Traveling with intention
God showed up so many times this weekend. From the stay to the Uber drivers to the overall experience and timing of the trip—His hand was evident in it all. First, I want to say how truly grateful I am to the families I’ve nannied for in the past, a few of whom have become like family to me. One of those families graciously allowed my daughter and me to stay in their home for the weekend. What was originally supposed to be a get-together with the family shifted due to unforeseen circumstance and instead of cancelling they allowed us to have their home to ourselves.
I don’t take situations like that for granted—I was deeply humbled. This family has always been good to me, and it’s a blessing to be around people who are not only kind but also a source of learning and inspiration. Their generosity made everything so much easier, and I’m incredibly thankful.
Secondly, during the trip, I found myself teaching my youngest daughter an important life lesson about safety—specifically, not getting into an Uber if the license plate isn’t visible, which actually happened this weekend. In the middle of that lesson, God gave us two separate yet meaningful encounters with different Uber drivers.
One of them shared a powerful testimony. As I asked how long he’d been driving Uber and discussed the nature of the job, he revealed that on one Halloween night he had been held at gunpoint, shot four times, and survived. He showed me one wound out of the four on his arm - Praise God - he’s alive. He’s a husband and father of one, and after hearing his story, I asked (after arriving to the field) if I could pray over him in which he said yes! His name—though I won’t share it—has strong biblical significance, which only made the moment more impactful. It was one of many God-moments throughout the trip I encountered and once again in awe of how the Lord showed up.
As for New Orleans itself, I’ve been there many times—mostly for work as a nanny and once with a Christian singing group. However, that one trip with the group was when I got to explore some of the city. I walked Bourbon Street, took in the vibrant life of the French Quarter, indulged in some amazing seafood, and met new people along the way. The city was alive with art, music, and soul.
This time around - one of those moments happened when my daughter and I were heading to the famous Café Du Monde, which had been highly recommended by the family I currently manage a home for. The husband specifically told me, “If you go anywhere before you leave, go there.” So we did—but the line was blocks long. No problem, I thought, we’ll just grab it to go. Well, that line was wrapped around too, and the wait was well over an hour. I figured we’d try another time or maybe the next day if there was time.
Realistically speaking I knew their probably wouldn't be enough time to go back so I gave up on the café and walked behind to see the water. Snapped a few pictures of the water behind the café and as I turned to leave, I noticed a gentleman sitting on the steps wearing a Café Du Monde shirt. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he worked there, and he kindly replied, “Yes, ma’am.” I explained that I was visiting from New Jersey, here for a football tournament with my boys, and had been told not to miss this iconic spot—but didn’t have time to wait in the long lines. I asked if there was any way to get takeout, as we didn’t need to sit.
He smiled and said, “Of course, follow me.” He walked me and my daughter Kenzie right inside and sat us at a table—just like that! We got to enjoy their famous beignet and coffee without the wait, and it felt like another small, sweet blessing on this trip.
Another highlight was visiting the Hotel Monteleone, where a scene from the movie Double Jeopardy was filmed. Being there felt surreal, like stepping onto a movie set. The ambiance and atmosphere were unforgettable. As I’ve mentioned before acting has been a passion of mine for a long time. From the moment I stepped onto a set and experienced the lights, camera, and action, I was hooked. Acting didn’t just ignite creativity—it helped develop my social skills and gave me a new sense of expression. Now, when I travel, I’m drawn to places that have cinematic or cultural significance. While I didn’t have time to visit the Lafayette cemetery No. 1 or the Hermman-Grima House (Also in the movie DJ) I was excited to walk into the hotel where I snapped a few shots.
“Double Jeopardy also filmed in the lobby and in front of Hotel Monteleone, one of the city’s most notable hotels. The Carousel Bar, pictured, was transformed into the Armani shop where Libby picks up a dress”.
This weekend—watching both my sons play in a tournament, enjoying these moments with my daughter, and sharing it all with my football family—was incredible. Ending the nights on Bourbon Street, watching the city come alive, listening to the incredibly talented street musicians and dancing to some salsa music was a vibe. But more than anything, watching God show up again and again made the trip well worth it.
In the past, I didn’t always travel with intention. When I say intention - yes knowing why I am going somewhere or researching what to do but most importantly I mean waiting for God to show up.
There are still so many places I want to explore, and now I do it with purpose. Travel for me isn’t just about getting away—it’s about being part of something meaningful, whether it’s stepping into a scene from a movie, meeting someone with a powerful story, experiencing the richness of a new place, and seeing the work of God in all of it.
New Orleans was full of God moments and unforgettable experiences, and I’m grateful I got to share them with my children. I can’t wait to see where God leads us next.
