BY: MEGAN DRAKE and JORDYN FERRARO

Like all adventures, ours has had plenty of ups and downs, but nothing has quite compared to this one. To say we have bad luck with trains would be anunderstatement. But with trains as our main means of transportation during our time in Europe, it makes for some interesting stories… Like getting kicked off.

The day started earlier than we would have liked, early trains often leave us rolling out of bed, tidying up to check out, and zombie walking to the nearest cafe for an Americano. Luckily, we didn’t have to go too far before finding some take-away’s, and the famous Nutella croissant, to get our morning going. After carefully walking our open take-away cups up the hill to the train station, we arrived slightly disheveled but joyful awaiting our train to go to the south of France. Ironically, we kept talking about what a great morning & easy day we would have. We were loaded with snacks, fueled with caffeine, and ready to conquer the three train rides that would get us to Nice.

But as quickly as the coffee brightened our mornings, the bad luck on trains clouded it. We got on the train, proudly finding the one that our Eurail allowed us to ride for free. After settling in & talking about the great day ahead, the conductor comes to check our tickets. We confidently show him our Eurails, like we’ve done many times in the last month, to find out that despite what we were told, this train does need reservations and we would have to pay double the original price.

After a few minutes of “discussing” the situation, we broke down, payed the fee, and he went happily on his way. It was at this moment, Megan made the vow to never pay these fees again if a similar situation were to arise…

Well, after arriving at the next station we decided to check again to avoid any more unexpected fees. We went to the ticket counter, showed our Eurails and when we were told we could ride the trains all the way to Nice, we jumped right onto the next train. Ready to settle into the 3 hour ride, securely knowing we wouldn’t be fined and ready to redeem the day after the morning – especially as we began chatting with the grandson-grandpa adventurers sitting next to us. Just as we joked in conversation about our bad luck, the conductor comes around to check tickets. Per usual, we pull out our Eurails – expecting him to check and be on his way. Instead, he looked at Nicole’s and gave her the nod of approval, but then turned to us and told us our passes we’re not valid.

After the last month of using them, we were told they were not validated properly(because activating them in Greece doesn’t count, according to this Italian man)and we would have to pay a pretty penny to make it to Nice. Keeping in line with the vow made earlier in the morning, we refused to pay – leading to a long thirty minute argument as to why our passes didn’t work and that they were, in fact, valid. Neither of us were ready to back down and the conductor was not about to either, so it was then that he decided he’d had enough of us & kicked us off the train. Stranding us in a small Italian town, where all local shops were closed & the bathroom was a hole in the ground.

Almost instantly after stepping off the train we broke down, it was a mix of bursts of laughter and uncontrollable tears out of frustration and amazement at what just happened. After a couple minutes of fuming with anger, letting go of tears, laughing through the situation, and a few prayers for grace, we knew there was nothing different we could have done. It happened, and it made the day a much grander adventure than we anticipated. And ultimately, we made it safely, only a few hours later than planned – ready to experience all Nice has to offer. And we must say, the baguettes we consumed had never tasted so good.
It is in times like these where you have to stand your ground with grace, it’s such an oxymoron and we are still trying to figure out what that looks like. Although we must admit we were ready to get as ungrateful as we travel with this conductor and tell him where he could go shove it, we were reminded that’s not how God wants us to handle those situations.

​We are imperfectly learning how to live life in the way God wants us too, asking and thanking Him for plenty of grace along the way. In that moment of getting kicked off the train, and many times during this trip, laughter has been such a blessing. The ability to laugh at circumstances and not take ourselves so seriously gets us through bumps like these. It’s all about the journey, we play a role in God’s Divine agenda, but by no means does the weight of changing the world rest on us. We are not God, only He can change the world. We are privileged to be able to walk along side His global purpose, both during this trip and in our everyday lives. And we must say, this perspective brings so much freedom as we can laugh through the bumps in the road and know we are not carrying this load on our own as we walk with God.

So here’s to the unexpected adventures, the laughing through the tears, & the time spent alongside the train tracks. May we be able to handle them with grace and radiate Christ through any situation.

