Over the past several years, I have had the great opportunity to be able to travel, A LOT. A few of the places would be Indiana, Chicago, Mexico, Paris, England, The Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Canada, Oregon, New York, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. These are just the places in the last few years. With my dad being the family man he is and also being the working man he is, my family and I have had the privilege to travel with him and get some great experiences out of traveling. Now, don't get me wrong, every family has their ups and downs. However, through the trials we have gone through we have made it out and made it stronger. If there is one thing my family has given to us, is a love for travel, and to be able to experience life together. Now, being almost 21 (3 months to go!) I have started to branch out just a bit. Last year I took an international business course over the summer to Oxford England. It was a 10 day trip of studying, lectures, and sight seeing, I enjoyed every moment of it. I spent my 20th birthday over there, being a family girl, that was really hard. I am not one to get homesick anymore, but being away from my friends and family on my first birthday away and out of the country, it was really hard. I was surrounded by people who helped me celebrate and enjoy my time in mother ENGLAND! After my trip in Oxford and the class was over, a few friends and booked an apartment with Airbnb and stayed in London for two more days. After this we took a train out to Paris and stayed their for an extra four days. We went out to Disneyland Paris, saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, and saw Notre Dame. I was so thrilled, but by the time we got to Paris I was pretty exhausted. I had an amazing time, but I was ready to be back home when I came back. The day I got back, I was so tired and wanted to sleep, it was bedtime Paris time, but I needed to readjust. It was so hard to get back to normal with things when I came home, because of my great experience I didn't want to come back. I couldn't get used to being home. I was officially changed. To this who have known me growing up, I grew up with strict parents, because of that I didn't usually spend the night at other's houses or do things away form the family. I was very sheltered and was extremely close with my family. When I was younger I was very shy and timid, I was afraid a lot and had bad anxiety. Going on this trip in general was a big step, but being able to do it on my own changed me. it showed me that I am capable of doing things for myself. Something clicked. I was no longer afraid, I wanted to step out and have this crazy adventure and I did. When I came home, the day after, I had a birthday party with all my friends and family. I was telling people my stories and sharing my experience. In the middle of it, I started to doze off again, feeling like I had been up for days, which I basically had. During my time of delusion, I looked around and wondered "What am I doing here? I should be in Paris right now." I still think of that night often, that realization that showed me the world is really at my fingertips. Since then I have been doing some more traveling with my family, and taking every advantage of crazy adventures with my friends. One of these crazy adventures has led me to taking a trip to Spain. My school does International Service Projects and sends out teams yearly to different places in the world to share the gospel and minister to people. I have had a the privilege to go on one this year to Spain. One of the biggest things that has kept me from joining a team was the finances. The trip requires $3,500 for the 3 week trip. I was so scared going into this thinking how am I going to pay for this? I'm not poor, but I also don't have $3,500 laying around to just spend. I knew this had to be a God thing for me to go. I prayed, signed up, got the okay and took leap of faith. My parents were not happy, they didn't think I should go. In time the Lord worked on them and I got their support. One thing that we were required to do was fund raise. I am a very prideful person, and rarely ask people for help with ANYTHING. Yet the Lord had to deal with me on this, and I am humbled to have been able to reach out to my family and friends to help support me in my trip that I feel the Lord was calling me to. The responses I have gotten have been tremendous, I am truly loved. As I sit writing this, the final deadline is to be filled by tomorrow, yes tomorrow. I owe only $400 now, I am in shock at how the Lord has provided, I realized I am loved, I am blessed, and I am called. As the day approaches, my anticipation grows, but the thought of the unknown is a little frightening. I am not frightened by the trip, but not knowing how its going to go, I guess this where I need to fully trust that I am in God's hands and that his plan is taking me out of my comfort zone to grow me! Not only are the funds due, but I am also leaving for my trip in a week. If you would have told me a year ago that I would be going to Spain, I would have laughed. I know God has a plan and I am excited to be used and to experience his love for those in Spain, I am happy to be used for something greater than myself. Prayers for this trip are greatly appreciated! Can't wait to share my journey when I get back. Who knows where God will take me next? The journey is endless!
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AuthorReggie is a college gradute with a degree in English. She loves traveling and hopes to one day stay on the battle field for missions. Life is a book and everyday is an adventure, follow her on this journey and see the world through her eyes. Archives
November 2017
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