10 things the nomad life has taught me thus far...

          One. Life Is Messy. It doesn't turn out exactly the way you had possibly imagined. Dreams grow and shape into something entirely different than our past selves may have thought. The people you meet, the places you go, the jobs you have, and etc all lead us to new dreams and change our perfectly planned life into a messy ball of possibilities. The things you learn from your experiences impact your future desires and the life that you thought you wanted may easily morph into something unexpected.

          Two. Life Is Beautiful. Travelling the world and settling into a foreign country completely change your perspective. Getting to see so many cultures and countries is truly a gift. There is tragedy in the world, but being enabled to help in making it a better place is beautiful. Being a part of other's lives and seeing God work in so many places through so many ways is something I wouldn't trade for the world.

          Three. People Are Different. I've been blessed to have jobs that bring people from around the world together. I have friends from every continent (except Antarctica that is) and have learned the pros and cons, ups and downs, good and bad of dozens of cultures including my own. Differences help us grow, learn, and make us wiser in many ways. Living in a place where you are the minority forces you to view the world in a different way. Learning to adapt and make friendships with so many people makes you better at talking through disagreements and humbles you. It helps people learn from each other- which is something I hope to get better at.

          Four. People Are The Same. Yes, I am contradicting myself. I don't mean that people are clones and agree on everything. That is clearly very untrue. Everyone had different life experiences and was created in a unique way. That is exactly my point though. What I mean, is that we were all created by the same God. A God that gives us a choice, but put in us a strong desire for something. That something keeps us searching for whatever is supposed to fill the void. I have friends from so many religions, but we all seek the truth. Whether you are Muslim or Jewish, we all have this little piece of love inside of us. Now, I am not saying that people are good. We are all sinful, but I do believe that God created us in love and that keeps us searching for Him. I can only pray that my friends will find the answer in the only true God- Jesus Christ. So, in many ways we are different, but there is something the same in all of us. This being a desire for fulfillment and although it can be temporarily filled with many things, the only lasting purpose is Jesus Christ- crucified and risen for us.

          Five. You Start New Roots. I found the following quote on a friend's facebook and although I don't know who wrote it, I found it very interesting. "You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place." I don't completely agree, as I wrote in an earlier blog that I have found that this thing we call "home" is where God has us in this moment. However, there is some truth in having your heart in more than one place. Whatever town in whichever continent that you start new roots in will change you. Travel does that. It makes you come out of your shell, be willing to explore, become independent, and meet new people. The more places you go, the more your roots are pulled up and spread out. I think its important to keep our roots firmly in Christ and no matter where He takes us, we will still be secure. New places are wonderful, but with all the changes we must remember what we have learned in each place and allow God to use those things to grow our roots in Christ even deeper.

          Six. You Remember Your Old Roots. Now don't think that I am an expert in travel. I have much to learn and am a beginner in all there is to life. In my experience however, I have realized something. No matter where I have gone, my family is always on my mind. Its true what they say - that friends come and go, but family is forever? I think that's what they say... Anyways, you don't realize how much you love something until you don't have it. Being away from my family for as long and as often as I have been has made me appreciate them more than they know. I have been through my own set of learning, come to my own faith, grown closer to the Lord, had my dreams change, moved around the globe, and I have gotten more tattoos than my mother probably likes, but deep down, I still have the same core beliefs that my parents instilled in me. We change, but every part of our past is a part of that change.

          Seven. Material Things Are Not Important. Maybe always having to stuff my life into a carry-on and a couple of suitcases attributes to this, but I don't have a lot of things to call my own. I still have so much more than most people. I have seen the rich places in the world as well as the poor. I have seen more joy in the poor than in the rich. I empathize with Paul when he said that he never wanted to be rich nor poor. Depending on where you are, those terms are relative and the point of this is that items we can see do not give us joy. Needs and wants seem to be relative at times too and things that I say I need to be happy are not necessary. Possessions are nice and I love to go shopping as much as the next person. I love the finer things in life, but I've also lived with less and seen those who live with next to nothing. I want to be more like those who have little than those who have much. I want to find my joy in things that matter and not a house full of material things and a closet full of clothes. I understand that every country is different and you have to adapt. I'm not saying I will give up Starbucks or walk around barefoot, but I also cannot see myself living in a way that gratifies every material desire. Having a lot is not wrong, but what we do with those things matters and our joy cannot be found in items.

