Travel tips from a disorganised over-planner.

_{Travel tips from a disorganised over-planner.}

_{I'm not sure how I project myself to friends and acquaintances, I do hope it's the way I picture to be in the future.}

_{Someone with creativity and drive pouring out of her finger tips. An immaculate house without a speck of dust and no dead flies lying behind tv cabinets. Someone who always puts housework before TV and has an organised linen cupboard. Someone who folds her undies and has completed 15 tasks before dawn. Clearly when I talk about the future I’m talking about a utopian paradise because let’s face it, I’m a hot mess at the best of times. Interestingly (or weirdly) enough, however, I do fold my undies.}

_{There is one thing I can pride myself on though. I am a brilliant holiday planner. In fact I am the ultimate over-planner.} 

_{Holiday planning combines three of my most favourite things:}

_{·          Dreaming}

_{·          Spending money} 

_{·          Pinteresting}

_{I recently got back from an equal parts glorious and exhausting holiday through the UK and France. It was a bucket list trip that made me glow from head to toe. I thought I would share some of my tips and lessons for big adventure travelling that I trialled along the way.}  

_{1.                Packing cubes. These little scraps of netting and zips are worth their weight in gold. In fact, they weigh hardly anything so I would suggest they are worth far more! They are basically little pouches or square shaped net cubes that hold sections of your clothing together. You can pack your clothes in sections and then when you are whipping through your suitcase to find your favourite summer dresses not everything flies everywhere.}

_{2.                Laundry bags. I purchased a pack of 3 from IKEA for a good price. I use this as my washing bag. Ain’t nothing worse than dirty old clothes mixed with new. Also, it means you can quickly throw everything in the wash when you find a laundromat or when you finally get home.}

_{3.                Don't buy the tickets to everything before you go. This over planner did this and then had to rush from one town to another to make sure we made the most of our money and didn’t waste tickets. The savings of 10% ain’t worth the headache. Do however read up on the places you want to see and find out the prices before you go. My silly over-planning brain didn't check the tickets for Lyme Park House and didn't realise until it was too late that it would be closed on the day we were driving past. So sad to say I have, as yet, not seen that famous Mr Darcy in a white shirt lake.}  

_{4.                Be a freebie scab! Every town we went had free walking tours. They were amazing. We learnt about architecture and the great historical moments that happened right where we stood. We went on a ghost tour in Edinburgh and learnt about the terrible and gory past of witch trials and cannibalistic imbeciles. Sometimes the tour guides ask for a tip but it’s really so worth the time spent. We also found so many free and open museums in London with incredible artefacts and famous art works (Van Gogh, ever heard of him?)}

   Free giant sauce packets whaaat?

                                   Free walking Tour in Bath

_{5.                Wear good shoes. I failed here majorly. I ended up with blisters, a sore knee and aching feet because all my shoes are basically novelty shoes. Invest in a pair of boots for anywhere cold (that includes most of England in summer) and supportive sandals for hot places. Mum leant me a pair of crocks that don’t look like crocs and they were heaven until I broke them because they were a bit too tight, sorry Mum.  Also, sorry to the high fashion community that religiously follows my blogs for tips and tricks. I’ve crossed the line from fashion to comfort by recommending Crocs.} 

_{6.                Trust no one that approaches you. If you have ever been shopping with me then you will know that nothing makes my walls come up quite like a someone approaching me to sell me something. Nothing! Times this by a million if I suspect you are a street hustler. I am the Berlin Wall! Nothing is getting past me!}

_{If they are in a tourist area the straight up rule is that they want your money. They want to sell you something, con you out of something or pick your pocket. This is my hard and fast cynical rule for any form of street hustler. Nobody is giving you a free CD. Nobody is giving you a free friendship bracelet, nobody is getting you to sign a free petition and they probably aren’t actually deaf. If they have a talent and you stop and watch then give them some coin (from a separate bag that doesn’t have all your cash). If they are trying to trick you out of money then they deserve to be firmly told no, very very firmly. They are trying to hustle you, you don’t have to be nice. Girls I’m talking to you. you don’t need to be polite!}

