“Not all those who wander are lost.”
- J. R. R. Tolkien
I love this quote because I feel like it sums up my life right now. I have been pondering a lot lately about the incredible experiences that I have had over the past five years and the amazing people who I have met along the way. I've seen more sights in this short amount of time than most people get to see in a lifetime. I've completed a first-class education and worked with an organization (ILP) that has changed my life. I've done two semesters of service abroad in Ukraine and Mexico. I've served a full-time mission in Russia. I back packed Columbia, Peru and Western Europe by myself or with friends I met along the way. I studied abroad in the Holy land and traveled to Egypt, Jordan and Israel. I've seen things that people have only dreamed of, and I've had so many people, places and experiences etched into my heart that I feel an incredible fusion of enhanced wholeness and longing emptiness at all times, wherever I am. I suppose that once so many people and places have so much meaning for you, you can never be the same person you once were. I am certainly not the same as I once was. I hope that I am always a wanderer, searching for experiences in life and jumping at any opportunity that comes my way. I am so blessed to have the life that I do, and I hope that the desire I have to see the world and understand God's children is not just a phase.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain
4 comments:
Kristy—The Lord loves variety—in animals, in plants, in geography, in weather—and in people. As I read your “mission statement”, it reminded me of a quote by Hugh Nibley in his book “Temple and Cosmos” (p. 292):
The individuality of each star contributes to the whole of the night sky. Each has its particular part to play, and, because of its uniqueness, makes a contribution of maximum value—which it couldn’t do if it were just like every other star. Be a star! Don’t be like anybody else. Be different. Then you can make a contribution. Otherwise, you just echo something; you’re just a reflection.
Seek the Lord’s counsel in all you do, and you will live the unique life He means you to.
Love,
Toots
Kristy I believe that Heavenly Father has great plans for you and that the experiences you have had thus far will only aid you or guide you in the way you live your life following now. Remember that even if you are not able to travel like this again or just for a while there are so many things that have so much to offer for your senses and mind to experience even if that means something seemingly small after traveling abroad like hearing your very own child laugh for the first time. I believe that your experiences will have something to do with the life you live here, don't forget them but don't act like they are over Heavenly Father works in misterious ways as you know. I don't think you are done.... I love you and miss you! Stephanie
Amen.
i like toots.
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