Living in Paris: A Penciled in Goal turned Divine Assignment

Hello! Oh shall I say…Bonjour!

Before letting you in on our Parisian adventure, let's rewind to where it all began. It started with a simple chat about living abroad that became a penciled-in future goal. The Olympics were also on our minds since Rio, but like our international plans, they sat on that goal list.

Then Covid hit. Amidst the chaos, we moved to LA, started a new job but had a visit to Paris on the books. Five days here + we fell in love with the city! As opportunities to live + work abroad came up, I wondered if this was more than just a desire—and maybe even divine alignment on where God wanted us to be. With that in minds yet with Paris fresh in our hearts, we aimed for the Paris Olympics!

As we prayed about living abroad and preparing for the Paris Olympics, there was a sense of divine alignment. Doors opened, resources appeared—it felt like confirmation that this path was meant for us.

Living overseas isn’t just about the adventure; it's about embracing our faith + obedience + sharing our journey with you all. So here we are, our penciled in goal now a profound assignment. Excited to see where this journey takes us!

Reflection Question: What’s next. for you?! Is the Holy Spirit trying to get you attention + share your next assignment?! Are you listening?!

Getaway: Reconnect off the Grid

As we now start to navigate covid restrictions lifting + safe ways to get away, My husband Vince and I decided to try Getaway back in May. 

Getaway is an Outpost that has several locations around the country and is becoming more and more popular by the minute. If you’ve seen someone pictured in front of the biggest window ever sitting on a bed from inside a cabin, then you probably know what i’m talking about!  

We opted for the Glenwood, WA location about 2 hours away from home and stayed for 3 days and 2 nights. This was a perfect distance-- we weren't too far from home yet felt like we were away from everything. Oh yeah, and as most drives between Oregon + Washington, the drive, otherwise known as the journey, is just as pleasant b/c of how scenic it is. Pictures literally don’t do it justice. 

So, I wanted to share the experience and things to know before you go, should you decide to venture to Getaway!

Booking 

Booking on their site was so seamless and easy to navigate availability, pricing, and payment. I also love how flexible they are with your reservation. We had to shift our trip up a full week + that process was so easy. I just had to log back in and pick the new date to which my payment was transferred to (if you're more than 2 weeks out from your stay).  

• 1 Week Out: Before our getaway they reconfirmed our reservation. 

• Few Days Out: They reminded us to download maps/ directions should we lose service (which became critical).

• The Day Of: They sent our lodging location + code to use for the door. 

Not for improvement:  I feel there could be a clearer understanding of if your specific Getaway location actually has service or not which would then help you have a sense of what your experience will be. 

Off the Grid

About 30 mins from arriving, we completely lost service. Getaways did say there was a chance but didn't think it would happen so far out. With that in mind, we started to make sure to pay attention to the roads + our surroundings just so that we knew where we were on the way back should something happen to our maps. This is where it was important to ensure we downloaded our resources.

Prepping Our Cabin

Once we arrived and before unpacking, we checked out our surrounding grounds and then sanitized the cabin. Then, we brought in all of our camping gear, bins of food, and duffles that we were going to use for the next few days. From there we started to unpack and find a home for all our stuff.

Activities In + Around the Cabin

You’re off the grid, so you have time to think, read, and play the games you normally don’t make time for. With that, we played Uno, read many personal, professional, and spiritual books, Sun bathed, stargazed, went on walks/ hikes, and caught up on some much needed rest all with the backdrop of nature in its purest form. 

Food

With a two-burner stove, we were able to cook stove top + with a campfire…

SN: There was a General Store about 5 mins away from the camp grounds which was helpful for a few things we forgot to bring. Vince didn’t feel comfortable going in so I went on my own. 

Would I ‘Getaway’ Again?! 

Absolutely 100% percent yes! This was an experience like none other that I would love to do again + even experience with others. With that said, I would be very strategic about when deciding to go back. I could see maybe doing this once a year as one way to rest, recharge + break away from the noise. 

When you go, make sure to...

• Download offline maps to make sure you can get to + from the location.

• Tell your core circle where you are + when you plan to come back before leaving.

• Take note of the emergency phones/ contacts around the outpost.

• Be mindful of the drive there… narrow 2-lane highways, bridges or tunnels, potential mountain climbs, dirt roads.

• Think long and hard before you go by yourself, especially if your outpost location is completely off the grid.  

• I think 3 days and 2 nights is the perfect amount of time to truly disconnect. Too much longer could be a bit much (Especially a black couple... in the middle of nowhere… in Washington State... Lol).

• Really allow yourself to take in your surroundings + get in touch with your thoughts, feelings, emotion, and the ones you're with. Truly be in the moment.

Blackity, Black, Black, Black - Honoring Our American History

Over the past seven days, in honor of Black (American) history Month, we’ve taken our followers on a virtual vacay inspired by some of the prominent sites that inform and celebrate our movement to include: 

• Edmond Pettus Bridge + The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Alabama

• Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, Georgia

• Old Slave Mart in Charleston, South Carolina

• International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina

• National Museum of African American History and Culture + Martin Luther King, Jr.  Memorial in Washington, D.C.

TTT had the honor of visiting some of these sacred spaces in person, and in this blog, we’re sharing our personal experiences.  We highly recommend visiting these sites and TTT is here to help!

Left to RIGHT: dANIELLE + HUSBAND AT MLK MEMORIAL. NICOLE + PARENTS AT icrcm. TRACEY AT THE nmaahc.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC

“Being from the Washington, DC/Maryland area I have seen my fair share of memorials and monuments but the power that the MLK Memorial holds is like none other. On a crisp March morning my family and I drove through the beautiful Cherry Blossoms and approached the MLK memorial in all its glory. The inspiration for the memorial design is a line from King's "I Have A Dream'' speech. You can literally see the image of Dr. King emerging from the mountainous structure with words "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope” etched in the side. Standing strongly with crossed arms, he looks over the Tidal Basin toward the horizon. The 30 foot tall structure echoes the magnitude of Dr. King's impact.

Along the crescent shaped outer wall of the memorial, inscribed in granite are 14 excerpts from some of Dr. King's powerful speeches and sermons. As you walk and read these excerpts there is no question that the brilliance and foresight that Dr. King had, was a gift from God that we have all been blessed to have benefitted from.”— Danielle

International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, NC

“While living in Greensboro, NC and knowing how four students of NC A+T impacted the Civil Rights movement, when my husband (boyfriend at the time) + my parents came to visit, I knew this was absolutely a place we had to visit!  

The highlight of this experience was standing at the “whites-only lunch counter” as they recreated what those four students experienced.  Watching and hearing what they had to endure was both frustrating + motivational. Frustrating to hear the hate spewed at them both physically + mentally yet motivational to know that their strength and perseverance not only shifted the city of Greensboro, but had a lasting impact on the movement around the nation. We must continue this fight for social justice on their behalf.”— Nicole

National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)

“Stepping onto the grounds of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, I felt like I was stepping on sacred ground, overcome with the realization that this where the stories of my ancestors reside, where community resides, where resilience resides and where a vision of my future resides. The beautifully constructed structure with a façade resembling a crown of royalty steps each visitor through our weary past, our game-changing persistence, our scholarship, and our creative prowess.   All of this on display for the world to see at the great American institution known as the Smithsonian.

 I’ve had to return a couple times in order to complete the experience.  And each time, I’ve walked away in awe of the care taken in constructing this gem, and proud of our all- around “dope-ness” as Black people. I’m planning my return once COVID subsides.”— Tracey