Travels and Fulfilled Dreams

Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated with travel. There are so many exotic lands to be explored. So many people groups to meet and learn about (and from). So many historical sights to see and learn from.

We didn't have too many opportunities to travel when I was growing up. We made one amazing trip from San Diego to Boston in 1966. All 7 of us (us 5 kids ranged in age from 9 years down to 6 months) in our green station wagon. Staying at Holiday Inn's and eating at Howard Johnsons...all the way across the country. I remember my mom appliqued a pillowcase for each one of us kids and filled each pillow case with some toys, writing/coloring supplies, and things to keep us busy during our many long days in the car. I loved my little pillowcase full of treasures and to this day I think my mom was pretty ingenious for coming up with such a great idea. Most of the rest of my childhood travels consisted of camping in the Cuyamaca mountains, visiting my grandparents in Los Angeles, and going to the cabin in Crestline.

As I've gotten older travel has become much more accessible. Roy and I have taken several road trips with our daughters. Most of them to California to see family, but there are a couple trips to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons that are family favorites. We have also been on several cruises over the last 15 years. I have loved seeing the Caribbean, Bahamas and the Mexican Riviera while enjoying the luxury of being served on the ship. I've tagged along on some of Roy's work trips to Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Orlando. We had a great family trip to the East Coast (DC, New York, and Pennsylvania) in 2006. 2 years ago I traveled to Bangkok, Thailand to visit Prim and her family. That was my first "overseas" trip and it was a wonderful 10 days in a very foreign land. Prim and her parents were so gracious and treated me like royalty! I have also enjoyed many trips to Vicente Guerrero, Mexico (Baja) to work at the mission and in the community. I'm looking forward to my 7th journey to the mission at the end of this month.

As I think of all of the opportunities I have had to travel, I am so very, very grateful. God has truly given me the desires of my heart. Somehow I feel like he has already outdone Himself in 2009 though. January 15th Jenna and I flew to Europe together. We spent a weekend in Zurich, Switzerland and explored Florence and Rome for a week before heading to European Nazarene College where she is studying this semester. We loved our time in Italy and filled our days with visiting churches, seeing wonderful art, visiting historical sights, and enjoying the passionate, gentle ease of the Italian culture. Experiencing a few days at Jenna's school, in a small village along the Rhine River, was fantastic. All of this by itself is more than amazing! And yet (think Ginsu knives) there is more! Roy's work sent him to England to work and our flights happened to coincide at Heathrow Airport in London. We were able to change my return ticket and I spent a week in England (4 days in Cambridge, 3 in London) with Roy! The entire week was fabulous!

There is more travel in my future...celebrating senior spring break with Nicole! I am amazed at the opportunities that have been given to me. I recognize each one as the huge blessing it is. And I am praying that God will continue to grow my heart as I learn more about new cultures and living "globally."

I had always dreamed of traveling. And I have. And I have always dreamed of going to Europe. Now I can say I have. The little girl I once was would never believe all of the places I've been. I am so incredibly grateful.