Fun Files: Cruising Into Growth — A Journey With My Mom, My Faith, and My Metamorphosis

Sis, let me tell you — this trip was more than a vacation. It was transformation in motion. It started with a women’s event at my church called A Rested Development, and honestly, it was the perfect runway for what God had planned next. My Mommy flew in for her 70th birthday adventure (yes, 70 and fabulous!) and got to meet the beautiful women of L.A.S.H., our church’s women’s group. I am a member of L.A.S.H and worked in the culinary team to feed over 400 ladies that night — and I’m convinced I burned every calorie I ate just helping out.

Rested? Earned!

Rome, Cobblestones & Comedy Sketches

Then came Rome. Gorgeous? Absolutely. Built for two women hauling luggage across cobblestones? Absolutely not. The Hotel I booked through Delta Stays turned out to be an apartment around the corner up the street and down the block. The staff drove our luggage their at check-in. We had to take two elevators. But at check out....picture us dragging, lifting, and laughing our way through ancient streets like a two-woman comedy sketch. It was chaos with a side of gelato — and joy in every step.

Because isn’t that how life feels sometimes? Messy, hilarious, and still beautiful.

And just when we thought we had seen it all, God orchestrated one of those divine encounters that only He can plan.

While waiting on our taxi to the train station in the hotel lobby, we met a mother-and-son duo — Cindy and John from Canada — who were trying to figure out how when check out was, when they heard my loud mouth say "Now" and then began the conversation of how to get to the cruise port in Civitavecchia. They were about to take a €200-euro taxi when we told them, “Come with us we are taking a train for €4.50!”

Listen, it was quite the adventure and we all barely made it, lugging suitcases over cobblestones and sprinting onto the train like contestants on The Amazing Race. But we did it — and by the end of that hour-long ride, we were family.

They run an egg farm in Canada, and by some divine alignment, Cindy’s birthday was the day after my mom’s. Both my Mom and Cindy have legal secretary background as well. They weren’t even supposed to be on our cruise — John had won their first one out of Barcelona, and the flight back home was not a deal and just as much so they just decided to sail back instead.

Tell me God doesn’t weave things together perfectly.

A Cruise, A Calling, and A Whole Lot of Wind

Next up was our transatlantic cruise — a floating classroom for my soul. We hit Cartagena, Spain, and Santa Cruz in the Canary Islands, soaking in views that looked like God Himself painted them. I window-shopped like it was a spiritual gift (don’t judge), and yes — my LTK has the receipts.

We stopped at the Rock of Gibraltar, where monkeys reign supreme. Now, listen… I don’t do monkeys. Not in movies, not at the zoo, not even on postcards. I waved politely and kept it moving — growth, but not that kind of growth!

When Hurricane Melissa rerouted our plans away from the Azores, we didn’t complain. We prayed. For Jamaica, for the islands, for everyone in the storm’s path. It reminded me: storms will come — in travel and in life.

The key is whether you let them grow you.

Reading, Reflecting, Renewing

Before the trip, I started The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Thought I’d read a chapter a day during the cruise and call it a day. God said, “Bet.”

Let’s just say, He took me from nuggets to full-on spiritual boulders.

I also read the book of Esther while sailing, and it hit different this time — obedience, courage, timing, transformation — everything connecting in one divine pattern.

And then one day, I looked at my own logo — the butterfly wings above the woman hugging herself, the hanger overhead — and it clicked. That’s me. That’s my journey. The cocoon, the stretching, the squeeze before the beauty.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. ”Ephesians 4:22–23 reminds us to put off the old self and be renewed in the spirit of our minds.

Transformation isn’t always pretty — but it’s holy work.

Moments That Melted My Heart

We celebrated birthdays, shared dinners, watched stunning sunrises and sunsets, and laughed so hard we cried. My mom — the woman who’s given everything for everyone — finally got to rest.

We spent time in the Vitality Sea Spa Thermal Suite — the wet and dry sauna, the rainforest showers, and those heavenly heated beds. She was in that sauna like a pro, and I couldn’t help but think: she deserves every minute of this peace.

While I sat reading The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, she’d go on the balcony, lay there eyes closed, communing with God.

That image — her peace, her presence — it’s one I’ll never forget.

And here’s the thing: my mom has always been selfless. A woman who says “no” to herself so she can say “yes” to everyone else. Watching her finally say “yes” to rest was one of the most beautiful transformations I’ve ever seen.

She is strength wrapped in grace.

She is resilience personified.

And she is my hero.

This Cruise Taught Me Something

It taught me that growth doesn’t always come with comfort. Jesus didn’t call us to cushioned living — He called us to courageous living.

So yes, I laughed, I explored, I ate like the European economy depended on me — but the real journey wasn’t across the ocean. It was inside me.

Because the truth is:

🦋 Growth is messy.

🦋 Faith is stretching.

🦋 And transformation? It’s just beginning.

Closet Gem: Becoming New

Change can shake you up like a suitcase rolling over cobblestones (ask me how I know). But faith says you’re not losing yourself — you’re shedding what no longer fits.

🦋 Ask God what He wants to transform in you, not just around you.

🦋 Meditate on Romans 12:2 in your morning routine.

🦋 Choose one old habit to release this week.

“For you were taught… to be made new in the spirit of your minds.” — Ephesians 4:22–23

Closet Gem: Growing Through Circumstances

We didn’t plan for the hurricane, the reroute, or even meeting our new Canadian family. But every change was a divine setup.

🦋 Swap frustration for curiosity: “Lord, what are You building in me?”

🦋 Journal how challenges are shaping your character.

🦋 Pray for others while you wait — empathy grows maturity.

“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds.” — James 1:2–3

Closet Gem: Transformation Takes Willingness

Caterpillars don’t get spa music and eucalyptus steam before becoming butterflies. It’s tight, it’s dark, and it’s uncomfortable. But transformation is sacred work.

🦋 Keep pushing through your Purpose Driven Life study — those chapters hit hard for a reason.

🦋 Set a small obedience goal each day.

🦋 Celebrate progress, not perfection.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10

Fun Files Takeaways

✨ Find fun in faith-filled moments. Even spiritual growth can come with laughter.✨ Don’t be afraid to travel inward. The best souvenirs are the lessons God packs in your heart.✨ Remember the butterfly. Growth might feel uncomfortable now, but wings are coming.

Sis, the real glow-up happens when you let God do His makeover on your mindset.

And trust me — this version of “Fun” comes with both joy and Jesus. 🌍💛🦋