Desensitized

Travel has a lot of ups (and downs) and sometimes you have a few seconds to look back and take a second to realize where in the World (no pun intended) you are.Today marks being on the Road for three weeks and heading into our fourth week.Each week has been eventful, let alone each day. They all tend to blend together when I look back at each week. I sometimes have a hard time remember which school was which week. Which students from each school were most interested in doing something. But all around, each school we visit is the amazing in it’s own way.As we left San Francisco today, I was struck with the fact that I was still awed with driving over the Golden Gate Bridge. In just the six days we have been here, we have driven over the bridge probably well over three times a day in and out of our hostel to our presentations and back again. At first, I was Awed, I couldn’t believe that I was seeing, in person, one of the most iconic sights in America. It seemed so Unreal. Then it quickly became the bridge that we had to travel daily to get wherever we were heading, simply a mode of transportation.Then today, as I was leaving our hostel and heading South, I looked out toward the Bay from the mountain and realized that this very well may be the last time that I ever see the Bridge in person. Sure, I would love to come back out here, but I’m not sure if I will any time soon let alone ever.As I drove across, I moved to the right-hand slow lane to drive and look. I looked to the left and there was the Bay Bridge in the distance, Alcatraz, Treasure Island; all with the morning fog and clouds almost lifting but still giving a small shade to the morning. In front of me was the city scape. To my right was the water, where even squinting and searching the horizon you couldn’t see where the water and sky met.I realized I became so desensitized to driving the Golden Gate, to travel. It’s just my way of living in this season.Each week we are in a new place. Each day we speak to hundreds of students. By the time late March and early April come around, we’ll have driven not only up and down the United States, but also across. Something that many have only dreamed of doing. That I dreamed of doing.By the end of this internship I’ll have driven across America twice. It blows my mind, not only how lucky I am, but that I get to call this my job, my life at this moment. Even though I have many more weeks of travel ahead of me, I don’t want to become complacent with what I am doing. I love it, don’t misunderstand me, it is honestly a dream come true. But I don’t want my mentality to switch and no longer be enthralled by the fact that I get to do this.I want to stay amazed each time I get to take the bridge, or I get to see a national monument or even get to speak to students each day.I want to Live in that Excitement, that Awe, that Joy. Here’s to the random adventures that await me at each state and city that we go to. Here’s to the moments of Awe that all I can do is laugh and smile and stare in Disbelieve and Joy that this is my Life.  

One Year.

We measure a lot of things by time. Classes, work schedules, distance traveled; all in time. We celebrate many occurrences in time: birthday and anniversaries.This year, I have many things to celebrate as November 25th comes around. One year ago I landed in the JFK airport in New York, New York, United States. Minus a quick layover at LAX, it had been 11 months since I was on US soil and boy was I happy to be home.I remember the day we found out when we would be back in America. We were all called into the house the 30 of us were staying there for big meeting. Some people had already guessed it was for us to know when our flights were but not everyone knew, myself included. When our squad leaders told us, I didn't get it at first until most people started shouting with joy and crying of the impending end of this wonderful journey.My first days back were a blur.My first drive: I was by myself and actually drove on the wrong side of the road in most of my neighborhood.My first breakdown: I had just had dinner and coffee with a friend and got back to my car where there was a thin layer of ice on it. I freaked out, started crying and yelling; I was no longer on the sandy warm beaches of South Africa but in the cold winter of Indiana.My first trip to the store: I wanted to buy enough food for 7 people, since that's what I was used to buying. I couldn't believe all the options and prices. I was a bit appalled.My first day back at school: Didn't happen on the actual first day of classes. A huge snow storm had blown through the night before, I had a panic attack on the drive in and had to turn around. The next day I tried again and made it. It was a blur of remembering how to take notes, talk with people, make small talk, study.This year hasn't been exactly what I imagined it to be when I was on the field dreaming about Home. It was more and less than I expected. I value family and friendships more than I ever have. I make sure to keep promises that I make. I value the words I say and think. I value my time more than anything.I have learned to truly dream once more, like I did in those days when I would sit in my hammock in Costa Rica staring at the fields. I have begun to sing and dance like I did on the rooftops of the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. I have continued to seek the Magical in the Mundane like I learned in Asia.Life is still life. It doesn't stop just because you leave.Crazily enough, I knew this season of coming home was one of Rest. No matter how much I wanted to keep going and traveling Papa was calling me home to Rest in the Nest before I caught flight once more. It's amazing how when we look back at something we see just how much God has been planning since the beginning.As this season of rest is coming to an end, as I count down the last few days of school until I graduate; I am remembering just like a year ago, how much I have learned this year. This year was one full of dreams, boldness, and love.My dreams of Resting came true. My dreams of understanding Home can true. My dreams of putting down Roots came true. Now I am taking my dreams into this next year of being Fully Alive, Being Bold, and Loving like there is nothing to Lose.One Year. So many memories. So much more to come. Remember where you've been, it will guide you to where you will go.