Travel is Never Easy – Finding Rest in China

 

Travel is Never Easy – Finding Rest in China

I’m home from China. My daughter and I left on June 26^th, ready to meet the newest addition to our family. We left Colorado at 3:00 AM ready to take on the hot and humid China weather. By noon, we discovered our flight was delayed 12 hours due to crew issues. Shortly after that, our flight to Shanghai was canceled. In my experience travel is never easy, but this time it would prove to be patience-stretching.

Our flights were rebooked, but instead of leaving at 1:30 in the afternoon, we needed to wait till 1:30 the next morning for take-off.

What do you do for hours on end in a bustling airport??

As my hamstrings contracted in the airport seats, my mind focused on just getting to China and bringing my grandson home.

Our last flight finally touched down in Zhengzhou and off we went to immigration, fingerprinting, and baggage claim.

Our rocky start continued as we discovered our bags didn’t follow us to China. With the help of a translator, we made out the necessary paperwork to begin the search for our luggage. The trouble was I only had the clothes I was wearing. No toothbrush. No deodorant (I needed it after 45 hours of travel).#Travel is never easy! Our rocky start continued as we discovered our bags didn’t follow us to China. #LostLuggage Share on X

Packing Light

My idea of packing light got even lighter for next time because overseas travel is never easy. It will be carry-ons for me from now on.

It’s amazing what I can do without!!

I washed out my quick-dry clothes that night. My daughter had a small travel deodorant we shared for five days until my suitcase was found and delivered (Hers never arrived until the day before we left for home). She had packed all her clothes in her carry-on. Her missing suitcase had everything else she needed for my grandson, Isaiah. Medicines, outfits, diapers, toddler carrier, toys…So, we needed to go shopping.

I am usually up for shopping but shopping in another country is an experience. Travel is hard. Shopping is harder. Dealing with language, currency conversion, the warning to avoid drinking the water, being careful what we ate, plus creating a safe place for my grandson to get to know us, jet lag and fatigue added to our heightened alert every waking moment on the other side of the world.

By the time we were getting ready to come home, we joked that we only had a half-a-brain between us. Yet even the middle of our messy travel, we tried to keep our focus on the good things.

Travel is Never Easy So I Need to Stay Focused on the Positive

Delicious food. Great guides. Wonderful families that joined us. The precious boy we would bring home. And for God’s presence who orchestrated everything for us.

Getting a Break From the Bustle of Travel

When we had the chance, we took a taxi to Shamian Island where there is very little traffic and quiet, park-like pedestrian zones. Even though the heat followed us, the quieter pace of the island was refreshing. Trees, flowers, cobblestone walkways, and lovely statues; I wish I took more pictures. See more about this place here.

 

 

As I walked, I felt a bit more peaceful. The hurried pace was gone.

And then there was coffee. Imagine a Starbucks on an island in China—With air-conditioning too. That Mocha Java Chip tasted so good. Cold caffeine—what a combo!

Making the decision to step away from the crazy pace was a good one.

Yes, travel is not easy and neither is life. We may not contend with language and time zones every day, but life can throw some unexpected things that can cause us to wilt under the heat. This is why I need times when I can get away to a quieter place to pause and regroup.

#Travel is not easy and neither is life. We may not contend with language and time zones, but #life can throw unexpected things that cause us to wilt under the heat. #CalmTheChaos Share on X

This is exactly what the Pausing for R & R (Rest & Renewal) Retreat is all about. Stepping back and quieting the pace so I can hear myself think – and see God at work around me. And, every time I do, I wonder why I don’t do it more often. The transformation in my heart and soul is always amazing. I am refreshed and renewed for my next steps, whatever they may be.

The coast of Groton, Connecticut might just be YOUR Shamian Island. I would love for you to join me there. I expect wonderful things as we gather by the shore for a few days and have the opportunity to listen to God’s heart.

The coast of Groton, Connecticut might just be YOUR Shamian Island. #WomensRetreat #Pausing Share on X

Find out more about the retreat.

It’s coming up soon – September 12-15, 2019. And there is a place for you.

It’s Always Good to Get Home

After being gone for over three weeks, my bags are unpacked. And my heart is full of all that God did in China.

What’s going on in your world right now? Do you need a few moments to seek God and His perspective? Join me in September…or plan to get away to get some much-needed rest on your own. Jesus did.

Pondering all of these things,

Jeanne

 

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