A new path... or the same path in a new light?

As Robby and I begin to get back into the flow of things here in Kentucky, I am still amazed how quickly things start falling into place as one begins to see more clearly the path God has for them.  Immanuel Baptist, here in Corbin, is going through "What on Earth am I here for?" by Rick Warren in our small groups.  And it make us both think deeply about just that, what journey-task does God have for us here on earth?


Robby and I know Dine Bikeyah and the Navajo are part of the journey-task, but how that is to play out, that is still the question.  But as spring of 2013 dawns over Kentucky, the Nickles have a journey of discovery before them...

~  Traveller Gal, out!

What is this adventure before me?

 As Traveller Gal, I have gone through so many changes and grown so much in these past nearly 10 years.  I have survived great sorrow, I found true love, I have journeyed to Dine Bikeyah and long to return, I have learned about my place on the journey-task.  Yet Iosa still has many surprises on the trail.   I had longed to travel, and now I have more than I could ask.  Yet my heart longs for a time when Traveller Gal can rest and share hospitality to others weary along the road.


For now, I have found great joy as a caregiver.  4 nights a week I journey in my new to me car, a Dodge 2002 Neon named "Stormy", to a home, fix dinner, clean house, and make sure the ladies I work for are cared for.  It is reverse hospitality, for it is their home, but I am caregiving for them.  ^_^  I love the work, but the 4 nights a week sleeping on their sofa with my sheet, gypsy blanket, and two pillows is wearing on the soul.  But then again, I get a 3 day weekend every week.  Hee,hee!

Robby is looking into a school for shoeing horses starting new classes this spring.  If he does  get in, we will be 1 year and 36 weeks longer returning to the Rez, but we would be returning better prepared that is for sure.  One of my co-workers is encouraging me to looking to training as an RN.  That part I am still praying about.  So many twists on the road.... but Iosa is in control.

~ Traveller Gal, out!

Reflections

As I sit here, with cool weather coming upon us, reflecting on these past 9 years since I started blogging back in February, 2003, I am struck by the journeys I have been on.  I have been looking at a few of the keepsakes that are here with me: the glass bottle with dirt from Dine Bikeyah, the doll called "Gypsy" that Robby got me as a gift, the cedarwood flute I am learning to play, and the few photos about the room with friends and places from the journey.   These past 9 years have brought many people into my life: Skot and Rachel, Lia McCoo, Ceicly, Aaron, Dino, Randi, Ernestine, and so many, many more than I can list (or spell all the names of... ~_^)  And of course, it brought me Robby, too!

One of the biggest surprises and blessings has been my little sister, Chissy, and her son (my nephew), Ethan, entering my life.  Chrissy was a surprise to me on so many levels.  First that she was in my life, after not being for 24 years.  Now, I am shocked that we have become best of friends, the "forever friends" that sisters should be.  Tis not a bad shock, but a joy I never dared dream would be mine.  What a blessing it is to have Chrissy and Travis back in my life again!


So many things have changed over the past 9 years, but these three remain the same: my love for Celtic Christianity, my desire to journey and travel for God, and the calling (now clear) to Dine Bikeyah.

"May Iosa's peace rest with you all, and may you each find your journey-tasks!  Blessings! Amen."

~ Traveller Gal, out!

Who or What is Traveller Gal?

I have been calling this blog and myself "Traveller Gal" for some time, but I have never really done a post as to who or what Traveller Gal is about, and how or why I see myself as a Traveller Gal.  The term "traveller" comes from the travelling Irish tinkers who from old pre-Patrick Celtic times traveled doing tin and other thin metal repairs.  Gal come from me being a female.  But why call myself "Traveller Gal"?  At an early age of 7, I was called as a missionary.  By the age of 16, I knew it was to the Dine' people (Navajo).  At the age of 20, I began calling myself "Traveller Gal", not because I lived out on the road, but because like the Irish/Celtic Christian Missionary of old, I knew I was to not be settled in the same way other friends would be.  A missionary's life is often uncertain, and it take a long time to become "settled" in your new homeland.

Then at 24 nearly 25, Robby became a part of my journey.  As we sat and talked and shared the depths of our hearts, we realized, God had placed the same journey-task before us.  What is a journey-task you might ask?  It is the Celtic Christian way of explaining one's life calling.  It is called a journey, because this life is a journey, just like Christ said "There are two paths", on the way to Heaven, or if not saved Hell.

