Boise Bucket List

Beautiful Boise

I love Boise!!! I am home in Boise, Idaho for a little over 3 months, and I don't want to waste a day. 

Even though I lived in Boise for the majority of my life, 12 years, there are still so many things I have never done. So, I have created a BOISE BUCKET LIST!

Here is what is on the list so far:

• Bruneau Sand Dunes
• Shoshone Ice Caves
• Craters of the Moon
• Kirkham Hot Springs
• Skinny Dipper Hot Springs
• Shoshone Falls
• Soda Springs
• Hike Table Rock
• Silver City
• City of Rocks
• Old Idaho State Penitentiary
• Hull's Gulch Nature Trail
• Eat at Big Juds
• Basque Museum and Cultural Center 
• BSU Football Game on the Blue (I went in elementary school, but I'm not counting it)

I'm sure my list will continue to grow. Please feel free to suggest additions!
May the adventures begin!!!

Lessons from Africa: Afrikaans

Pieter and Paula, My Afrikaans Tutors

I learned many, many lessons in Africa. Some were very obvious; however I am just now beginning to understand and grasp others.

During my time in South Africa I attempted to learn some Afrikaans. “Attempted” would be the key word in that sentence.

Afrikaans is a West Germanic language. It is a daughter language to Dutch… I have NO experience with German or Dutch so the language sounded very foreign to me. I tried to learn at least one word each day. Paula and Pieter were great tutors, but I’m not sure I was the best student. I think everyone got a kick out of listening to me try though.

Here is one of my Afrikaans lessons: 

My Homes

The dust has settled, the bags unpacked, the last load of laundry folded and put away, and all the pictures uploaded. The last effects of jetlag are finally gone. It’s official. I am home.

However, what is ‘home’ really? One of the 13^th Floor students asked me an intriguing question that had me thinking for several hours…What is home to you?

I’m at the interesting transition period in every college graduates life. Essentially, I don’t have a permanent home right now. I don’t know where I will be this fall. I don’t know where I will be this next stage of my life. During my travels so many people asked me where is home, and I never knew what to say. “Well, I grew up in Boise, Idaho. I have been in Minnesota the last four years for school, and now…I have no idea.” But, the more I pondered what really defines home the more I realized a truth.

For me, home is defined by a sense of belonging and community, a place where I have people to love me and at the same time keep me accountable; equally, I invest back into people’s lives, take risks, and grow in relationships.

This summer I experienced many homes: Young Life’s property Creekside at Washington Family Ranch, the touring team of 13^th Floor in Pretoria, South Africa, Morning Star Ranch in Matopo, and of course, my family home in Boise.  Although travel weary, I never felt displaced.  Each temporary home provided me a place of connectedness and placement.  I feel blessed in getting to experience a summer of “new” families and homes. 

My Creekside Home

 My 13th Floor Home

 My Zim Home

My Boise Home