Mikey & Me

Mikey & Me.

Mi vida en Colorado!

June 2010 – August 2011… It has been wonderful. Here are some highlights…

The trip out last summer…I let the other girls do most of the driving. : )

I made friends at a music venue within the first week. Sort of...

I've seen my friend Amber Grammer a lot. It has been fantastic.

I figured out my political affiliation (almost).

I finally joined the cool, humanitarian-friendly group and got a pair of TOMS.

I got my first, very own Christmas tree.

I got a little healthier (this was the most extreme).

I got hit by a car while riding my bike. The bike was more damaged than my body. PTL.

I learned how to ski. And then I went again...and again. There is still some needed improvement.

I loved living by the US Air Force Academy.

I was in Vail the same weekend as Michelle Obama. I didn't see her.

I almost became a Rockies fan.

I had the privilege of serving with Woodmen's young adult team. Made some incredible friends.

I went on a lot of drives...just to drive. This state is breathtaking.

I played in the snow a lot.

I ran a lot.

I had the pleasure of spending much quality time with these great kids. : )

I started going to a Nepali church. Here's the first youth camping trip!

I had the most adventurous year of my life, thus far.

God gave me the greatest friends I could ever ask for.

This year……wow. And I know the next holds even greater things! I am learning to LOVE transitions. They are TRULY great. The Father teaches me so much through them.

Anyway, I am soaking up this last week in CO…

5 more shifts at California Pizza Kitchen.

1 more hike.

A concert in Boulder.

A few more Santa Fe Trail runs.

No more grocery shopping.

1 more study sesh at Agia Sophia.

1 more time with my Nepalese friends.

Gonna enjoy it all.

Run For Your Life

Like so many others, I love to run. There are not many other things I would rather do. Some of my best pastimes have been while I’m treading dirt up from under my kicks. Along the Atlantic Ocean, on trails here in rugged Colorado, through the Kowloon district in Hong Kong, around villages in southern Mexico. My favorite running spot still stands as the dusty back roads near my grandparent’s house off the Indian River Bay. There, I end my runs on their long pier…and then just sit…and think…and talk to the Father.

Seawinds Pier - summer '08

Like Elle Woods says, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.” This is probably the scientific reason that I love that adrenaline rush from pushing my muscles to their maximum capacity. Oh, and you can’t forget the elements . . . dirt (as I already mentioned), puddles, aromas of wild flowers and weeds in the warmer months, little (or big) four-legged creatures, birds, insects, and the list goes on. I like nature. I never cease to be fascinated with places I’ve seen a million and one times over. Combine God’s glorious creation and that adrenaline rush with a massive storm and you have yourself a true adventure in the making.

A couple days ago, I was out for a six-mile run on the Air Force portion of the Santa Fe Trail. The 60-degree weather was perfection, although I was still sweating quite a bit. There were dark clouds all over the mountains. I was running straight toward the mountains. A quick three miles in and another three out, I was sure I could make it.

A little past where I began my run - just add the black skies...

The thunderous clouds and I were approaching each other. I gave a little, they gave a lot. Behind me was the epitome of sunshine. It felt incredibly daring of me to leave the safe place. I kept going, for I knew I would be okay. I don’t mind a little rain and being struck by lightning would be a cool way to die. KIDDING.

Ok, it was getting scary. I know, I know…it was only a storm. But you should’ve seen this thing! And the contrast between the bright, practically cloudless skies in the East was horrifying. It was straight out of The Shining. I’ve never seen The Shining. Is it even scary? Think of another scary movie…like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang…

I finally reached my halfway point under a bridge and turned around as fast as I do flip turns in the water…only I didn’t flip. Oh, wait…I can’t do a flip turn… But be assured that it was a quick turnaround. From there, I ran the fastest I’ve run in years (probably since my senior year of high school). It was so great. The entire way back, I knew the horror was behind me and still approaching, but I was running toward that glorious light and that made all the difference.

I am about to go into some of the darkest places in the eastern world. I am headed to destinations where there are millions of gods made of gold, dirt, and even plastic. There will be people filled with the most horrific motive of selling other people’s bodies for cash. There will be children with amputated limbs on street corners. I’ve only heard the stories of these countries. I am about to see. I will be venturing into the dark, and the light will be there as well…right with me. Yes, I will see evil, but as 1 John 5:18 reads, “…he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” Though I sometimes get frightened of the prospect of this trip, I can’t wait. I was born to do this – go into dark places and proclaim the Light. I was born to do this on my runs in the foothills of the rockies, back in the drug-infested bathrooms in high school, at the restaurant where I work…and in the third world.

So, that’s the story. Epic? Yeah…for me. Guess you had to be there alongside me!

Alrighty, I am off for a little run downtown in the rain. Gotta get back into that high school shape!

COL. UPDATE :

I have so many things I want to write on such as:  Grace, the Jewish faith, Pride & Prejudice…actually reading it, healing, and how to keep a plant alive.  But, I think it’s time for a simple update on where I am.  I’ll try to make it brief.

