~ Countdowns and What They Entail

For the last two years it seems as if my life has been a series of countdowns. 

Leaving. Returning. Leaving again for a new destination.

There are people who, when they hear what I've been doing, where I've been, what I will be doing, and where I'm going, wish they could be me. Others say they could never do it. Some people envy me while others call me crazy. I've been called brave and thought of as stupid. 

As the truth sinks in that once again the countdown has begun, I find myself reliving memories of the past and asking questions about the future. 
A call with my Guatemala-roomie, Rachel, reminded me of all the amazing experiences lived, lessons learned, and memories made last year. Every time I see pictures of the projects and activities going on at Monte Flor and with the Pray America/Manos de Jesus ministry and staff, I realize how much I miss my home and life there.
Working at a diner here in North Dakota and getting the chance to spend quality time with my sisters and family who live here make me wish for more time to spend doing life with the ones who know me best. Sometimes I wish for a 'normal' life where I can watch my nieces and nephews and younger siblings grow up; where community bonds run deep and church family is always around. 
Yet, anticipating the future and watching the fulfilling of dreams unfold in my life make me so grateful that God holds the compass to my heart and He knows me better than I know myself! He knows my passions and fuels them. He knows my dreams because He planted them. And He knows my fears and speaks peace into them.


T minus 2 weeks!

The tickets have been booked and the paperwork sent in. On July 3rd, I fly out of Chicago for a 24 hr. trip to Thailand, 4 weeks of training, and the beginning to the rest of my life! (Well, at least for a while ;) 
I can research and try to prepare (believe me, I've been doing a lot of both!) but the bare facts of it all is that this is the biggest leap of faith I've ever taken. As in, not knowing whether or not to worry about finances, not ever having been in Asia before, not knowing many details of what training will entail (other than the overall big picture)...but knowing my God. 
Knowing God - the root of my confidence.

And I'm beyond excited!!

Keep checking back for further updates in the next few weeks and months!

On Reflection and Future {Moving Forward}

March 17, 2015
It had been a long work day and I was tired from working on the build-site, answering questions, playing with kids, and everything else that came with the job of being in charge of a team. It was a good tired but I was worried I was going to zone out during the evening debrief. 

That day, 'my half of the team' had been wondering what my plans for the future were looking like (they knew I'd be moving back to the States in 2 weeks). I'd explained to them briefly about plans to move to ND then hopefully find some connections with getting involved in ministry to help prevent human trafficking, etc. 
The team that week consisted of employees of a large Christian chain of stores that is known for supporting many overseas and domestic missions. During Tuesday night's debrief, their leader, Mr. B., was talking about a large fundraiser their stores did last year for Destiny Rescue, a ministry dedicated to rescuing kids from human trafficking and raising awareness to stop the awful trade crime. He was explaining that the money from that fundraiser was going towards opening up a new project/home in the Dominican Republic and that he is personally on the board that is overseeing this operation. (Destiny Rescue is already operating in several other countries - check out their website here for more information!) He went on to talk a little bit of how God has been miraculously putting everything into place with the permits, licensing, property, etc. and briefly mentioned that they would eventually be looking for volunteers to help in the D.R. - I heard it, thought, "Oh, I should talk to him before they leave on Friday about future opportunities," then went on listening to the conversation. 

After debrief wrapped up, I went to get a drink in the community center kitchen before heading up to bed. One of the gentlemen from 'my half of the team' was grabbing a snack at the same time. He looked me in the eye and asked, "Did you hear what Mr. B. said? You need to talk to him about getting involved in the D.R. project." Later, he said my eyes lit up as I answered, "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing," but I mostly remember just being tired and feeling like maybe I missed something. Rachel and Lauren had sat in on debrief that night along with Lance and me (if I remember correctly, it was the only debrief that included all 4 of us with that particular team). Back in our apartment, Rachel briefly mentioned the D.R. and quite literally told me she thinks this is God's answer for me. Before Friday or any opportunity to speak with Mr. B. rolled around, Lance and Lauren each told me separately that they strongly believed this was God opening doors for me. 

