Traveling

Our family LOVES to travel....anything for a road trip! And, as parents we have always tried to encourage such an enjoyment.

When our oldest was 3 months old, we started to go on long weekend excursions. The first was Lago Mar in West Palm Beach. It was a wonderful facility and had a pool that was sooooo amazing---and I love the fact a young man comes along and 'prepares' your lounger. Kinda fun for a change. She appeared to enjoy the trip although at three months there is no way to tell----hahahaha  Each child had a similar 'young' vacation. Andrew and Josi actually went on vacation with chickenpox one year. Then Abi was 8 weeks when we drove to Lake of the Ozarks.... and the MANY birthdays we have had on the road! Since half of our family has a July birthday, we always seem to be traveling then...... we camp, visit family and friends or we enjoy hotels..... sometimes we fly, sometimes we drive.... we want to take a train together sometime soon....

Our family has always tried to enjoy at least one vacation a year together. Paul and I have felt that is as important as sitting at the evening meal together each night. It pulls us together and makes us stronger as a unit.

So, we have enjoyed places like: Yellowstone, Colorado, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, Christmas in Chicago, NYC, Toronto, Niagara Falls, the FLA panhandle, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and all the other states in between. We have made sure to do things that were age appropriate and showed the Glory of God the Creator. The God of order and beauty. We have encouraged exploration and information seeking. We marvel in the amazing gifts we have been given to enjoy and the wonderful provisions we have been blessed with to do so. We explored caves, hiked in the woods and watched as geese traveled in a V formation. Explaining all along each small journey the why's and what's of each child's wonder.

So then, why do I get in such a quandry when my children would want to travel across the ocean or through the country on their own? I have to stop and laugh. This is EXACTLY what we have prepared them to do. And, it is such a blessing.

Yesterday, before Josi took off for her excursion to Taiwan, she told me she would be traveling to Equator in January. I was not shocked, as she had prepared us ahead of time. I am just amazed at how God has done work with and through her. SO travel on my love.....see what God has in this big world..... I will sit and watch the airplane screen and make sure you are safe through prayers and petitions..... it is all good.

So, now, I sit and ponder where God will lead each of us. How will HE use us in our own little world. How many people have learned something small on OUR journeys to their area? What did we teach them? Did we teach love and kindness, or were we just mere tourists who were there to take take take and not give anything in return?

We are planning to travel today---road trip! And during this time, I am going to stop and think; what am I leaving behind for those who come after me........ and what legacy will I leave for my children about this world we have been so graciously given by our Creator.