my COntribution.

Awhile ago, when I was surrounded by familiarity, I blogged about why I love Columbia as much as I do. When I first arrived in Estes, the culture shock took its toll and my mindset switching to unsureness was almost an immediate response. I remember driving from the Denver airport on my way to Estes with Margaret. I was using my iPhone camera trying to zoom and capture the puny sight of the mountains, all while wondering how she knew exactly where to go. I admired how she pointed out these places on the way as we entered into the mountains, having then realized why she laughed at my amused reaction of the mountains when they were once afar.  Soon after, that place of unfamiliarity would shift into an experience that demanded to be remembered.

It's a strange transition when you go from your eyes glued to the mountains, pointing your finger in awe at the slightest movement from wildlife, constantly clicking "preview" to see the pictures you took, to suddenly having all of it become the "usual". The excitement is slowly replaced by a forgetfulness to appreciate the beauty surrounding you. Aside from the ultimate reason why I came here this summer, I came for other reasons too. I set goals for myself, expectations for how I would one day share my experience with someone and a ton of eagerness to see what was in store. So, I wanted to share a glimpse of my summer with you. I am also a firm believer that if you spend enough time somewhere or with someone, you will grow to love it/them in ways you wouldn't have expected to. And this summer, that happened.

1. Sheer beauty.

One of my fears entering the summer was that I would reach a point of taking the scenery for granted.  And it happened. I'm not always mindful of the fact that I'm living in the mountains. I've even shown annoyance with the typical tourist stopping to take a picture of the elk standing 20 ft. away. I don't need to comment on the mountains in front of me every second I look outside, but I do need the daily reminder of God's creativity and to give Him all of the praise. Man, I'm going to miss these mountains.

2. Community.

I expected to come here and grow closer with the group of Mizzou students I came here with and make the best memories with the ones I was already close with. However, I was placed in a project group with only two other Mizzou students, which ended up being one of the best parts of my summer. The closest friends I've made here are all in my project, most of them from Kent State, but some not. I also grew close with one of my roommates I was randomly assigned with. Iesha, you rock. Now, without expecting this, I have trips planned in the future to visit Ohio, Indiana and more familiar faces to see in Texas.

I love these people.

3. Creativity. 

I wouldn't label myself as a creative person. I still wouldn't say it comes naturally to me or that it ever will, yet this summer I have challenged myself to grow more in it. Creatively challenging myself, in other words. One goal of mine was to do a silk painting. After assistance from others and a lot of time and patience, I accomplished that goal.

"Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes." It was humbling to ask for help when I had this vision of how I wanted it to turn out, yet couldn't always deliver it that way. Or even that it didn't turn out exactly how I envisioned it was a lesson in itself.

4. Discipline. 

I didn't have as much freedom as I expected out here because of work, causing the time I did have to be used in an intentional way. Also, work can always be a good time if you have a good attitude.

Makin' beds and killin' it.

Like I said, that was a fraction of what this summer has been like. I came out here for a purpose, and all these things happened in between. 

So, as I prepare to return home in exactly two weeks from now, I can't help but leave a bit of myself here, where I learned and grew in various forms. 

Colorado, thanks for this adventure. 

"I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be."