Good morning, world!

Today I sit looking onto my front lawn while the morning sun stretches across the stillness.   A year ago today I woke up in Santiago on Thanksgiving morn in Eugene, Oregon.  We were parked on the street in Jacob's neighborhood - what a glorious day that was!

The boys went golfing in the morning, and JJ and I went shopping for dinner.  Since the boys are, well, boys .... there was not much for food in the refrigerator.  There was beer, ketchup, and some other yummy treats.  Not that I have a lot of room for this judgement, I in fact had none.  


Sis and I had arrived in Eugene just a few days earlier on our grand Peace Love and Coffee Tour.  Guess what was in our fridge?  Coffee, ketchup, and some various staples.  :)  We had already run out of money and had just enough gas to plant ourselves in Eugene .... but the stories that came from that experience are priceless and are full of laughter and tears.


We made an arrangement, us girls and those charming boys.  They would pay for the food and we would prepare the feast!  Perfect! They also provided us with a warm place to hang out, shower, and call home for a bit.  Thanks Jakie, Clay, Casey and Scott!

Their first time carving the turkey.

It was such a humbling experience for a mama to have these young adults provide the financial support for a holiday meal.  But how grateful I was for them, for the food, and for the opportunity to cook for them.  We had NFL, turkey, mashed potatoes, and homemade pecan pie!  Yum!


In radical appreciation for this day,
Lisa

The Door

When at the cabin I stepped outside to enjoy the weather and take a little mental break and rested against the door.

The Andersson Cabin

It was quite an emotional experience to revisit the Peace Love and Coffee tour blog.  I also found notes from 3 years ago when I first began to consider the idea of breaking loose from "the system" of our culture into what I considered "freedom".  Reading the blog about the year directly leading up to our departure was full of peaks and valleys ... the events, the people, the twists and turns .... I'm surprised that we even left!


Sometimes a dream takes on a life of its own.  The forces that moved through us during those tough times took control. We surrendered.  And it was beautifully orchestrated of its own will. 


Like me leaning against the door the other evening.  I leaned lightly against it, a bit scared as I waited for the latch to release and for it to fall open.  It remained strong.  I recognized this fear and decided to challenge myself, so rested into it as if it were a solid wall.  I was still scared of falling down.  I even had visions of how I would fall, if it would hurt, and if I could succeed in falling eloquently to the ground without harm.


Then I let go of the negative chatter.  I leaned against that wall for 20 minutes or so lost in meditative thought.  It remained strong and solid.  I trusted it's strength and all was good.  Just like our dream of the road trip.  Even though at times we felt like we were leaning against that door, unsure if we would be allowed to fall to the ground.

We trusted.  And we succeeded.

Good thing the Andersson's have kleenex here ....

Yesterday I cried more than I have in years.  


As I opened my heart to share my story on the pages of a book I discovered more than I expected.  I found love, I saw selfishness, I felt gratitude, I connected with heartbreak, I saw growth, and I was inspired by the world of possibilities that await me.

I'm at the cabin to write.  I have set up a creative space in the enclosed sun porch.  The weather is sunny with blue skies; elk are eating in the clearing.  


Surrounding me are my computer, all of my journals, books that have inspired me, photos of people that have made a difference in my life, and a big dream of publishing my experiences for all to see.  I want to share my story in hopes of moving others to live their dreams out loud. 


Sometimes I can't even believe my own story ... haha.  If you start to dream with fullness of intention, the universe will put things, people, situations around to to make it happen.  Just try it and see.


Life is amazing.

My writing weekend awaits!

I am preparing for a fabulous weekend of creative composition!  

I'll be heading for Evergreen, Colorado for some solitude and focus to compile my scribbles, journals, blogs, and photos into the rough draft of my book about the big Peace Love and Coffee Tour and Adventure with JJ!  

Woo hoo!

With java love, Lisa