Friday Five: hopes dreams and visions

This is another "Friday Five" from Sally:
She's part of the "Revgals" an online blog group I check in with from time to time:

She writes:
My house has been full of young people all week, young people who have just left school, young people with an eye on the future. Their laughter energy, and hope are infectious, so with that in mind- this Friday 5 is about hopes, visions and dreams;
And she encourages us to share
1. Think back to the time you left High School, what were your hopes visions and dreams for your life/ for the world?
My dreams and visions for my life were simple: go to college (mine was the first generation in my family to attend college and I felt so proud and excited to go, no matter what I studied (and I studied English literature). I wanted to get married and have children. I wanted to be a "writer", although I had no real idea how to do that. I just loved to write. My dreams and visions for the world probably had to do with peace. It was 1975 and Vietnam was an ending nightmare, and the country had a lot of healing to do.

2. Have those hopes visions and dreams changed a lot, or are some of them still alive and kicking? (share one if you can)
I got married ... but didn't have kids. Have two wonderful (grown) step-children and the absolute best dog in the whole world. So my dreams have changed somewhat... what actually happened has changed. And I am much more aware of injustice in the world than I was at 18... particularly I dream and hope for a world where all children are valued and cherished, and given the chance to flourish.
I did not have the dream to become a pastor "then" because I didn't know it was available to me.

3. Hebrews 11:1 " Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. " Comforting, challenging or frustrating?
Comforting and challenging -- both. Sometimes it's comforting to hold a vision, but part of the challenge is to work for the vision to become a reality. In other words, if we have a particular vision of the kingdom of God, it's a challenge to live in that reality, and it's a particular challenge since it is something we don't see, and is not fully present yet.
4. If resources were unlimited, and you had free reign to pursue a vision what would it be?
Wow! That's a great question. I think I would probably have an international family, and adopt different children from different parts of the world.
5. Finally with summer upon us- and not to make this too heavy- share your dream holiday....where, when and who with...
Dream holiday ... of course with husband... there are so many places I'd want to go... part of me wants the relaxing beach vacation, but I'd also love to visit Sweden, where I have relatives I've never met, and also return to Japan, of course in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.. and introduce husband to some of the sights and sounds and smells and people.

So take some time out re-visit you hope and visions...

Yes, I invite everyone!

Addendum: today I am posting from my church's Synod Assembly... yearly event in my denomination. We're re-electing a bishop today. I like some things about assemblies... the state fair-like atmosphere with booths for colleges and camps and other causes... I got a free pencil, some band-aids... I'm hoping to get a new key-chain from Mt. Olivet Retreat Center (the old one finally broke). I dislike the interminable meetings, and some of the resolutions, which don't seem to make that much difference in the end. Just a way to seem like we are doing something without really doing something.