Ten Things, "What, You Too?" style

Things I am honored to have done, or learned, or seen so far in my life:

1.) Been a camp counselor, at two marvelous camps full of Spirit and fun and gorgeous scenery and amazing community, where I learned to be a leader.
2.) Had more than my share of amazing roommates, who taught me most of my good and some of my bad habits, supported me through the challenging, joyful and sometimes painful transitions of college, Urban Servant Corps, seminary and beyond. Most of them still play a big part in my life and all of them are much cherished and have a very special place in my heart.
3.) Had the opportunity to travel outside (sometimes way outside) my comfort zone, to other countries and cultures and languages and climates, to meet people on their own turf and be dependent upon their hospitality.
4.) Had the chance to learn how to fail, many times in frustrating succession. And the chance to learn how to pick myself up, dust myself off, say "nice try! Now do it again!" and set myself right back up there on the horse. In my case it involved struggling to express myself and get things done in a new milieu and language.
5.) Been invited to step inside someone else's pain, see life from their perspective, learn new ways to give and be and new ways to depend on God's faithfulness.
6.) Held newborn babies in my arms and marveled at the miracle that created them.
7.) Experienced bone-chilling, soul-sucking homesickness that made me very conscious of the utter privilege of having those places where my heart resides and places that I am always welcome.
8.) Been able to get far enough away that I come back with a bit of objectivity on things I had earlier taken for granted, for example the various media that bring me my daily information.
9.) Experienced the care and mentoring of teachers and professors who truly believe in what they are doing and have retained a bit of the idealism that keeps the joy in it.
10.) Been blessed with friends who have encouraged me to develop my strengths and embrace my weaknesses and love myself anyway!