A Time in the Mountains

Colorado is seriously BEA-U-TI-FUL!  It is amazing being surrounded by mountains and although the bumpy windy roads can occasionally turn your tummy, I'm consistently amazed by the splendor I get to see with every short car ride.

This past week the students in the Discipleship Training School spent a week at a base that was up in the mountains.  Its called "Eagle Rock" and sits at 8,535 feet above sea level.  The awesome part is that the temperature was much cooler, so we got a little relief from the heat of the un- air-conditioned dorm rooms.  The sad part is that about half of the team came back with colds (myself included).

Here are some pictures of some of the really fantastic sights from the last month.  Oh... P.S.  I've already been here for one month!  Crazy!  At the half way point for the training phase of the Around the World Outreach!  4 more weeks and I will be on the road with my team! (woohoo!)

See that up there?  That is where we are going!

Made it to the top!  About 9,300 feet in elevation.

Max, enjoying the view

Oh Beautiful, for spacious skies...

The "crew" that went to the top this time!  Others went for sunset and sunrise!
Hmmm.... maybe next time ;-)

From a hike to "Hanging Lake"

Red Rocks Amphitheater with my small group!

My Reality

I'm 30 years old. I sleep on the top bunk of a bunk bed that is in a room with 11 other bunk beds occupied by a total of 14 other girls.

My belongings for the next 5 months fits within 3 dresser drawers and a carry on bag.

I don't have a job. I don't have a car. I don't have a house. I'm not married.
BUT
I'm happy!

Can you believe it? I'm happy! I have NOTHING that the world says I should have, but I believe I am going in the right direction.

Recently I've become more and more interested in the "minimalistic" life.  Its fun that I get a chance to experience it if only for a little while.  Don't get me wrong, its still difficult.  For example, I have $200 to last me the next 6 weeks.  That is $33 a week.  My basic needs are covered, food and housing, but darn it!  Sometimes I want a coffee from Starbucks.  So, now I'm practicing more self-control (and occasionally failing), but I'm grateful for the opportunity to live like this.  I still have a place to live and food to fill my belly.

I'm reminded more and more of all of the people I've met while traveling.  The locals who live on $2.50 a day.  Those who live in a single room with 4 others so they can afford rent at $40 a month.  And even though they only make $300 a month, half of that they send to their families so they too can eat.

PERSPECTIVE

So, in this time of living in community and living simply, I too want to keep my perspective.  To know that just because I'm sick of eating pasta and just because I can't splurge on Chipotle, my life is full.