I adore traveling. It’s in my family. It’s in my heritage. It’s in my blood.
The first time I extensively traveled, I was 10 months old. My Mom and her older sister took a trip across Europe, encountering beautiful countries such as France and Ireland.
I’ve always claimed that didn’t count for me, because I couldn’t remember any of it. But even as a tiny being with an infant mind, I was there. And perhaps, that trip set a precedence for my life, birthing in me the heart of an explorer.
My family traveled often across the states as I grew up. Usually, we took road trips to see relatives. We drove through many states, spending time in Alabama, New Mexico, Colorado, California, Virginia, and more. Long hours in a car, traveling somewhere new – this didn’t bother me. It excited me.
Sure, there were times when I was sick of being cramped in a small space for hours on end. But the destination, and all the fun highlights along the way, was worth the journey.
It’s impossible to pick a favorite trip or place. Every experience was unique, and every destination offered different beauties and joys.
How do you choose from Glacier, Yellowstone, California beaches, Washington D.C., and NYC? How do you choose from Jamaica, the Outer Banks, or the Dominican Republic? I can’t.
Instead of trying to single out the ‘best,’ I’ll share traveling memory that means a lot to me:
The summer before I turned 15, my Dad and I visited England. My choir, the Children’s Chorus of Carroll County, sent a select group to represent the whole chorus at a mass performance there. I was a part of that group, and I reveled in the chance to go overseas for the first time I could remember.
We flew on a long, overnight flight, made it through customs, and then rode a bus to where we’d be staying in Canterbury. For two weeks, we split our time between Canterbury and London, attending practices, sightseeing, trying fun, new foods, having performances, and living in a new place.
We saw Big Ben and the London Eye. We toured various castles, each one carrying its own quaint, regal style. We tried fish n’ chips and had afternoon tea. We walked around town, browsing shops and booths.
We took lots of pictures. We connected with each other and developed friendships. And though the rest of my group didn’t usually participate, I spent as much time as I could practicing my British accent (to this day, it's one of my favorite accents to emulate).
It was a fantastic time. Toward the end of the trip, we performed a finale concert in a beautiful cathedral, and the ringing echoes of the songs were almost heavenly. I remember after the concert running up to my Dad.
I was wearing my black chorus dress and pearls, my hair was done nice and my makeup was on (a rare thing). I was pleased with how the concert went and excited to see him.
When I found him, he was wiping tears from his face, which touched me in a deep place. My Dad doesn’t cry much. And as I realized that the beauty of what we – of what I – had done had stirred him to tears, it overwhelmed me.
That’s why my trip to London is one of my favorites. It wasn’t the sights, or the food, or my silly accent imitating. It wasn’t the choral pieces or the performances. It wasn’t getting to work with world-renowned directors.
The reason I loved my time in England was that my father was with me. I got two weeks of just the two of us.
Obviously, there were others with us. Most of the time, we were surrounded by people from my chorus. But my Dad and I got to share this trip, and no one else back home would have that. It was a sweet, affirming time for me, reminding me how much he loves me and how proud he is of me. And I will always have these memories.
This trip shows some pieces of my heart:
• I’m a traveler. I long to go to new places and try new things (even when it’s scary).
• I love different cultures and people. The food, the customs, the funny sayings that don’t make sense to me, the new accents I immediately want to try – all of these make my eyes sparkle with joy.
• I’m an adventurer, unafraid of the unknown (though sometimes, I have to be reminded of that).
• I’m a fullness girl. I want to experience all I can with the life that’s been given to me. I want to see different countries, hear different languages, and know all sorts of peoples.
• I’m a daughter who loves her father (in the natural and the spiritual). It brings me life to know that he loves me and is proud of me. It touches me when I touch him. It means the world to me to have him by my side.
If you have the chance to travel, take it. It’s worth the money, the time, and the sacrifice. You’ll come back different than when you left (in the best way).
And know that wherever you find yourself, your Father is always with you. He treats each day (no matter how seemingly mundane) as a thrilling adventure with you.
He’s gonna take you places you never thought you’d go. He’s going to bring life and joy into your life, even in the harder, drier seasons. He is with you; you have no need to fear.
Your Abba is excited for your today. Are you ready for an adventure?
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