When going through my phone notes from this summer, I found this thank You note I wrote on one of our last days in Europe. And I think He needs to be acknowledged publicly for the life-changing experience that was this trip.
Thank You for the people. The short conversations and lasting relationships. For smiling faces that helped us, when we asked, and when we didn’t. For Dublin man who told us we were on the wrong side of the river. For our Belfast cab driver, for the Barnes' neighbors Nole and Eileen. For the nice Dutch lady on the bus that helped with pronunciation. For the Paris cafe lady who spoke no English, but was so helpful. Thank you for the Jibson's friends Jeff and Wendy. For the jolly Jibsons (oh, how we are blessed to know them.) Thank You for all the willing translators in Sardinia. Thank You for Rodolfo, our boat guide. Thank You for the Dublin bartender who convinced us to stay for the music on our last night. Thank You for kind people in grocery stores, security lines, pubs, and on street corners.
Thank You for blessing and keeping watch over our finances. When we thought we wouldn’t make it, you had Your hand on our bank accounts. Thank You for all who contributed to this insane trip. We had several generous people help us out, before and during. We also had some unexpected expenditures, but through it all, You’ve remained constant. Thank You, Lord!
Thank You for being God of our health. I’m overwhelmed that there were no colds, flus, migraines, reactions, knees popping, blood pressure issues, etc. You know I have trouble relinquishing control to You in this area. But You absolutely handled it. I don’t deserve it.
Thank You for being God of travel. You’ve kept us safe. In stressful moments, You’ve calmed my soul. With all the buses, planes, trains, taxis, and Ubers, You’ve guided us through. Almost missed some flights (!) and did miss a train. But You were God over those situations. And I see that and acknowledge that.
I just am overwhelmed to think how smoothly it all went. How I’m forever changed by this trip. This has been a desire of my heart for as long as I can remember, and You provided a way. All the ways, in fact. Things I didn’t think of. Things I didn’t expect. Or deserve. This was more than my little heart could’ve ever dreamed or imagined. And I don’t want to ever in my life take it for granted.
My heart aches for Nashville. For Mom and Dad’s faces, for cruises in Dimples. For Kroger runs, fajitas, and family movie time. For Starbucks, live music and harmonizing. For my shower, my toilet, and my bed. Home is home is home. 6 weeks is no short journey, and our time away has highlighted just how rare and strong our family unit is. We have it so so good. I’m so blessed to now have a taste of what life is like in 7 (!) foreign countries. And I pray my traveling days are not over; I’ve got several more on the bucket list, and I will definitely need to make it back to England, Paris, Amsterdam, etc. I love the speed of life and the different cultures over here. But I’ll be ready to step foot back on American soil.
From the bottom of my stupid, small heart, thank You for the trip of a lifetime. These are experiences and memories I will carry with me all of my days.