Tips for Traveling Abroad

I realize I've not posted much over the past few months. Its been so crazy! Every time I have something awesome to share I get distracted, puked on, or fall asleep. That is life with kids! Anyway, Ive been wanting to share a little bit about some of the things I've learned traveling abroad. Hopefully you will find these helpful. Whether you are traveling for missions or pleasure, this tips are for you!

•  Minors traveling without a parent will need a written and signed document stating who is their guardian during the trip and contact information. Don't ask me how I know this, I just do. :-)
• Don't bring anything you will be heartbroken if it goes MIA. This one was hardest for me. I hated leaving my engagement ring when I did my 3 month long internship in South Africa.
• Bring a basic medicine kit. Tums, Tylenol, ibuprofen, allergy, etc.
• While your at it, bring band-aids.
• Only bring broken in, comfortable shoes. I've broken this rule many times, it was bad.
• Take a chew-able or pill form pepto-bismol every morning while on the trip. It reduces stomach irritation from water and unusual and new foods.
• Try as much as you can! Food, culture, play, take advantage of the great blessing of seeing the world.
• Pack a small bottle of shampoo, deodorant, and extra underwear in your carry on. If they lose you luggage you'll be happy you did. It is also great for freshing up when you have long flights and layovers.
• Ask to keep the soda can in flight. They will give you a third of the can in a cup if your lucky, just ask.
• When buying souvenirs, see if the country has something equivalent to our dollar stores. Can't get much more affordable and still get cool little things. When I went to Japan they had 100 yen stores. I got chop sticks, fans, and hair accessories! 
• In less built up countries, local markets are the way to go. However it is important to bring someone who speaks the language if you dont. You will surely be taken advantage of.
• Bring home something unique. You'll always have a way to share your story.
• Bring a journal and or a camera. You will surely want to share about your adventures.
• Send postcards. Even if you stay only a week or too. Its so much fun to write and send them. Plus, if you send an extra one to yourself, it will go well in a scrapbook!
• Learn about the countries and what they consider good manners. Ask someone before you go. It will save you embarrassment.
• Have fun!

Acts 3:19-20

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Acts 3:19-20

There are often times in life when we feel dry, in need of spiritual refreshment. This verse gives us a promise of that, with an exception. We must first find the parts of us dying in sin and deal with them. How can death be refreshed? It can't. We have to first be made new. So, I ask you today, "what do we need to repent of today in order to have a time of refreshing?"

Prayer: Lord, please bring new life to the death sin has caused. I desire your refreshment.

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.- Romans 12:1-2

I don't know if you realize this already, but I can really relate to Paul. That is one of the reasons I like Romans so much. 

Tomorrow I am leading children's church in a small Bible lesson, so I just started reading the scriptures. I looked over the verses I heard in service last week, I glanced at old notes, I even took in a few verses that just caught my eye. Finally I read this one and I knew what I wanted to share with the kids. I figured if I was willing to share it with them, I should take a moment and share it with you as well. 

These two verses are both about how we are a different kind of people. One, we are not like the other people around us; we are different. Second, we have been changed, therefor we are different than we used to be. There is a reason God made us different. If we weren't different, we couldn't change anything. We wouldn't change our own lives, or the people around us, or the world we live in. It takes a different person to make a difference!

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. -2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Sounds pretty horrible to be "pressed on every side", "perplexed", "persecuted", and "struck down". In fact, if you just look at the life described before the "but", you would miss the point. No matter how crazy, tough, and painful things around may seem, God never allows them to completely over take us. My study Bible puts it this way "[a]ll our risks, humiliations, and trails are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in and through us."

So the question really is, "How many opportunities for Christ are in your life?"

Prayer of the day: Lord, help me to see the difficult and challenging situations around me as opportunities for you to work. Thank you for never letting the "world" crush me.

Philippians 4:12-13

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:12-13

I included both scripture verses today because I find it interesting how often verse 13 is quoted out of context.When Paul speaks of being able to do all things, he is talking about being content in all situations. Personally it is not always easy to be content. Sometimes things are NOT working out the way I want, but God made it clear that it is possible. I took a moment today to look up the definition of content. The first way it was defined was as "satisfied". The second way it was defined is "to appease the desires of"or "to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions". 

Prayer of the day: Lord, help me to learn the discipline of contentment. Thank you for knowing and caring for all my needs.

Philippians 4:11

Today at church Pastor spoke on contentment. This seems to be a reoccurring theme in my life. Through devotions, church, and study I see something that God is desperately trying to get through to me. Pastor gave a treasure trove of scriptures to help guide me in this study. For this reason I have to choose one and work my way through life of Paul.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.- Philippians 4:11

It was interesting to note that Pastor said contentment was a discipline that must be learned. Am I ready to learn it?

Prayer of day: (Grady) Lord, I choose to rejoice when I face difficulties, challenges and hard times. Regardless of how I feel, I will praise You and give thanks for Your goodness.

John 15:4

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.- John 15:4

Staying connected to the Father keeps our loves from becoming simply a routine without purpose. Without this connection to Christ, we forget who we serve. We can forget why we serve. Nothing will come of the things we do in our power. Only what is fed by the Vine will get what it needs to grow and bare fruit!

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I don't want to lose my first love. Fan the flames of the Spirit in my heart and let me burn with zeal for You. (Lee Grady)