BY: MEGAN DRAKE AND JORDYN FERRARO

We are just going to come right out and say it, the glamour is gone. The glamour of traveling Europe has left us alone with the reality of long travel days, the difficulty of a new culture & language every few days, and a few run ins with abrupt people.
We have past the one month mark of being on the go, but it was an even greater milestone because it was by far the most hectic part of our trip. Bouncing from Greece to Italy to Croatia & back by trains, buses, and boats (and the many hours spent on each of those) we discovered the not so glamorous side of traveling.

The heat, by no surprise, is playing a big part as our already limited wardrobe has become even more minimized, down to the combined four short-sleeved shirts we have & are currently living in. We had hoped leaving after summer would mean escaping the blistering heat of Southern California in September and October to go to the (actual) season of fall in Europe. To our surprise, it’s hot here too. The days have become more and more frustrating as we have spent several sleepless nights on ferries, long days hauling our bags around cities, with no time to fit in a good run and the constant pressure to tour and consume. All contributing to this longing of wanting to set down roots, of wanting a place to call home. We were talking with each other and realized if this trip was our own, we would retreat back to Ireland and start looking for apartments ASAP. We are craving a place to call home, and a good Starbucks (because let’s be real, everyone loves a good Starbucks).
By no means have we lost sight of the blessing this trip is to our lives. It is a dream come true- but as with every dream, there are the mountain tops and there are valleys. It’s easy to share the mountain tops, and by the grace of God we’ve experienced several that we have loved to share. But even as we said before, we’re not meant to live in those moments – and this is our time of trekking through the valley. Yes, we chose this – we planned, we saved, and said the many hard goodbyes. Leaving behind our families, friends, & comforts, has not been easy. We crave connections, the people who know us best, and the ability to sit down with each of you, over a good cup of coffee, and live with you through all the ups and downs of life. But instead, we are living with limited wifi & feeding on conversations via email. But in the midst of living out of a suitcase with scarce conversations with those from home, we are learning the continual lesson that Christ is our home, our dwelling place. He is wherever we are & wherever we will continue to go, and in the end, that is enough. We knew life would look differently as we stepped into this new path, but by coming on this trip we are walking the path He wants us to walk, realizing anything else would be disobedience.
Even with this strong desire to retreat the heat & glamour-less days of traveling, we still feel an overwhelming sense of peace from The Lord knowing this is exactly where we are supposed to be. We are still waiting upon The Lord for a glimpse of revelation to see more of His vision for this trip, but even in the waiting, we can see so many of His fingerprints all over our trip – playing the game of “Divine connect-the-dots” as we see how God has been faithful and provided beyond our wildest dreams & looking ahead in anticipation at His continual faithfulness.
Ultimately, we are learning to walk the path we’ve been affirmed to be on, through all the highs and lows. We’re learning to slow down, step back, and that taking a Sabbath day to stay in your comfies till 2pm is okay, even when your in a new place. We’re finding laughter in the moments of frustration & impatience : in the moments of food spilling, glass breaking, & scavenging euros for a good cup of coffee. We know we’re where we’re meant to be and that is the truth we hold tightly too and pray through. As we walk confidently covered by His promises, we urge you to do the same. Find your home in Christ no matter where you are, His promises never return void. And as you leave the ways of the world behind, stop and sit in the presence of The Lord, for He is all you truly need.

BY: MEGAN DRAKE and JORDYN FERRARO

The last few days have been spent exploring Athens and the island of Aegina in Greece, walking the streets with duct taped feet (for the blisters, the struggle is real), eating as many chicken gyros we can get our hands on, & talking with locals about the beauty of Greece and why we found ourselves there. There have been some awesome conversations, learning about others & sharing traveling stories. We both can’t sing enough praises to God through this time in Greece and how much He continues to mold our minds and hearts to live this trip for His glory and not our own. Even though it’s only been a week we’ve been on our own, it feels like so much longer – and so much of the adventure is just beginning!

One of the most awe-inspiring moments in Athens was visiting Areopagus (Mars Hill) where Paul spoke to the Athenians on the power of Jesus Christ and breaking free from idols (Acts 17). In a city so full of life, buildings on top of buildings, graffiti filled walls, & so much rich history – it was an incredible time to stand on the same ground as Paul and speak that same prayer over Athens today.

