The Way of the Wild Heart

Some thoughts and what I've learned over the last few days while reading The Way of the Wild Heart.

"...a man's life is a process of initiation into true masculinity. It is a series of stages we soak in and progress through."

I've been giving a lot of thought to these stages. I've had a lot of questions reguarding these stages. Let me explain first, in Eldredge's words, what they look like in this book.

Boyhood- A time of exploring. A boy needs to know he is prized and delighted in. He wonders if he has "what it takes".
Cowboy- A time of adventure. The boy is tested, this is a time of learning and doing, of hunting, building, and of hard work. He learns he does have "what it takes".
Warrior- He encounters evil and learns to defeat it. He most often cannot be strayed from his mission. Whatever the mission may be, it is important and he learns to defeat the enemy.
Lover- A lover comes to offer his strength to his woman, not get it from her. At this time he discovers music, literature, poetry, and passion.
King- When a man is ready to rule a kingdom. This is the time for him to draw in young warriors and be a mentor and a father to them.
Sage- An elder. Steps down as king and is an influencer. This can be the stage with the most contribution.

As I've thought and thought about all these stages of a man, I think about the boys and men I know. I think about friends, relatives, co-workers, cousins...I think about the stage they're in and the things Eldredge says about the stages being incomplete. ("Unfinished men- any stage cut short, leaving a man with an undeveloped soul". ) I think about a father leaving a boy as head of the house so he can go live with his "other wife", I think about the boys of my generation that have had to deal with divorce and cheating and affairs and frankly, a lot of pain and hurt of all sorts. I didn't realize it then, but they're impacting my generation more than they are aware. I pray for them more while reading Eldredge's books than ever before.

This brings me to my final thought for the evening. Today I visited my parent's church. I haven't been there in probably years. I was overcome with feelings of welcomness and joy. I spoke with a woman whom I used to babysit for. She told me she and her kids pray for me (to find a husband) everyday on their way to school. I couldn't help but laugh, but thinking about that the rest of today really did put a smile of my face. Someone whom I haven't seen in years is praying for ME. How cool is that?
Seeing all these wonderful people I went to church with for quite a few years sure brought back a lot of...feelings. I see my old Jr. High kids from the youth group, where I invested 3 years of my life as a college student and beyond, and I can't help but approach them and see if they're happy in life. I want to know they are following Christ and I want to know they are well. I INVESTED my life into those kids...and darn-it, I want to know it counted! It seems to have come full-circle. When I see my old sunday school teachers, helpers and greeters, they want to know I am well. I thought they were grilling me and I always hated telling them about where I was, how I was, what I was doing, and where I was working....but now, I finally understand! They invested in me, and want to know I am following Him. They want to know I am happy and well. I am not embarassed or nervous anymore when I tell them (with a smile on my face) that I am well!

Seems I've learned enough for today. More later,
-K

Last Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving, I went to Wenatchee instead of my parents and brother coming over to Spokane. We all had a really great holiday and it was neat to create our own tradition. As I'm thinking about last Thanksgiving...here are a couple HILARIOUS videos to make you laugh. I purchased a massage device called a Happy Head Trip and, if you're not expecting it...it can be quite a scare...

Ice Skating with Roots Jr. Highers!

Last Friday the Jr. Highers (Roots) went down to the Ice Arena and had ourselves some F-U-N! We skated until 10pm. I wanted to share some pictures with you!

Some of us leaders crammed inside a photobooth and after discovering we could't all fit in the picure, we took OUR OWN picture...lol.

Me and Garrett ice skating and taking a candid photo...now that's difficult!

Leanne and Natalia out on the ice. Natalia is PROFESSIONAL, she brought her own skates and all. She was showing us all up by doing spins and twirls...turns out she took 4 years worth of lessons!

Most of us...

I only fell once...I did what I call the "Bambi". I totally fell face down on the ice. It didn't occur to me how I was going to get up until after I fell. I just layed out in the middle of the ice until 2 people I didn't even know helped me up! How embarassing!

My First Blog

I'm excited about having my very own blog! I'm so thrilled to share some of my thoughts, memories, stories, and pictures with...well, whoever may happen to stumble apon my blog!

I guess I'll start off first with the book I am currently reading. This summer I spent time reading Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. Last week I stopped in at Christian Supply and Picked up the sequel, The Way of the Wild Heart. I know I am NOT a male, but the reason I believe these books to be good for me is simply this - I work in a man's world...and even though I have a Father and Brother, I feel I don't have the knowledge I should about men. Wild at Heart is a great way for me to learn more about the ways of men, why they do what they do, and why I need to accept that! Digging into The Way of the Wild Heart, I have already noted a few great lessons and quotes.

"And so our basic approach to life comes down to this: We stay in what we can handle, and steer clear of everything else"

"...and we hold back where we feel sure to fail..."

"These boys are growing up into uncertian men because the core questions of their souls have gone unanswered, or answered badly".

One of the core topics Wild at Heart discusses is how a boy must be told he is a man by a male role model he looks upto. I never knew this, but can see how it is definately true. This came to life just moments ago after watching The Man From Snowy River. At the end of the movie the main character has just done the extraordinary...tamed wild horses. He tells Mr. Harrison he'll be back for 12 of the horses...and whatever else is his, meaning Mr. Harrison's daughter, Jessica. I believe it is Mr. Harrison who refers to him as a boy. His brother, Spur, corrects him..."No, he's a MAN." And another man chimes in and says..."Yes, The Man From Snowy River". And the movie ends with all being well in the world. What an example of these books brought to life. I will continue to have a lot more to say about this book, but as for today, I have noted one!