Day 18: Skate Park + Bonus Blog!

November 18th, 2010: Legit. That is the word that sums up today. A group of friends decided to hop on a train and take a two hour ride to the east to visit another city. The purpose of this visit: to explore a new skate park for Seth who was the only one in our group who can ride a bike or skate. Although I wasn't really sure what today would bring I was up for the adventure. I am so glad that I went. In our trek to the park we were followed by 2 younger boys who were fascinated with Seth's bike- they ended up chillin with us for the majority of the day and even helped translate for us when we really needed some help. Then, we ended up meeting some really cool people at the skate park and ended up having dinner with a couple of them. On top of all that I was able to sit and watch some awesome tricks for a few hours. I am exhausted as I sit here and type this- but man, it was a great day!

Something that struck me as I watched this group of guys ride was how so many things transcend location, culture and language. A love for biking is what brought this group of guys to a skate park on the other side of the world. And even though all that could be exchanged were bits and pieces of sentences their love for their sport overcame these barriers. I haven't just noticed this fact today- but have come to notice it more and more in living life in another country. Some things are bigger than even our ability to communicate- for instance people's love of music, sports or their family. A simple smile. A kind gesture. These passions and human desires connect us in some small way. These things are the same no matter where you go in the world. So, as I was sitting next to a group of guys I couldn't really communicate with watching other guys do tricks it felt comfortable. And, like a community. It wasn't forced- it was natural and real.

It is funny how God has built into all of us these human desires that are bigger than where we live or what language we speak. Everyone wants to be loved and feel apart of something. Some of us have been given the grace to see that the love we crave is that which only our Savior can give. As we seek to build relationship with those around us how can we connect to the things that they are passionate about? How can we show them we care by becoming involved in their communities? How can we develop deep and lasting relationships founded on love- love of people, places, things, passions, ideas?

Thank of the day: Today I am thankful for people of peace in my life. People that the Lord has given me either for a long term friendship or even just for a momentary portion of life that play an active role in my life for that moment. People that were placed in my path to protect me or help me- even though sometimes I don't see that as their purpose at the time. Today the young boys we ran into were people of peace- we needed them, whether we recognized it at the time or not, to help us today. And the Lord provided them at just the right time.