| Not long after earning and receiving Service | | | | We had taken up a days worth of listening, |
| Status, I was chosen by my Family | | | | learning and doing. It was now the time to feel, |
| Representative for a special opportunity and | | | | and the sweat did just that as we opened up to |
| learning experience. Approached by Mr. Chaffin | | | | our spirituality of choice and allowed new and |
| Pullan, I was asked to help a student, Norine | | | | insightful chants and stories from the heart be |
| Lopez, by joining her and five other students on a | | | | shared within our circle of family. I felt my fears, |
| trip to an Indian Sweat Lodge. Two weeks later | | | | struggles, happiness, and pain all over my body. I |
| we were on our way to live and to learn. | | | | allowed myself to let go of and forgive my |
| I was excited and timid all at the same time. I had | | | | mistakes and blame. It got better as I allowed |
| known of and spoken to very few of the six girls | | | | myself to receive and acknowledge all that I have |
| who were going. Together we joined as one, as | | | | brought, will bring and will share on this earth. |
| sisters, as true bonded, and strong friends. We all | | | | Through allowing myself to let go and help myself |
| have similar struggles with our Dads, having felt | | | | I unconsciously give to others. Norine has |
| lonely and very selective in our relationships. One | | | | continued to be one of my good friends who I |
| experience changed my life - the car ride down | | | | know in my heart I can always count on, and she |
| involving conversation about past problems, | | | | can count on herself. She is flourishing like the |
| embarrassing and funny moments. We | | | | beautiful butterfly and young woman she is. |
| didnʼt have a care in the world, except | | | | Iʼve learned that sometimes all someone |
| ourselves, and what was next down the road. | | | | needs is love and support to allow them to break |
| When living at home we thought we knew | | | | out and show their true colors. My journey to and |
| everything. If we didnʼt know everything | | | | from the Sweat Lodge really opened my mind |
| or know what to expect we wanted nothing to | | | | and eyes to what I do have and how much I |
| do with the situation. However, we experienced | | | | took for granted, and sometimes still do. No one |
| just that, the unexpected. | | | | word can describe the power and feeling I |
| The sun set beautifully over the Idaho Mountains | | | | received from the Sweat Lodge. To this day I still |
| as we arrived at the Lodge. It felt like a | | | | refer back to that experience last August. Not |
| mini-family reunion with the love and open hearts | | | | just because it was a fun experience, but also |
| eager to meet one another. The next morning I | | | | because I allowed myself to be re-born through |
| woke up with the sunshine peering in through the | | | | purity and growth as a young woman of Mother |
| opening of the canvas tepee. The sweet smell of | | | | Nature. |
| breakfast pinched my nose with the promised | | | | Iʼd like to thank my mom, Mr. Chaffin, Ms. |
| mouth-watering taste of french toast, bacon, | | | | Amy, Grey Wolf, Grey Owl, our awesome Staff, |
| fresh fruit and fresh squeezed orange juice. The | | | | Ms. Julie and her daughter, Jessica, along with my |
| rest of the day was a challenge. We learned how | | | | five other sisters, and last but not least Iʼd |
| to make fire with a flint and steel, tomahawk | | | | like to thank me. I want to acknowledge our |
| throwing, shooting a bow and arrows in an | | | | effort to want to change and help one another as |
| attempt to hit the bulls eye. To my surprise an | | | | a growing family. |
| attempt is, and always can be, a winner. | | | | |