_{I had a moment in front of the Eiffel Tower where someone tried to sell me over priced key chains, someone tried to con me with a friendship bracelet, someone tried to make me a sign a petition that states I will give them money then someone tried to pick pocket me all within a space of ten minutes. Oh man, the dressing down those young men got, let’s just say they were reconsidering their career pathways when I was free!}

_{7.                Eat cheap, experience hard. I mean it’s simple really. You can eat just as well on the streets as in the restaurants. Local street food is always the best food plus you pay local prices. Also, it's the best place to buy ice cream.
      Mum and I would often share lunch and agree to go back for more if we needed it. We did this a lot in Paris where we could share a delicious baguette filled with amazing meats, cheeses and salads.}

_{Eating the worlds best salted caramel ice cream in front of the Prince Albert Memorial}

_{Pay for the events that are going to be massive life highlights. You paid a lot to get there so make the milestone moments last. We took open top bus tours with live commentary, we went to West End Twice to see musicals, we toured famous houses and gardens and it was worth every pound/euro spent. The food, well that was just eaten.}

_{Bus tour in Edinburgh}

Bus tour in London 

Boat Tour in Paris

_{8.                Take photos and videos of the funny things not just the arty things. You will forget the silly little moments, the signs, the people. Capture that. The moment we were approached by a busking dog, The Gypsy singing on the train for tips. The steep fall of the escalator of the Underground while buskers played music. . The teenager who had climbed to the top of a famous monument to do a tap dance.} 

_{9.                Take memory moments. When you have taken a couple of photos of the thing you have come all the way to see, make sure you see it. Put your phone away and take photos with your memory camera. Take in the sights, smells, people, conversation, sounds. Catalogue them, be amazed by the fact that you are there in that space in time.}

_{10.           Prepare to bring up conversations starting with “when I was in London” and prepare for absolutely no one to give a rat’s arse about your trip. This is your adventure, not theirs. Don’t let this stop you however, you just went on a massive trip and you have now come back better than 95% of the people you associate with, it’s important they recognise this.}

The Worst Cat in the World

The worst cat in the world. 

This is not a post for animal lovers. As a former pro-cat ambassador I can tell you that I am now pro-choice.... the choice being to love or hate them at your own discretion. 

About 6 months ago my life took a different turn then I had ever taken before. 

After 33 years of living with other people in the house, I was finally getting a house to myself. 

My housemate had decided to move away for work and I started making plans about this new chapter of adulthood. 

As I pictured my house with nobody but me abiding in it, I imagined it to be a mixture of sadness and happiness. While I was excited for the freedom, I worried that I would turn into a hermit or a hoarder without the accountability of someone being there to judge me. I also worried that I would die alone and be found half eaten by Alsatians a month later. But mostly I worried that I would have nobody to talk to. 

I imagined my life coming home from work and I needed something to greet me. I needed something to curl up next to me at night and I needed something to take care of. With no boyfriends on the horizon, I settled on the addition of a furry animal. 

This is what lead me to make a terrible life decision and learn a big fat life lesson. 

I researched and researched and saved my pennies and a week after my housemate had made the big move, I was ready. I had found the breed of cat I wanted to buy, I had decided against adopting from an animal haven (save your judgement, I got my comeuppance don't you worry) and I was ready. However, it was proving to be a very difficult task. I began to get obsessed with finding this perfect animal. 

Every breeder had sold out, lived miles away or didn't reply and I was getting frustrated. How can I have this perfect little single life in my perfect little cottage without my purrfect fur ball kitten? 

So, I stood in church on a Thursday night church meeting and while everyone was praying for their family, their jobs, their health, I'm ashamed to say, I prayed for a kitten. The scary thing about this was that God responded. And in a big way, what not in the way I expected. 

"I don't want you to have one," he said as clear as day. 

He gave me a reason why (which I am still working through and may tell you one day, dear friend, but not today) suffice to say, I was not happy! 

"Okay," I said. 

The same way I would say okay to my mum when she wanted me to clean my room growing up. I had every intention of obeying unless a better option came along. 

