Roots Before Branches

I feel incredibly lucky with the timing of my departure to Madagascar. Leaving in September and graduating in May meant that I have had the whole summer to make countless journeys to spend time with the people I care most about in the world. This summer was packed with traveling which once again only reminded me that it is not where you go but rather the people that make traveling the adventure.

The challenge to myself this summer was to be super intentional with my time with people and make it a point to say yes to as much as possible. The summer was basically my last hurrah before leaving. The past couple months have been so good for my soul and I'm hoping that all the love I felt this summer stays present with me throughout my service.

My First Last Hurrah of the summer (I like oxymoron's- or maybe just the word oxymoron, who knows...): Mom, Dad, Chris, and I did a bus trip to a Cubs game as a late birthday gift for Chris along with the Kecks and Hoffars.

Last Hurrah 2: Dad and I drove out east for a week for a backpacking trip along the Appalachian and the Smokey's. It was some good quality time with my dad and what a better place than hiking in the great outdoors.

 

Last Hurrah 3: Drove up to Grand Rapids to celebrate with Jax at her bachelorette party and got to spend time with my college friends

Last Hurrah 4: Celebrated Clint and Claire at their rehearsal dinner where the whole "family" was together

Last Hurrah 5: Drove back up to GR for two beautiful weddings in one day (but unfortunately had to miss the Hoffar wedding which was the same day)

Last Hurrah 6: Spent a week up in Minneapolis with my mom and my aunts and cousins. It was so good to spend time with all of them and especially my little cousins whose first couple years of life I am going to miss which will be hard.



Last Hurrah 7: Back up to GR again for Jax and James' beautiful wedding then spent time on Lake Michigan with college friends. Weddings are always a blast because all of my soccer girls are there and we always have a good time together  

 

Last Hurrah 8: Last trip up to GR for a while for Kelly and Garrett's wedding (noticing a theme yet about my summer? Hint: a lot of my friends got married)

 

Last Hurrah 9: Spent a week at Momentum Youth Conference with a group of students from Kendallville UMC and heard from so many amazing speakers all while getting to worship with around 3000 other believers

Last Hurrah 10: Flew to Seattle with a friend from high school to visit a friend from college and hiked at Mt. Rainier and traveled along the Washington coast through Olympic National Park. It was definitely one of the highlights of my summer. Washington is a beautiful state

 

Last Hurrah 11: For my last visit to GR I spent an afternoon with the Hall's and then in the evening caught up with Corrie and Tamryn and even got to play soccer for the first time since I retired in the fall (the final goodbyes are beginning so it was definitely a bittersweet trip. Lots of good conversations and quality time but knowing it would be the last time I see them all for a while was hard)

Last Hurrah 12: A long weekend trip to Virginia where I spent time with my other "brothers" rock climbing, playing ultimate Frisbee and doing my best not to get picked on too much. This was my last trip of the summer. Once I got back I subbed at the high school for one more week. My final week at home I spent packing and doing final preparations and have had a couple send offs with family and close friends.

As I reflect now on my summer, and well just my life thus far, the song Roots Before Branches comes to mind. I'm so incredibly grateful for all the people who are my roots; those who have taught me to be strong and have encouraged me to take chances so I can grow my branches. I wouldn't be who I am today without each and every person in my life.

https://youtu.be/4kQvCFTNpw4
Lyrics:
I gotta have
Roots before branches
To know who I am
Before I know
Who I wanna be
And faith
To take chances
To live like I see
A place in this world for me