to the friends I haven’t met yet! ~
I’m smiling as I write this 🙂 I’m so excited to begin this journey on the Route 6, World Race Gap Year, with all of you. It’s been on my heart for a while, and I feel that my acceptance in the program is such a blessing. I’ve seen God in a lot of the steps it took to get here, and later I’ll share those with you.
But – for now! – I’ll introduce myself first.
I’m Taylor. I’m 17, and finishing up my senior year of high school in San Gabriel. I’ve been pursuing the artistic talent God has given me for years, and love expressing myself through painting, drawing, sculpture, writing, and photography. To me, art is a language all its own, and I definitely pour my heart and soul into my work. I’ve been keeping art journals – lovely scrapbook messes of letters and drawings and such – and plan to upload a few of the pages onto this blog. I hope to keep up this art form in the field, and maybe you’ll let me draw you 🙂
I love love love a whole lot of things! Nature grounds me, and I often feel closest to God while experiencing his creation. I love music, and have too many favorite artists to name them all…so honorable mentions go to Beirut, Lord Huron, Frankie Cosmos, Glass Animals, and Sales. And – oh man, dogs are neat! Luke, my labrador, is the light o my life. And we never get enough of it here in Cali, but rain is another favorite.
I’m very empathetic (as the kid of two psychologists, who would have guessed) and have found that my strengths are in loving and listening to others, along with using my voice to help people find their own. I’ve committed myself to speaking up on topics of equality and representation for minority/oppressed groups, and especially racial reconciliation within the Church.
I’ve lived in the LA area my whole life, and while I love my home, I’m looking forward to this new nomadic chapter in my life. Right now, I live with my mother and brother, both of which I am very close to. My mom has been, and continues to be, my biggest cheerleader and role model, while my little brother Eric has been my partner-in-crime through many creative endeavours. We lost my dad after a long battle against cancer, in September 2015, and while there is still so much pain and grief affiliated with that loss, I am very fortunate to have a community that has rallied around my family and me. I feel that this Gap Year is a chance for me to continue loving, and heal others, while also finding some healing within my own heart.
Can’t wait to talk with all of you, and much love as we continue on this journey together. I’m excited to see what unfolds.
