Where do your dreams die?

The death of the American Dream happens when the dream no longer exists outside the walls of your bubble    -Lars

It's not often that I quote myself.  But today seemed like the right time to do it.  

I live in a neighborhood where we get really comfortable.  The schools are great. The community is great and life is pretty easy.  Tonight just before dinner one of my sons teachers stopped by to drop off some things for him since she knew he wasn't going to be at school tomorrow. 

Yesterday my wife flew in a float plane to a remote village and delivered medicine to people who have never been to school.  She had lunch with them which was fresh coconut milk and smoked Piranha.  She's 10,000 miles away.

Danielle sent me that message telling me about her day in Papua New Guinea visiting her sister I thought to myself as I read it  that she is quite possibly the only mom in this neighborhood  that has ever experienced that story.  She's 10,000 miles away.

So where do our dreams die?  I love to travel and I have a huge heart for people in great need. But I think my dreams die every day when I walk to work.  For me I walk across a simple street to my office.  It doesn't take any sort of challenge for me.  I'm living a life that is "safe" and "comfortable" but maybe isn't what Jesus meant when he said "come follow me."  

America is not 10,000 miles away.  It is right here.  We have expectations about what we think life should look like here.  You may live in Ohio, Washington, New York or Arkansas but the same thing is expected in all those places.  We have an expectancy here of what life should look like. 

I tried to explain to my kids today when we looked at Mom's photos that there are places in the world where people don't wear clothes.  Where they don't have the same schools situations or the freedoms.  Where having enough to eat is really a big deal.  They just didn't understand because they've never experienced it. 

So here's my question today.  What are your dreams?  What do you wish you could do? What are things that you would love to check out?  

I'd love to kick around ideas.  Do you know yourself well enough to be able to pick the perfect place for you to go that would challenge you?  I'd love to help put you in a place that would really encourage growth. 

Mom's a special message to you.  I love my wife and I love our kids.  Danielle has never been away from them longer than 7 days.  This time she's 10,000 miles away and living something amazing. It's great for her.  My encouragement to you is to talk to your husbands and work out what it means for you to live your dreams.  Yes it's really hard for me to be working full-time and with my kids for 2 weeks but I also think it's the best thing ever for my wife and ultimately for our family.  She's going to come home with such a different perspective and thoughts about what we should value. 

What are your dreams?  How can I help you make them reality?  I don't say that in any sort of jest. For whatever reason God has given me an amazing network of people in my life. I'd love to help you dream bigger than you can right now.