NOLS

It's about 3 weeks until I go to Wyoming in the dead of winter for my NOLS course. (That's National Outdoor Leadership School). I'm gonna go learn about winter camping and skiing. I'll get to wade through waist-deep water in caves and "jam my hands into granite crags" up some mountain wall. Sounds weird when I type it. Sounds pretty dumb really. I've wanted to take on this challenge for about a year now and am thrilled to get this chance. But I haven't really articulated reasons I'm going to do it. So here they are.

I feel less than useful to the world around me. Going through college was a great way to start off my adult-hood and give me some knowledge. But now I'm ready for a skill that I can do with my hands (and feet). Hopefully that will correlate with the spiritual lessons I've been taught. Perhaps I can open someone's eyes to the beauty and color of nature and the greater reality of its maker, Jesus Christ.

Maybe I can show someone how to be "led beside still waters" and "rest in green pastures"
Just maybe someone is without hope and the Lord could give them the breath of fresh air that they're looking for. I'm looking for a job somewhat too specific to find on my own. Some sort of wilderness therapy position, or wilderness discipleship community. You know, not too far from my family, in a beautiful wooded setting, with a great group of people. Who knows. (if anyone knows of one, tell me). The Lord knows.

Is there anyone else out there that feels like they're just unsettled, and yet could not succumb to the settled life if they tried? I feel like if I stayed put, I would curl up and rot away.

I've been training since August for this. I think I'm ready. But my heart is so sad to leave Manhattan. For the last couple days, everytime I see someone I know, I tear up because of the value of their friendship, and what I will be walking away from. You're probably all like, "what is wrong with that girl?" "She must have a cold or something". No, to be honest, my heart is breaking because I love you all so much. That's it.

So why am I leaving if I value my "family" so much. What am I doing with my life, if I adhere fully to the purpose of the church to which I belong? It's certainly nothing of a mission trip, or a ministerial calling.

Well, I don't know fully why I'm leaving. But I do know that I will be somewhere and not just "gone", so if any of you likes to write letters, please write to me.

Evie Krenzin
E22-SSR-2-02/07/2007
NOLS
P.O. Box 333
Lander, Wyoming, 82520

And pray that God would make my nervouse meanderings a blessing to someone, of use to His Kingdom, and out of love for Him who gave me a full life.