I don’t know how it was for you, but 2023 was certainly a different kind of year for me.

If you saw my last post, you know I’ve been traveling full-time this year. It’s something I’ve thought about many times and finally did it.

And I can tell you that it was complete freedom. I’ve loved exploring the US and seeing new places as well as old friends along the way. In fact, I’ve now made it to 47 states!

Given the nontraditional circumstances, it took me a long time to figure out my 2023 word for the year. I had the concept in mind, but just couldn’t put words to it. I even had two songs that represented the feeling since the beginning of the year, but no word to match.

But finally, it came to me this summer: GO AND GROW.
And I think it’s pretty perfect.

It’s also the first time I’ve ever used a phrase rather than a word, but it fits so well. When you listen to the two songs below, you’ll understand why.

GO: I felt stuck in life and needed new perspective, both literally and figuratively. I needed to clear my mind and house/pet sitting absolutely gave me that opportunity. I’m so grateful for it. Travel has always been a breath of fresh air for me, and so I felt like my lungs had new life over the past year.

GROW: Personal and professional growth is extremely important to me. And again, feeling stuck, I knew I needed different surroundings to be able to grow in the ways I wanted. My past has always proven that “moving” in some sort of physical way, whether through travel or through a new address, has always helped me grow. And I knew that this new lifestyle would help me do that.

People keep asking how long I’ll keep up this full-time travel, and my answer is always the same: Until it’s not fun anymore.

Guess what—it’s still fun!

And while this year was about checking off boxes, like new sites and new states, I think 2024 will be about a new lifestyle, both with travel as well as getting back on track personally and professionally. I must say . . . I’m looking forward to future explanation.

How was your 2023?

I could just sit
I could just sit and wait for all Your goodness
Hope to feel Your presence
And I could just stay
I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel You
Hope to feel something again

And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You
Change me from the inside
And I could be safe, oh
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down

But You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord
You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You lead me Lord
Where You lead me
Where You lead me Lord

And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You
Change me from the inside
And I could be safe, oh
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down

But You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord
You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You lead me Lord
Where You lead me

And I will be Yours, oh
I will be Yours for all my life

And I will be Yours, oh
I will be Yours for all my life

And I will be Yours, oh
I will be Yours for all my life
So let Your mercy

Oh, and I will be Yours, Lord
And I will be Yours for all my life
So let Your mercy light the path before me

‘Cause You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord
‘Cause You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord
Oh, ’cause You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord
Oh, ’cause You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord, where You lead me

Where You lead me Lord
Where You lead me
Where You lead me Lord

The sun is fast fallin’ beneath trees of stone
The light in the tower, no longer my home
Past eyes of pale fire, black sand for my bed
I trade all I’ve known for the unknown ahead

Call to me, call to me lands far away
For I must now wander this wandering day
Away I must wander this wandering day

Of drink I have little, and food I have less
My strength tells me, “No”, but the path demands, “Yes”
My legs are so short and the way is so long
I’ve no rest nor comfort, no comfort but song

Sing to me, sing to me lands far away
Oh, rise up and guide me this wandering day
Please, promise to find me this wandering day

At last comes their answer through cold and through frost
That not all who wonder or wander are lost
No matter the sorrow, no matter the cost
That not all who wonder or wander are lost