Last summer my husband and daughter and I went to Iceland. Even though my husband and I needed medical waivers to do it, we all snorkeled in 37-degree water. See above for the pictorial proof.
Overall, my family is adventurous in a safe, rather controlled way. We are not bungee jumpers. We do not run on adrenaline. We (especially me) prefer to know what our food is before we eat it.
But after spending a semester abroad in college and learning to see the world and myself in a whole new way, I have a deep respect for and appreciation of travel. Travel has taught me:
- To see myself and my place in the world through a wider lens. We tend to think of ourselves as individuals. But the theological and pragmatic truth is that what we do affects each other. All of us.
- The value of asking for help. When I travel, I get up close and personal with my vulnerability. It’s a healthy dose of humility and gratitude for those who offer their assistance along the way.
- To watch for the goodness of humanity. My inexact and somewhat biased assessment of human nature is that for every person who tries to cheat you (and some will), nine will go out of their way to help you.
- To have compassion for the “strangers in a foreign land” I may meet along the way. For some of us…for various reasons…the way ahead isn’t easy or clear.
This summer my family and I get to learn these lessons all over again. Thanks to the Lilly Clergy Renewal grant program and the fine people of Christ the King Lutheran Church, this summer we’re off to our generational homelands of China, Norway, and Scotland…with a bonus stop in Dubai. We’ll be posting about our adventures on this blog.
While most of our posts will be about our travels (the blog is entitled “Wander Tales” for a reason!), there are other adventures to be had this summer, as well. Based on the theme of being “rooted and grounded in love” (see Ephesians 3:14-17), join us as we look back and celebrate the shoulders on which we stand; intentionally re-root ourselves for the next phase of life (as Ellie graduates high school and heads off to college); and look forward to the adventures that lie ahead.
Somewhere on your journey, don’t forget to turn around and enjoy the view. ~Anonymous
Wander Tales by PC, PB, and Ellie 