Ok... So I haven't written in over a year!? Well I apologize to myself since writing is for me most of the time. I enjoy streaming my thoughts onto my keyboard. But I will never give up the old standby, pen and paper. 

 

Updates and new things: Well Ben and I are moving from CA (hence the pic of one of our favorite beaches). We love "camel rock". We have made many memories here as well as some huge surfing breakthroughs for myself. In any case, we are very ready for a change and decided months ago that our future holds exciting wonderful things as long as we follow our hearts. Our hearts have always been pulled toward the beaches of North Carolina. California beaches are amazing, don't get me wrong. I don't think there are any more beautiful beaches than the ones in Humboldt County CA. Although I also feel like it has ceased to give back as much to us as we would like. Personally I feel as though I am meant to do many more things, not settle, and experience more and more. I kind of feel like Anthony Bourdaine, you know the travel channel guy who lives the best life ever. He gets to travel, eat, experience, soak in cultures, oh what I wouldn't give to be in his shoes most days. I have spent 2 1/2 years in a culture that devotes much of its time to the environment, natural living, and also marijuana cultivation. Compared to my youth, learning of this was a complete 180 and bothered me a lot of the times about the area. Although, here I learned to trust in natures remedies and teas. The herbal remedies for the common cold, flu, and menstrual cramps were easily accessible. I mean, they have herbalists that do more business than Walgreen's! I have learned to love myself, my womanly shape and figure, my personality, and also to let go of any vanities that held me before. Now that I have ruminated here, it is time to move on with my life, with my husband and my loves. When Ben and I were dating we exchanged a list that contained our most beloved things in life. I still hold Ben's in safe keeping in one of my journals. I believe he still has mine but I have a copy also in one of my journals. This list was made when I was a mere 19 years old. Somehow at that point in my life I was able to acknowledge some very beautiful experiences that I had either done or had yet to accomplish. One of my first loves was new adventures. They have always been best spent with Ben by my side. I am almost 24 years old and I feel as though I have done something right. Thank you God for all of these blessings! How is it that we actually made it out here on our own, thrived in our marriage, learned to love our earth, loved to learn intriguing things? I mean, I sometimes cannot believe it! 

MY FAVORITE PRAYER:

"Dear God, draw me close to Your heart and renew my vision. You are the Lord of my life, and the One I trust with all that I am and all I have yet to become."

There are many more updates to come. We are opening an entirely new chapter soon. I am interested to see how we take what we have learned in the American West and use it in our lives out in the east. When Ben returns to me soon from his 5 day long expedition from one coast to the other, I will begin more updates and pictures. Thanks for reading! Goodbye Humboldt County!