Real Life

In case you thought I decided to live full time in Peru, don't worry, I am now safe and secure back in the United States of America. However I did consider the option. . . I arrived Wednesday night with only a slight delay leaving Atlanta. My parents were ecstatic to greet me in the Des Moines airport. They were full of questions and comments about my trip. Most comments I have heard are about my tan. The last couple days in Peru were lazy days so I took the opportunity to soak up as much sun as I could and ended up getting a little color from it.
Anyways, I wanted to try and sum up my trip as best I could on here but for some reason I am finding it hard to think of words to explain it. I feel like I have experienced a lifetime of adventures in only a few weeks in South America. I seen some of the most magnificent sights, heard some of the best music, and definitely ate some of the best foods imaginable. But most of all, I have formed friendships that I know will last for a lifetime. Nothing surpasses the importance of the people and the breath of humanity I experienced in my short time in Peru. Even after learning how different the culture is compared to the one I grew up in, I was still able to realize that we are very similar people. Speaking different languages, singing different music, or eating different types of food are so infinitesimally small compared to the real aspects of people that if you can focus on what really matters for only a brief moment, the differences you have with someone else soon disappears and all that is left are the things we all have in common.

Kindness, hope, anger, passion, gratitude, happiness, sadness, disappointment, and love are just a few of the similarities we all have as people of this earth. No matter what continent, or what country, or what city we live in, we are all the same in these aspects. We all need something or someone. We all have wants and desires. We all hold the power to help or to hurt. It doesn't take a language degree, or even a passport, to help someone in another country, to give someone something to eat, or give a Christmas gift to a child living in the dessert. All it takes is the realization that we are not alone in this fight we call life.

So instead of writing about my experiences any more than I already have, I have decided to put together a short video showing the highlights of the trip and hopefully explaining things in a way that's going to be interesting! So keep checking back for links to the video once I get it done. It won't be long! Until then, let me explain what this Realife stuff is all about.

So what is Real Life? The logo Realife is found on the brochure for "Brighten Their Christmas", it is found on this website, and it has even been referenced in previous posts. But what is the Real Life that I am speaking of?
Assume for a second that Realife was an authentic English word found in a dictionary. After opening up the dusty Websters dictionary, what would the explanation be for Realife? Some may guess that Realife is freedom, prosperity, a good life . . . you know . . . Realife. Others would look from a financial perspective arguing that Realife could only mean nice clothes, a big house, financial stability, retirement, or that 1968 Chevrolet that has long been dreamt of. But since the writer of this blog has none of those things then logically it would have to mean something else. Maybe Realife is finding that special someone in life, having a child to teach, or a loving Mother. Or maybe even yet, Realife is something much more simple like a good cup of coffee or a conversation by a camp fire. But come on, I can't stand it anymore, just tell me! What is Realife?!?!

Ok so maybe to me, Realife is unexplainable. But let me try. Realife is more than material objects, money, or things. Realife is something that can't be seen or touched and especially not bought. Realife is instead something you get only when you ask for it. Realife is something you find when only you look for it. Realife is something given to you but at the same time it is not free. Realife is not majestic but at the same time it is unexplainable. Realife is not breathing life itself but it is life. Realife is not experiences but let me tell you, you haven't lived until you experience it. Realife to me is simply this . . . knowing what I live for.
To me, life is only a second, but Realife is eternity. Once you experience Realife you will know that nothing else matters. Realife to me is knowing why I am here, where I am going, and what is expected of me in between.
Please, if you want to experience Realife, then don't hesitate to send me an email, call me on my phone, or if you are reading this after I have passed, then simply say the prayer below because this is how I found REAL LIFE and I have a feeling it witll work for you too. This will lead you to eternal life and give you a relationship with the giver of Real Life. This will, maybe slowly or maybe quickly, open your eyes to what life is all about. If you think this idea of helping others was something I thought up myself then I must point out to you that you are mistaken. Instead I learned from someone who is more giving than I can imagine.

Prayer for eternal life:
Dear God,I believe in you and I want to live for you. I have sinned and I want your forgiveness given to me through your Son, Jesus Christ. I believe that because Christ died and rose again He has overcame sin and can give me eternal life along with purpose in this life. I want to experience your Holy Spirit as I turn from my sins and focus my eyes on you. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen

If you say that prayer and truly mean it then I promise you will soon realize what I am talking about. I hope that this blog has found you well. I hope it has stirred up the internal chemicals that drive for goodness and giving and that you have found your meaning in life. I hope it has somehow helped you.

But wait, don't go just yet . . . . you will be hearing more from me in the very near future so please keep an eye on this site. . . . you won't believe what I have waiting for you!