Tag Archives: adventure

what are you afraid of?

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(Español abajo)

I went camping last weekend. I didn’t sleep well with that thin nylon fabric as the only barrier between me and the woodland creatures whose home I was invading.

Camping has never been my favorite activity. I feel like I have leftover “trauma” from childhood experiences of camping in cold places with greasy spam for dinner. (Those are stories for another day.)

It’s taken a while, but in recent years, I’ve been trying to get past those memories and lean into adventures with my family. Everyone else in my family enjoys camping quite a bit. They didn’t get that from me.

The last few experiences have actually been very fun. I love being in nature. I love being with my family. I love being off my phone and away from normal distractions. I love learning new things. And, with the purchases of a few key items of quality camping gear, I’ve been plenty comfortable. I’ve enjoyed the hikes, the “gourmet” meals made with boiling water in a bag, and especially the shared laughter around the campfire.

Until bedtime.

It seems all the bugs decide to sing loudly once I am in my sleeping bag. Branches creak, and the wind flutters every flimsy flap on the tent. As a mom, I sleep lightly anyway, always vigilantly on edge as to how everyone else is doing.

But mostly, I’m afraid.

Yes, there are animals in the area, but we’ve carefully guarded food and tempting smelly things in bear cans placed far away from the camp. I am with a good-sized group of people, many very experienced with camping. They are not afraid.

I’ve been thinking about the title of this blog – “Maturitas Cafe.” I chose the name because I wanted it to be a forum for maturing, growing together, learning how to look more like Jesus.

Learning how to handle fear is an area that I want to grow in this year.

I’ve overcome my fears enough to go with those who sleep peacefully in their tents. Now, I hope to lessen my nighttime fears and increase my quality of sleep while I am out there with them.

Some things I’ve thought of to help me:

  • focus on truth – not on imaginings
  • go with those who are not afraid – good examples and wisdom there
  • keep going – usually, things I’ve done more times produce less fear for me
  • pray and ask others to pray for me
  • take small steps – I don’t have to conquer everything at once
  • give myself grace – laugh about it and leave some margin to catch up on sleep back at home if needed.

How about you…what are you afraid of? How do you handle that fear? Do you have any tips for me?

¿A qué le tienes miedo?

Fui a acampar el fin de semana pasado. No dormí bien con esa fina tela de nailon como la única barrera entre las criaturas del bosque cuyo hogar estaba invadiendo yo.

Acampar nunca ha sido mi actividad favorita. Siento que me quedan “traumas” de experiencias infantiles de acampar en lugares fríos con el “Spam” grasoso para cenar. (Esas son historias para otro día).

Me ha llevado un tiempo, pero en los últimos años he intentado superar esos recuerdos y unirme en aventuras con la familia. Todos los demás miembros de mi familia disfrutan bastante de acampar. Eso no lo obtuvieron de mí.

Las últimas experiencias han sido realmente muy divertidas. Me encanta estar en la naturaleza. Me encanta estar con mi familia. Me encanta desconectar mi teléfono y alejarme de las distracciones normales. Amo aprender cosas nuevas. Y, con la compra de algunos artículos clave de equipo para acampar de calidad, me he sentido bastante cómoda. He disfrutado de las caminatas, de las comidas “gourmet” hechas con agua hervido regado a una bolsa y sobre todo, de las risas compartidas alrededor de la fogata.

Hasta la hora de dormir.

Parece que todos los insectos deciden cantar en voz alta una vez que estoy en mi saco de dormir. Las ramas crujen y el viento agita cada endeble solapa de la tienda. Como madre, duermo ligeramente de todos modos, siempre atenta a cómo les va a los demás.

Pero sobre todo tengo miedo.

Sí, hay animales en la zona, pero hemos guardado cuidadosamente la comida y las cosas olientes tentadoras en latas especiales que los osos no pueden abrir y las hemos colocadas lejos del campamento. Estoy con un grupo de buen tamaño de personas, muchas de ellas con mucha experiencia en acampar. Ellas no tienen miedo.

He estado pensando en el título de este blog: “Maturitas Café”. Elegí el nombre porque quería que fuera un foro para madurar, crecer juntos y aprender a parecernos más a Jesús.

Aprender a manejar el miedo es un área en la que quiero crecer este año.

He superado mis miedos lo suficiente como para ir con quienes duermen tranquilamente en sus tiendas de acampar. Ahora espero disminuir mis miedos nocturnos y aumentar la calidad de mi sueño mientras estoy con ellos.

Algunas cosas que he pensado para ayudarme:

  • centrarse en la verdad, no en imaginaciones
  • ve con aquellos que no tienen miedo: son buenos ejemplos y ofrecen sabiduría
  • sigue adelante – por lo general, las cosas que he hecho más veces me producen menos miedo
  • orar y pedir a otros que oren por mí
  • dar pequeños pasos: no tengo que conquistarlo todo a la vez
  • darme gracia mi misma – reírme de ello y dejar algo de margen para recuperar el sueño en caso si es necesario

¿Y tú… a qué tienes miedo? ¿Cómo manejas ese miedo? Tienes algun consejo para mi?

adventure and appreciation

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matt battle

My son, John, had the quote of the night. We were waiting outside the downtown venue so that his brother, Matt, could turn in his ticket money and receive his evening time slot for the “Battle of the Bands”.  John stated wistfully…

“I just hope they play better than they dress.”

