What I've Learned from Study Abroad

It has now been over a year since I have been to Europe and on my last post I mentioned to watch for my "What I've Learned from Study Abroad" post.  Well...I guess I never got around to it.  Today while I was going through an old notebook of mine, I came across the paper that had what I learned from study abroad.  It brought me back to so many great memories, ones that I will always cherish.  Going on a study abroad was something I needed to do for myself, but now that I have a family I realize that I learned many things that have helped me in my role as a wife and a mother.  Some of it may not make sense but it was all the little experiences I had in Europe that have helped shape who I am today.  So with that said, here is what I learned from my study abroad:

• When you see something you really like and want, don't wait to get it thinking you'll have time to come back and get it.  You need to think of every moment like it's the last (Dress from Joules).
• I love art history. I love learning about the story behind the art and the techniques from different styles.  I love art that has symbols and meaning to it.
• Don't try and take the shorter and faster way out.  Enjoy the journey..The extra few seconds isn't worth the risk of something bad happening (Staircase).
• Be grateful for what you do have.  Don't look at all the things you wish you had.  I'm grateful for shelters, food, clothes (clean), nice bed, clean air, the gospel, my family.
• Try new things (Thai and Japanese food).
• When you are scared sing your favorite church hymn (A Child's Prayer).
• Understand that you may not always know why something happens, but learn to trust in God and later you will realize why.  Learn to take it as a lesson for your future family.
• WiFi is the best.  If we didn't have it I wouldn't have gotten through study abroad (FaceTime, Emails, Blog Posts, etc.).
• Take time to ponder and look around you (Train rides).
• Learn to laugh at the little things (Getting on the wrong bus).
• You don't need a big palace to have a happily ever after.
• When you feel completely alone, don't forget to get on your knees and pray to your Heavenly Father who is always there.
• Learn to look at things at a different angle.  Don't just look up and think you've seen it all (Photography).
• Sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone to find that there are other comfort zones around you.
• When you think you have it bad, think of all the people starving on the street begging for money and sleeping in metro stations.
• Be grateful for clean clothes (and a mom for always washing them for you).
• Green is good (Salad, broccoli).
• You only need one bottle of Diet Coke to last the whole meal.
• There's a story behind every statue, every painting, every artist.
• Don't turn something down until you've tried it.
• When you feel completely lost, you usually find yourself.

I'm sure I could have thought about many more things that I learned from study abroad, and I think about my experiences often...but what makes this list perfect is that in the moment I was writing them down, they were exactly what I needed to learn in my life.  I have since then learned so many things that remind me of my experiences in Europe and I am so grateful for the opportunity I had.  I hope you enjoyed reading this.  If not, it was something I needed for myself.  I needed to finish my story of my "mini mission"...and I can now finally say that I returned with honor :)