My Version of "I Am"

Tears falling down my cheek, it's been the worst week
Never felt pain like this before.
You saw my heart break
Everything began to ache
When he said we could still be friends.
I was so weak, unable to speak
Still I could call you by name,
And I said, Heartache Healer, Pain Reliever
Stay by my side
And you said, I Am.

Staring into their eyes, unable to realize
Our family life was coming to an end
Thanksgiving with him,

Christmas with her.
Memories of Lake Tahoe rushed through my head.
You knew I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call you by name
And I said, Heavenly Father, my Creator
Help me to comprehend
And you said, I Am.

Age twenty-four, confused to my core

Standing at a crossroads that will shape my life.

Which path do I choose

Which road should I take

What are the plans that you have in store for me

You felt I was weak, and unable to speak

Still I called you by name

And I said, Friend and Savior, my Protector

Help me find my way

And you said, I Am.

Life is full of struggle that we must overcome and
So I'll find a foothold that's familiar
And bless the moments that I feel You nearer

My whole life you were there, even when I'd curse and I'd swear

You've loved me through the good and through the bad.

You'll stay by my side

As I go on life's ride

Even through times that I turn away from you
I will be weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer
Comforter, Healer, my Redeemer
My Lord and Friend, Beginning and the End

I Am

Yes, I Am

I Am - Nichole Nordman

Pencil marks on the wall, I wasn't always this tall
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed
You watched my team win
You watched my team lose
Watched when my bicycle went down again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said, Elbow Healer, Superhero
Come if You can
You said, I Am

Only sixteen, life is so mean
What kind of curfew is at 10pm?
You saw my mistakes
And watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I'd never love again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper
Be my best friend
And you said, I Am

You saw me wear white by pale candlelight
I said forever to what lies ahead
Two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream
Too much it might seem when it is 2am
And when I am weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Shepherd, Savior, Pasture Maker
Hold onto my hand
You say, I Am

The winds of change and circumstance blow in and all around us
So we find a foothold that's familiar
And bless the moments that we feel You nearer

When life had begun, I was woven and spun
You let the angels dance around the throne
And who can say when, but they'll dance again
When I am free and finally headed home
I will be weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer
Comforter, Healer, my Redeemer
Lord and King, Beginning and the End

I Am
Yes, I Am

Lost Generation

So simple but so cool and incredibly inspiring. Hope, belief and action are all we need to change the world. If everyone just tried to improve the life of a couple other human beings, we could change the world... we would change the world... we will change the world.

"Even if we can't save the world, we might as well try" - Adam Lewandowski

Life is good

For the first time in a long time I can say that I am truly happy. A lot of that comes from being happy with myself. Maybe this is why I love to travel so much, but when I am in the states I always feel judged by everyone. It flares an insecurity in me that hinders any true happiness that I could have. People are so obsessed with appearance in the states they fail to enjoy all life has to offer. But when I am abroad I never feel that sort of judgement from anyone... even other American travelers. It is mystifying how I could feel judged by someone in the states and not when I am abroad.

It seems as though no one here cares... everyone is just wanting to have a good time. And I love it. For the first time... in my life maybe... I have been walking around in a bathing suit with out an insecure thought ever crossing my mind, without a care in the world... and this is a feeling that is completely new to me. To think that skinny people feel this all the time makes me that much more envious of them. :)

Not only am I happy with myself, but I love the adventure of my life. Living in a different country, learning a new language, traveling to new places, meeting other travelers... everyday is a new experience. And I love my job. I make crap money, but I enjoy what I am doing. I get to be creative without limitations. I am given free reign on all my projects and I am getting to learn new programs and quickly improving my skills.

All in all... life is good and I am enjoying every minute of it.

Machu Picchu

Jungle Inca Trail - 4 day 3 night hike to Machu Picchu... easily the hardest thing I have ever done, but well worth it. The first day you are driven to the top of a mountain and spend the day biking downhill... just exhilarating! Definitely enjoy the scenery.

Day 2 made me want to die. Granted I got altitude sickness, throbbing head ache, dizziness, nausia... the works. It was NOT fun. I spent the entire day asking myself "Why?"... "Why did I think this was going to be fun? I am not a hiker." We hiked up and over a mountain before lunch. Hiking up knee high stone steps mind you... and on the smallest trail I have ever scene. However, the day did end at these AH-MAZING hot springs. Couldn't have had a better end to the day.

Day 3 we hiked along these train tracks to Aqua Caliente... the town below Machu Picchu. Day 3 was actually really easy, however I wish it wasn't along the train tracks cause I spent the whole day looking at the tracks trying not to fall instead of enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Finally Day 4 was spent at Machu Picchu. We woke up before dawn to be one of the first 400 people in the park so we could get a ticket to Waynapicchu, which I highly recommend. Words can't express how awe inspiring Machu Picchu is. A mountain top paradise. The Inca were truly an amazing culture. Pictures do not do it justice. Seeing the clouds slowly reveal this ancient civilization on top of the world was a sight I will never forget. And finally climbing Waynapicchu, where more ruins await you is a MUST. I found this quiet little corner where I sat at the edge of a cliff admiring Machu Picchu below, alone with my thoughts, nothing but silence. It was a perfect moment.

All I want...

"All that I'm after is a life full of laughter,

as long I'm laughing with you.

I think that all that still matters is love ever after,

after the life we've been through"

-Life after you by Daughtry

Love and laughter... its what life is all about. If you have both, what else do you need?