Every life application can apply to Christ.
Recently I shared I’ve been planning on creating a new series for Christian women in particular. You absolutely do NOT have to be a Christian wife for many of these posts to connect to the material. I think some people may have misunderstood that, sorry!
This is the first post to one of my series, and I hope you enjoy it.
A couple weeks ago my husband and I celebrated his 29th birthday by going to a zoo. We left Friday and traveled back Sunday. Technically, aside from our wedding night, this was our first trip staying overnight somewhere, and for more than one day. We’ve been married for almost 6 years, it was well deserved!
I learned a lot through this trip in preparation. Somethings I did well at and others I could have done better.
√ What To Know Beforehand:
- Deals! Coupons, discounts (military, anyone?)
- Is this outdoors? What is weather going to be like?
- Is there a pool where you are staying?
- See if there are shuttles or forms of transportation to help you get around
- Plan your budget ahead of time, this will help spending costs.
- Local places to shop/eat/relax or places that may be scenic/historic
- Free museums?
- Know what you would like to visit and where it is ahead of time
One of the only reasons my husband and I were able to go on our trip was because I heard they were allowing military AND their families free entry to the zoo! We did not have to pay, and not only that, but there was a section specifically for the military in which they could receive a meal ticket for a free meal, and their families as well! Hot dogs, chips, cookie, fruit, and drink. That’s not bad and allowed us to use the money we would have for lunch on something else.
Speaking of money, it’s good to know your budget ahead of time. My husband will set aside money specifically for the trip. This helps with planning where you will go, food costs, spending money, etc. We have leftover funds so we will be using some for a small outing.
Know where you are staying and what they offer. Some places do not offer wi-fi for free. Some offer free breakfast, some do not. Gyms, pools, laundry, etc. Look around.
Get an idea of where you will be staying and how close stores, restaurants and other places you are interested in are. As well as what the weather will be like. If you are going somewhere and the temperatures will be hot, plan accordingly. If possible, see if you can go on a cloudy day.
√ What To Bring With You Checklist:
- Plates, Cups, Plastic/Silverware, Napkins
- Snacks/Drinks/Food (save $$$ ahead of time, especially when you aren’t planning to go anywhere for the rest of the night)
- Optional: Cooler/Ice Packs
- Medicine/Vitamins/Allergy/Skin Cream – Rather safe than sorry. Something for headaches, cramps, aches, possible heartburn, etc. Creams for cuts, rashes, or bug bites.
- Bug Spray/Sunscreen/Sunglasses/Hat
- Bath/Beach Towel (most hotels will have their own towels)
- Clothing – Outfits for days you will be out, something warm, something light, pajamas, undergarments & socks! I’ve seen people pack undergarments and socks into shoes to save space.
- Bring swimwear if the place you are staying at or will be going to has a swimming pool/waterpark.
- Umbrella/Ponchos – Ponchos can be really cheap and handy to have.
- COMFORTABLE SHOES! * and maybe extras – (possible sandals) & slippers (if you get cold feet)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Soap/shower gel, shampoo/conditioner /
- Feminine Care Products- Traveling can affect the body as well, rather have it and not need it.
- Minimum Make Up- if desired if you are going to be outside and it’s hot, you don’t need it.
- Water/Water Bottle
Not Completely Prepared
On our trip, my husband was eager to leave so we decided not to get snacks ahead of time, but we should have. We have a Dollar Tree down the street and it would have been really convenient and cheap to get drinks and snacks ahead of time. We also forgot to pack plates/cups and the like. I had considered making some sandwiches ahead of time so we would have some food in the hotel. But I didn’t.
When we arrived at our hotel, we had found a Dollar Tree, but when we got there, apparently, it was closed. We had to go to a different store and get some drinks and snacks which cost a little bit more, as well as some supplies. All of these things I easily could have prepared ahead of time.
For once, I did not pack some extra sets of clothing, and I should have.
It was extremely hot that day and the first day I did not bring any water with me. BIG MISTAKE! I sweat easily and within the first hour I was soaked. It was extremely sunny and finding some places that were air-conditioned like the aquarium was really helpful.
We had two days to explore so using the map was helpful. The first day we did not use the shuttle until the end and that was a mistake because we were really sore by the time we left.