It is called a task, because ones calling is never easy.  It takes a high level of commitment, determination, and skill to keep going.  Sometimes it might even seem as though you "back trail", in returning to a location you use to be.  But as my Celtic Christian forefathers always put it, "If you have returned to a location, then God has something new there for you to learn, be quiet and listen to His leading."  For this reason, I do not mind the stop in Kentucky because I know God has something good for us, and it is a stop on the journey-task to Dine Bikeyah, the place God has called us both.

Thus as you see, the term Traveller Gal has much less to do with just travelling the open road, though that is fun and always exciting, than it does with this calling, this journey-task set before me.  May God bless all your journeys, and may each of you find your journey-task in life, for God has one for each and every one of us!

~ Traveller Gal, out!

Bardic Circle

Why is it that sometimes we get bumbed off course for a short time, only to find it again in the strangest places?  That was what happened to me at "Bardic Circle" this past week.  The Grovers were hosting, and this weeks theme was Native drum circle.   Aaron was there for it of course, as were many other of our traveller friends.   As we began to get started sharing music, songs, and stories, my heart began to cry.  These past weeks while we have been here at JPUSA I had tried to put Dine Bikeyah from my mind.  It hurt too much, but now I realize there is no way to put it out of my mind or my heart.  Tis in there too deep.  This past summer engraved too deeply that Dine Bikeyah and the Dine' are my journey-task.


What now?  We are here in Chicago for until at least next August or September, and after that I have even less clue where we shall journey.  God you have to be in this, because I have no clue what you are up to here.

~ Traveller Gal, out!

Journey of Celts and Subcultures...

Of Celts and Subcultures

Since I was 8, and learned both my birth and adopted families are of Irish blood, I have been fascinated with all things remotely Celtic.  For nearly as long as I have studied the history and cultures of Native America, have I poured myself into the History of Celtic Ireland, and then the Celtic history of Europe.  By age 15, I had found Celtic Christian music, and fell in love with the music of artists such as Moya Brennana, Iona, Eden's Bridge, and the likes.  Then I began studying the lives of Patrick of Ireland, Brigid of Kildare, Columba of Iona, Aidin of Northubria, and many others... their lives began to encourage and shape my own.  Their faith in the Trinity grew mine, and their constrant striving to live simple lives, disciple others, and always show hospitality began to echo in my hearts desires.  Their callings began to melt into my own calling in, where ever I would be able to minister.

At 18 in New Orleans on my missions team, I met my first Christian subculture folks.  This got me thinking, was I also subculture?  I had never fit with the main stream cultures.... and among them I found a home.  The March I was 19, I began to dress like a subculture gal, though through time which one would morph.  This was before all the death and sorrow had flooded my life.  For the next 8 years, I would call the subculture community my home, and to this day many of those who still minister among the subcultures are counted among my family and friends.  Some say that time in my life I was side tracked from my true calling.  I would tend to disagree with that.  While ministering among the subcultures, I met my now husband, Robby.  While working among them, I learned to deal with the issues of putting our faith and lives in Jesus, above what is culturally the norm.  I learned how to divide the good from the bad in a culture, and to focus on the good while slaying the evil parts.  All of this I would need to know once I become a missionary.

As always, God knew what He was doing on my journey-task... where He was taking me, and where I was going... even if I could not see how each twist and turn, and some of the dark things which happened to me, of which I do not speak... would work together to get me ready for the future.

 
~ Traveller Gal, out!

Didean is No More...

Didean will have to close her doors before she ever officially opened.  *La sigh*  And we only hosted 3 travellers, not counting Robby or me... prior to closing!  Why might you ask, because Jo and my jobs are both no more.  Her husband works as does Robby, but their limited janitorial work does not come close to paying the bills.
*Cries* And all this is while Robby is in Tennessee still!  What to do? What to do?!  What to do?!?

Maybe this means it is time to begin the road to Robby and my journey-task.... is Dine Bikeyah calling...
Some of our family in Tennessee has offered to give us a place to stay, but there is no chance we will do that before we get married... so then... We must move our wedding day up.  I have the dress... the rest... that is up to Him.  ^_^  The open road is calling, and at last I can go forward!

~ Traveller Gal, out!