Brave Enough To Be Bliss

I sent Mom Sherri a text saying I had to leave a message since it was so late on Friday afternoon, but his assistant said he would call me back on Monday. She responded with this message. “Your book, Ginger, is a part of your journey. Your yearning to get it done, as you know, is leading your heart. Never think or worry how people will respond. Just as I expressed and you also expressed, not everything will touch people the same way. That is why God made us so unique. It takes everyone to make a difference in the world. There are so many people unknowingly waiting to pick up your book and read it. It will be just what they need in that particular moment. You have 100 percent of my support. It will read right to me because I know you. ” It felt very nice to have her support and encouragement. I still wasn’t sure how I was going to find a way to write about everything, but I figured I would just get back here and see how things came together assuming the property was available. Earlier in the week, I had told Nathan that if he decided he wanted to find a job in Kansas City, he could sleep on my couch to save money to move into a place of his own after he had a job. It sounded like that might make it more feasible for him. I had no idea if he would take me up on it or not, but I sent him this message to thank him for introducing me to Michigan, as it had been an amazing experience that I was truly grateful for. Thank you! I wanted to let you know how grateful I am. It really was an amazing trip! Not sure where I found the courage to come, but I’m just so very glad I did as it’s been quite the experience in so many ways. Lots of laughter, joy, tears, fears, and f aith-filled moments. I happened to see the gift check was cashed, so I hope it blesses you in some way. If I had no money, the one thing that would really get me down is not being able to share it with others. I’ve enjoyed some nice material things in life, but they’ve nev er brought me any joy compared with that I receive from being able to help others. I’m sorry your experience here with me didn’t end as well as I thought or at least hope it began. I appreciate the introducti on to your home state. While the beauty of the landscape has been amazing, I never would have come if it wasn’t to learn about it f rom you and share it with you. I appreciate the time you spent with me a great deal. From: Ginger Bliss To: Nathan Thu, Oct 12, 2023 at 10:35 PM

Whatever you decide to do from here, I just wanted to be sure I had properly thanked you for welcoming me here and giving me a taste of what it’s like to be a Michigander.

I had loaded some things in the car the evening before but got the rest out and left by 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. I was excited to see Kylee, so I didn’t even dread the drive back. I soaked up all the beautiful colors, but knowing I would be coming back soon made me less sad to be leaving. With the intense experience and emotion from Thursday evening so fresh in mind, I was still processing everything on the drive back to Kansas City when it occurred to me: I give my heart to everyone else, but I try to hide it from God. It’s the best part of me, yet I have hesitated to openly allow him to come into it.

That level of vulnerability scared me. He would see it all, everything, I would have nothing to hide. I realized He already knows, but admitting it feels so vulnerable. I would have to admit and accept and talk about everything. It doesn’t make logical sense , because if He already knows which I believe He does, what is it that keeps me from surrendering? I thought about it for a while and nothing came to me, so I decided to let it go. But then after I had gotten past Chicago, it came to me.

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