Back from Mongolia and it was an amazing trip!  The power of God was present, joy was evident in the belivevers and fellowship was loving.  So the burning question is:  What kind of story do I want my life to tell?  I read Donald Miller's new book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" on my flight to Seoul, Korea and then while in Mongolia.  Donald Miller is having a conference in Portland, OR on Sept. 26th and 27th. 

The book really got me thinking, and also praying, about what do I want my life to say to people?  If money were no object, and there were no obstacles, what would I do with my life?  How would I get there?  I've been able to see and experience a lot so far, more than most people.  I have been skydiving, I was a flight attendant who has seen most of the US, I have served on international mission teams and I have been married more than once.  I have been abused, I have survived near death accidents with minimal damage, or none at all.  Mostly related to training horses.  I have even done a couple of sprint distance triathlons in my fat condition.  My heart has been broken and mended. After all this, what story do I want to tell?

After all I have seen and done, I would like to tell a love story.  A story of forgiveness and grace.  A story that gives people the courage to go on.  Part of that story involves creating a haven for children who have been "thrown away" by their family.  My heart aches with their pain.  God has given me an inordinate love for people, including the unlovely, but especially for children and young adults who have been told by others in their lives that they are unlovable and unworthy of God's love.  It is my heart's desire to create a place where they can retreat from the world and find healing and respite.  Where they can find truth in what God says who they are:  created in His image, loved and known before they were born and most of all - forgiven. 

There are a lot of hinderenaces to this dream.  Number one being money.  I don't have a personal piggy bank large enough.  Second, licensing.  I'm not sure how many agencies I would have to go through before opening the doors.  Initially, it wouldn't be a permanent residence facility, which may make things easier to begin with.  That would be the end goal, though.  Another stumbling block would be staffing.  Depending on the size and number of kids, I would need qualifed staff.  Would this create more licensing issues?  The pile of red tape I forsee with something like this is mountainous and expensive.  Location.  The need is so great everywhere, but where would be the best place to start?  One doesn't have to go very far to find a child who is hurting.  I have one in my own house.  She doesn't see anything about her that is lovely or worth loving and it breaks my heart.  She is my child.

Attending the conference in September would help me clarify my vision and help show me the way to get there.  I agree with a lot of what Donlad Miller writes, and to have the opportunity to talk with him in person (I saw him at a YS convention in Cinncinati a few years ago but didn't get to meet him) and discuss writing the life story I want to live would be most fabulous.

Check out Donald Miller's conference information here:  http://donmilleris.com/conference/

Check out his video here:  http://vimeo.com/12011394

And here:  http://vimeo.com/13350249