Another option came along very quickly. The very next day at 3.30pm I received an email. Someone who I had emailed weeks ago had a kitten ready for me. I finished my work day, rushed down to the pet store, bought a truck load of cat "essentials", and travelled over an hour drive to pick up my new little mate. 

The Sweet Harmless little thing

The whole way there I blared loud music and ignored any inner dialogue that was knocking at the door questioning my decision. The whole way back, with my new kitten on board, I had a rock weight in my stomach. 

“Desire without knowledge is not good— how much more will hasty feet miss the way!”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I had rushed into this decision with hasty feet. I knew what I wanted and I wasn't going to let anything stand in my way. I was going against the knowledge I had been given. I knew in my guts it was wrong.

The cat, a little boy kitten called Harvey was a cute little ball of terror. He was aggressive, possessive, anxious and destructive. He fretted when I left the house and showed me by weeing on my furnishings when I got home. The worst thing, however, wasn't his behaviour but my intense and prolonged allergies to him. 

Harvey's True Nature

If anyone asked me about how it was going I'm pretty sure I lied straight to their face. How could I tell them I didn't want to go home, that I regretted the whole thing? I was pro-cat, but this thing was satan's spawn. 

Long story short, 4 weeks later, with scratches up my arms, a severe cough and sinus issues and urine soaked furnishings on the kerb side, I placed a gumtree advert for the little menace and re-homed the kitten to a lovely couple. I still carried my residual allergy symptoms on 3 weeks later. 

I learnt a huge lesson those few weeks, a lesson that I hope to carry through for the rest of my life. To listen and obey. 

“Jesus replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I count my blessings that my life lesson could be taught with the example of a kitten rather then something far more serious. I could have kept the cat, life would have gone on, but the truth was evidently clear. Blessing abound for those who listen and obey.

I would like to think that this was a lesson put in place so that the next time I hear the voice to stop that I do and prevent something far more damaging from happening in my life.

I heard it said the other day. 

"Go as if life is giving you the green light but be on the look out for the red!" 

When you chose to be a believer and put your life in God's hands you need to go but you also need to listen. Just because you think something is right for you, doesn't mean it is. 

For those who are wondering, I am loving this home situation sans-pet. I have found that life has become very peaceful and quiet. I have ensure I have stayed in touch with friends but I also enjoy my time of serenity. This season is sweet, rewarding and blessed. And who knows what is in store just around the corner... I just have to go and obey! 

Have you ever had the red light moment with God and went for is anyway? What does that red light look like or feel like to you? For me it is a rock in the stomach and deep knowing that it isn't right. 

Maybe you are going though something similar right now. It's never too late to stop and figure out what it is. Sometimes your breakthrough is waiting at the crossroads of the last thing God directed you to do. Maybe it's time to back track and realign with God's plans that he has for you. It's never too late to fix it all up. (You might just have to throw away a few soiled cushions). 

Xxx 

Shannon

The Godliness of Singlehood

The Godliness of Singlehood

When I was in youth group in the 90’s and early 2000’s, there was common thread amongst visiting preachers. They would always show photos of their wives and declare to the group how hot she was

“Isn’t my wife smokin’?”

“Damn girl you fine!”

 “My wife is H.O.T.T hot!!”

These were just some of the statements from the pulpit. While they were just possibly trying to complement their wives, sitting proudly in the front row, they were saying so much more.

They were also sending a message to the rest of the audience. Quite without meaning to, they were helping to create a culture and perpetuate the myths that have long been upheld in our modern day church culture. 

1.       That the ultimate goal in life is marriage. 

2.       That the value in a woman is not how kind, caring, godly, holy or funny she is… its how they look

3.       A hot wife is a reward to a Christian man for being holy (and it’s a status symbol, much like a Ferrari is)

In the secular world, the very same message had already been preached for years. You are not really loved unless someone of the opposite sex has declared it so. Pretty people deserve more love. Your ultimate goal is to find romantic love and then you will be validated.