Over the last few days in Greece, we’ve been talking a lot about what this trip looks like in giving it to The Lord for His glory rather than our own. It’s been a slow process, breaking us of the molds we both thought this trip would be, & releasing our grip. There is so much freedom in handing it all over to The Lord, and letting Him take control. But, it is a process and we have needed so much grace. Our desire is to walk in a manner worthy of the call The Lord has placed before us in confidence, whatever that may look like, valuing God’s plan above our own.It is so special getting to share our trip with everyone at home using this blog to share stories and pictures, but we want it all to reflect & magnify what God has created in this world.

We want to not only be consumers of Europe but pour into the countries as much as we can in the few short days we have in each city. But we’ve also had to recognize and be humbled by what our idea of that looks like and the reality, and much better plan, of what the Lord has for these few months. Our prayer this week is for Jesus to make us brave. Make us brave in starting conversation, brave in how we live in each city, speaking His name in all that we do. In the ordinary daily things we do, may it be a reflection of Jesus and a heart changed by Him. Everyday holds new things for us while we’re on the move, but our prayer is that even in the smallest things we may be faithful to Him.

For those at home, friends & family at a distance, this is our prayer for you too. Be brave and know the power you have in Jesus’ name. Although we may not be close in proximity, we want to stand alongside you and encourage you, as you all have encouraged us so much. So go forth and walk confidently in the way The Lord has prepared for you.
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Next up on our adventures is Italy! We are looking forward to embracing our inner foodies even more (if that’s possible) and keep waiting & praying expectantly for God to keep moving.

BY: MEGAN DRAKE and JORDYN FERRARO

On Sunday morning, we left Momma and Papa Drake to set out for our next stop, London! There was a bittersweet feeling about this departure as we said goodbye and stepped into the next part of our travels. Although we visited London during our study abroad four years ago, we returned with new purpose, new lenses, and a new sense of adventure – something that excited us both. As we checked into our hotel and began strolling through the city, we were quickly faced with the realization of just how big & busy London is. It was a shock to our systems, coming from the quaint and quietness of country towns in Scotland, like the Isle of Skye, to then coming to the capital of England.

But London, in all it’s hustle and bustle, is still a fabulous city. Full of new discoveries and cute neighborhoods, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a movie. It wasn’t long after being in London that we were both already craving some of the stillness of a smaller town, a realization that would lead to some revelations much bigger than we imagined (more to come on that in a minute). A desire that was fulfilled yesterday as we ventured out of the city to see the mystery of Stonehenge and the enchanting city of Bath, saying ‘Hi’ and falling in love with the place where classics like Pride and Prejudice were written by our girl, Jane.

We have always thought of ourselves as city girls, blending in with the fast paced life and fashion driven living. Cities are great & our trip is filled with visiting new ones. They are filled with all sorts of different people & different resources, never short of a Starbucks on every corner (something we’re not opposed too). But we have come to discover that maybe we aren’t as city as we thought. Being in London has helped us to discover more deeply that we are quality over quantity people. Which led to a big Ah-ha moment… We are city-centre people! Places like Galway & Bath have captured our hearts in an inexplicable way, instantly feeling like home although still unfamiliar. The slower, less populated city-centres of country towns are where we are meant to be. They have the best of both worlds: still populated & busy with a Starbucks on every other corner yet they still preserve a slower pace of life that helps us make connections with people. Less people, more connections – an oxymoron that describes us perfectly.

Overall, England has been good to us. From runs in Hyde park, to visiting the Palace, and even the long walks through the rain, the city is full of life and endless shopping (something our limited baggage prohibits us from partaking in besides our cheap “water resistant” raincoats). We’re learning to take in the little moments of beauty, and take advantage of trains to visit friends at a distance – a slice of community that was food for our souls (shout-out to our girl Sarah!).
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All in all we are loving our adventure so far and thanking God for the ways in which He is shaping and molding us, even if it’s just learning to laugh at ourselves as we attempt to navigate through and adapt to new surroundings.

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Next stop, Greece!