Life is glorious…truly!

I have a job at California Pizza Kitchen (try the butter cake…you might suffer from heart failure soon after, but it would most likely be worth it.)  Yeah…I’m serving again.  Mixed feelings for sure, but I’m without a doubt thankful!

I’m still in school at International Seminary in the external program.  Folks, this means I send my work in through the U.S. Postal System.  I have to be disciplined.  I need more discipline.  I want to be done by spring.  It seems reachable.  Recently I’ve been studying Premarital Counseling.  Ha.

I am still playing soccer for an indoor team called, Anthem.  They are a fabulous bunch.  I am not the greatest player, having not legitimately played since my days at Middletown, but am loving re-acclimating myself to THE best sport ever.

I’ve been continuing to educate myself in the realm of human trafficking awareness and prevention.  I have been attending meetings for the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado.  There are so many organizations and connections out here.  Eventually, I would like to get my foot in the door and volunteer.  Maybe I’ll find a way to do this soon, or maybe I’ll just go to SE Asia.

I have been reading.  I have a certain spot that I have called my own.  It is a great big rock with perfect shading.  I have had many internal adventures here…in the books I read and with God.  There is nothing like sitting on a rock (I like rocks) with a great view of the majestic Rockies and talking to the Maker of it all.  Everything becomes so miniscule.

I have been hiking, biking, and running.  I wake up every morning (almost) at 6 am to make it out in time for the sunrise on my runs.  The Santa Fe Trail and I are best friends, as I’m sure she is the same with many other Coloradians as well.  I don’t mind sharing.

I still think about the uncertain future.  Then I think about how God will work it out.  I just keep moving forward.  I miss my family immensely.  Then I think about how God has brought me here and I take comfort in him.  Then, I miss my friends.  But, man…how good He has been to bring so many incredible folks across my path!  I miss my dogs, especially when I see the NUMEROUS dogs on the trails.  Then I think about…how I want a dog.  I’ve decided that I would like a Siberian Husky.  This could change.  Stay posted.

I think that’s it…I’ve rambled enough!  Colorado is outstanding.  There are so few mosquitoes, there is no humidity, people at checkout counters are actually friendly (sorry NE), there are wildfire alerts, and people like you to take off your shoes before entering their homes.

Here are pictures of my current home…they are a little overdue, I know.

My favorite room in the house. No joke.

This is where I sleep...or stay up all night studying.

Shared Toilette

THIS is COL.

Mom, Dad, Linds, Chris, Jack, and Callie…I miss you.  Atlantic Ocean, Philly, WaWa…I miss you too.  See you in Dec.

“719”

I have a 27% battery left on my computer, so I will have to write this in a jiffy.  I’m here.  I’m in Colorado.  Have been for about two weeks now.

My living situation is great, just what I need right now.  I am living with the family that hosted me during my time interning after high school.  They finished their basement, where my room is.  I have access to my own kitchen and a shared bathroom…just in case you were dying to know.  In the basement there is also an incredible media set-up…and I mean, the WORKS.  I could attempt to explain it, but it would be a crappy explanation because of my lack of knowledge in the “geek” …jk…department.

Of course, the scenery is great.  I work out A LOT just to see the mountains on bike rides and runs.  The inclines, however, are not so great.

There are so many coffee shops, man!  I honestly forgot.  So many to choose from.  Beats my ONLY choice of Starbucks in M-Town, although I truly miss the crew there.

So, what has been consuming my time?  Nothing really, to be completely honest.  Applying for jobs.  Exercising.  Sitting in coffee shops and doing homework, reading, studying Spanish.  I played soccer with a rec league a few nights ago and plan to continue, even with my current lack of skills.  I went to theMILL (see link in blogroll) last night and of course, plan on continuing that as well.  Church hunting.  Looking for voluneer opportunities while I job hunt.  Hey, I guess I’m a “little” busy.

Life is good.  Freedom of being on my own again is great, of course.  I feel like I can do anything.  Granted, I only want what God wants.  I really don’t know how long I will be in the Springs, for my heart is elsewhere…overseas.  Time to make the most and grow in my relationship with Him. while I’m here.  I get frustrated sometimes with the lack of direction, but then I quickly realize (like I always do) that He’s got my back like no one else.  He’s got it completely.  After all, He brought me out here!

On the trip out here, I was reading “The Cross and the Switchblade” by David Wilkerson.  Somewhere near the beginning his cry was for God to simply direct his steps versus showing him the ultimate purpose.  It was crazy to see how that’s what He in fact did with David.  I want this to be my cry.  Last night at theMILL, God showed me during worship that He wants me to pour into people.  I find myself praying for people more.  I find myself praying for random strangers.  I find myself praying for nations.  I find myself growing closer to Him in the process.

God is so good.  I can get wrapped up in my “indirection,” or I can follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  I choose the latter.  Hopefully, more often than not.

Ephesians 3:20 – – “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory…