20 Things to Do in My 20's

As I am exiting my “teenage years” and entering another decade, I have decided to set some goals for myself. This will be something that reminds me to seek God, adventure, health, and community daily. Lots of people set goals and forget about them or make lists and throw them out. I am asking you to keep me accountable and perhaps be encouraged by this and create your own list of practical short or long term goals. (Thanks to my Facebook friends for suggestions!)

1.       Explore Every Canadian Province and Territory

I may be biased, but Canada is definitely one of the most amazing countries in the world. We have Great Lakes, prairies, two oceans, the Rocky Mountains, small towns and big cities, and the snow covered territories. That’s not even talking about the culture or animals that inhabit the second largest country in the world.

2.       Go Green

This may involve growing a garden, recycling more, composting, attempting veganism, or quit showering altogether. I think a lot of people are not fully aware of their own carbon footprint and how massive it is.

3.       Evolve My Culinary Expertise

4.       Obtain a University Degree

This may be the hardest thing on this list considering how much I despise organized learning in a dull, dim building with people who are just as dull and dim. But this is 2015 and it’s hard to make it in the world without some form of credentials for your half-assed effort of filling your brain with senseless information. (Maybe an attitude change will help check this one off the list)

5.   Learn to Sail

6.   Intentionally Build Community

7.   Read Every Book in the Bible

Like the majority of North American Christians my age, I have unfortunately barely begun to scratch the surface of all the amazing words God has given to me in the Bible. Not knowing what is in the Bible or what’s not in the Bible makes me ignorant and vulnerable. Any recommendations on how to get through Numbers are greatly appreciated!

8.   See a Live NBA, MLBA, or Professional Soccer Game

 

9.   Write More

I have a love-hate relationship with writing. It’s like working out, I love it when I’m finished, but before and during I think it’s the stupidest and most pointless thing ever. For this goal I’ll focus on journaling, blogging, and letter writing.

10.   Learn to Speak Spanish Fluently (or German lol)

11.   Be a Cheerful Giver/Worry Less About Money

I’m one of the biggest penny pinchers around with a severe case of buyer’s remorse. Generosity is important in building relationships with people while trusting God with finances. Giving doesn’t necessarily have to money, but can be time, words, gifts, or service. I would like to consistently tithe 10% and act when God calls me to give. I also want to never complain about “being broke.”

12.   Run a Half Marathon

13.   Learn to Play an Instrument

14.   Find a Home Church

I don’t know if any of you have church hunted, but on and off for the past three years in two different cities I’ve been looking and have found some amazing places of worship, yet none that really popped out to me. I think it is important to find a church where you have community, learning, and outreach. I’ve definitely given up on the notion of finding a “perfect church,” but it would be great to actually want to wake up to go to church, see friends, and worship Jesus.

15.   Rock Climb on a Mountain

16.   Work for an NGO

Never am I more empowered than when I am hearing about the work that non-government organizations are doing. It is my hope to be able to work fulltime with an organization that is involved in abolishing human trafficking.

 

17.   Adopt a Sheltered or Stray Animal

18.   Fast

Social media, people and talking, food, internet, phone, fashion, sugared drinks, books, TV… The list goes on and on. All of this takes my focus off of God and in some cases I have even made idols of these materialistic things. I think silence and sacrifice are critical in building a relationship with Christ. It reminds us that everything else isn’t necessary (aside from food) and when we give up the comforts and easy things of life we have nothing to hide behind and must be bare and honest with God and ourselves.

19.   Scuba Dive

20.   Travel Around the World

My dream is to have been to every country in the world by age 30. Even though I will try, I’m not entirely sure that will is very practical. So I will settle for at least every continent (Yes, including Antarctica) and perhaps “30 countries in 30 years.” (11 and counting!)

 

Peyto Lake ; a day with a dog

 

 Last summer I read an article about different Canadian "must sees." This article shared various popular views around Canada. Scrolling through, I stopped at one photo that was located only a few hours from where I live. Only a short 800m stroll and Peyto Lake's view was just as immaculate as if you had hiked all day to get to the top of a mountain. As soon as I saw the photo on the article I wanted to go. I planned to go with the boyfriend I had at the time. Problem was he wasn't that into hiking or outdoors. So I didn't go. Then I tried to get my dad to check it out with me. He thought it was too far, so we decided to canoe at Two Jack in Banff instead.

Summer came and went and I never ended up going.

Fast forward to January 2015 when I went to for breakfast in Airdrie at EggOasis and there on the wall was a painted a beautiful picture of Peyto Lake. I recognized it immediately. Again I had the urge to go there that moment. But I didn't. During reading week a friend and I were planning on going, but it never came to form.

This past week I was reading an article about the nicest lakes in Alberta (http://www.tentree.com/blog/10-incredible-lakes-alberta/). There I saw... You guessed it... #7) Peyto Lake. After I read the "10 Incredible Alberta Lakes" article, there was a blurb about the author. Brooke Willson was a young woman who loved people, traveling, and adventure. She was an athlete, had her degree in Social Work, spent her free time exploring the world, and shared her expeditions through photos and blogging. This adventurous and determined woman inspired me.

Why did this lake keep popping up? Why did I want to go so bad, but hadn't? Why did I keep trying to get different people to go with me when they would just end up cancelling? Why, why, why?

So that's when I decided I was going to Peyto Lake. On my own. I wasn't going to wait around any longer for someone to join me or affirm that this was an idea worth following through on. I wanted to do it, so I was going to do it. If I plan on getting my Global Degree (a degree that is achieved by travelling to every nation in the world), I am going to have to get used to being on my own or else I will never get anywhere.

And what better day to go on this adventure than on International Women's Day.

This morning I packed my backpack with my camera, journal, a sandwich, and a water bottle. My dog, Bacon, jumped in my car to co-pilot and we headed out with a full tank and an empty memory card.

Somewhere between Banff and Lake Louise I took the wrong exit that lead me through an amazing mountainous valley to B.C. Oops. Checked my phone... No service. No worries. Made a U-Turn and righted my path. An hour and 100 mountain photos later, I'm rolling into the Bow Summit parking lot. Bacon is eager to get moving and stretch his legs. The walk it somewhat difficult due to the fact that the snow is deep and more cross-country skiing/snowshoeing appropriate. Thankfully it is short and we make it to the look out point in no time.

Bacon and I spent the afternoon exploring different trails and doing our best not to get lost. And it was great! Just the two of us surrounded by trees and mountains, digging our way out of the snow holes we fell into.

No, I wasn't exactly "alone." But this little adventure just assured me of what I am capable of.

To me Peyto Lake wasn't just another amazing view or hike. It was a step towards independence and becoming the woman I want to be. (I may have found more symbolism in this adventure than most people... But I don't get out much).

Sometimes I might take the wrong turn and get lost, but I can find my way back. I may stumble and fall, but I am able to stand up and try again. I may feel lonely and start talking to myself, but I can meet new friends and most importantly, I have God walking along side me and guiding my steps.

Am I scared to begin my Global Degree? Hell yes!

Is that going to stop me? Hell no!

Don't let your fears or insecurities hold you back from pursuing your dreams.

If you want something, go and get it! If someone tries to talk you out of it, forget them!

Follow your heart. Be the person you want to be.

If you expect great things for your life, that is what you're going to get.

Now I just have to start practicing what I preach.

Strandfontein to Johannesburg

As you can see by my lack of blogs, there has been a bit of a inconsistency concerning wifi and access to internet. So I will do my best to sum up the past month and a half for you.

February was a month of history, culture, amazing views, and facing fears.

In Standfontein I stayed with a coloured family that taught me what life in Cape Town is like and made me laugh so much. They were very open about their opinions and experiences and truly made me feel at home. During my stay there, I went to the District 6 Museum, toured the parliament buildings, and shopped at the Green Market Square. I also saw Robben Island and watched seals on the waterfront. Another memorable experience there was going to Mannenburg, which is a township that is completely consumed by gangs, violence, and drug abuse. I was a shocking and heart wrenching.