On Thursday evening during debrief, the topic was "Next Steps." When it came my turn to state my next step in taking what I was learning to the next level, I explained that my next step is getting involved in the 'human trafficking ministry' and was hoping to possibly check into working in the D.R. with this project. I still hadn't had a chance to speak with Mr. B. about any possible interest or opportunity (and was still trying to process whether or not this would even be a real possibility or just a hopeful maybe). The team was scheduled to leave early Friday morning and I was pretty sure I wouldn't get that chance anyway so was, at that point, still on the skeptical side of seeing this work out. (I prefer using the word 'cautious' to describe this part of myself but it should probably really be chalked up to 'doubtful.') Before debrief was over, we found out that the bus the team would be using had mechanical problems and their departure the next morning would be delayed long enough to do the traditional hour-long hike behind the Monte Flor property and around into town. Suddenly, the chance to ask Mr. B. questions and gather information on Destiny Rescue and the D.R. project opened up right in front of me. 

At the end of that hour the next morning, our conversation had been left at Mr. B. telling me if/once I'm ready to talk, to get his contact information from Ron. Rachel and I were going to Canilla' that weekend (we left on Friday morning right around the same time the team left). This gave Rachel and me the chance to talk over what Mr. B. had told me and for me to take a break to really process what was happening. Maybe the Dominican Republic was the next step after all. 
We got back Sunday afternoon which gave me a last chance to visit families with Henry and Gloria on Monday. (I needed to sort and pack my belongings and wrap up last minute work in the office for the rest of week in preparation to leave the following Wednesday.) Monday after work, I was walking past Ron's living room windows on my way up to my apartment situated directly above his house. He walked out of his living room to meet me and ask me to come inside because he wanted to talk to me. 

Mr. B. had been staying in one of Ron's guest rooms the week before and had shared about the D.R. project. Ron began the conversation by telling me that they've loved having me as a part of the ministry in Guatemala, that I would always be welcome and have a part there, but he believes that God has something bigger somewhere else for me, ending with, "and I think the Dominican Republic is where God wants you." We went on to talk through what the job in the D.R. was all about (it would entail working with girls who have suffered terrible abuse [Mr. B. told me to prepare to cry a lot], helping to give them a semblance of 'normal' life after rescuing them from the horrific places their captors sold them into. This meant anything from being a trustworthy friend, to helping set up a business so the girls can learn a trade, to working in administration, to many other things I've learned throughout my short life). I explained that I'd gotten the chance to speak with Mr. B. for about an hour and he'd told me to get his contact info from Ron. Right there in his living room in Guatemala, Ron offered to call up Mr. B. just to let him know that I am very interested and if I need any recommendations, he'll give them. He left a message and promised to let me know when Mr. B. called back. 

He called back several days later when Ron was in the City preparing to fly to MI for Easter. We had a team from Pattersons and Rachel's church with us that week so I sat in on their debrief Thursday evening. The topic again involved "Next Steps" so Lance took the opportunity to explain a little of the potential next step in my life as well as informing me that Ron had called him to let me know that Mr. B. had called back saying I could call him anytime (I hope you're able to follow all the calling that went on there!). Afterward, the 4 of us (Pattersons, Rachel, and I) talked in more depth about this (I'd finally had time to more fully process things internally and was ready to talk about it). Lauren told me when she heard Mr. B. explaining about the D.R. she literally got tears in her eyes thinking of how perfect a job that would be for me. 

So, it began. Everything else in the rest of the first 6 weeks went by in a blur: calling Mr. B., him putting me in direct contact with Mr. E. (Mr. and Mrs. E. are the Stateside directors of Destiny Rescue and will be moving to the D.R. to start this new home), a phone call with Mr. E. at the end of which I was asked to email them a resume so they could figure out which position they could use me the best in, and a promise to know by June whether or not they would definitely want me working with them and when they would need me. In the middle of all that, I was busy planning a wedding for a friend of mine and when people asked questions about the D.R. the only answer I had was, "It's probably a go for August or September (Mr. and Mrs. E. had plans to move down to get everything started in August.). I'll know definitely by June." 

