.beginnings.
m: hey, its mackenzie. when i write, you’ll see a little m: and when lauren writes, you guessed it, an l:
(look at you, catching on quickly)
so i’ve been thinking, what to write? what to write as the first entry? will lauren beat me to it and write first? well, as its happened, no. i wish she had because she’s quite good at writing and could have made this start out with a literary bang. seeing as that’s not the case, be patient with me, and, short breath, here i go…
i’ve come to see life as a process. a series of steps. of moments. of breaths. and each breath has tremendous value. each step we take carries us to new beginnings and away from various endings. similarly, each breath takes us one moment closer to our end here on earth. how will i choose to spend that amount of time? those steps? those breaths?
my steps and journey to Bosnia began six months ago as i walked through two significant endings in my life. one, my ending an engagement to a man i dearly loved, but knew i wasn’t ready to marry. second, the cessation of breath of one of my closest friends, nathan t. he went to oregon with his beautiful wife and son, but accompanied them home not as a man, but as ashes tucked carefully away in a suitcase. he was a storyteller, a traveler; he lived a life of steps and breaths that continue to prove eternally impactful to a multitude of people.
i want to live a life like that. i want to surround myself with people who live lives like that. i want to capture and share an endless amount of peoples’ stories and lives to unfold the layers and learn from them. whether it be the man down the street who covers his house with the world’s supply of christmas lights (and yes, he begins ON halloween morning. there’s no such thing as putting lights on too early on our street. in fact, i’m sure he’d argue there’s no other way to do it.)…or nathan’s story of embracing the uncertainty of each moment and loving every person fully and endlessly, regardless of who they were…there is much value in capturing people and learning from them.
the people in bosnia are full of stories. stories that we cannot comprehend. stories of living through ethnic cleansings. of having their homes burned to the ground with loved ones inside. of being raped. shot at. abandoned. of living in an orphanage. of trudging through this pain and living there now, ten years later. can you imagine all we can learn from these stories? can you imagine the immense need for healing, for prayers, for hugs, for hot meals?
my hope as lauren and jack and i prepare to leave for sarajevo is that we’ll use each breath well. that we’ll be faithful to what the lord has before us in each moment. that we’ll find the value in each moment and that we’ll begin to store and share the lessons and blessings from these. i hope, with lauren, to use my cameras, eyes, ears, and words to share the stories we find with you. i hope to find stories of pain, joy, triumph and tragedy…to learn from them, to hear your input from them, and hopefully we can grow together in greater understanding of what life is and is not about. of what is and is not important. of what it means to live each moment to the fullest.
thank you for being a part of this adventure and of our story. i’m excited and nervous and can’t decide if i feel like i need to shout for joy or go to the bathroom. please pray for lauren and jack and i as we mend the final ends here in texas before heading to sarajevo. neither of us are strong in the area of organization and we’re hoping to be taking care of all that needs to be done before we go. (if you are one of those organizational fanatics and think you have pre-leaving-the-country-for-six-months advice, i’d gladly appreciate it and might just share it with lauren)
dobar dan. (good day, in bosnian)
Oh, I’m so glad you’ve started this blog! I’ll be checking it often. I could give you suitcases full of advice but a)I don’t think you were serious about wanting it and b)One man’s advice is another man’s garbage. Or something like that. And besides, you’re only allowed so many suitcases on the plane, so I’ll keep my baggage out of your suitcases and just stay here and pray for you guys.
Can’t wait to hear more.
Leslie
May 19, 2007 at 7:38 pm
mackenzie, that was beautiful, really. i am looking forward to hearing about your many adventures in bosnia.
charlotte
May 19, 2007 at 10:36 pm
i love you. i love your spirit. i cannot wait to see how this impacts and shapes your life. i’m copying your writing style, so obviously i love it too! (smile) you, lauren, and little jack are definitely going to constantly be in my thoughts, prayers, and imagination! i love this idea for the website, so i can go along with you in spirit. love love love…
darcy
May 20, 2007 at 6:24 pm
can’t wait for updates along the way, will be a great adventure. i’m, jealous wish i could go
most of all, be safe!
gary
May 21, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Thank you for doing this blog. I am excited to hear about the coming events in your lives. God will definately use this time to grow and stretch you for HIS glory. I will constantly be praying for you both. Sending love…
Sabrina
May 22, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Mackenzie,
Thanks for sharing your blog. My cousin Cherie, who just visited with you today, referred me to your blog and acquainted me with your mission. I wish you God’s abundant provision, blessings and encouragement as you walk out His purpose for your life. I’ve had the honor of serving on short-term mission trips and can only imagine how, over the course of six months, God will graciously and beautifully reveal His love and compassion for you and the whole world as you serve in Bosnia.
Beth Moore has a quote that has, on more than one occassion, inspired me in this life that I, at times more successfully than others, live to His glory: A faithful life is made up of faithful days. I pray that you will find strength to daily, decision by decision, moment by moment, live faithful to the One who is so faithful to us . . . and, when you don’t . . . that you will faithfully rely upon His grace to restore.
Peace and Blessings,
Nicole Walters
mygoodnessmagazine
May 22, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Hi, you don’t know me, but I read the story about Nathan, and also your blog this morning and was greatly touched. I am sadly to say ignorant about the state of things in Bosnia, and want to learn more about that part of the world. I thank God for people like yourself who have hearts for those they don’t even know and desire to go out and share Christ’s love. Its really amazing. I want you to know that I will be praying for you and your group as you go forth.
Reshanda
Reshanda
May 24, 2007 at 3:29 pm
I look forward to each and every entry that you write. I can only imagine where God will take you three in the next three months.
Mandi Joy
May 31, 2007 at 2:47 am
I have never blogged before…..but had to ask someone…are we there yet? M let me know when you are there. Love, Dad
Dad
June 2, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Mackenzie and Lauren, the goat roast was great fun and it was incredible to be surrounded by so many of your incredible friends, some of whom I have already known and many I was anxious to meet. You are truly around some amazing people who love and care for you in your travels. I love you, mom
Kristin Rollins
June 2, 2007 at 6:51 pm
m: dad, thank you so much for trying it and asking someone how to blog. look at you, and you did it so well! i love you and miss you. should we start writing? who first? sarejevo is beautiful and i’ll send pictures shortly . . .
goodmorningsarajevo
June 4, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Mackenzie, I know I didn’t know you very well, but I just wanted to let you know what an impact you’ve made on me, as I’ve been reading this blog. I was brought to tears — good tears — to know that there are people out there who have such a heart as yours. I never did fully realize why you chose to go to Bosnia, but after reading yours and Lauren’s story, it is very clear. I will pray for all three of you and all the wonderful things you will encounter there. I look forward to seeing pictures and reading your updates. Your faith and spirit has inspired me, as I’m sure it has many others. God bless.
Elise Brooking
June 5, 2007 at 12:21 am