Homebound

I would like to first start off by thanking my family for their support in this trip. I’ve always desired, like most people, to make those closest to me proud; I hope in some way I have. If I wouldn’t have had your support, this trip wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you!

I spent the last week of my trip in a great deal of reflection. When I started this journey I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I was consciously embarking on a solo journey through countries I’ve never been to, with no real, solid contacts to help me along the way. In all honesty, part of me was running away from some emotional struggles I was dealing with back home. Another part of me felt like I needed to trade a stagnant lifestyle for something a little more exciting and fulfilling. I also wanted to get inspiration for the novel I have been working on. And, there was also the excitement of seeing the world and meeting new people.

Without spending hours repeating everything I’ve already said in previous blog posts; you can absolutely check each one of those things off on a list, but you could also add about a million more experiences, people and lessons learned along the way. If you haven’t noticed by now, my faith is extremely important to me; and though my life is messed up and riddled with mistakes, I walk proudly with the God I serve. So, I would like to share a few verses with you.

James 1: 2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I’m sure that as you followed along with my blog, you were thinking I was having the time of my life. Many of the pictures show me smiling, or amazing things that I was able to see; things that even those that grew up in that country haven’t seen. You’ve read stories of people and families that have opened up their homes to a complete stranger; fed me, housed me, helped me along my journey. You’ve also read about how God has provided for every one of my needs, whether it was a place to sleep, a way of transportation, or food to eat.

And you would be right.

But make no mistake; this…was far from easy. However, even though I’ll only be coming back home with a couple hundred bucks to my name; every single moment of this trip was worth it. I referenced the verses to show that so much of this trip was me living it. And I realized over the last three months that each day, every person in the world lives it. It could be a small trial or discomfort like someone driving slowly in front of you on your way to work, or something much greater, like watching your child slowly pass from an incurable disease. We as humans are hard wired to want things to be easy, to want a life of luxury. But that’s just not the case. What truly matters is how we react or deal with those trials. Whether I was crying in a tent in the middle of the mountains, doing everything I could not to get wet; or relaxing on the beach in Barcelona, I knew with every part of me that my faith was being strengthened through perseverance. I was allowing God to work and trying not to take things into my own hands. From the wise words of an old college friend, “There are some learning experiences that can only come through traveling.” If you get the opportunity to see the world, DO NOT TURN IT DOWN!!!!

During the last week, I was able to spend time with my South American family here in Dublin for the last time. They are an amazing group of people with huge hearts and they are never lacking in smiles or laughter. It was an absolute blessing meeting them at the beginning of my trip, bonding so well and now being able to say goodbye, as hard as I know it will be. They will forever be in my heart and prayers.

This trip forced me to grow up even more, to realize the smallness of the world and the endless opportunities to be and set an example. I’m glad that perfection isn’t something I can claim, I’m glad to have failed along the way because I am so much better for it. I want to thank all of you who have read and kept up with all the crazy things I have done, it is awesome to know that people were reading each week. I want to challenge each of you to take the words of those verses to heart; trust that God will provide. Keep your faith and persevere because at the end of the struggle, you will be able to wake up with a smile on your face and the determination to spread your joy with the world. Don’t live an empty life and don’t settle for something because it’s easy. Take risks. Get uncomfortable. Be Heroic.

I am not saying this is the end of my blogging, I may throw out a few here and there as an update, or if there are any topics you would like me to talk about feel free to leave a comment; but until I take another trip around the world (which I hope to do), I will be putting my weekly posts on hold. But again, I thank you. I’m not sure what exactly I’ll be doing with my life when I return home, but I am excited to start reading the script for the next chapter in my life.