With the wedding successfully done the last weekend of April, I began to look forward to moving to ND towards the end of May. My sis and bro-in-law would be coming to Chicago for another friend's wedding then spending a week in MI, so I planned to go back out with them then. However, it was nearing mid-May and I still hadn't heard whether or not the D.R. was most definitely a 'go' for me. I knew nothing about what kind of financial support I needed to raise before August if I would go, or what kind of living arrangements would be available, so I sent Mr. E. an email with those and several more questions on another Tuesday (May 12, 2015) - exactly 8 weeks from first hearing the hint of this opportunity (no, I didn't plan that it would be so exact - I think God just humorously gave me a little grace in loving exact days to go by!). 
He called me an hour later to talk in more detail. 

The long and short of the entire conversation was this: "Mrs. E. and I are looking for a personal assistant with your exact credentials to help us with setting up everything from ground level on. We are planning to be in Thailand for 4 weeks in July for training in how to develope a template for aftercare in the D.R. (Thailand is one of Destiny Rescue's biggest operations). We would want you to come with us." 
My family was planning a garage sale for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Before the phone call, I'd been helping my mom and sister, Julie, with sorting through our attic belongings. Before hanging up the phone, we set up an in-person meeting (Mr. and Mrs. E. and me) for Thursday. After hanging up, I went upstairs and broke the latest news to my poor unsuspecting family by stating, "I'm going to Thailand in July and I need to book a train ticket to ND for Monday so I can work as much as possible before leaving the country." 

Last week was crazy! 
On Wednesday afternoon I met a friend an hour north of my parents' home who I hadn't seen in a year and a half . 
On Thursday I met my cousins an hour and a half south of my parents' home for breakfast before meeting with Mr. and Mrs. E. for several hours to talk over all the details of what Destiny Rescue will be setting up in the D.R. and what my job would entail as their assistant. As someone with experience in the Latin American culture and a good handle on the Spanish language, I'd be involved in every detail with getting the project up and running - everything from helping hire/recruit natives, to dealing with case workers and lawyers, to being involved in the legal side of the courts, to picking up the girls, to helping set up the home, to creating business ideas, to communicating between different offices, to well, assisting in everything! After the meeting, I stopped in to visit friends from my old church. 
On Friday and Saturday I was once again packing and sorting through all my worldly goods, figuring how to set up a financial plan (Oh! Friday morning, Mr. E. called to let me know that a friend of his is entirely funding my Thailand trip - so God!!), and trying to keep my one sister from knowing I'm going to be in ND 3 weeks early while planning schedules with the other sister. 
On Sunday Julie and I visited our old church so I could see all our friends there before leaving and fill everyone in on the latest developments. We stopped for a short meeting/visit with more friends of mine I haven't seen since moving to Guatemala, then ended up at the local church park for a last minute farewell party with most of our local friends Sunday evening. 
And Monday morning found me on a North Dakota bound train, eating a turkey and cheese wrap from my extensive snack supply while writing out a detail-filled blog to fill everyone in on details (cuz that's what detail-filled means) from beginning to end of something I've been praying about for a long time (which is really only the beginning of this next step on the Journey God has planned for me). 


Some of you will be shocked. Most already have a bit of a clue of what has been happening. But with the exception of a few, nobody really knows the whole story very well because - well, because it all just happened so fast!! I find myself just standing back and marveling at how God works. He has orchestrated every single detail of this Journey with perfection. To think I ever doubted His ability chagrins me, yet it encourages me as I look forward. To know that when (not if) I doubt again and have questions raging through my mind, He will always have the upper hand in being able to gently remind me, "Remember what I can do." 

In closing, I have a plea. A plea for your prayers. It's not going to be as safe and comfortable as working in Guatemala. If there were battles to be fought in Guatemala and prayers were hugely needed there (which they were!) than double the battles will be faced here and an overabundance of prayers needed! Prayers are the fuel behind the work we do so the more you pray the more we can do. God has been in this from the very beginning, no doubt, and if there is to be success in this mission, He needs to remain the highest, biggest focus and priority. 

Pray for me as I step out on a completely new venture. For strength, wisdom, and courage. 
Pray for Destiny Rescue as they continue the work of the kingdom around the world. 
Pray for this new operation in the Dominican Republic, that things will continue to fall into place. 
Pray for the girls/children who need rescuing - in the D.R., around the world, and your own back yard. 


