Welcome friend!
Pull up a chair; and pour your self a cup of joe…
So here is a little about me: I love sitting over a cup of joe and chatting, a good novel, analyzing a movie, the Rocky Mountains, The Boulder Tea house, the sky, especially how deep blue the sky gets right before the sun sets, laughing with friends so hard that I cry, quotes, singing, coffee, arts, the grass between my toes, meeting new people, spiritual discussions, the freedom to love, the solitude of nature, and double short vanilla laities. I love a good challenge, spontaneous random adventures, being a woman, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. Did I mention I like coffee?
One of my favorite poems is the
Lady of Shallot by Tennyson, one of my favorite artists is William Waterhouse, favorite classic book:
A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens. I love music and am usually singing something whether it be a show tune or along to the radio. I like pretty much every type of music except hard core rap and twangy country, but I am more of a late 90’s rock (STP/Tom Petty / Radio Head) and Indi Rock (Killers /Death cab for Cutie / Postal Service / Fray/ Meese) girl. I love theater and film. What is my favorite movie? Umm that is a hard one but I would have to say
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Fifth Element, The Princess Bride, and
The Matrix would definitely be on the top of the list. I drive a Honda and I love border collies!
I was born the youngest of six on December 17, 1981 and given a true Christmas name: Gabrielle Elizabeth.
Although I grew up in a Christian family and knew who Christ was at an early age, my faith did not become my own until my early teens, when I found following Christ is about a conversational relationship with my creator, who loved me enough to die for me. This journey of faith is complex, although paradoxically very simple. One of the things that I love about God is that He makes His message simple enough for a child to understand, yet so deep that I will spend the rest of my life seeking out its mysteries and implementing them into my daily life.
My journey to the World Race:
I graduated from Colorado Christian University December 06 with a BS in Social Science and Emphasis in Psychology and Film Studies. Last Fall I attended the Los Angeles Film Studies Center and experienced the Hollywood scene for a semester. LA is not that bad, the people are great, although the traffic and lack of real nature drove me a little nuts.
It was a great semester, although a quite intense one on so many different levels. I felt torn and unsure of where to go next, what was the next step? With so many options before me and so many passions in my heart I felt completely overwhelmed, restless, and alone.
More than anything I have been praying for wisdom. I know God can use me wherever I am whether that be in Bora Bora or around the corner, that did not matter I just wanted to know where. I have also been praying that God would provide me an opportunity to use the arts as well as be involved in the lives of children.
A good friend of mine told me about Adventures In Missions and how they needed people to join their media team for the World Race.
At first I dismissed the idea, like I really needed another option, and traveling around the world just seemed kind of crazy. But I could not forget about it, so I applied and just recently found out that I was accepted! I have been praying that God will open and shut doors to make his leading evident to me. Every excuse I have mustered on why I should not go has been silenced and doors have and continue to be opened. I would indeed be a fool to not continue walking forward. I am confident that God has lead me this far and will continue to meet my needs.
I feel so privileged to be able to embark on this journey called the World Race as it encompasses so many of the things that I am passionate about: working with underprivileged people groups, being part of a team working with a purpose, experiencing other cultures, service, travel, living simply yet abundantly, church mobilization, creating awareness, sharing the love of Christ, working with youth, as well as media.
I love stories, and I believe in the power of story. Especially stories told through the arts and film. People are not only attracted to stories, they are stories. They long to be known and for someone to know them, and through the telling of stories whether it be tragic, happy, sad, never told, or forgotten, our stories become inner woven and they connect us to each other. (other wise why are you still reading this). I love being a part of the story telling process. Our culture is so visually based, it is so easy for us to hear a statistic or a tragedy and dismiss it, but putting a face to a number makes it real to our visual stimulated culture.
I know this next year is going to change my life. I am going to be stretched, challenged, and broken by what I see and experience. I want to take an active role in standing up for those with out a voice. To let them know that they have not been forgotten and someone cares for them, their dreams, and thier future. Even if one life is impacted in a positive way then it will be well worth the effort.
It is my desire that my heart will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and that I will not forget where He has taken me from. The Author CS Lewis once said (something along these lines – I looked for the quote but I could not find it): the Christian does not need to learn more, but only remember more. Oh how true that is – if I would only remember and embrace who it is He created me to be, and stop fretting over petty things then how much different would my life be? To make decisions based on freedom instead of fear, doubt, and guilt. I know my identity does not come from my family, relationships, what I have done, how others may view me, or being “successful.” My identity rests firmly in the fact that I am His daughter and He is my Father. For as I have learned, God does not want my credentials, he wants my attention.
Now its your turn – drop me a line and let me know a little about you and your journey.
