Escapement to the mountains.

 I escaped for the weekend to the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. It's those moments that I have to think about where I'm and what I'm doing. I never thought that I would be vacationing to Arkansas in my life, or that I would be where I'm at this moment. When I think about those recent happenings it makes me smile. I was able to explore a place that in other circumstances I would never have found myself. The weekend was spent with some other Team Leaders in the OK/AR Area hiking, hot tubing and talking about AmeriCorps and our teams. It was great to talk about different struggles and triumphs on our individual teams and to get alternative perspectives on situations. Lastly, it was kind of a confirmation for me how lucky I have been, and how great of an experience this whole thing has been. In a couple weeks I will know where I'll be going for 3rd round. It amazes me how fast time has gone by since I joined AmeriCorps and started projects with my team. The phrase "Time flies when your having fun" is really true. Perhaps that is why it seems the past 6 yrs of my life have passed in a blink. I have had incredible amounts of fun in those past 6 yrs. I'm hoping to spent 3rd round in a remote location doing something environmental. It is those kinds of projects that I feel most fully alive. It brings me to a place where I feel like I'm doing the most simplistic kind of good. It is in those locations that I can really focus on the impact that we are making and the relationships that are being created, mended, and impacted daily. 

“I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.”

   -Roasalia de Castro

Laughter: It radiates through you

I have realized the past couple weeks that I'm extremely blessed. I'm so happy with my current position in life. Exploring, meeting new people and impacting those around me. I never want to be someone un-happy with where they are. Feeling alone though surrounded by others. I never want to go a day without smiling. Laughter is what carries me through life. It's the joy that pushes me to strive for things that I want. Its what makes me feel alive. I never want to get too old or "busy and important" to forget to laugh at myself. 


I laugh at myself several times a day and it is exhausting, but totally worth it. 

AmeriLife Round 2:

        It seems that my crew will be moving to Oklahoma City to work with Habitat For Humanity for next round... Going to make sure we visit the worlds largest ball of TWINE :)

AmeriLife Round 1:

I find myself surrounded by beauty everyday, working with my hands outside in the mountains. Leading 10 individuals who are incredible on their own and as a group ridiculous. Some pics of my current home until Dec 16th when I move to somewhere new. 

 

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I didn't have a single bit of talent left, and could say "I used everything you gave me"

I'm ready to impact the world- one person at a time. 
I'm determined to always give the best that I have, even when I don't know if there is anything left. 
I want to enjoy simplisity. 
I strive to find meaning in things that seem meaningless. 
I long to accomplish things that are difficult and choose to do them again. 
I want to pursue my faith even when I'm confused. 
I reach into myself for strength to give to others.
I want to remember that even when I feel alone I'm not. 
I hope to never forget that my life has been blessed with incredible people and amazing adventures that have shaped who I'm and where I find myself today.

You may be completely content where you find yourself

You may know that you are exactly where you need to be

Yet you may still feel that something is missing...

When you have had GREAT, good just doesn't always compare.

Exactly where I need to be is where I find myself.