What does the Lord require of you? To Seek Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly with Your God. 
Micah 6:8

P.S. if you, your church, or anyone you know would be interested in helping support me financially while I'm in the D.R, email bloomin4christ@gmail.com and I can send out an email with all the necessary information. 

On Reflection and Future {Looking Back}

March 17, 2015 - Monte Flor, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

I'll never forget the time or the place. It was a Tuesday evening during debrief with the team I was co - in-charge-of that week. Last Tuesday, a week ago (May 12), marked exactly 8 weeks since that night. It seems like so much longer than only 2 months - sometimes I'm almost not sure if it's really real. It's all happened so fast but God's finger print has shown up at every turn, letting everyone know that this is His doing and that no human being could ever have orchestrated this. 

If you would have told me a year, or even 4 months ago that in the very last 2 weeks of me living in Guatemala, with the very last team that I worked with there, an opportunity to work my dream job would just 'fall into my lap,' I would have chuckled, tried to explain how unrealistic that would be, and went on to persuade you how it would probably never happen. It's not that I wouldn't have believed it could happen - I would have said my faith was stronger than that much doubt - it's just that my dream job is complicated, the kind of complicated that doesn't just all fall into place in 8 weeks' time. 

Some people talk about a calling. A very specific calling to a specific ministry at a specific point in life. Their entire life goals have to do with this calling. All the training they intentionally acquire is for this specific reason.
Some people talk about 'signing up'. Maybe they can't pinpoint that specificness, but their heart bears a willingness to go where God sends them and serve in whatever capacity He wants them in. Even if their life goals haven't always pointed to the place He sets them in. 
My story is a bit of both. 

That specific calling? It came when I was 12 years old. 
My brother had taught me to read when I was 5 and since then, I read an average of a book a week - pretty much anything I could get my hands on! My friends can tell you I've never been your typical emotional female. I don't cry very easily - at all (it's actually something I had to ask God to cultivate in me - this ability to connect emotionally - but that's beside the point). One week, I picked up the book "The Cross and the Switchblade" by David Wilkerson in our family 'library' thinking it looked like an interesting read. (Whether or not you're not familiar with his ministry, the book is definitely worth reading!) I'll always remember it as the first book I cried through. Reading the story of how God sent the pastor of a small rural church into the worst part of New York City to reach the hearts of gangs for Christ stirred my 12-year old heart, breaking open the ground and planting the seed of desire to go into the worst places of this Earth if it meant following Christ. While nearing the end of reading about Wilkerson's story of beginning the inner-city mission, one dilemma he wrote about struck a specific chord in my heart and I knew what it was God wanted from me. The dilemma was recruiting people to help with his ministry. He found many willing to work with the boys (once you've got em, you usually got em); finding people with tender hearts to reach out to the young kids on the streets was no problem (young hearts are so much easier to minister to than the older hardened souls); but for a while, no one wanted to work with the girls. The girls were harder to reach; they had been so emotionally damaged that it was extremely difficult to break through the walls they had built to protect themselves. Even if they went through drug rehab and left the streets, it was not unusual to find them right back in the same place within a few months' time. 
Laying on my bed with tears streaming down my face, I told God, "I'll go. I'll work with the girls. Whether it's in NYC or my own backyard, send me to the troubled, brokenhearted, downtrodden teenage girls - I'll go."

Dreams of opening a girls' home (maybe even a ranch in the country) seemed to be what I thought my calling would end up turning in to (again, ask my friends - they know!). In the mean time, throughout my teen years I was traveling with my family to Central America for missions' work during the winter months, gaining ministry experience through music in 'my local Michigan', and just learning the basics of life in a business-owning and otherwise not-so-normal-American home. I loved traveling out of the country for missions, but for so long I'd thought 'my calling' was to the states. I saw the teen generation around me and my heart broke for a way to reach out to them. I went through brokenness of my own and wanted so much to just be able to share experiences to bring healing to someone else's heart the way others did for mine. 
Then an opportunity opened up for me to spend an entire year in Guatemala. 

At the time, I thought, "Why not? It'll give me more ministry experience that I'll be able to use long-term, and besides, I love Guatemala." Granted, I did pray about it for a while before jumping into it (yeah, I'm most definitely not an impulsive person!), but God had clearly brought this opportunity and there was every peace in my heart about going. And besides, I'd told God a long time ago that I would go where He sent me. So I went! And I blogged :) If any of what I'm writing right now doesn't make sense, browse through the last year of my life on here and you'll figure most of it out. 

