Lessons from a Journey

Well it took me long enough to catch up on relating my trips this past summer. It wasn't my intention to retell events in the past as I remember them. But life gets ahead of us. At the end of my trip, I had a chance to reflect on what was happening inside me as I experienced it all outwardly. Here's a bit of what I learned.

Patience-with myself, with time, with others.

Practicing courage and self-confidence-This was a big one for me traveling by myself. I was out of my comfort zone so many times. Yet each time I decided to be vulnerable, or push the comfort zone a bit further, God showed up in the form of confidence, a friendly face, or something to forget my loneliness.

Enjoying the time in solitude-I'm one that wants to be constantly on the go. And when I'm not, I feel like I'm squandering precious time. I learned some of the best parts of this trip were when I accepted time in solitude, doing absolutely nothing but sitting in God's presence.


Gratefulness-In times of confusion and frustration, my best defense was offering up the big and small things I was grateful for. I also realized while on this trip, more than ever before, how very blessed I am by my community in Chicago. During my travels, I was surrounded by people on different walks of life. I remember sitting at a dinner one night with these people, appreciating their stories, but thinking how grateful I am for my friends and family at home who know my heart and encourage me to be the best version of myself.

Interacting intentionally and authentically-This trip taught me a lot about traveling intentionally. It would have been easy for me to jump from place to place only for the sights, activities and thrills. But I desired intentional conversations with people. I tried to be authentic in my words and actions so as to learn from the people around me.

Simplicity-This was tough to deal with coming home. I have so much. I need little. I was still happy (even happier) when I had less with me. When I was away, I started caring less about how I looked outwardly or what I had with me, and turned inward to improve who I really was under it all. It was hard coming home, and noticing the immediate shift in my thoughts-Ugh I have nothing cute to wear...Everyone here looks more put together than I do...I really should have worn makeup and done my hair today... I became aware of this shift in my mentality and the thought that had to look great in order to feel worthy. I'm trying to let God work through this and build integrity in striving to live simply.

Reassurance in my gifts and passions-I felt emotionally and spiritually full by the end of this trip. I was in my element on so many levels throughout this trip. Traveling, exploring, learning about language and culture, interacting with people, working at the school, taking it all in. I had so many emotional highs and lows throughout the whole trip, but through those moments I felt I learned more about myself and where life might take me.

God is faithful-Every lonely moment. Every time I felt anxious, nervous or stressed. In my quiet times and in my conversations. Jumping off bridges and climbing volcanoes, journaling in a hammock and sitting for hours by the lake. He showed up. He did work in me. He was faithful throughout this journey, and He will be in the next.