The Story: Bethel University Homecoming

I had the honor of speaking at my Alma Mater for Homecoming week. When asked, of course I accepted immediately - what an honor!

And then I realized how many people would be sitting in that auditorium. And then I was like, whoa. I said yes, but that's a lot of people. Sooooooo...

Like, a lot of people.

The good news, I'm not really afraid of public speaking. Mostly I don't really care what people think about me, so that helps a lot. Like when the button on my dress came undone before I went on stage..like when your shirt is a little too tight and that middle button pops open? That was me. But, meh, whatever.

The other good news is that when you're on stage, the lights are just so bright that the entire auditorium is black. Pitch black. Like I was talking to a black wall. Which means I didn't have to see anyone playing Two Dots on their iPhones (GET OFF YOUR PHONES, PEOPLE).

It might be scarier to share this with all of you than it was getting up there on stage...(at least you can't see my sweaty armpit stains).


10.9.15 - Homecoming Chapel from Chapel on Vimeo.

Just gotta try.

It's funny how hard it is to try something new. Well, technically something old, but now it's "new."

It was hard to go from wheelchair to walker.

Hard to take that first step using crutches.

Harder (and scarier) to drop to one crutch. And then a cane.

And taking the first step sans any help whatsoever. Totally hard. And scary.

And it's been scary trying new things ever since. Whether it's kayaking or jet skiing or tubing, I've been fearful to do it, but so glad I did.

**Also, can we just pause for a minute and talk about WHY I thought tubing was a good idea?? I don't know what I was thinking. Well, actually yes I do...I was thinking about my robot leg flying off and sinking to the bottom of Gull Lake. I mean, can you image if that would have happened? Would I have had to scuba dive down there to find it?!?**

I digress. 

I'm jealous of kids and babies. They're unaware of the fear that coincides with trying something new. When the pain of falling is unknown, it makes the will to try so much easier.

But while it's easy (too easy..) to let fear overcome, the reward for conquering fear is too great to pass up. Because there is nothing like the feeling of overcoming fear. Nothing.

You know what I'm talking about. Everyone has those moments. 

When you speak up for what's right.

When you quit your job to pursue your passion.

Catch my drift? So go do something you're afraid of (even if it's just something small). Because if I can do this whole thing...YOU can do anything.