Which brings me to March 2015. 
Nearing the end of what I refer to as 'my life in Guatemala', there were so many questions running through my head. It was extremely difficult to be preparing to leave the home I had come to love so much more than I'd ever thought possible. I knew I'd be back at some point in time, but I had no clue for how long or even when. There were many times that I considered committing to longer-term or at least the end of the year, but God never gave me peace about it. He did give me peace about returning to the States but was being seemingly quiet on what to do next. 

I'd planned to move to ND to work and live with my sisters for at least the summer and look for ministry opportunities but really didn't know what to plan for. At the same time, my calling of working with abused teen girls kept coming up over and over. About 4 years ago, I first heard a story of the horrors involved in human trafficking and began learning about how prevalent it was becoming not only in third-world countries but also in the USA. I can remember a phone conversation with my sister last summer telling her that I really felt like this just might be what that specific calling was - helping to rescue girls from human trafficking. However I didn't have any connections and it was hard to pursue leads while living and working with a ministry focused in a different field of need. Besides, I was loving life in Guatemala and my job there and wanted to focus on being where God had me without missing anything by looking ahead too fast. 

In March, I set aside 4 weeks to fast and pray specifically about what was laying ahead of me - with seemingly no clue as to what would happen. At that time, my roommate Rachel and I were helping Lance on alternate weeks with coordinating teams coming to Guatemala to work alongside the ministry. 'My' last team of the year was coming 2 weeks before my scheduled flight home on April 1. Although I was excited about the week (working with teams was always a fun job) it was bitter-sweet to think about it being one of those 'lasts'. By this time, I was already half-way through my 'scheduled' fasting time and still didn't seem to be getting answers. However, God was teaching me so, so much about resting in His peace and being confident that I could go forward even without knowing what the future held, as well as being willing to serve in any capacity regardless of the area or form of ministry. I fully expected to go home without any further direction than moving to ND and going from there. 

The more I get to know my God, the more I think He loves to make me stretch outside of my comfort zone. He knows that I am 'addicted' to order and organization. I'm an extreme planner who gets a little (ok, a lot) irritated when things don't go according to plan. I relish the opportunity to take a multidimensional task and make order and perfection come out of chaos. He keeps asking me if I love Him more! He keeps putting me into situations and circumstances where I can only walk by faith without being able to plan for one day. He asks me if I trust Him, then takes my sincere, thought-out 'yes', and lands me in places so fast that all I can do is hang on and try to enjoy the ride. He enjoys humor - of this I am convinced! But He is good - oh, so good! And so faithful...


March 17, 2015 - Monte Flor, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

On a Tuesday evening in the community center living room during debrief with the team, a door of possibility swung wide open, almost hitting me in the face. And to think - I almost missed it. 


Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Isaiah 30:21 

On White Picket Fences and Promises Worth Hoping For

Two weeks ago, after a flight cancellation from Guatemala to Florida then a flight delay from Florida to Michigan, I was finally sitting in my airplane seat for that last leg of the trip home. I had been assigned a middle seat between an older gentleman and his son. They were both very friendly and after the typical 'plane seat-mates questions' (where are you flying to/from, etc) they found out that I was a returning missionary from Guatemala. The questions flew my way after that little bit of information, ensuing in a 'long' conversation consisting mostly of the son asking me questions about living in a foreign country because his daughter really, really wants to go on a missions trip to South America. 

After participating in the conversation here and there and finding out how many of my goals and hopes have to do with long-term ministry work, the older gentleman stated a friendly observance that has stuck with me ever since. 
"You're not a white-picket-fence dream kinda girl are ya." 

Such a simple statement, yet so very true. A white picket fence in front of the suburban, community-oriented family's home complete with lush green lawn and space in the back for hosting summer cookouts is a beautiful picture and wonderful dream. It's the beautiful kind of picture that a lot of people long for and the ones who attain those dreams have the ability to influence the lives of their neighbors, community, church family, school friends, and more. It's a the wonderful safe kind of dream where children can grow up in a loving atmosphere with fond childhood memories and a solid foundation that will carry them far in life. It's a beautiful picture and a wonderful dream. But some people have dreams that look a little different. 

