Ground and Growth

I'm about to become a blogger. This whole idea has always weirded me out, but I'm working on ridding my speech of too many disclaimers and explanations that I don't necessarily owe people... I'm about to become a blogger. Here goes nothing.

I'm not quite sure what I want to include in this blog, but I suppose I'll let the ebb and flow of this experience determine the content. I hope to post bits and pieces of thoughts, lists of activities, pictures, quotes, verses, recipes, disappointments, revelations, successes, and definitely failures, but I am hesitant to make any promises. The promise I will make is to do my best to share some of this journey with y'all: those who actually take the time to click the link and read. With the busyness of life these days, I dearly appreciate the effort, even if all you do is skim every few weeks. I'll do my best to make it worth your time, and maybe even provide a laugh or two. We all know I'll have at least one or two good bruising stories.

Before I leave, a bit of background as far as the manner of thought and intention in which I'm going:

In the past few months of life, Christ has moved in bigger ways in my life than really ever before. I think epic phrases like that are thrown around too often, but there it is anyway. Since I don't think you want to sit here and listen to me tell weirdly intimate details, I'll try to keep it general, and maybe that way you can actually take something from this post, and not just read about my life.
I am at that proverbial place of figuring out who I am-- as a woman of God-- apart from any group, any individual, or anyone at all.  It's time for me to determine for myself what I believe about this world He's created. They say that those who don't stand for something, will fall for anything (think the cheesy posters on our elementary walls). And I believe leaders are those who we believe are sincere, honest, want the best for us, but ultimately are those who we want to emulate. They stand for something, or many things, we want to also stand for, fight for, change, believe in, create, or however else you pursue your passions. Those who we follow are those who are grounded, and who always allow for the right amount of growth.
I don't know the balance between ground and growth, the balance between standing for something and also knowing you could be wrong, but I believe you can have both. Before now, I've mostly valued growth in my life. After seeing so much close-mindedness in the Church, on Capitol Hill, and really anywhere, I hated the idea of sacrificing loving others just to maintain an opinion. So, I became a people-pleaser because it was easier than, well, being grounded. Then a few life events broke my people-pleasing streak. (In a good way. I didn't get a tattoo or anything.) I no longer view being grounded, or having conviction, as mutually exclusive with understanding, relating to, and helping people. I think we can be grounded in our beliefs, while maintaining relatability, curiosity, a healthy amount of dissatisfaction, and growth. We can lead with confidence, AND humility. "You can have roots and wings, Mel." (Sweet Home Alabama, anyone?)

I don't know if Spain is uniquely a place to go and figure these things out, but the opportunity to just go anywhere and get away for a while is much needed. I don't know the areas to ground in and which to grow in, but here's to trusting He'll take care of that. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." I know most of the questions I'm asking have been asked before, and I'm hoping to read, and read a lot, while I'm over there and trust He'll answer some of these questions. Or show me the questions that I don't need to answer. He'll bring new people, places, books, experiences, and heck, even new food to form the journey. I don't really have a goal in mind, or a place I'm trying to get. Just to find some balance between ground and growth.
My friend, Hannah Graber, has written on her journal something along the lines of: "Jesus, may my heart become very well acquainted with the lines of Your face."

It's rather exciting, really. And what better place to do it than across the pond?
I leave the 27th, for those who don't know. I might post again before that, who knows.

I'll leave you all with the same Irish traveler's blessing my dear friend, Lolo, sent me off with:

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
    the rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.