          Eight. Memories Are Important. I am not the kind of person that holds onto mementos. I have a few souvenirs from the places I have been and from people who are important to me, but I get rid of things all the time. I don't really have a choice as its part of getting your suitcase down to 50 pounds. I do however photograph everything. I have realized that is the only way to not forget the little things. There are things you cannot explain when you go back to visit your family and showing them your life through pictures helps in sharing your stories. I don't always journal, but occasionally its good to write things down and blogging helps. In the end, memories are really all that we can hold onto. They shape us into our future selves.

          Nine. Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock Are Very Real. They hit everyone in various ways and at various times. They affect some more than others, but it will happen and its something to prepare for. Honestly, I have a very easy time adjusting to new places and I think its because that is part of what God made me to do. For me, its easier to go into foreign countries and harder to return to the states. I think its because I prepare for it more? The first time that I stepped foot onto African soil, I was staying in a small village called Zirobwe outside the capital city of Kampala in Uganda. It was very much what most people think of as a poor area in Africa. I absolutely loved it. It was hard though as my first time outside of the states as a 17 year old girl to process such a different kind of world. I am thankful that I went alone and got that extra time to spend time with the Lord instead of other people to help me wrap my brain around how that experience would forever change my life. From a very young age, I went to ballet intensives with people from around the world and now at 20, I have traveled to 11 countries and lived for 2 years in one of those. I have many more ahead and many people have been to way more than me, but I feel that I have had a decent amount of exposure to the world so far. The more traveling I do, the easier it is to adapt to new places. Going back to the states after living overseas however is difficult at first. Not only is what you used to consider normal no longer that way, but you also view things in a different light. I still enjoyed going out to eat and getting a few overpriced lattes, but I had a hard time walking into department stores and looking at the prices of material things. What used to be your home is no longer perfect and you have to learn how to live differently than you used to. People back home will not understand. They have the very best intentions and to those of you reading this from the states- I love you dearly. To those of you traveling- its normal for people to not understand. They will do their best to visualize your stories and you will learn which stories need to be told and which stories people want to hear. Its a challenge at first, especially with all the other thoughts running through your brain like being jet lagged, having culture shock, and readjusting to "normal" life. Remember that your family and friends love you very much and they want to understand. Also, its important to have patience with questions like "Do you speak African?" or "Do you see lions walking around?" or comments like "I have a friend who went to Africa once" or "I bet you are so glad to be back in America and not in a dangerous place." We all try to relate to other people with the closest thing we have to understanding it. Sometimes people are way off and don't realize that Africa has many, many, many languages and countries. Africa has cities as well as villages as well as national parks. Africa is big and could fit three of United States in it. There are dangerous places, but there are also safe places. You now have more than one home and you have to learn how to accept the good and bad of both places. These same misconceptions could happen if you went to China, Alaska, Sri Lanka, Italy, or Saudi Arabia. Its OK. I hope this isn't sounding rude. I think its awesome when people ask questions because it means they care. I also think its great to explain politely when the questions are not completely accurate. Like I said, it can be hard. The stories are worth sharing though and listening to others who try to relate through their similar stories is also good. The world didn't stop when you were gone and others have stories to share as well. Listening is important - I talk too much sometimes. Listening to understand- not to respond is so important and so rare. Everyone has stories and even when you are going through culture shock or reverse culture shock, we have to learn to think about those around us and not just our own stories and life. Note to self.

          Ten. Jesus Is My Rock. Through all of it, God is faithful. God's plan leads us across borders into unknown territory. He is there through the best and worst of it all. His ways are higher than ours and therefore the plan is usually not what we expected. He is always good. Through the rough times, He binds us to Himself and through the good times, He rejoices with us. He is the all consuming, all fulfilling, all deserving, all powerful, all knowing, all loving God. He knows all things and yet is patient with us and teaches us in stride, revealing things when we are ready. He is our rock. When life is confusing and nothing makes sense, He is the same. He never changes. He is the past, present, and future. He guides and holds us. Even when we forget what He has done for us, He reminds us. He is grace. He is truth. He is the way. He is the life. He is so much. I cannot survive without time with Him. I also cannot live another day without failing. What a God we serve that He helps us in our weaknesses. Life is a battlefield and I have to be reminded constantly to abide in Him and surrender all things to Him. Life is more than we can see. Its actually mostly what we cannot see. The spiritual realm is not some misty thing up in the sky. It happens in our minds. It happens all around us. There are so many people who don't yet know Him and we must be aware of that. Everywhere we go, we are missionaries. Someone told me once that the one thing you can't do in Heaven is evangelize. That is an interesting thought right? The only way we can keep doing life and sharing Him with others is remembering that He is our rock and staying with Him through it all. Although I am sure there are more things I could share that I am learning through this nomad life thus far, I'll end with Ten. Jesus Is My Rock.