"A New Adventure for a New Season"
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Hello friends! Itβs been more than a while since I have written and I am excited to be back and tell you all the news of what I have been up to in the last three months or so.
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The first MAJOR NEWS is that in October of last year I was presented with an opportunity to live in community with other like-minded Christians in Texas. I was very excited about the opportunity and it felt right to "go for it." Not only would Ms. D and I be able to take a much-needed break from 24/7 life on the road for a while, I would also be able to work on my relational skills, which would make me a better health coach, a better group leader, and all around just a better person! Living in community is not an easy task and this would be the first time I would be able to do so in a Christ-centered environment.
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The only problem was...Ms D and I would need to come up with the necessary funds to not only traverse close to 2,000 miles to Central Texas but also have rent money in hand by October 1! We needed cash and we needed it fast.
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Don't get me wrong. I have always been able to make a good living as a natural health researcher, writer, content creator, and coach (and Ms D has never been without the very finest hay and bunny-approved treats). Still, this goal would be stretching it.
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At the same time, I also believe that each season of our lives affords us rare opportunities to stretch, learn, and grow. I couldnβt deny that I felt God's hand on this opportunity. I was happy to accept it, as "stretchy" and downright scary as it seemed at the time.
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Of course, I prayed, I journaled, I consulted friends. Still the answer to the βelephant in the roomβ question in all this eluded me: "How in the world was I going to afford it?"
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Then the answer dropped into my consciousness with a thud that was too loud to ignore. There was one obvious way I could make it happen: I could sell the RV.
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At first, I threw that idea out like a bag of bad beans. Sell Winnie the Pugh? No way!
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Of course, as the days went by and I felt the gentle nudge of the Lord, I started to warm to the idea.
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(Just a little backstory about me, the bun, and the 1993 Winnebago Warrior we lovingly called βWinnie the Pugh.β In Spring of 2022, we were living in a cute little apartment in the high mountains of Arizona when my not-so-nice landlord decided to raise the rent by almost a third. Instead of taking on yet another job (I already had two at the time) or denying Ms. D her gourmet banana-apple treats (and me my occasional gourmet coffee), we decided to do something drastic. By fall of 2022, our sky-high rent was a thing of the past. We acquired Winnie the Pugh in August and by September we were knee-deep in the RV living lifestyle. Check out THIS PLAYLIST as well as THIS PLAYLIST if you want to binge watch all the videos I made over the last two years which chronicled our odyssey!)
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Jumping to the beginning of 2025 (can you believe it?), everything has worked out so wonderfully that it blows me away every day. Winnie the Pugh was sold at a reasonable price for both buyer and seller. Better yet, she went to just the perfect person to take her on her own "next season of adventures."
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And I am now living the Texan lifestyle (yeehaw) with a group of amazing, wonderful, faith-filled individuals. We do worship every morning at 8:30 and I am absolutely loving it! Itβs not always easy and we definitely have our challenges. At the same time, I feel the Lord's hand on us all and I know that this is where I'm meant to be for this season of my life. And that feels GOOD!
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So what does all this mean in terms of content for The Gentle Healthy Traveler going forward?
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Well, first of all, I am still The Gentle Healthy Traveler! I haven't hung up my traveling hat yet, despite the fact that the only wheels we currently have are attached to Ms. Dβs stroller. Healthy travel content will continue to be an integral part of what we offer. At the same time β exciting news! β I will be diving even deeper into content having to do with how YOU can stay healthy in an inspired, faith-filled, and (dare I say it?) joyful way, no matter where you hang your hat!
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As for me and Ms. D... we may not be living the 24/7 βrv lifestyleβ any more, but we definitely still plan on hitting the road every once in a whileβ¦
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Could a sweet little van conversion be in our future? Only the True Family knows!
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Blessings my friends, stay healthy, and see you on the road!
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Nikki P. & Ms. D
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Now You Try It...
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It's the beginning of a new year and a great time to "take some time" for reflection and visioning with the Lord. This month, I encourage you to get out your journal or doodle pad, take a long, strolling walk, or block out some time just to "be." Connect with the True Family (this is what we call the Trinity or God) and ask...
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"What is really important to me in my life right now and for this year?"
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"What do I value?"
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"What am I willing to let go of?"
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I would love to hear about your answers! Be sure to drop me a line at nikki@thegentletraveler.com and tell me all about it!
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DISCLAIMER: The videos, articles, and blogs created by Nikki Lyn Pugh, MFA, INHC (aka The Gentle Healthy Traveler) are for entertainment purposes only. They are not meant to diagnose or prescribe. Please see your regular physician or natural health professional.
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