In the 1950’s up to 80% of all adults were married. (That means people between the ages of 18 and dead) . Now we sit at a very different figure, only 50% of all adults are married at this moment in time. Why? We are marrying later, we are not married, we are getting divorced, or we are widows. With Hollywood, our Baby Boomer parents and society still preaching that marriage is the path to success and happiness, are 50% of people not living up to their potential as one part of a whole? How can we reconcile what is really our cultural views and what is God’s views on our single state?

Singleness is a gift.

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul writes these words.

Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me—a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.

1 Corinthians 7:7

We seem to have this the other way round. The "curse" of singlehood follows us around, we are asked to come up with reasons as to why were are not married. We are a concern or disappointment to those who care. We are whispered words of advise as to how we can snag a partner. We are taught to fix our "problem".

Single life is a gift, just as married life is a gift. We are in a place of blessing and reward. There are benefits to being single, there are benefits to being married, but the message is clear, either way, your life is a gift. In fact, Paul goes so far as to promote singledom it as the “simpler” way of living, Not that we are comparing.

Your marriage status does not define you

And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.

God, not your marital status, defines your life.

1 Corinthians 7:17

Wow! Just wow! The scripture clearly states that your left ring finger doesn’t define who you are. How you LIVE, How you OBEY, how you LOVE and how you BELIEVE is the essence of who you are. Marital status is just who you live with.

Paul encourages us to live in the moment right where we are. He encourages us to obey the call of God in and on our lives. We shouldn’t be so intent on the distractions of romantic love that we fail to hear the father’s love that calls to us. To listen to him and follow him is truly where our rewards and blessing lie. He pushes us to love other, not a romantic love but a love of friendship for each other that causes us to protect and give and cherish. And lastly, he encourages us to believe. To believe for what? That God’s got it, that he knows the desires of our hearts, that he knows what we need, what we crave, what is good for us.

Stop complicating it

 I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don’t complicate your lives unnecessarily.

Keep it simple—in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out. 1 Corinthians 7: 29

Today I went to a big event for my church. I arrived myself, sat by myself and felt quite sorry for myself. When everyone is busy and the place is crowded, it is easy for a singleton to feel a little lonely. After the service, I received messages from some different couples about lunch. It was so amazing to feel wanted and loved. It was also really cool to just hang with super normal people who happen to be married.

Afterwards I drove home feeling great and lifted up. How simple it all is, I thought. They found someone they liked and then they married them and now they hang out together, sometimes alone, sometimes in groups. It’s not complicated, they don’t run around lamenting about the big drama that marriage is, they don't play silly games with each other designed to win or lose.  They focus on living and living well.

Like wise in my home life in my work life and in my friendships I am trying to live simply. I am trying to take out the complications of drama and my rights and the "unfair" patterns of life. its about decluttering my life and living well.

Nobody is better than the other.

Marriage is spiritually and morally right and not inferior to singleness in any way, although as I indicated earlier, because of the times we live in, I do have pastoral reasons for encouraging singleness.

1 Corinthians 17:38

Nobody has “won” because they got married. Nobody is ‘holier” because they have waited. We’re on the same level. It’s some time easy for a single person to think that they are not “good enough” and that’s why they have remained single. But maybe, you are actually doing fine. Maybe it is about more than all of that. Maybe it’s about so much more.

So what should we do? Let’s live our lives for this moment right now. Let’s live a simple life. lets live a life dedicated to God's true purpose for our lives.

He knows your heart

Finally, and I feel I need to say this because it speaks to our deepest fear as a single person who wants to find love. Just because you are single now doesn't mean it is where you will always be.

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways

Psalm 37:3

 God has got you. He knows what you ache for. He knows how hard it is to be the "forever single". He knows how you feel so lonely when you are in a crowded place. He knows how you lie in bed and wish for someone to hold. How you have secrets you don't feel safe revealing to anybody, how you wish for a confidant.

God knows the desires of your heart. He wants to give them to you. He isn't withholding from you. He isn't punishing you because you are not enough. You need to know that he sees you. Take delight in God, in where he has placed in front of you right now. Enjoy the "safe pasture" of your life right where you are right now. Your dawn is coming. Be still and do good.

xxx

Shannon