Our Grand Adventure
In March 2022, my husband Chad and I embarked on a year-long, cross-country roadtrip with our 19′ travel trailer and four pets. We camped in 36 states so Chad could tour 160 colleges and universities as part of his growing consulting business, Apex College Services. From coast to coast and corner to corner, we set up camp in state parks, KOA’s and occasionally in Walmart parking lots. The dogs loved exploring new places, and even the cats got a little outside time!
(Sunny was happy wherever we camped… as long as she could play ball! And Gus enjoyed soaking up the sun whenever he could) BVS©
A Spiritual Quest
In early 2022, as plans for our big trip began to take shape, I knew I wanted to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime year on the road. I had been wrestling with my faith for years and lately had been unsettled in my spirit and longing for a deeper connection with God. Now in front of me was presented a gift: a year to spend searching, praying and reading with the goal of growing closer to God and answering my deepest longings. I determined that along our travels I would visit Christian monasteries across the country. I got out my oversized spiral-bound atlas, and started plotting my quest, state by state. By the end of our trip I was blessed to see over 50 monasteries and sacred sites, roughly half Catholic and half Eastern Orthodox, and to personally tour a good number of them.
Why monasteries? What was I looking for, and what did I find? I’ll be sharing my journey on this blog and in my forthcoming book, ‘Blessed Are The Stubborn’. I’d love to share the journey with you and anyone else who is wrestling with their faith but refusing to give up.
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Garden of Nectarios 