We were obviously out of our comfort zone. My son, Matt, plays a mix of pop, americana, and country. The band members around us were heavy metal, screamo, rockers… black, ragged clothing and makeup, numerous studs and piercings, long, scraggly hair – lots of it.

We all began to wonder why were there. 

It didn’t get any better.  A solitary woman collected the money in the scary back alley behind the building. The under-age visitors would have to enter in that door at night to avoid the bar area in front. Ten bands would play 1/2 hour sets, starting at 4:00 in the afternoon; Matt would not go on until third from the end at 9:30 pm. I began to greatly regret having invited friends and their children to this “all-age” event.

We took on the adventure.

As the night continued on, it wasn’t really all that bad. Sure, it was loud with a few obscenities thrown in (I couldn’t understand most of the lyrics!), and not my usual music fare, but the people were respectful, the “mosh pit” minimal and under control, and most folks just listened casually to the music. Although it was a bar, those in charge clearly kept all drinking out of the “under-age” area; our group felt safe at all times. I am a regular at new cultural experiences internationally; it was good for me to step into a new culture at “home”.

Matt rocked the house.

Matt was the only non-heavy-metal performance, and he was the only one-man show… AND he won over the crowd… and won one of the top three spots with a chance in the finals! We couldn’t hardly believe it! I was very proud of my boy and very grateful for the friends who bought tickets and came to support him (not one of them a heavy-metal lover).

Common ground built bridges.

There was obvious mutual respect among the musicians. I was very impressed with the number of people who came over to Matt to tell him how much they enjoyed his part of the show. They appreciated his vocals, his looper and guitar skills, and his song writing. One man said, “I’m a metal-head, but that was awesome!”

As some of the bands played, I prayed for the young guys and girls in the bands. I prayed for the ladies who were there drinking alone. I smiled empathetically at the similarly-out-of-place other parents who were there to support their sons. I applauded fingers that flew rapidly over electric guitar necks, and drum sticks that pounded out amazing rhythms, and the synchronized harmony between groups that reflected many hours of practice and cooperation. There was plenty to praise… if I was willing to look.

The heavy metal bands taught me a lesson that night. 

How do you handle new adventures? Can you appreciate those who are different from you? What crazy things have you done to support a family member or friend? 

____________

**You can check out Matt’s music at: Matt Morgan Music (facebook), @musicmattmorgan (twitter) and Matt Morgan Music (Reverbnation)

a bucket list

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mom kayakI read recently that the words “bucket list” are going out of style, as trendy words sometimes do after overuse during a period of time.

Personally, since doctors gave my mom the terminal cancer diagnosis, I have not been too concerned about the trendiness or overuse of the word. It is much more important to me that she is living her bucket list.

The pictures in this post are of my mom. In a kayak. Out in the ocean. Way out. With seals and (big!) boats and waves.

Remember, my mom is almost 80 years old and fighting cancer with bi-weekly chemo treatments. She is fragile and weak. She hates to fly and has to smoke… BUT she traveled to San Diego to spend time at the ocean she loves with a friend who loves her… AND she took a seven hour adventure in a kayak… and she loved it!

I am so proud of her.

Too often I let fear or inconvenience or what-others-will-think get in my way of trying something new or pursuing a dream or taking on a challenge. I can settle for comfortable instead of fulfilling, good enough instead of invigorating, status quo instead of satisfying.

But I want a life that is more than just adequate. I believe God created me for an abundant life. I want to live all-out and full-force with less hesitation and more heart, fewer petty concerns and more passion, less worry and more freedom.

Tim McGraw sings a country song that says, “I hope someday you have the chance to live like you were dying”. My mom is helping me learn to live that way.

How about you? Do you have a bucket list? What holds you back from living life to the fullest today?

a 30-year celebration

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fireworks digitalphoto KeeratiWhere did the time go? How did I get here? Am I really that old? Did I ever imagine when I was first starting out that I would arrive to this point? Has it been worth it?

This year I celebrate 30 years working with the organization known as cru. I started out 30+ years ago with enthusiasm, belief, energy, a bit of trepidation and the support of family and friends. I stepped out of my comfort zone, moved to a new state (and eventually new countries), and I took on challenges that I wasn’t sure I could actually accomplish.

I believed that I could help change the world.

I learned a new language, developed my strengths, grew in weak areas, tried new experiences, tasted new flavors, and worked with some of the most incredible people in the world. Sometimes I made mistakes and poor decisions. I loved working with others, dreaming dreams, and creating something new.

I believed that – even with my weaknesses – I could make a difference.

I trusted strangers. I loved those who were lost; I helped others grow. I changed because they taught me new ways. I asked for forgiveness and forgave those who hurt me. I shared my time, my home, and my heart with many who became life-long friends. I said good-bye too many times.

I believed that people can change.

I laughed. I cried. I mourned. I celebrated.

30 years have gone by, but the adventure continues.

I still believe…

_______________

Are you following your dreams? What do you believe?