It was exactly one year that I sat on the verge of one of the biggest decisions of my life. Some people would call it a “fork in the road,” referring to one of two directions to choose from. The last time I checked a fork had four prongs, and that is exactly where I was at last year. 4 directions, one choice. I was at one of the most difficult places in my life, feeling like I was utterly helpless and entirely confused about what I should do with my life. I had job offers in 4 different countries, each of which catered to a different strength of mine, but none of them seemed “right.” I spent countless nights up late praying for direction, searching for an answer. I knew something had to change in my life – I was tired, I was burned out, and I was desperate. So I did what any grown woman at that point in her life would do.

I cried. Long, wet, heavy tears.

And I went to Egypt.

“Egypt?!?,” you say? Yes, Egypt. My roommate/good friend and I decided to go on a semi-spontaneous trip to Egypt for 1 week. She needed a vacation, and I just needed to get away to clear my mind and get some direction. Somewhere in Egypt, I found direction. Maybe it happened while I was in the middle of the desert (both literally and metaphorically), riding four-wheelers. Or maybe it was while I was 30 feet below the surface of the Red Sea, taking in the amazing views I saw and gaining a new appreciation for “The little mermaid.” Or maybe it was while I stood in the tombs of the kings who ruled Egypt thousands of years ago, in temperatures reaching 120+. But somewhere in the middle of Egypt, I found direction and purpose.

I returned to Denmark (where I was living 1 year ago) with a renewed energy and vision for my life. I had made the decision to move back home to Connecticut as soon as I could settle things in Denmark and to pursue photography. I didn’t really know why, but I just *knew* that is what I had to do. Shortly after, I was asked to preach in our church in Denmark. I preached a sermon called “The Climb,” coincidently about the time Little Miss Miley Cyrus had a huge hit by the same name.

I spoke to the people in church that day about how sometimes in life we go through points where we just want to give up – but that is often EXACTLY the time that we need to fight as hard as we can, push ourselves as far as we can, and endure. We just never know what is on the other side of the mountain that we are facing. Those last few months I was in Denmark were some of the hardest times in my life, but it was in that time that I learned so much and grew as a person more than I ever had before. There is a line in the song “The climb” that really hit me hard and rang true – “I may not know it, but these are the moments I will remember most.”

So I urge you, whoever you are, where ever you are, if you are facing a trial right now or going through a hard time where you feel like giving up – DON’T! Press through, fight, endure, and climb. And if I can be so bold as to say this, embrace these challenging moments because these are the times in your life that you will remember and learn from.

It is in the challenges and in the trials that we often discover more about who we are, and end up coming out with more purpose than we started with. It is during the climb, the hard moments, that we realize how much our dreams really mean to us.

Here’s to finding direction in Egypt…

Definitely one of the most relaxing places I have ever been to!