Anyone who knows me well knows a strong-willed human being who often times makes learning simple life lessons much more complicated than they should be; someone who many times has created trouble for herself and those around her in a way that would be easy to avoid if she would just let go of the need to always be right; someone who was thankfully taken in by Jesus cuz if He wouldn't have, heaven knows what would have happened! 

When I was younger, I used to wonder why God 'cursed' me with a strong will and temper that was always and forever getting me into trouble. But as I grow, I learn more and more about how the very attributes that used to cause trouble, when given to God to use for His will and purpose, can be the cause of changed lives and advancement for the His Kingdom. White-picket-fence dreams may be the very dreams God has placed in some people's lives, but it's not what He's placed in mine. Who knows? Maybe one day (yeah, it's very possible my goals will change cuz they have deviated from their planned course before!) a white picket fence is where I'll find myself living out life with every ounce of strong will I possess, but not for now (possibly not for a while - maybe not ever). 

In Proverbs 16:9 it says that in his heart a man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps. White picket fence or not, I wanna follow the steps God has planned for me and I know, with full confidence, that it will be difficult at times. But it will be worth it. No matter where I go. 

You see, it's not about achieving the perfect dream, being the best, or following the crowd. Many of the most influential and inspiring people were the ones who followed that calling on their lives to step out of the norm and live life differently. Missionaries who raised their kids in a thatch-roofed hut, inventors who blew up more things than they built, and a young Carpenter who laid down his right to live life for himself. 

A sweet, servant hearted young lady once gave me a wrist-band with Jeremiah 29:11 printed on it. Every time I wear it, I see the words, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" 

No matter what the dreams, the goals, the vision, the calling may be. No matter what happens or how many times we may find ourselves hanging onto life by our finger-tips. No matter what - those are promises worth hoping for! 

On Expectance

Expectations.

We all expect things every day.

Name any given time of the day and I can probably tell you what your normal expectations are. Your morning? You expect to wake up alive. On any given day, you expect to be able to make your appointments, follow through on your commitments, and reach your goals.

Goals.

We all have them.

It doesn't matter if you have your life mapped out in detail or are just riding it out, making decisions on the whim. We all have goals whether we realize what they are or not. Goals for normal everyday life, goals for future hopes – they come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes.

Goals and expectations run through life hand in hand. We wait with expectance for a commitment to be completed so our goals of tomorrow can be reached.

So, what happens when our goals are disrupted by unmet expectations? What happens when a flight is canceled and an entire schedule of events needs to be shifted and expectations need to be redefined? Or when an accident blocks traffic on the way to work and that all-important deal-making, once in a lifetime meeting needs to be put on hold? What about when you see everything you've worked for your entire life come crashing down around you and you have absolutely no clue what life is about anymore? 

Where do our hopes and expectations lie? 

Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream (longing, desire) fulfilled is a tree of life."  

So often I find myself basing my hopes, dreams, and goals on physical things, events, or people. Then when the inevitable happens and someone lets me down or something doesn't work out as planned, I find myself questioning everything I've ever accomplished, stood for, or hoped in. It's like the inside of me feels sick although I'm still physically healthy. However hard it is when this happens, it serves as a reality check, reminding me of Who I should really be counting on - God. 

When I walk hand in hand with the Maker of the universe - the One who spoke the Earth into motion, breathed the galaxies into existence, and created me with utmost precision - suddenly I see my hopes come to life. Instead of living life in fear of a broken heart and crushed expectations, I realize that I can live with a full expectance that my life will be used for a good above and beyond my capacity of imagination. It's real, true life!

So, what happens when our goals are disrupted by unmet expectations? What happens when that flight is canceled or the meeting is delayed or your life completely falls apart? What about when you're at a crossroads in life and really have no idea how to proceed, when decisions need to be made without much direction, or when everyone is counting on you to figure out and fix the problem? The answer will forever and always be the same. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may overflow with hope." (Romans 15:13) 

This life isn't supposed to be about circumstances and happenings but rather about Who gave us the very breath we breathe. Each day is a gift. This life is a journey. And we have the freedom to live with unending, undying expectance!