Thoughts of a Mrs. Modern-Day Mountain Woman Chapter 52

Chapter 52: The End of an Adventure

When I first started in my camping career I did not realize that I would be leading adventure programs. This was a challenge for me. I cried the whole way through my first (and probably second, third, maybe even fourth) High Challenge Course. Caving made me nervous. Canoeing down a river with a bunch of kids was not at all relaxing. But, through each adventure I became more confident in my abilities and better able to understand and appreciate my inabilities. Becoming a mother has been the biggest adventure ever. Every single day is different. This is what makes life exciting and worth living though!

Every day we must choose what we will do or who we will become. Will we spend the whole day reading a book or watching movies, or will we get out and play and make adventures? Every day can be common and normal, but on occasion it is fun to mix it up a bit and add in a little spice and adventure. Spontaneity is not an easy behavior for me. I’m not spontaneous. I plan a bit for what’s to come. Mr. MDMM used to ask me why I planned all of our outings around our children’s eating and sleeping habits. It frustrated him sometimes to not be able to pick up and go on an adventure as a family. It frustrated me sometimes to think about breaking our routine and having cranky kids. As I’ve written many times in the past, life is a balance. If I had married someone just like me who makes lists before they go on trips and takes everything but the kitchen sink with them “just in case” we would be a very boring family. Likewise, had Mr. MDMM married a woman who only sought out adventure, they would have a very adventurous, but unbalanced life. Thankfully God knows what He is doing. He planned for Mr. MDMM and myself to find one another and be a perfect balance. He encourages me to get out and try new things, move new places, or try a new hiking trail. I always make sure that we’ll have snacks and jackets along on our adventures.

God didn’t design us to live a boring life. He designed us to have an extraordinary life filled with love and adventure. That may look differently to each individual, and that is okay. Some may find adventure in shopping at a new grocery store, others may need the thrill of cliff diving. My challenge is to find a way to make the ordinary an adventure, look for new and interesting ways to make the mundane fun. Sometimes stopping for a picnic in a new and interesting location is just as much fun and can be just as much of an educational adventure as going on a big expedition.

A Life Perfectly Intertwined

Writing this blog has been an adventure for me. The act of thinking of new topics and lessons to write about has been wonderful. Stretching my brain and my emotions has challenged me to become a better and more thoughtful person, expressing what I’m thinking and feeling better than before. Life with Mr. MDMM has been a wonderful adventure for me also. Growing up, I never would have visualized that God had picked out a man like this for me to marry and build a life with. His plan is better than mine, He knew what I needed in life and He guided my path and Mr. MDMM’s path to intersect at the right time. The daily adventures we share together through our business, work, and parenting has given us strength we didn’t know was possible. I am so honored to have him along with me on this adventure of life, and I am so proud of the children we are raising to love God and nature. God has given us good things. He has given us adventures here on earth and the hope of eternal life with Him in heaven. That will be the climax of our adventure on earth. Being with Him, face to face, seeing His glory and having His presence in His kingdom which will never end, is an adventure I look forward to, when He is ready for that to happen. Until then, I will make everyday count here on Earth, I will love more, learn more, and find joy in the common. Until I can rest in His peace, I will rest in His promise.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-25