3 Decades

Today I have completed my 3rd decade living on this earth. I have heard a few times recently "Can you believe you are turning 30?". Well, yes and no. I went on a walk around camp with Cap yesterday and my mind starting going through all the things I have seen, been, and done in the last 10 years. It has been a beautiful journey. May be sometimes time seems to go by too fast, but most of the time, it is just exactly how it should be. Life is not flying before my eyes, but I make a honest effort not to let it. In most ways, we have sought out a simplified lifestyle and way of living so that as life races on downhill it doesn't grab our hand and drag us along hitting us on every bump, river and tree along the way. We would much rather walk down the trail taking notice of the lilies that bloom, the wind that blows the trees, and the ones who are hiking around us.

There are so many things to remember about the last decade. I wanted to write a bunch of them down. I am so thankful to be a daughter of the King who has given abundant life! So many blessings!

Earned my Bachelors Degree

Traveled 3 times to Africa

Fell in love to a man named Danger then married him as quick as I could!

Ran 3 official ultra-marathons, one of them a 50-miler trail race, countless unofficial ones

Learned how to:

rock climb

backpack

trail run

knit

sew

Loved on many orphans

Loved on many outsiders and people in the margins

Listened to many hearts

Driven across country 5 times

Traveled to 14 new states (not including ones I have been to in previous decades)

Released an album

Had my heart broke and lived

Hiked to the top of the highest mountain in the lower 48 three times

Walked 1,050 miles in one go (border of Mexico to Lake Tahoe, California)

Grew a child inside of me and birthed him right on out

God told me to be a missionary

Lived in a National Park

Had dread locks for 4 years or so

Learned to like veggies and fruit

Lived out of my car twice

Lived in a tent

Married a man who once lived in a cave

Became an aunt and a "___"in-law

Baptized a friend in the Merced River

Love my parents and family more than ever

Shared Jesus to inmates many times in a high maximum security prison

Danced

Laughed

Cried

Planted many seeds and flowers

These hands have been used to feed hundreds of kids in Africa

They have touched, held, and loved many dear things

I love the Lord even more than I did 10 years ago

I found that I am beautifully knit by God

Became a homemaker

I really could go in such great detail all the wonderful things I have got to be a part of these last 10 years. I am thankful I journal and write because it is such a blessing to look back in time every once in awhile and see how God answers prayers. To see His hand in the little and big things of life. Though I do groan to be clothed in my heavenly dwelling, longing for my home in heaven, I am thankful for abundant life here on earth. Looking forward to more years to encourage, inspire, disciple and share the love of Christ to others.