We had a wonderful time, but there were a handful of things that could have prepared us better. Having a checklist like this would have helped. Preparing a few days prior would have been better.
Are We Prepared For Christ?
Our walk with Christ is often like planning a trip. We plan to spend eternity with Christ. We (should) know what race we are running. Scripture says that we need to run that race in such a way we can win.
If we do not plan a trip, we do not know where we are going or how we will get there. If we do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, then we cannot be with Him. We cannot go to Heaven.
This means we need to know what we proclaim to believe in and we need to be strong in the foundation of Christ. To actively be engaged in our walk with Christ. This is only done through scripture reading, instruction, prayer, gathering with fellow believers and worship.
If my husband and I were more familiar with the zoo it would have been easier to navigate. The longer we have a relationship with Christ, we are to wean ourselves away from the milk (the basics, what we become familiar with) and prepare for the meat (deeper truths and intimacy, like sanctification).
The closer we draw to Him, the more we discover and the more we are prepared.
Ponder Below:
Has there ever been a trip you could have prepared better? Do you see things in your life with Christ you can work on?
Monthly Scripture – (NIV) Ephesians 3:19, “and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
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Inside Cup 
Great analogy
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Thanks!!!
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Very important checklist but the greater checklist for our souls to make sure it’s right with God before His return. I love how you intertwined that. I’m being honest with myself, I’m not fully ready yet for there’s a lot that needs to delete from my life through the purification of Christ in my life for His glory! And also there’s a lot of work to be done and I want to be apart of that. He’s not finished with me yet. I hope the trip was a blessing and you prepare better for the other one. 🙂 stay blessed.
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It was a blessing and I’m so grateful for the lessons God is teaching me through life. I pray these life lessons help others and encourage us all to draw closer to Christ ❤ He is so good to us Tammy!!!! Praise Jesus He is not done with us yet!!!
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Amen! Yes, everyday a new lesson is learnt and I’m thankful to Him for that! Amen in Jesus name. Amen! Yes He is! Bless God!
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Am I prepared for when Christ comes (or to meet Him on my final day)? — that is the main question I’m taking away from this post.
So far as my soul is concerned, yes, I am ready. However, there is still much work to do for the sake of His Kingdom. I don’t think shall ever be totally ‘prepared’ in that case. Even on my deathbed, I could (and should) still be a witness for Him. 🙂
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❤ people would be surprised at the various ways we can be a witness 🙂 . It is amazing how He will use us!
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I am all for discounts sis😂 and I also look out for places where kids can have fun. If it’s self catered, I also ensure I take bin bags, antibacterial sprays and wipes and washing up liquid.
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Sounds good!! Yes, discounts are amazing!!
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Love the military discounts! Once we went to an aquarium; I think it was in either in Chattanooga or Gatlinburg. I convinced my husband to ask if they had a military discount, and it was half price!
I pack socks inside my shoes!
The day before a trip I start packing each item that I always use as I use it for the last time that day. So like evening meds get packed as soon as I take them. Then the morning of departure I grab my hair stuff, pillow, etc.
About the nail clipper, I have one on a key ring in my purse. My present purse has a piece of elastic sewn near the opening with one of those easy-open hooks; I keep my keys and the nail clipper on that hook for easy access.
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So glad you guys got half price!!!! ❤ That's awesome! I love that system of packing! It would definitely help remembering to get everything ready!!!
OH what a nifty way to have nail clippers just in case!
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Thank you, T.R.! Yes, if I don’t do it that way, I’m more likely to forget something important.
Yes, I elevate nail clippers to high importance! My nails break easily. Also, nail clippers can do double duty to cut off a tag or a thread that is tickling my arm. 😁
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I LOVE traveling so I LOVE reading things like this, haha!
Some of your statements at the very beginning made me think of a book I read recently, Eve in Exile. I HIGHLY recommend that one to all Christian women. One of the things I loved about it was that when she got into using a married woman’s life as an example of how to be a godly Christian woman, she first made it clear that single women are perfectly capable of taking the principles she lays out and applying them to their own situation. God designed women to be able to take the abstract and make it concrete, to be able to take commands and turn them into action. To take what is nebulous and turn it into beauty. So He has given single women absolutely everything they need to take the advice given to married women and apply it to their own lives. We just need to rise up and use our God-given ability to translate ideas into reality.
