The Modern Nomads

One Family's Journey

Tag: bucket list

Fulfilling a Childhood Dream

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On August 4, 2018

In Walker Epic Roadtrip 2018

As a young boy, I remember falling in love with the game of football, especially college football. Some of my fondest childhood memories was going to Louisiana Tech football games with my dad and playing Nerf football in the backyard with my brother and all my friends. During the 80’s, three college teams stand out in my memory: Florida State University (coached by Bobby Bowden), Notre Dame (coached by Lou Holtz), and the University of Michigan (coached by Lloyd Carr). With Notre Dame winning a National Championship in 1988, they solidified their place as #1 in this young boy’s mind. I frequently wore Notre Dame T-shirts, baseball caps, and many Saturdays you could find me watching them play their games on NBC. 

Several months ago, as we were planning our travel route for the sabbatical, I realized we would be driving through the Detroit and Chicago area on our way to Nebraska. I made the request to Amanda that, if possible, I would like to see Notre Dame since South Bend, Indiana was on our route. She was, of course, more than excited to take this quick detour to visit one of my favorite universities (and football stadiums). The night before our trip from Detroit to Davenport, Iowa I realized the location of our hotel would also have us driving through Ann Arbor, Michigan. So, we decided to wake up a little early to visit both the University of Michigan AND Notre Dame! 

University of Michigan

Notre Dame football stadium

It was surreal to visit both of these iconic stadiums on the same day. This was compounded by the fact that I had not seen either of them before. While I wasn’t allowed to walk onto the field at either stadium, we did get the kiddos out at Notre Dame and spent 30 minutes walking around the campus. It was pretty special to see the various famous places on campus, such as the Touchdown Jesus mural painted on the side of the library that faces the stadium, statues of past coaches and players (Knute Rockne and Lou Holtz), and the plaques and banners on the campus that display Notre Dame’s rich tradition. It was also neat to hold my young son’s hand as we walked hand-in-hand to the stadium. I know that my young children didn’t fully grasp where they were or what they were seeing, but one day, we can show them pictures and tell them stories about the day we visited Notre Dame’s beautiful campus.    

Touchdown Jesus mural

Walking hand-in-hand with Aaron on Notre Dame campus 🙂

TOUCHDOWN!

The Majesty of God

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On August 2, 2018

In Walker Epic Roadtrip 2018

The last few days have been busy for the Modern Nomads. Monday, Chris and I were able to complete something that has been on both of our bucket lists…Niagara Falls. I’ve seen pictures, watched videos, and heard people talk about this amazing wonder. But, nothing can prepare you for its beauty. 

When approaching the Falls, you can’t tell there is beauty lying just around the corner. The only thing that gives it away is the carnival type atmosphere peppering the city. (Side note: I understand the ambition to make money, but I was a little shocked at the extent of the games, lights, billboards, and “tourist junk” in this small town. So, if you decide to go, be prepared to have more of a Vegan/Branson/Pigeon Forge feel to the actual town. OK…back to the Falls.) 

Chris booked lunch at the lookout tower, which was absolutely amazing. The restaurant rotates 360 degrees during the hour you are there, and gives you an absolutely spectacular view of the Falls. From that vantage point, you get to see the magnitude of God’s creation. It’s so cool to see the Niagara River split to make this awesome site. I loved experiencing it from the ground level (more about that in a minute), but having a bird’s eye view is something I will never forget. Even now, looking back on this experience, the English language doesn’t possess the adequate vocabulary to describe this majestic display of God’s glory. I cannot fathom how someone could see what we saw, experience the power of the Falls, and then still deny the existence of a Creator. Furthermore, what’s even more amazing is this same Creator God loves us, is personally involved with each of our lives, and sent His Son in order that we might be reconciled back to Him. WOW!!

Chris and Hannah Boo at the top of Niagara Falls

The Modern Nomads

 After the view from the top, Chris dropped me off to walk along the river to get pictures from the ground level. Some words to try to explain what I felt: Amazing! Spectacular! Powerful! Beautiful! Massive! Awesome! I literally walked from almost one end of the bridge to the place where the river pools before it becomes the Falls. OH MY! At one point, I thought it was raining but realized it was just the mist coming off the Falls. It was cool to see the smaller American Falls next to the Horseshoe Falls. The amount of water spilling over the rocks into the river below was fascinating. Standing next to the Falls, you realize just how small you are and how BIG God is. 

The American Falls

The Horseshoe Falls

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Clink on link to see the Falls.

I’m so thankful and humbled that I serve a God who creates massive beauty like Niagara Falls, yet He is intimately involved and cares about every detail of my life. I think this is one of the lessons He has been trying to teach me this summer. As I mentioned in the last post, I’ve struggled with wondering if God sees me and is interested in the mundane of my life. Over and over this summer, He has screamed YES!!  to me. It definitely hasn’t been an audible voice, but it’s been in the crashing of the waves at Schoodic Point, in the sound of the tide  daily coming in and going out, and in the thunder of the water falling over the rocks at Niagara Falls. What a blessing it’s been to experience this with my sweet family!

We left Canada and entered back into the United States with a tired but full heart. This was only compounded by the opportunity to spend an evening with one of our former co-workers, Jon and his wife Marla. They serve in the Detroit area and minister to the churches there. They are always an encouragement to us, and though our time with them was shorter than expected (Hannah ended up getting sick Monday evening), it was a blessing to be with them. Jon and Chris talk regularly, and we have been able to pray for them and their ministry. It was fun to put a “face” to some of those prayers. I would ask that you also pray fro Jon and Marla as they serve in a very difficult area. Pray for strength and wisdom as they minister to hurting churches. Pray for discernment for Jon as he seeks to give them Godly council on what courses of action the pastors should take. And, pray for people to come alongside them to share in the responsibility. God is working and doing some great things in the greater Detroit area, and Jon and Marla are on the frontlines. 

