I remember my first backpacking trip in the Rocky Mountains. I can’t tell you exactly how old I was, but I was a young teen. What I do remember is that it was a new moon when we set up camp near the summit. I had never seen so many stars! I remember looking up and feeling like the Universe was at my fingertips. It also made me feel so very tiny. Who was I compared to THIS? What difference could I possibly make? I quickly realized that yes, the Universe is very large. But so was this mountain, and I had just conquered it, right? I was a part of this wondrous creation, and whatever The Plan was for my being here, I had faith that I would fulfill that destiny.

That experience changed me forever. It not only imbued me with an undying devotion to the mountains. (A decade later I would pack up my family and move them there.) But also a renewed enthusiasm for the world and my place in it.

It wasn’t just the stars. I had taken that trip with a church group. It was the varied mix of people, the support that we gave one another, emotionally and physically, that would make me realize the difference that I could make in life.

I shared that story because I am excited and thrilled to announce that Kat, the Teenager, will be embarking on an adventure that will surely dwarf the one I had as a teen. She has been accepted in to People to People, and will be going to Australia in June!!!

We’re straining our brains to come up with ideas for fundraising, but my first step is to turn over my PayPal account to her. I’ve had a donation badge on the side of this blog for a while now, but any donations I get from now until June will go to her life-changing experience. She and I were brain-storming last night about what to send as a ‘thank-you’. We haven’t made any final decisions, but she mentioned something about making artwork or baking cookies…

I hope you’ll consider donating to this tremendous opportunity for her. If not, we’ll still be friends. I know how it is out there these days…

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