I love how there are moments in life that you can remember every detail about the day or a conversation. Smells, songs or what you were drinking. Sometimes, they are pivotal moments that change your life. This is one of those moments for me:

A year ago yesterday, was a Monday. I had taken the day off and my puppy Page and I headed to my folks house for a day of rest. She and I were still getting to know each other as it had not yet been a month since we rescued each other. I wanted her to get comfortable being around water, so I took her out in the canoe.

Walking back up to the house, I thought to myself, “If I could do anything in the world, money not being a factor, what would it be?” A little to late in life to be asking that question? Maybe. My answer was working in Africa. So, once in the house, I googled “administrative assistant” and “Africa”. Up popped a position with Africa Inland Mission in Kenya. Since I had served there before, I thought, “well, that’s interesting”. Knowing good and well I don’t look or act like a missionary, I printed the application and applied that day. I told my mom, but I don’t think either of us really thought much of it.

So that was on Monday. The next Sunday, June 24th, I was sitting with my best friend, Jillian at the basement bar of Ormsby’s for Jon Whittaker’s birthday. We were at the corner of the bar. But the one below is of that night. Anyways, she told me something she had heard, or seen, and it changed my life. “Sometimes you just have jump and hope the world catches you.”

The next day at work, I jumped.

I’m not sure I would be here without the timing of her words. Or her encouragement. And she was right, the world caught me.

And I’ve been on an amazing adventure ever since…

ab