What’s our Why?

Suzanne: When we were contemplating this trip, it was important for Mitch and me to determine why we were going to go and what our goals were. If I’m being honest, I just love new adventures and seeing the world and all its beauty. People fascinate me, and visiting other cultures is a great way to experience the differences we all have, while appreciating the similarities that are innate in humankind. I wonder on a daily basis what is going on in the world around me outside of Athens, Georgia. So, one reason we travel is to explore and live outside our bubble.

I think turning 40 also made me realize, this life is short. I want to live each day to the fullest and don’t want to wait until “retirement”, whatever that is, to travel extensively.

On a deeper level, our family loves to give back and serve others. Although most of our travel has been for pleasure, I realize that as much as I love sightseeing and eating my way through a new country, we can connect with people in a more meaningful way and build relationships if we volunteer where we visit. This isn’t a new concept (just Google “voluntourism” and thousands of results pop up), but I think it has to be a focal point of our round the world travel to make it worthwhile. Slowing down and staying somewhere to get to know people over weeks rather than days seems like the right thing to do.

 

Mitch: What’s my Why?  I think these images sum up my “Why” for this adventure around the world.

Beyond these quotes, I want to create lasting memories with my family.  We all have memories of childhood.  Some of my fondest memories of when I was 8 years old or there about were our family trips.  My parents were diligent about taking my brother and I to interesting places.  Those memories of the Smithsonian, Fredericksburg, The California Coast, the Spanish Galleon Museum in Key West and the LONG car rides to get to all these places are fond memories that I have as a child.  I want to make some of those memories with Luke and Suzanne.  I believe Luke will remember this trip forever.  Not everything we do, but for sure he will have some fantastic stories for the rest of his life from this family adventure.  I want Luke to eat crazy things,  meet interesting people, see a few of God’s amazing natural wonders.

Contrary to our Blog title, I am not sure I would say we are exactly in a “Rut”, but I might call it a “Comfortable Groove”.  We have a great life with great people around us with great jobs and live in a great place.  Our routine is quite enjoyable, but I have always said to Suzanne we must challenge each other to keep our lives interesting.  She has done that for our 15 years of marriage!  So this is another great opportunity for us to get out of that grove or comfort zone and challenge ourselves.

Beyond just adventures, I hope to give Luke new perspective on the world.  I want him to grow up with an open mind about people and places and hopefully encourage his curious spirit.  I think I need a reset on my perspective of the world.  I am excited to see the world not through the jaded 24 hour news channel perspective of the world that we are so inundated with.  I look forward to seeing the real world, not the one that Ted Turner and Rupert Murdock have decided to show us.

I also want to give my talents as a servant of God.  I have been so blessed in my life with everything and more than I need.  I hope we can serve others on this journey and see God’s glory around the world.  There are so many people in the world who have very little and I hope we can find great opportunities to serve others and have just a small impact on those that are less fortunate in this world.  This will definitely take us out of comfort zone but that is what we are meant to do.

Ultimately, I think John Steinbeck’s quote, says it best.  I believe this round the world journey will take us on an amazing adventure that creates priceless memories, strengthens our family bond, and gives us new perspective on the world we live in.

Luke: I want to go on this trip because I’m excited to see Australia and visit some friends in Melbourne. I get to work with the elephants at elephant camp in Thailand. I also have a friend in Kenya and his name is Richard. I’m going to see him because he’s my Nana’s orphan child that she works with at her church. I’ll get to go to school with him and live at the orphanage for a few weeks. I’m just excited to see the world!