After our home stay, we had a couple weeks of adventure and rest. We spent half a week in Bonnievale where we pretty much just played. The week started off by us floating down a river into bat caves. For the rest of our stay we did ropes courses, played slingshot paintball, fell 40 feet in a king swing, and swam and kayaked in the river. For the rest of the week we stayed in Jeffery's Bay where we galloped horses along the beach, surfed, and shopped. We also met up with a group called Global Challenge. They showed me about having a passion for Christ, they taught me about true, sincere kindness and they encouraged me to break Jesus out of the box I had once put him in by teaching me about the power of prophecy.

February the 25th. I jumped off the Bloukrans Bridge and fell for 216 meters at the speed of 120km/h.

Our next place of sort term residence was Mdumbi, a small Xhosa village in the transkei. It was a beautiful and secluded area. We had a beach all to ourselves where we tanned, swam, and did beach olympics. We would have used it much more if it didn't rain as often. One of the days we spent hiking to Coffee Bay, which was one of the most beautiful places I've been to. We spent the week having sessions about knowing yourself. These sessions included financing, knowing your inner critic, love languages, and some community building time. Nathan Rieger also joined us for this week and talked to us a lot about being a broken gift and disciplining our minds. He also offered to have one-on-one sessions and during ours we cooked octopus and then ate it. During our week we did a 30 hour fast and on one of our last days four people were baptized!

Next stop was El Olam in Umbumbulu. My first morning I was awoken by monkeys running on the roof! There we worked in two different schools, the Hope Valley and Lily of the Valley, which is an orphanage where three out of four students are HIV positive. It was a very stretching week, but also extremely fun. I really enjoyed working in the classrooms with kids. My very first sociology class was me teaching to a grade ten class made up of students my age all by myself. And I loved it! I had such a great time with the students and I would love to do something like that again. We also went to a traditional Zulu village where we learnt about their culture and how they live.

We then stayed in Pietermaritsburg for two weeks. The first week we went to the Drakensburg, hiked during the days, slept in caves, cooked our food over storm cookers, and played copious amounts of settlers. We also stayed at an old prison in the city where we did service work for them. Our second week we stayed with Indian families and learned about their culture by going to a hindu temple, a islamic mosque, and ate so much curry.

Our third country we visited was Swaziland. We stayed at a back packers hostel in Manzini and went to Guba, a farm where we learnt all about permaculture and plants.

After a few days there, we crossed the boarder back to South Africa and stayed in White River at the African School of Mission where we began our debrief. For debrief everyone must create a 15-20 minute overview of what they have learned and discovered this past year about God, themselves, and the world, then share it with the community. After someone shares, we take time to encourage and pray for them. I really enjoyed this because it really reconnected our community and made us reflect on the past year and begin to process it.

The first day of April we drove to Kruger National Park. We went on a sunrise and sunset safari. I saw a hyena, waterbuffalo, leopards, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, hippos, lots of beautiful birds, warthogs, and so many bok and impalas. It was such a fun time and the scenery was absolutely astounding.

To conclude our time here in South Africa we have made a full circle and are staying back at Heron Bridge in Johannesburg. Here we are finishing up debriefs and fitting in as much community time as we can.

We leave South Africa on April 9th and will arrive in Winnipeg late on Thursday, April 10th. There we will have a graduation ceremony and have some debrief time with our families. I will be going back to Calgary sometime during the next week.

Knowing that home is so close, I am feeling sentimental and unsure. I'm nervous about heading home and reintegrating myself back into my family, friend group, and the North American culture. I'm so heartbroken to say goodbye to my community and the people I have learned to call my family. They will always have a place in my heart. And I'm excited to see the people I left behind and hear about how their year. I know this trip is just the beginning of learning about God, myself, and the world, and I'm so pumped to see the adventures God has in store for me in Canada.

If you want to catch up and here more about my adventures feel free to contact me. I would love to share with you about the awesome time I had traveling both Canada and Southern Africa.