Gwen's Story
My experience with the Wolves
Step outside your comfort zone. What a scary thing to do. But my, oh my lessons and gifts that await.
This year I decided that I wanted to step outside my comfort zone. It is important to me to be in service, to volunteer, to give. I’ve learned that it is only through giving that I receive. That’s what prompted me to offer my volunteer service to Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation. A non-profit organization “dedicated to the preservation of all those who came before us”
I e-mailed Mark to ask the possibility of spending one week in service to RMF. My intent was to challenge myself, to push myself out of the familiar and explore. Mark assured me that opportunity was waiting.
The Foundation and rescue shelter is located in Guffey Colorado. I’d never been to Guffey Colorado; in fact I didn’t even know where it was. I didn't know what my accommodations would be. Would I be sleeping in a tent? Would I have to go a full week without a shower? I already felt out of my comfort zone, and I hadn’t yet left the comfort of my home. Add to that the fact that I did not know what my responsibilities would be. At an altitude of 9,500 ft. would I be expected to climb the mountains is search of what?
The closer the date, the more questions I had. Would the people in Guffey accept me? Could I handle the demands of mountain physical labor? What if I die?
Challenging yourself forces you to look at your beliefs, biases, stereotypes and fears. But most of all you get a look at self. A call to my prayer partner put me at ease. Listening to the words of her prayer affirmed for me that all is in divine order and that all is in God’s hand chased the fears away. I was at ease and looking forward to the view outside my comfort zone.
The Gifts: being with, working with and playing with folks who are living their passion and love. I marvel and the time, intensity and love that Mark “Wolf” Johnson, Founder of Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation and Wolf Sanctuary and Bill and Vanessa, purveyors of Shiloh Inn, “A beautiful country inn tucked in the peaceful wooded mountains of central Colorado”, I can’t say it any better. Shiloh Inn was my accommodations, so not only did I get to sleep in a bed at a peaceful Inn, I showered every evening after a hard days work of fire guarding and… I didn’t die.
Oh, I have so many stories to tell of this adventure, so I’m stepping out again, and asking the producers of this news letter to offer me a column and I’ll share with you all of my stories of my experience of the wolves, I’m Gwen Crawford, Empress of Celebration & Play.
End note: Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation is a non profit so, if you are inclined, please it to. PO Box 215, Guffey,CO 80820 or www.rockymountainwildlifefoundation.com