Home Sweet Home

I think it's a safe guess that we all love to travel to an extent. Some more than others I'm sure. I am one that loves to travel, aside from the harsh conditions it has on my body, and unexpected hassles here and there, but even then, those are still part of the journey and add to the memories and adventure of it all.

Here is me on the very first flight from MSP to Paris. I really enjoyed my new headphones; on the set list:
Misty Edwards
Switchfoot
Shawn Colvin
Audrey Assad

I have so much to share of my travels it will be hard to know where to start, so I'll just share in pieces along the way. For now, I'm happy to be home. It always feels good to come home too.
In typical Gina fashion, I did some soul searching on this trip, and one thing I discovered is that we are all placed where we are meant to be. Sure we can make choices to move from where we grew up etc..  but even then, I still think we have a purpose where we are at. Each Greek native also was placed, and they have a purpose where they are. I am so fascinated by how many of us there are in this world!

Sure I'm sad to be leaving such beauty behind in Greece, and there is a part of me that didn't want to leave. I love Europe and have for quite some time now. I could easily live there.
But I am an American, and I am placed here for now.  Yes I think where I live lacks beauty if you just simply compare. But I can find beauty right where I am, regardless if it's my preference or not. I'm feeling a little sad and lost today, but I have to remember that no matter where I live, or what my circumstances are, I have purpose, right here, in my own town, at home and in my neighborhoods.

I adored the alleys of Athens, Crete and Santorini, but it's good to be home.


I am happy to come home to people that love me, and to a nice home, and good car. I am happy and appreciate being part of my country, more than I ever have or realized, after my time in Greece. I am grateful to have healthcare and a government that runs fairly fair, and that there is law and order here. Greece is lacking in this area a lot, and it saddened my heart but made me so thankful to be placed here. We honestly have it so good here it blows my mind. This isn't a political rant, I'm just saying out loud how good it is to be home--and expressing my thankfulness to have so much and have a home and be in a good functioning land, regardless of our own problems this country has.
I've always struggled with wanting to live somewhere else, and maybe someday I will. But for now I appreciate where I am and the people I have in my life.

 Saying goodbye one last time to Santorini


 The little pooch that lived at our hotel in Santorini, followed us all the way up the hundreds of steps to our taxi the day we left. The hotel manager said she's never done that before. This is her and I chillin as we wait for our transfer.


The famous steps that we walked for 3 days in Santorini, and one famous door, there are several several more to share. It was hard to say goodbye to such a town, and such a view. Our hotel manager said in the popular season, there are thousands of tourists on the sidewalks of Santorini lined up just to get pictures of the sunset. We had the place all to ourselves. With just the cruise ships alone they get up to 15,000 tourist a week, and that's the down season.


So no matter where you long to be on the map in this world, maybe stop and appreciate where you are placed for now, and what your purpose can be, and think about maybe why you were placed where you are. That's what I'm doing and my heart has a renewed gratefulness.

Appreciate your place on the map.




Comments

Lora said…
wow! so happy for you that you got to take such an amazing trip! :) i love all the photos - so beautiful! and can i just say, you are so lovely. :)
Wonderful to see that you made it home safe and sound! Beautiful pictures, thank you for sharing :)
p.s. Audrey Assad is one of my favorites!
Whim Wham Life said…
Dream trip! Traveling is so good for the soul:-) Coming back home is pretty nice too! xoxo
Unknown said…
Oh goodness! I'm so jealous right now! I can't wait to hear more!
... said…
Sorry you had to leave behind beautiful Greece but God has moved you on to the next step...and it is going to be a marvelous one at that! :)
beka said…
gorgeous.
and true about comparing here to europe...er, greece.
wow.
great post, my dear. ♥
Unknown said…
Glad you made it home safely, friend!
Praise God for a great trip!
Funmilayo said…
Yes, you do have a purpose!
And Greece? Wow, how amazing is that!
memory said…
what beautiful writing this is! i'm so encouraged. and i love the place that God has placed me. :)
you are SO lovely!
Kyla Makay said…
Your hair is so pretty. :) Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving lovely comments!
I am thrilled to have new blog friends!
I am not sure if you are following now, but thanks if you are- and if not- I hope you stop back by and change your mind. ;)
Makay
www.thebirdssay.blogspot.com
ashlyn | nicole said…
what an amazing trip!
love all the photos that you took to capture the special moments! -- happy tuesday!
Lublyou said…
oh wow! you had a very exciting trip! But, yeah, home sweet home - it is also super nice to be back!

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