The Wards Big Adventure

What is your journey? The simple answer is your life. Every day, every minute we are constantly writing our story by living out our journey. We have to constantly think and be conscious of the story we will tell one day looking back on our lives. Will your story be about how you overcame obstacles with grace and faith? You knew the obstacles and trials were all part of God's plan? Will you tell how you rejoiced in even the smallest victories, knowing God was with you? I sure hope so, because if not, you may have a lot of regrets when you are older... 

One of my very best friends, Amy Ward is about to embark on a journey of a lifetime with her husband, Brad. They are calling it, the "Wards Big Adventure." That is exactly what it is, a true adventure! They felt led to sell almost all of their belongings and literally leave it all behind. They are going to travel the USA for a whole year.... Wow! Talk about stepping out in faith to live an amazing journey. 

They have a plan about a lot of places they want to see, but ultimately they are trusting God to direct their steps and lead them on their path. I am so proud of them and how they listened to that nudge from God. I can only imagine the things they are going to see, the fresh air and flowers they are going to smell, the birds and animals they will hear. Just think, they will see the night sky out west with nothing but stars, planets and the moon! Amy was born in Oregon and they are excited to return to see the coast and all the spectacular trees. 

These are some of the top places on their travel wish list among many others: Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, to drive down the Big Sur, Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, the Wine Country, Yosemite National Park, Mount Saint Helen's, and the Badlands. 

As one of Amy's best friends, I am personally conflicted. A big part of me will miss seeing her almost everyday and talking to her all the time, but the other side of me knows this is what the Lord has called them to do. They will show God's light all over the USA and show people what living a life in faith looks like. How can I possibly have selfish motives for her to stay when this is the biggest step in faith they can possibly take and a once in a lifetime opportunity? 

Me, Nicole & Amy

Everything has lined up perfectly for this trip and I couldn't be more excited for them and all they will do and see! I'll truly miss my friend but love her enough to be happy for her and Brad and their big adventure! 

I hope you follow them on Instagram @WardsBigAdventure and you can search the hashtags #Bramytravels #travelingtheUSA #adventure #travel #nomads #WardsBigAdventure 

The Space In-between

Kyle in Rio de Janeiro over looking the city

I wish I was there in his arms.  That space was where I should have been. But that is not what happened...

Kyle took a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for his International portion of the MBA program he is doing here in Atlanta.  I had just started a new job and couldn't take the time off, and on top of that there was a presentation to a company we partnered with that I needed to attend the week he was out of town.  So to make a long story short I could not attend the trip, nor would I have been allowed as the program for his school said no spouses allowed.  So I was here and he was there and there was a huge space in-between us.  I think my heart was breaking that first night he was gone knowing he was going to be gone for a whole week.  I really don't know how couples do long distance, maybe if it has always been that way it would be easier.  For me, I need physical closeness and I really missed that. 

The Christ Statue, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This statue is so famous and I had seen it on TV or movies and it looks kind of like a cross which I think is very symbolic.  Kyle told me it was so huge in person, much bigger than it seems in this picture or in the movies.  It is hundreds of feet tall!!!  He was at a distance when he took this picture.  I think it is so beautiful.

It did make me feel better that Kyle said Brazil was over hyped up.  He said that it was also more expensive than he thought it was going to be.  On his trip he went to a Brazilian Steak house and it was about $89 dollars for one person and about two drinks.  The thing you don't realize is they charge for water and you have to drink it because it is unsafe for us to drink their water.  We are just not use to it.  He said there was one time where he felt unsafe and he was even in a group.  Someone at an ATM did manage to steal his credit card number with out actually taking his card, which makes detection hard but he managed to figure it all out before they took too much money and thankfully USAA reimbursed him for the fraudulent charges.

Let's just say he came back a day early, I think he missed me!  What is not to miss?! ;)