The World at Our Fingertips - Always, but not Quite

I adore traveling. Really I do. There is just something that is positively exhilarating about the idea of getting on a plane and going somewhere that you have never gone before. Really, you should try it sometime. It's stellar. Your life will never be the same after you have stepped beyond the borders of your own country (I will have travel posts coming soon! I just can't create them while I am in Texas, because not all of my pictures are on this computer and none of my travel journals are with me).

We always hear the phrase, "The world is at our fingertips." In the technological sense of the word, yes it is. It is very easy to type a quick email or facebook message to someone across the world or to Sype with someone who is seven thousand miles away. In all honestly though, nothing can compare to actually going. If we settle for viewing others pictures and listening to their memories, yet make none of our own, we are sorely missing out on a fabulous part of life. Despite what you might think regarding my vocal advocacy for travel, I do not believe in traveling without a purpose. To do so is to waste time and money - both of which, primarily the first, are far to valuable to throw around carelessly. I do not recommend it. Also, I am not saying that you should go just because you have the time and the money. Make the trip worthwhile and use it to further the Kingdom of God. Now, back to what I was saying regarding the cliche use of the phrase...despite the number of photographs we see or the amount of time that we spend listening to others' stories, they will never come alive unless you go for yourself. Many people live vicariously through others - I am determined not to do so.

I hope and pray that each one of you are blessed to receive a call to missions from the Lord. It is a wonderful thing to be able to serve the body of Christ in such a way. Just make sure that when you go, you go for the right motives (Watch the video below). To our international viewers (You are absolutely fabulous!), the U.S. needs missionaries too. Pray about it, and see where God leads. He may or may not have you travel internationally, but that fact isn't always necessary. For some, a walk next door may be many more miles than a flight across the ocean. Either way, I pray that you will be stretched, challenged, and changed. Seek the world from somewhere other than behind your computer screen.

Pretty crazy, huh? That video makes me stop and think everytime that I watch it. Like Josh (the guy in the video with the red and white shirt), I'm not saying that you shouldn't go on a missions trip - I hope that you can someday. Just do it for the right reasons.

Before I close, let me just share with you a few of the fabulous places that I dream of which I dream to go:

• Italy (The place that I want to go the most, currently)
• Ethiopia (I would love to go back!)
• England/UK (I mean, come on? Who doesn't love British things? Secret** I love British accents and find myself talking to myself in them more often that I probably know. =))
• India (There is such a deep spiritual need in this country.)
• Ecuador (It's amazing.)
• Guatemala (I have friends who have gone - I would love to as well!)
• Mexico (I want to go back here as well. =))
• Spain (I have a friend who lives her, and it is a beautiful country.)
• Zambia (I have heard so many stories from my cousin who lives here; I want to see it in person.)
• Kenya (I love wild African animals, and I know someone who lives there.)
• Tanzania (My Mom went here once; I would love to go where she went.)
• Bahamas (Again, my Mom went here so I want to as well.)
• New Zealand (It's gorgeous.)
• China (I have several friends here, and so want to visit them someday!)
• Denmark (Colored houses, houseboats, bicycles....what more could a girl want?)
• Romania (Something stirs in my heart for this place.)
• Argentina (I had to research this place for a Spanish report and fell in love with it - particularly, the Buenos Aires Tango Festival.)
• France (I love French food and I long to visit Paris for just a few days.)
• Korea (I have a friend there as well, and it is such an awesome country.)
• The Canary Islands (Simply put, beautiful.)
• The Galapagos Islands (Such a testament to God's creation!)

I could go on, but I will bore you no more with my long list of countries which I dream to visit someday. I may never reach them, but I have already been there in my dreams. Dreams are capable of taking us farther than we can go.


Blessings to my fellow travelers and travelers-at-heart,
Hannah