I have dreamed of traveling internationally with my family for as long as I can remember. Even after having kids and realizing how much different travel would or could be, I desperately wanted to share the world with the people that mean the most to me. But for the longest time, it didn’t seem possible or at least anytime in the near future.
It took me 5 years after getting married just to travel, much less with kids.
So 2015, I went to Peru and Haiti with a friend to visit artisans. At the time, I had 2 children, Nora – 3 and Nate – 1. On one hand it was amazing to be doing something that filled my heart with joy and a feeling of home, but on the other hand, half my heart was so far away. And to put those 2 pieces together seemed like the only way I could feel whole again.
Have you ever felt that way?
Well, it finally happened! A friend mentioned that she was going to Antigua, Guatemala and that made my head start spinning with the possibilities. Antigua was a place that I had been before. It was more ‘westernized’, and most of the concerns that I have thought about weren’t an issue. Plus, we knew of people from the U.S. that ran a hostel near Antigua, and through that connection we were provided carseats and a pack n play for the week we would be there. Everything fell into place. Even my husband, who had originally said our kids needed to be at least 10, seemed to agree that we could do it.
I don’t know if you have ever traveled internationally, or if you have taken kids with you on those trips. But it was hard not to have a few fears. I have traveled to over 20+ countries, lived near extreme poverty, experienced things that most people my age haven’t even thought about, and I dream of living in Africa.
But, I still had fears.
It had been a couple years since my last trip. I interact daily with people who have never traveled out of the U.S. and many of whom thought I was crazy for even thinking about taking my 3 kids that were 6 years, 4 years, and 18 months. So, it was hard not to question my plan or fear the unknown. But, I also had a few friends that do travel and they travel with their kids. And they were encouraging and excited for us.
So, I stepped out in faith, feeling very strongly that Guatemala was the first place that God was leading us to experience as a family. And it was incredible.
Our kids had a lot of firsts on this Guatemala trip. 
- First time flying.
- First international destination.
- First time surrounded by people that spoke a different language.
- First time riding in a tuk tuk (all 5 of us crammed in together!).
- First time staying at a hostel.
But, I’m pretty confident that it won’t be the last time.