Jon Beard with the Modern Nomads

Today we left Michigan and are headed west. Be looking for a blog written by my sweet man about one of his boyhood dreams coming true. I can’t wait for him to share it…

Pictures of Prince Edward Island

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On July 13, 2018

In Walker Epic Roadtrip 2018

I wasn’t able to post pictures earlier in the week because we had a bad internet connection. My prayer is you will enjoy a little glimpse into one of the prettiest places God created. I loved touring around and seeing a place that only existed in my dreams. And…there was something sweet in realizing that you are never too old to get excited about your own dreams coming true.

Anne’s room look out over her beloved cherry tree

It’s Anne coming up from the field

Anne with my girls 🙂

Green Gables…Isn’t it stunning?!

Aaron LOVED Matthew’s carriage

Kinded Spirits

A Morning at Green Gables

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On July 11, 2018

In Walker Epic Roadtrip 2018

Today was absolutely divine! (Said in my best Anne Shirley accent 🙂 ) This morning I got to spend a day at Green Gables. The moment I walked onto the site, I was a little girl again. Chris let me go a little ahead of them, and thank goodness. The minute I got a glimpse of Green Gables my heart swelled with tears. I was finally here! 

I have dreamed of walking where Anne and Diana played, laughed, and got into mischief, and today it became a reality. As I walked up the side of the house, I could almost picture Matthew coming in from a long day’s work. The cherry tree that drew Anne in with its brilliant blooms was perched exactly where it ought to be. Marilla’s kitchen was completely spotless with her apron hung appropriately outside the door. And, Anne’s room was just as I imagined…plain but with a simple elegance. 

Then…the BEST part of today happened. As I was coming out the side door, Anne literally walked up, through the pasture, and into the yard. Oh, I know it was only a sweet gal playing the part, but today I didn’t care. I introduced myself, my girls, and carried on with her as if we were kindred spirits. Normally, I am pretty sensible and reserved in my emotions. But…not today. Today was a day for childhood dreams to become a reality, and I was determined to enjoy every moment. Soon after meeting Anne, we saw Diana and later Gilbert. As they watched the actors interact with each other, my girls got to “experience” a pure, sweet friendship that I hope they will always remember. Anne and Diana would chat, tell each other secrets, and stop to snicker as people passed. 

As I watched them, I was reminded of the kindred spirits God has given me in my nearly 40 years. In every season of life, He has provided at least one person I could walk alongside. Today, I thought through those friendships and thanked my Good Father for giving them to me. I’ve toured the world with some of them. I’ve laughed myself silly with some, and I’ve grown closer to Christ because of all of them. Anne used to say: “Kindred spirits are not as scarce as I once thought them to be.” And, I couldn’t agree more! I’m thankful I was reminded of that and hope I don’t forget it.

My morning at Green Gables will go down as one of the highlights of my life. The only thing better…experiencing it with my mom next week when my parents come to visit.

Until next weekend…

PS: I’ll post more pictures tomorrow when out internet connection is better. 🙂

Welcome to Green Gables

Meeting Anne with an E

By

On July 10, 2018

In Walker Epic Roadtrip 2018

It’s super late here, but I can’t go to sleep without sharing the wonderfulness of this day! THIS day… Since I was my girls’ age, it has been a dream in the making. Today, I left the United States, crossed over the border into Canada, and then crossed over a loooong bridge into PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND!! EEEEK!!! 

If you have known me for any length of time, you know it has been a dream of mine to see the place where Anne with an E “lived.” I’ve longed to see the rolling hills, Lake of Shining Waters, White Way of Delight, and, of course, Green Gables. Though I will have to wait until tomorrow to see most of this, tonight, I got to meet and “see” Anne with an E.

Chris bought me, Cindy, and the girls tickets to the Anne of Green Gables Musical, and it was everything (and more) that I hoped it would be. The girl who played Anne embodied the red-headed orphan girl tremendously. There were times when I got so caught up in the story that I forgot it wasn’t “real.” But, then again, it WAS real. In a very real sense, I was actually sitting IN a theatre, in Prince Edward Island, and seeing the play that sparked my imagination so many years ago. You see, it was through Anne that my love of English, and words, and speaking began to take root. It was Anne who reminded me that asking questions was perfectly acceptable. It was Anne who taught me that no matter how bad today was, “tomorrow is fresh with no mistakes in it.” And, it was Anne who taught me that “being smart was better than being beautiful.” 

The story of Anne has been part of my childhood, and now it is part of my girls’. We’ve been reading the books for weeks, and I introduced them to the movies as soon as I thought it was appropriate. They have fallen in love with Anne’s story just as much as I have, and tonight it was an absolute dream to be with them watching the story that changed my life.  

Furthermore, we got the surprise of our lives. As we were leaving the theatre, Anne popped out of the dressing room. Oh! What a joy and a delight to meet Anne with an E! No…she wasn’t in costume, but it didn’t really matter to me (or the girls). For one moment, I was back as a seven-year old little girl and meeting my hero. (Even now the computer keys have become blurry from the tears of joy!) Tonight was definitely a night I will always remember. 

In moments like these, I’m reminded of the love our Heavenly Father has for us. He allows little moments of pure, raw, unadulterated happiness to sweep over us. Sometimes He allows us to “meet” our childhood heroes. And, all the time, He reminds me that all of life is nothing more than pure grace. 

Tomorrow I get to explore this beautiful island, and I can’t wait to share it with you. But, for now, I sleep (or, at least try to sleep). 

Meet Anne with an E

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