Hagzilo

I love being in the wilderness. I love the silence, the friendships, the adventures, the beauty of it! I got my first true taste of nature in 2004 on the Dogsleds to Desert Outward Bound Semester Course. What an experience! -40 degree nights in Minnesota, so cold that water vaporizes right in front of your eyes; northern lights; dogsledding and cross country skiing; no shower for 40 days; the ice hole and sauna; the guys (Chalie, Big Mike, Jefferson, Stinky, and Matteo); solos; sunrises; sunsets; stars, satelites, and moon; the desert; letcha-gonna-getcha cactus; rattlesnakes; Copper Canyon; first bucket bath and so much more. The experience can never be told in a way so that another can fully understand it without experiencing it for themselves. Only second to Outward Bound was my 3-week adventure out West beginning in Seattle and ending in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Highlights: Puget Sound, Sushi in Seattle, Crater Lake (it still has snow even in June, who knew?), Yosemite Falls and Half Dome, the Narrows in Zion, Bright Angel Trail down into the Grand Canyon, the Delicate Arch at sunset, Lake Sprague in Rocky Mtns. Everyone must go and see! Oh, the adventures and friends to be had: I can't wait! And since you have read this much, I guess you are truly interested, so I must end with the things I fill my days with: God, family, and friends. Oh, the riches to be found in Jesus! His mercies are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. And so, I will spend my days knowing Him and telling all the hope to which I have been called! My parents, grandparents, brother, sister, and in-laws are the most amazing people who I admire and love and would do anything for. I am thankful for the past memories and eagerly anticipate the future joys! The newest member, my nephew Benjamin, is amazing. He will definitely be well loved. And what would any of these great things be or trips taken mean if I didn't have friends to share them with!