stepping out...

In the past few months I have stepped out of my "box" or comfort zone only a few times.
Helping plan a missions trip is one. I have gone on four missions trips already and really felt like I was supposed to do more for this, so I jumped in and started helping Pastor Dean plan the trip. Some things that go along with helping plan something of that matter are things like calling people...which I hate doing..so I text most people. I am not a fan of the awkwardness that goes along with talking to people that I do not know that well. That was the biggest challenge for me. Other than that I have loved every minute of it! Its something that I had never done before, and now love to do and can not wait to plan another!
Helping plan a ladies retreat. I am not sure what I have gotten myself into with that one. Its all just begun. Somehow I feel it will be the same way. Ill hate doing parts but overall Ill love the whole experience. From start to finish I can not wait to see how it all goes!
Last but not least. I went on a bike ride with my friend Jacki. We decided to go to Flatwoods. I had been there a few times before and knew that I could definitely do it. I was excited about it. Jacki even said that they had trails, which I had never ever done before. I was a little hesitant at first, but was excited to step out. When we got there, I was so excited! We started riding, then go to the trail. We started off down it..so far so good. Then came the smaller and smaller trail, in and out up and down between trees, and of course there were roots...EVERYWHERE! The roots were what scared me the most because I had never gone off roading on a bike before. She kept warning me (because she was in front) of the roots. I held on for dear life it seemed. At our first stop we stopped to take pictures, and to get some water. I went to stretch my hands, and I could barely open them from the grip that I had on the handles. I just started laughing. After that was cool, until a crazy fast other biker guy just came barreling down the path...scared the daylights out of both of us. There were a few more of those crazy biker guys. You seriously dont expect them, and then they just come out from no where. Once we got to the road, it was smooth sailing...then I decided to stop..boy was that a mistake! When I got back on the bike..I hurt in places that shall remain nameless :) Finally we got back to the car, and I still cant believe that I did it. I am very proud...oh did I mention...We rode for two and a half hours...Fun..yet Crazy! We will do it again :)
After stepping out of the box..I now know that good things come out of it. You are challenged in ways that you never thought that you could overcome. Yet you can..through God's strength..of couse!