Realizing this was SO encouraging for me. I had struggled before with the fact that most of the commands in the Bible for women are for married women; how am I supposed to live those out? The Proverbs 31 woman is married, even! I knew it wasn’t true, but it was hard to wrestle with the thought that I couldn’t be a Biblical woman unless I was married. But Eve in Exile set me free from that, specifically with this idea of taking principles and translating them into reality in the life that God has currently given me.
Haha so my rant for the day I guess. XD Thanks for the vacation tips, for using it to point to Christ, and for having a heart to see single women not trapped thinking they can’t apply truth directed toward married women to their own lives. ♥
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I love this so much, Olivia!!! Thanks for expanding on this topic for single women! It’s powerful and I hope whoever reads your comment is blessed by it! I know I am!!! 🙂 ❤ I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect anything to Christ and when He put this idea on my heart, thank you, Lord! He's awesome!
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Great post, girlie! I love going to zoos, and that would be such a cool birthday experience. 😊 I love it when places have benefits for the military and their families! ❤
It’s such a blessing when situations in our lives teach us something spiritually, too! There are different trips I’ve gone on with my family over the years where the little things we are used to having at home are unavailable when away from the house, which is why it’s so important to plan for those possibilities, lol. A few examples from my life were not having nail clippers on our trip to Ohio in 2014 (one of my fingers had a broken nail that was causing me pain) and we had to run to Target and buy a pair. Another time, my phone overheated when we went to a state park, and because I didn’t have the little tool you have to use to take the SIM card out, my phone was dead for the rest of the trip. I keep that tool in my purse at all times now. 😂 The more you know!
This comment has gotten long, but I love how you related this experience to our walks with Christ. 💕
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I’ll always appreciate long comments that relate to the content and of course when they are from you 😊 !!!
The more we know indeed! Hm, I’ll have to add nail clippers to my list! Another reason why I should have bought the cute little nail care purse that had a rainbow unicorn on it! It was $4 but it was too rich for my blood, xD !!! And I’ve regretted not getting it because of how handy it is! I already have a small first aid, now I just need that.
I was really excited bringing this series out so I could connect handy tips or relatable discussion to Christ ❤ so glad you like it!
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Aw thank you! I’ll always love long comments, too 😊
Having nail clippers along can save ya! 😂 Ooh boy, unicorn products are SO expensive 😂
I love it! It’s beautiful how many circumstances the Lord can use to teach us something in a new, profound way. 💓
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Yes!!!! Hahaha, it was a full nail kit so clippers, file, etc. All the kits were $4. But the unicorn almost looked like the Lisa Frank unicorn, if you know what I mean, and was so pretty! That’s also why I stopped myself. I shouldn’t get something just because it was pretty. Now I know it was also “pretty” useful lol!
I really want to strive for at least one life application post a week so those who may not be sure about the deeper posts may enjoy this series. I want to push people to get closer to Christ in any way I can. So grateful He will teach us through anything! Jesus is amazing!
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That’s cool! And it’s something that would come in handy on a trip, and even just when you’re away from the house 😊 but they always jack up the price for stuff like that 😩 it’s like the convenience of it (and the fact that it looks like a unicorn 🤪) allows them to charge a fortune. Yeah I know what you mean! Haha “pretty” useful 😂👍🏼
That’s cool! I’ll look forward to reading those 😊💕
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It’s true! It was made as a little clutch purse…so I was like if it was $3 I’d get it but one more dollar, nope! Haha! My husband joked that what I find expensive varies a lot compared to others. Getting something $10 or more is hard for me! That’s why I love sales for clothes and of course thrifting. Not that I do much of it anyway, but always fun when I do. 🙂
Yay!!!
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Oh I do that too, haha!! If an item goes over what I’d be comfortable paying for it, it usually stays right where it is on the shelf. I’ve felt like that for a while – I was given a small weekly allowance as a kid, so I had to make sure that what I was buying was going to be worth it! That taught me a lot about what things are worth. 🙂 I love thrift shopping!!
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I saved a lot but my mom didn’t hand us our allowance. So when I had to $80 she was like, yeah, no xD Definitely teaches a lot!!!
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