September 23rd, 2011

The Autumn light is dancing through the leaves of the weeping birch outside my window and streaming onto the kitchen table at which I sit. My Dream Board lays out on the table before me, shining in the sunlight-- a large white poster-board with a concentrated and colourful collage of neon Post-It notes in the upper-left corner. The notes take up 1/4 of the board-- the remaining 3/4 of white remind me that there is more room to write; more room to expand; more room to dream.

Today I'm updating my Dream Board after 3 months of travelling and adventuring. I'm rejoicing because I get to "cross off" some specific dreams that were fulfilled this summer. I'm smiling because I'm adding more and more neon post-it notes to the mix as this "update" session continues. I'm laughing because most of these new dreams cannot be graded or measured, completed or crossed-off. They are life-style dreams, versus life-event dreams of mine...

"My thoughts and actions are so focused on Jesus that I have NO ROOM for self-pity, selfishness or DOUBT"

"I am a Peacemaker; I command the waves to be still."


"I only do what I see my Father doing."


I look at these new dreams, and I get excited. They don't require I live in a specific geographical location or demand I have a certain job. I may even live these dreams sans husband (!) or loaded bank account! These dreams point to the reality that life can be amazing simply because God is good and His Presence is accessible anywhere. 

Being back in Canada, I find people saying to me, "Oh...it must be difficult, being back to "normal" life after such adventures!" It's a seemingly logical statement...after all, my 3 months of adventures were pretty amazing.  I visited 7 States and one developing country. I travelled over 27,000 km on over 15 planes (and one very long night-bus). I attended 2 incredible conferences where people fell madly in love with Jesus.

I lived in Honduras with 13 crazy-beautiful girls, 1 crazy dog and 6 ridiculous cats. I stole a wireless signal and endured mosquitoes and rain to watch a friend's wedding online. I visited ancient Mayan ruins, got drenched in tropical rains, overloaded on fried plantains, and held and prayed over sick babies.

I prayed for healing of hearts, minds and bodies and saw restoration. I met countless kindred spirits from around the world--including Ireland, England, South Africa, Australia, and Soddy-Daisy, USA. I tried turnip greens, pinto beans and sweet tea at the counsel of new friends and ended up laughing until I cried. I spilled hot tea down my dress at a church in Atlanta and drank red wine with dinner at a missionary's house in Texas. I sat in missionaries' homes listening to story after miraculous story, gaining invaluable wisdom and counsel from those who have gone before.

I experienced Cracker Barrel's "Chicken-Fried Chicken," Chick Fil-A's chicken biscuits, and Waffle House's waffles. I watched baseball, tolerated football and learned that snow-cones are a MUST at any 5-year-old's birthday party in "Hotlanta." I shopped at Goodwill Thrift-stores in 3 separate States. I slept in the guest-room of a mansion in Texas and on a foamie in a 6-year-old's bedroom in Georgia.

I realized it doesn't matter if a little girl lives in Honduras or The States--she still loves to dance to J-Lo's, "On the Floor."

I made Brother Bill the Baptist Preacher laugh. I belted out hymns and resisted full-out dancing at more "conservative" church services. I met "pastors" and "preachers" and more "brothers" and shared my heart for my "nieces" in Honduras. I spoke to 400 Baptists and one megachurch's intimidating Missions' Committee. I witnessed a baptism at an old-school church in the Bible Belt and a baptism in the ocean at a sunset service in Florida.

I experienced the "Terror" of the Hollywood Tower and the joy that is Disneyworld. I felt the incredible generosity and love of 5 crazy sisters from Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee... and I survived. I survived the South.

So, yes, I can definitely see why people say to me, "Oh..it must be difficult, being back to 'normal' life after such adventures!" But strangely enough, I am feeling content right where I am. The transition from "adventure" to "normal" hasn't really happened, probably because I'm realizing that there is no such thing as "normal" when Jesus is involved (and I'm pretty sure I didn't leave Jesus in The South, stranded at Disneyworld). He's got good plans for me everywhere I go.

And so the "adventure" continues, and right now I feel that Calgary is where I'm supposed to be for the time being. While I'm not in school and don't have a very demanding nursing job at the moment, I'm confident this is going to be an amazing year of learning and growth. I'm excited to invest more time into my Calgary friendships, church family and community...and I feel strongly that the wildfire God kindled in me this past year will only continue to burn and spread as I simply rest and focus on Him.

I realize this is a bit of a disjointed blog post...but I just attempted to explain where I'm at this September 23rd, 2011. The Dream Board fills up a little more, and the anticipation of joy increases. And can I do something as a writer and lover-of-dreams? I challenge you to write down some of the "crazier" dreams you have and put them somewhere where you can see them (don't worry, you don't have to use neon Post-It notes!). Write them in a comment on this blog post, if you like--I would love it!

Praying you receive in greater measure the wisdom, insight, and creativity to express yourself in new ways this season!

~Hillary

P.S. A photo album of my summer State-side adventures can be viewed HERE. Below is a pic from when I was at the Copan Ruins in Honduras, earlier this summer...my (small) Honduras album can be seen HERE.