Finding freedom in europe

My adventure in Europe came about when a dear friend of mine told me of her intentions to take a once-in-a-lifetime European vacation and asked me to come along. Initially, I thought “there is no way on God’s green earth that it’ll happen” but God did make it happen. He provided the funds, provided the time off, and provided three fabulous roommates to watch the house and water the plants while I’m gone. (Yes, I have plants. Yes, I have multiple plants. And yes, they are still alive. Somehow they are multiplying. I started out with one bromeliad and now I have three. I’m not quite sure how this happened but it did, and I haven’t killed them yet.) But back to my story…

Despite my initial doubts, this trip did happen and right now I’m sitting in a hotel in London, having just finished a brie/tomato/basil sandwich (because I’ve been eyeing them since Day One in Paris).  Chelsea and I just got off Skype with Melssa Love in West Sussex to discuss the final details of our Jane Austen themed photo shoot that will take place on Monday. Amazing!

And not only did God provide me with the means to take this trip and the opportunities to be involved in a huge stylized shoot while on this trip, but also the freedom to just live. It’s a feeling I haven’t known in a long time. There are stresses at home, bills to be paid, work to do, etc. etc. etc. But I decided before I got on that plane for Paris that over the next 11 days I would allow myself to live fully. I would go shopping and spend money on things that I wanted but didn’t really need. I would stay up late and sleep in, take naps when I was tired, and do it all over again the next day. I would see as much or as little of Paris, London, and Wales that I wanted to and not let anyone tell me that I should’ve seen this or that. And I would eat – brie and tomato sandwiches, french cheeses and wine, macaroons and croissants, and not feel bad about one bite.

Although all good things come to an end and I know that when I get home it’ll be back to counting calories and budgeting, for now it is so nice just to live, and live fully and freely.