home.

Recently, I stumbled across this article.

Before I get too far this post, let me just say that for the record...I am not hating on traveling.   I think traveling is an incredible experience.  However, you can still grow and find yourself while your feet are firmly planted on the soil of your own country.  After all, it's where you live.  You might as well make the most of it.  

I haven't been on too many big trips.  I went to Costa Rica when I was in middle school.  It was incredible.  It was so neat so see a culture I hadn't experienced.  To see how people lived in a different country.  It was definitely eye opening.

I know several people that have had once in a lifetime opportunities that included foreign countries.  I think that is great.

As for me, I have grown the most right here in the United States of America.

I think of Wisconsin.  Where I was born and lived for only a few short years, but some of our dearest family friends are still there, and we visit them often.  I think of summer memories at our family cabin filled with friends and family.

I think of Minnesota.  Where I call home.  Where my parents live. Where I look forward to visiting on vacation.  I think of high school, and all of the fun and dumb times that came with it.  I think of friends who have come and gone and friends who have come and stayed.

I think of Idaho.  The home to my alma mater.  Endless classes and homework.  Opportunities to learn and grow.  The first time I really left home.

I think of Virginia.  Where I put my life on hold to go for 18 months to teach others about the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.  I think of the people I met and loved.  I think of some of the greatest people I have ever met, and how you truly never know what people are going through.

I think of Utah.  Where I never imagined in my wildest dreams I would ever find myself living.  Yet I love it.  I think of some of the best people I have ever met and how fortunate I feel to call them friends.  I think of my first real job and learning how to budget and pay real bills.

I love this country, rich with culture and experience that I get to live in.

So when you travel, love every minute of it.  Grow and learn from it.  But don't sell your own country short.  We have so much to learn from where we call home.

ps.  two posts in one moth has happened since I don't even know when.