Yes

One thing that I learned quickly being here is how to conquer fear. I was very afraid of heights, not a great swimmer, and wasn't really fond of guns when I arrived here. The first week I got to try zipline and high ropes and I was definitely scared. My mindset was just to say yes. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you just say yes. Even if I'm scared I say yes and try to be enthusiastic and God takes care of the rest. Working zipline and high ropes I got used to be up high in trees. I felt like a kid again. Invincible and happy up in the branches, it's like a different world. Now I'm totally fine with heights. God began knocking down my fears one by one.

Lifeguard training was probably the most difficult thing I did all summer. I didn't think I'd make it through the first set of laps back and forth in the pool that we had to do to begin training. The instructors kept encouraging me, "keep going!", "Just keep swimming!' Literally. And somehow I made it through. I loathed life guard training. Morning and afternoon for three days we spent at the pool. And it slowly got easier. I passed the last test and I felt confident about saving anyone in any situation so I was ready. The first few times lifeguarding I was still scared. I was very on edge diligently trying to make sure no one dies. It's scary being in charge of others safety. But eventually that fear died away. I wasn't scared of something happening. I was still ready to act at a moments notice, but that terrifying stressed out feeling left. I got to help out with teaching swim class one week to the American Heritage Girls group and the swim instructor taught me how to dive and be better at freestyle. After that week I felt so confident being in the pool. Now I love swimming and being underwater. God took my fear and turned it into a new passion.

This summer I also got certified as a range safety officer. I learned a lot about guns and gun safety in a classroom setting and then we moved to the range to look at it in person. The first time shooting the shotgun I was very scared. I just was afraid that the kickback would hurt. Plus I was always under the impression that knowing how to shoot a gun would lead to something bad happening at some point in my life. Now my outlook is very different. Spending time at the gun range is lots of fun. Just like archery I love hitting the targets. It's empowering knowing how to shoot shotguns and riffles and know how to unjam them. I feel more capable and more in charge knowing how to safely operate guns. Again God took a fear of mine and turned it into a confidence booster.

I love living life with the answer "yes" readily available. Coming to California I just said yes and I went. You just have to act and actually do what God has put on your heart. It leads to adventure. It leads to a fulfilled and epic life.