I have been so blessed to grow up in a two parent home with an awesome dad and wonderful mom. Seriously. I admire, respect and love them both so much. I was also lucky enough to be raised in the company of three younger siblings, it has been so cool to watch them develop their talents and gifts as they grow. I also got to see my family a lot because all of the kids were home schooled at least through the lower grades ( I was at home until high school). However, as strange (or not) as homeschooling may be, there is something even stranger about my family.
There are many creatures that migrate as a way of life; monarchs, swallows and whales rank among the better known. One kind of migrator, even more rare than any of those mentioned, is the migratory beekeeper. My dad is one of those. I was borne in South Dakota and have lived there almost every summer since. I almost have the road between there and California memorized- the fact that I don't is a testament to my not paying attention to road signs! This moving around kind of makes for a funny problem, where do I say I am from? Generally, I either default to where I am currently sleeping, or ask what time of year the questioner may be referring to. Right now though I live near San Luis Obispo (woot! woot!) or as we like to call it SLO. I am finishing up a BS in Environmental Horticultural Science. For those of you who don’t know ( I didn’t), that basically means growing ornamental or nursery crops. Do I have a green thumb?…. um…..no. I just love plants. The things plants make that people can eat or drink, use or wear- fascinate me. Just so cool!!!
But just how I plan to “use my degree”, I haven't the slightest clue.
For now I am focusing on The Race. I kind of talked a little about why I want to go on WR in my other entries but basically the summary is this. I have to go somewhere. I have to do something that will challenge me. I Don't want to get stuck spinning my wheels and exhausting myself with “what ifs”, wondering what the Liz tool is capable of, and if shes juking her maker by settling for some thing that is less than what she is manufactured for. I don't want to mentally die in stagnant spirituality and the chains of “religion”.
I once heard a woman illustrate the Holy Spirit in a persons life like a glass of milk with nesquik chocolate in it. Stick with me. She said that if you just let the glass sit, all the chocolate will settle to the bottom and the milk won't really be chocolaty. But if you keep it stirred the chocolate will be mixed all though the milk. Now, I realize that I do not have to leave the states and live out of a backpack to keep the spirit stirred in me. But I want the jump. I have tried to slowly transition into things and that doesn't seem to work. I have to jump in both feet first. On this trip not only will I be jumping out of my cultural comfort zone, it will be out of my relational comfort zone, and my spiritual comfort zone. My usual safety ties will be cut so that as i'm falling I will have nothing to fall on or trust in except for God. I am so Excited/Terrified. But mostly excited.
and caffeinated, i'm really caffeinated right now….
