Spirit of Adventure....

The year was 2004. I had lived 2 years in Ukraine and had loved it. But...I was seeking more adventure. I was seeking to see more of the world. I was seeking to understand God better...understand myself better....understand others better.

I took off on a true adventure - 30 days in 9 countries - all over land. Here's the first of several travel logs I wrote at that time:

August 4, 2004 – The Journey Begins………………………

I'm crazy. I know it. But.....I couldn't be more excited.

Today in less than 3 hours I will board the train here in Kyiv and begin 3 weeks of adventure travel (Ukraine, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, former Yugoslavia republics, and a few other countries (depending on time, what happens, etc.).

As I'm writing this email, I'm listening to my 'theme song' for the trip (Summer Rain - by U2. Here's a few words from it:

When you stop seeing beauty...you start growing old. The lines on your face are a map to your soul. When you stop takin' chances...you won't live any longer, but it will feel like it.

I like this song...for me...it's about taking more risks, trying to live life more fully w/ the time that I have here on earth. As I'm learning to take more chances, I think I'm adding a few lines to my face......but I feel I'm living more fully.....more freely. And...this trip is a good example of that.

So....despite warnings from a couple of friends ('It's dangerous there...it's too hot in Turkey'. or the call I got on Friday letting me know that a bus crashed in Turkey and people died), I'm off and seeking the adventure that God is calling me to over the next 3 weeks.

My pack is sitting beside me. In it, is an array of several items (food, a couple of books, my music player, and 2 sets of clothing. It will be my only material constant over the next 3 weeks.

So.....with that.....I set off. God is calling me to change....calling me to take greater risks this coming year (in relationships, in vocation, in travel). Please come along w/ me on this adventure as I'll be sending updates every few days. I'd love to dialogue w/ you along the way - about life, about God, about whatever.