)
Car storage for time away
Stuff storage
Paying taxes from abroad (I have a trustworthy accountant)
Medications/ vitamins: (having health insurance company submit special form to override prescriptions so you can get a 6 month supply at once prior to leaving, take a 6 month supply)
Finances: how or who will pay recurring bills while you are away

If you would have told me two years ago that I would be at peace in this position, I would have doubted you. Growing up, if one item on the day's routine was out of order, I would go nuts inside.  I can say by God's gentle leading to and through one obstacle after another rather than all at once, I have slowly grown. I am able to handle changes in schedule better. While I would not say I am 100% comfortable with not knowing exactly when I will be leaving, I have peace that God will cause everything to work out in His timing. 

I think part of the peace comes from seeing God provide a job and housing within 48 hours repeatedly these past two years. He has also provided marvelous experiences that met desires I had dreamed for years. A deeper and deeper trust has developed. Trust He knows best. Trust He is aware of circumstances, dreams, and desires. Trust He will provide. Each time, the changes in plan become easier and easier. If you know me, you know I still have a ways to go with being laid back with everything being in the air.  We are all works in progress. Until further notice, I will wait. 

Life in the Desert

Upon exiting I-40 West about 90 minutes from Joshua tree in mid December 2013, I was immediately in the middle of nowhere. I could see for miles in all directions. The sandy ground was often covered with scruffy short bush like plants. The landscape was intermittently dotted with large piles of rocks. These formations truly look like someone dumped them there. I saw a whopping 3 cars over the 80 mile stretch of road. Having accepted the job sight unseen which is par for the course for travel positions, I thought,  "what have a gotten myself into?"  I remember telling  my dad that I felt like I had landed on Mars.  Having spent 6 months total with a 6 week interruption in Africa, the high desert truly grew on me. 

Some of the treasures in the high desert include the following:

• Winter's are wonderful: very little rain, highs in the 60's-70's, lows in the 40's most of the time. Wind picks up in the afternoon. There can even be windstorms where you can barely see briefly.
• Stargazing is possible in your front yard due to very little light pollution. Star gazing parties occur during meteor showers
• Very little traffic. I always made it through the traffic lights with one change of the light (even during "rush hour")
• 15 to 20 minute drive means you are in the next town
• Spring wildflowers bloom, cacti and other succulents bloom
• Summer heat without significant humidity: people's houses with AC are usually kept around 80*F. Most people, however, use swamp coolers to cool their houses. In the late summer temperatures are around 90*F by 800 AM.  You adjust quickly as 80* F feels cool. 100* with a breeze is very comfortable.
• Wild roadrunners can become daily visitors at your house
• You are always on the lookout for rattlesnakes and scorpions and occasional sheep sightings
• Nights are quiet as crickets or cicadas are not common
• Rain is truly a treasure and the 20% chance in the forecast is exciting. Dark thick rain clouds complete with the sounds of thunder and occasional flashes of lightening are very near. Almost every time, rain would not fall at my house. The day I left, I drove through significant rain. (first time of significant rain in at least 3 months)
• Life is simple as there are only a few restaurants locally. (You can drive down the hill 30-45 minutes to low desert for larger selection)
• Grocery stores are spread out and only one of each type in the town