 Dear single girl, This is me in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France in the summer of 2017. I assume you know what I'm talking about as it has made headlines today because of it being engulfed in flames. How terrible. I couldn't believe it when I saw it and couldn't help but be so thankful for the opportunities I've had, but also taken. I wanted to write this letter to let you know that you too can have these type of adventures instead of feeling like you missed out on a day like this. I have some tips to share with you but also just want to encourage you to be brave and do the thing. There is no one in this picture with me (well except for the thousands all around me). I traveled to Paris and London all by myself after a mission trip in Spain. No, I have never seen the movie Taken and don't plan on it. But you should know, I was there by myself, speaking no french, and survived. Before I give you some tips, I want to share with you where I have been. Domestic: Alabama California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Hawaii Illinois Louisiana Maryland Massachussets Missouri New York Oregon - COMING SOON South Carolina Tennessee Texas (obviously) Washington - COMING SOON Wyoming International: Madrid, Spain Paris, France London, United Kingdom Grand Cayman Costa Rica New Zealand - COMING SOON That's 19 states and 6 countries. Most of these have been crossed off my list post college, but some were in college. I have so many stories about all of these places. Each visit was different but always unforgettable. Below are 5 tips for you as you consider a new travel adventure. Tip #1 When you travel, keep a journal. I started this when I was in college and took road trips with friends. I enjoy writing (one would hope considering the blog) and love to include silly details in addition to the grand moments. Below is a picture of some of my travel journals. I have even made some of these into actual books with pictures using iPhoto.  Technology is great, but writing it down also helps me process all that happened in a day while traveling and gives me a reason to slow down. When I travel, I prefer to spend a full day but also find time to rest at some point. I am an introvert so when I am traveling with people, writing my story is usually my excuse to get away for a moment by myself.
Tip #2 Use multiple modes of transportation. I have traveled by bus, train, plane and car. I still have boat to cross off the list. Some day. If you have never been on an Amtrak train in the United States, I would strongly encourage you to do it. There are certain places where it is a lot more accessible (Texas is definitely not one of them, but it's possible) but regardless of where you are, you can make it happen. The stories I have from my train ride from Houston to Washington D.C. are some of the best. You don't have to start out so dramatic, but do it. I'm always on a budget so hopping on a bus is a great way to save money. When traveling with friends renting a car is a great option. The freedom and flexibility it provides is great but when on a budget this may not be ideal. Tip #3 Save your money. You are single. You are only responsible for yourself. Save your money so you can do the things and see the world. I would never recommend going into debt in order to travel. Make a plan and stick to it. Tip #4 Make friends wherever you go. I have so many pictures with people that for the most part are strangers, except they weren't during the time I spent traveling. While on the bike tour in Paris I met a girl who was also exploring the city on her own though she was there for a wedding. We became friends during the tour and I no longer felt alone. While on the train to D.C. I met a couple of guys from Australia. We hung out in the sightseeing car and played cards to pass the time. While in San Francisco, I stayed at a hostel (another story for another day) and met quite a few friends that went with me to rent bikes and ride to Sausalito. I have traveled many places alone but hardly ever feel alone. Tip #5 Take all the pictures. For some this is obvious. For others, you go an entire day and have no picture to prove it. Take the selfie if you are by yourself. Ask a stranger to take your picture. Do something just for the picture. You will be thankful later. I'm going to leave you with those for now and may come back later with some additions. For now, I just want you to know that it is not necessary for you to wait on a husband for a reason to travel. If you have any interest in traveling (and I hope you do), make a list of places you want to go and then just start planning a trip! So maybe you have to stay at a hostel because it's the only housing you can afford. So what! Find a place with great public transportation. It minimizes cost. Think about who you might know that lives somewhere else. Maybe you can stay with them. I will tell you, I have stayed with friends of friends and don't regret it. Lastly, don't feel like you need a reason to travel. We travel just for the sake of traveling. Each place you visit is unique and will be able to teach you something new. Be brave sister. And please if you decide to plan a trip, tell me about it!! Be warned, if you're planning it in the summer you might find me tagging along! Dream big, and never stop growing. Love, Regan
1 Comment
How many moments do we miss while trying to rush to the next thing? I know I am very guilty of this. I have even been convicted lately regarding the moments I miss because I would rather hide behind my phone while waiting in line instead of risking an awkward moment. We learn from Jesus that each moment we have is to be treasured, but surrendered to the Lord to use as He chooses. I hope you will consider this week how you can treasure a moment or maybe find a moment that you normally pass on by. The second thing that really struck me was what we have to learn from Peter. You may know the story. Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him, and Peter says no way. Surely we're not surprised here. Jesus was right. "Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same." Mark 14: 29 - 31 Just after arresting Jesus they took him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. Scripture says Peter "was following at a distance" (Luke 22:54). In Matthew 26:58, it says he was following "to see the end". Though Peter had walked with Jesus throughout his ministry, he wasn't exactly walking with Jesus now. The account of Peter's denial of Jesus has me asking a lot of questions, but the one that stands out the most is "What are you afraid of?". And as I read through the scripture I shake my head, not in disappointment of Peter, but in knowing I am no better. I have walked with Jesus since I was 14 years old, and I still find myself in "Peter moments" regularly. Peter's denial seems so obvious to me, but my moments of denial don't. It could be withholding the name of God or praise of Him when in conversation. It could be refusing to speak up for what you know is right when it is unpopular. It might even be behavior and/or language that adapts to your environment instead of being rooted in truth. All I know is it doesn't always look the same, or like Peter, but it is denial. I am thankful to be able to learn from Peter and challenged in how I go about my daily routines. I am also hopeful because through Jesus' perfect love, fear has been cast out. Fear doesn't get to rule in my life and can't rule if Jesus does. So I cling closer and closer to the risen Christ to battle the fear that seeks to destroy me. Friends, fear doesn't win. Be bold. Be brave. Live unashamed. Christ died for it all and lives that we might also. "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5: 1-5 Today is Palm Sunday but also Masters Sunday. History was made today as Tiger Woods won his 15th major 11 years after winning his last. The final moment was incredible. But it was all the moments before the last putt that really mattered. And throughout the entire last round, Tiger was locked in to each moment. Even when he went ahead as the solo leader, he stayed composed only worried about the next shot. Everyone wants the final moment, the large cheer and excessive celebration, but no one gets there without many moments that come before. One day we will reach Heaven and hope to hear the words, "well done my good and faithful servant", but we must not miss the moments we have now. I think they will make the finish that much sweeter.
Stay faithful friends and as always, never stop growing. |
Regan RayI have a lot of thoughts so I decided to put them all here. Archives
November 2022
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed