I remember when I first decided to travel for a year. Mostly, I remember not wanting to. I mean yes, traveling to three different continents and visiting tons of different countries sounds so exciting and adventurous. I would meet so many different people, experience tons of different culture, and I would gain wisdom from the places I had been and the people I would meet. I would get to do something many people never have the opportunity to do in their lifetime. I would be that cool grandma that would always have fascinating stories about the journey I had gone on. It sounded so thrilling. I know many of you who might read this and probably think, "Ya, DUH! I wish I could do that. I could never do something like that." I know because I have heard this line a thousand times this past year. However, I want you to know that going on this, leaving the things I wanted and enjoyed, it wasn't easy. I am not and have not been on a year long vacation. I haven't dined in luxurious restaurants or laid my head on down pillows in 5 star hotels. If I were to be completely honest, I went from Prada to Nada and it was anything but easy.
I live out of a backpack. Actually, a backpack that I carry in a rolling duffel in order to save my back from carrying 60+ pounds all over the world. I have worn the same clothes for nearly a year, clothes that now have holes and are stained from dirt and sweat. My body struggles to find comfort on the sleeping pad I call bed with a pillow that barely props my head up enough to make a difference. I have stayed in my tent on the side of a mountain in Moldova, slept in an open school that was nightly visited by jackals in Nepal, and snuggled with orphans in more than 3 countries. The roof over my head is continuously changing and I am unsure of where I will stay until I reach my next location. My transportation has been anything from the back of a pickup truck to the top of a bus to a tractor-like mobile to a moped (which we all know is not ideal, especially for me). I have eaten foods that I did not know the name of and don't want to know the name of. I have worked in 100+ temperature, mowing lawns, painting fences, and pulling weeds. I have taught English, cleaned toilets in a pub, volunteered at a Rehabilitation Camp, and visited widows who were just moments from whispering their last words. I have done some amazing things, I have heard some awesome stories, but I have also experienced a sadness in hearing the difficulties of the people I have met along the way with the goodbyes I have constantly had to say to each of them.
There have been sacrifices made in order for me to be here now; some big and some small. Some superficial and some things that I truly loved. However, this year has taught me lessons that I needed to learn. It has given me the ability to see my past and find purpose in it. It has given me an excitement for the future and the desire to chase my dreams. I have learned about strength, boldness, humility, generosity, and grace. I have seen what love can do and what it can overcome. I have experienced God in big ways. I gave up a lot of things to be here but in that, God has blessed me with even more and now I am wearing more and carrying it in the most stylish of ways. Little did I know, God would take me from Nada to Prada.
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