Today I revisited my childhood and long forgotten memories were brought to the surface bringing with them nostalgic feelings of adventure and exploration. I am looking after a little boy with fragile X syndrome and he has opened up the world of childhood to me once again. When the snow fell heavily leaving the fields around the church property blanketed in snow we trapsed though leaving the first footprints to mar the prestine landscape. We were adventureres discovering what new shapes had been formed by the white drifting snowflakes. Then today we set off across the barren frozen mud and grass to explore an old abandoned house on the church property, we climbed up into an out treehouse that still held remnants of happier days of childrens play and imagination. Leaning up against the old crumbling walls I glimpsed the shiny steel and supple blake leather of a motorbike that offered thrills of its own. We continued our journey back along a river where we though whatever large chunks of frozen snow and dirt we could find to make the biggest splash, across the stream stood 5 lamas that watched us curiously as we trapsed up and down the bank. As we ampled on trying to break through the little spots of snow and ice to hear the crunch and crack beneath our feet we came apon an old bus. Suprisingly the doors gave under a gentle push from the little boy and his eyes lit up with mischief and question. I was just as keen as he was to climb abord and imagine once again riding the bus to and from school. For a long while we just sat pretending to be driver and passanger.

I am able to read his every excitement every interest and every intent. It is all there to see in his actions, in his eyes. He does not speak this little boy but what he communicates is endless. The joy of every little boy to be in the outdoors, explorer and adventurer. As every little boy he takes great delight in throwing rocks into a stream to see how big a splash he can make, his indelible spirit drives him on to wander through an old abandaned property to see what treasures he may unearth. Although I am girl I grew up taking pleasure in much the same kind of activites. Trapsing through the jungle, exploring areas yet unfamiliar and taking much joy in using my imagination to make up stories of imagination and adventure. These are the same memories and emotions that this little boy has sparked in my heart once again.

Life is always uncertain but I think if I look at it this way again I will not be mired down in the pain of not knowing and dissapointment but instead look at every closed and opened door as a new opportunity, and opportunity for adventure, but a higher one. One with far reaching implications. It is an adventure with Christ. If I allow Him to lead me knowing He will never leave me nor allow more than I can bear I know He will open up my eyes to see the bigger adventure the bigger story he is in the process of writing. I know I want to walk beside Him into it, into the unknown future.