It has been awhile, and a lot has happened. I moved to Colorado. You know the crazy impulsive people that are always never quite satisfied with life? The kind of people that graduate high school early and move to a new state before going on a nine month missionary trip?
Yes you guessed it, I am one of those people.
Last year around Christmas time when I had already decided I wanted to pursue the World Race program, I had an intern at my church pray over me. The summarization of the prayer was God wants more out of you. I was honestly a little offended, wasn’t going on the World Race enough? So I proceeded to just ignore it thinking God must have slipped up or something, but that message was not meant for me. My family went to visit Telluride, Colorado for the break and instantly I heard a voice saying, “this is the more.” I was unsure and resented the idea, if anything I still can’t believe it was me that walked in the counselors office and said “I am graduating early by a semester.” I wanted that last semester, it was comfortable and easy, I had a community and routine. As the months lead up to leaving I was tending to ask God “why” more often. What good could I do? I don’t know anyone! God I am scared of this unknown.
And he said “Live boldly Alexis”
So I took a leap. And the other side of my jump is incredible. I previously thought the meaning of my faith and calling was to just to be immersed in other Christians, to just sit and talk about the Glory of God. While this holds truth, I expanded my beliefs, made my religion flexible. I had to accept that there is so much more to people and life in general. I decided to assist with instructing skiing in an organization called TASP (Telluride Adaptive Sports Program) and work full time at a pizza shop,my faith took on perspective. Most of the time I feel like I am not even helping, or discouraged by feeling like I am not making a difference. And when I have that tourist scream at me for the fifth time about cold pizza and look at the dishes piling up I wonder about Texas. But I really see God’s original promise when I can give that high five, buckle that ski boot, or grab those hand warmers. The conversations are unmatched here, I can meet a stranger and instantly talk about what they fear most. I am learning how to be bold in small things, as in saying thank you more and meaning it.Or genuinely listening to how someone’s day has gone. Or giving that smile of encouragement when I just worked an eight hour shift. Because while bold moves are found in big steps, they are also found in the small ones, and in the in-between.
Until next time,
Alexis Simmons
