Top 5 Coolest Things

Those who know me know that I can get really excited about pretty much anything. I often find myself talking about really wonderful experiences followed by the phrase "it was probably one of the top 5 coolest things I've ever seen/done".

The more I use this phrase, the more I wonder, "what ARE the top 5 moments of my life thus far?" As I sort through memories, I realize the challenge in being a person perpetually amazed with life: there are way more than 5 things on my coolest list. Still, some things stand out more than others on the canvas of life. Here are some of those Top 5 Coolest Moments, in no particular order

*Finishing my first marathon in OKC. My second marathon was much more enjoyable and better run, but turning the corner on Broadway, seeing the finish line, and knowing that I was going to finish a race I had never thought I could accomplish or even dare to dream about....what an amazing life moment. Followed by some puke.

*Discovering whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium with my friend, Kim. These animals are so beautiful and so big that they eclipsed the light when they passed over me in the viewing tunnel. It left me breathless and in awe of a God who creates little me and giant whale sharks.

*Attending a multi-cultural church in the heart of San Diego. There were many different nations represented, and we sang songs during praise time in all of our different languages. When we sang "You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham, I'm pretty sure I was not the only member of the SDEX team sobbing tears of joy and wonder.

*Going out into the deep country near my Dad's hometown of Hartshorne, OK, right after my Pawpaw Kyzer died unexpectedly. It was January, the winter sky was vivid, and there were no lights. Dad drove me out there and we sat on the hood of the truck and looked at the stars and cried and talked about my Pawpaw's life. It was so simple and beautiful, and kinda life-saving considering the circumstances.

*Getting to be the one to help James Morris ride a horse for the first time in his life while at MPH summer camp. This was a guy limited by muscular dystrophy who had been told his whole life he couldn't do things. But we had horses at camp, and he decided he would try it. It took several people to get him on the horse, but we made it, and I rode behind him holding on for dear life. (note: pretty much every time I get to help a friend accomplish something "impossible" at camp, I cherish it in my heart forever. I could write a book on all the "top 5 coolest camp moments", but this particular story is a pretty good summation of the heart of camp)

*Seeing Paul McCartney in concert. Ok, so this one happened last night. But I was fangirling/practically crying the whole time. It was so surreal to hear and see a man I have been listening to and appreciating for my entire life. And the concert was beyond all expectations or dreams. Even though the memory is still fresh, I know it will be cemented for a long time to come

*Waking up to a thunderstorm when I was really young and seeing the water pouring all around our living room (back when we had windows on both sides of the room). Before that night, I was scared of storms. I was probably 6 or 7, and I woke up from the rain. But as I ran to my parents' room, I was captivated by the beauty of the rain and lightning. That night changed my attitude about rain. (I realize this sounds like a cheesy memoir, but I promise it was REALLY cool!)

*Driving in the Panhandle and seeing the sky touch the earth and falling in love with an area of the world that few people ever see

*Seeing the Starry Night by Van Gogh in person. Favorite painting. Stood and stared at it for so long and still didn't get enough.

*Being led to move to Kansas. I had planned on living in Purcell for my entire life. Turns out God's plans are a million times better than my own. Everything in life is making a lot of sense now, and I am able to see how perfectly orchestrated this phase of my life has been, and how it paves the way for so many more adventures and experiences that will definitely leave me speechless and breathless and just as in love with life as all these posts have made me feel thus far :)