(This is a long one, but I've had a lot of time to think these last 2 days.)

So I want to start with saying, I am not a fit person. I need to lose at least another 25 pounds and my definition of an exercise routine is a 3-4 mile walk with Scott a few times a week, when we manage to squeeze it in. There is not one single thing that makes me "qualified" to be doing this walk, except a long time desire.

But I've learned a few lessons in the last 2 days.

1. Today we started our 9 mile walk with a 600 foot climb at a 15% grade. And finished with another 600 foot climb into the town, not to mention the rolling hills along the way. At one point I looked at Scott and said, "If I had fully understood what this was and the physicality of it (that I was looking at meters, not feet), I probably never would have had the nerve to try it. I would have been afraid I couldn't do it. And I would have missed so much. But it made me wonder, how much in life do I miss because I'm afraid I can't?

2. Give up the imposter syndrome nonsense. We met a family this morning going on the same walk as us. She was super fit, maybe a little younger than me. I was actually worried about being embarrassed that I would look so out of shape, because I would never be able to do this as quickly. But how many other places do I struggle with that in my life? Comparing myself and thinking I don't deserve to be doing what I long to do?

3. Stop comparing. It's ok to make the journey my own. It doesn't make it less of an accomplishment if I have to take it slower, walk backwards up a hill, because I'm too winded walking frontward (that makes no sense to me.) It's ok if I have to stop 3 times going up that hill. Heck, maybe they miss savoring some of the beauty I see because I couldn't breathe. But how often do I compare myself to others and try to live life like they do?

4. And always be watching for the small miracles. I said there was a sweet God story from yesterday... we didn't plan our water supply well. I'm so not kidding, for 12 miles we had 3 bottles of water. (Just go ahead and shake your head.) Mile 7 hit me really hard with an uphill climb on a tractor path through tall grass in the open sun. We got to the edge of someone's property and I had to have some water. I was down to half a bottle for the last 5 miles. I was desperate, I had no idea how I was going to finish. And I said a little prayer, "Lord, I don't know how I'm going to finish this walk. Somehow You're going to have to help me dig deep and give me a power that's not my own."

About that time, a woman crossed the driveway, saw us and smiled. She kept walking for a few seconds and then came back to us. I thought for sure she was going to tell us to move along. But instead, in very broken English, she asked, "Would you like some cool, clean water?" I almost said "No, it's ok". (I hate to be a bother and impose on people.) But I knew we needed her help. She called to her daughter whose English was better and she took us to the outdoor sink that was fed from their well. We were able to drink 2 bottles of water and refill them again. The picture of that sink might be my favorite of the whole trip because it will always remind me of that sweet moment when my Abba Father showed up in the most practical way. And yes, we learned our lesson today, we had more water!

I don't know what, if any, of these things you might struggle with. But if fear is holding you back from doing something you long to do, take a chance and do it. Yes, prepare, don't be unwise, but lay down your insecurities and go for it.