Roots & Wings

Roots and wings
I'm somewhere in between
Where I'm from and what I dream
What I've known and what I've seen
No matter where I go
The sky above, the ground below
My heart will have a home
'Cause I got these
Roots and wings

My inspiration for this post came from a song I stumbled upon the other day called 'Roots and Wings' by Jessie James Decker.  As I listened to the song, it felt as though it was written for my heart.  It's hard to believe, but I am already wrapping up my first month here in North Carolina (time flies!).  There are several things that stick out in my head that have guided me through this new life adventure & I want to share a few of them with you.

EVERYTHING is an adventure if you simply choose it to be. 

The other day at work I was trying to find the bathroom on a different floor and boy, let me tell you, that was an adventure.  I ended up getting incredibly lost and desperately trying to backtrack my way to familiar hallways.  My point is: there is an infinite number of opportunities to try something new each and every day of our lives.  Adventure comes in all shapes and sizes.  It could be as simple as learning a new dance in the kitchen or going for a walk down a backroad.  Do something new everyday.

The tallest lighthouse in N&S America!

Embrace your flaws & failures.

It is no secret that I am no Paula Deen in the kitchen.  In fact, I am the polar opposite of that.  If there was a TV show for cooking failures, I would definitely be featured in it.  Last week, we had a rainy day in Raleigh so naturally I make cookies (or attempt to).  I get my recipe out (yes, I actually followed a recipe) and start whipping up some dough.  At this point I'm PUMPED for some cookies.  I throw them in the oven, set the timer, and BOOM it turns out looking like a huge turd cookie.  Like seriously Elizabeth?? Needless to say it was a major failure.  I was too caught up in laughter over my 'oops' to dwell on the fact that I had failed.  Know your flaws & embrace them -that's what makes you, you.  Learn from your failures (measure ingredients when baking).

They tasted exactly how they look

See the good in people. 

I grew up in the land of "North Dakota nice" (or MN -for all you crazy Minnesotans out there). With that being said, I have always been surrounded by incredible people.  I can still remember teachers in elementary school & professors in college that helped me spread my wings to get where I am today.  There are SO many good people in this world- NC included.  I have met a lot of people (mostly through work) and everyone has been so willing to help me & make NC feel a little bit more like home.  

There is good in sunflowers too 

Grow your roots. Spread your wings. 

Yay, the fun part - trying to explain this strange, in-between stage of my life that I'm going through right now.  

I'll start with my Roots because that's something that I've been working on growing for a long time now.  My roots are in my family, my friends, the farm, agriculture, adventures, laughter, happiness, the great white North.  I've been blessed with so many things & I thank the Lord for them every night when I go to bed.  I can't wait to grow and expand my roots once I get out of this strange, in-between stage of life.

My favorite roots

Now onto the Wings.  I had the opportunity to visit the Wright Brother's Memorial here in NC this past weekend.  The Wright Brothers are known around the world for being the 'First in Flight'.  Some might say the Wright Brothers knew all there was to know about wings.  However, as I explored the museum I quickly learned that they had their fair share of crashes.  With each crash, they learned something new, adapted, and tried again.  The Wright Brothers never would have been able to fly if they didn't have the courage to spread their wings.  After all, what good are wings if you don't have the courage to fly?  If you told me that I would be sitting across the country writing you this message a year ago, I would have told you that you were crazy.  Let your dreams be your wings.  

Thumbs up for wings & flying!

I miss all of you dearly & thank you for all of the thoughts & prayers!! 

With love,

Elizabeth