"Inspiring Wonder and Faith"

Making world travel affordable while inspiring wonder and faith as partners in the journey

Growing up in the church, I was taught many things that I “should” do in order to grow in my faith. Some of those ways of drawing near to Jesus have easily fit like a warm, cozy sweater on a cold, January day. Many ways still leave me wanting.

For me, I discovered after lots of years that traveling the world is what personally sets my soul in a place of wonder and awe, openness and curiosity towards both life and faith. I used to think that to be weird, frivolous and even a little bit “unholy.” But now I’m over fearing the weird and maybe even a little jazzed at going against the grain towards “unholy.”

It’s travel and wondering at the world that connects me to my faith like nothing else. It’s travel that feels like one of the “holiest” experiences of my life. Once recognized, I have never been able to un-know its’ beauty. And so I go.

Now I’m not talking about an ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ kind of “go.” I’m also not talking about a dirty and gritty service where “the more I suffer the closer I get to Jesus” kind of mission or pilgrimage (though there is time and place for each of these). I’m talking about going on a real holiday to all the places in the world I long to see, but just doing it with the intention of paying attention. What do I mean? Don’t worry, you’ll understand more as we go. This is the kind of intentional travel I will write about in this space.

Though I had traveled internationally prior to 2018, it was one late and rainy, London evening during a layover that I began to understand it was through exploring the world that I was going to discover Jesus like never before.

That night it was just me… standing underneath an umbrella and romantically peeking out at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the distance. I was drawn in. Those first moments on European soil…all alone…I realized and actually felt deeply that I was not alone.

Soon, I found myself sitting in the most beautiful building I had ever seen and I was being greeted by Jesus.

Somehow my soul knew the layers of life and faith destined to me. A bigger story was about to be written. It’s those many new layers I continue to discover that keep me coming back to the world for more.

The world inspires me towards wonder and faith. My adventures are less about pasta and Instagramable moments and more about getting lost… paying attention…taking deep breaths…looking up…sitting still.

Now I know I can do all of these things at home, and I do…but I do them so much better and more deeply when I travel.