Meg J.

Today, Meg speaks to us about how a God-first gym changed hers and her husband’s life, hosting a young woman from across the world, how she and her husband stay connected to God on the day-to-day, and an amazing list of books you will want to add to your list.

Meg J.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

I love how this passage has spoken to me as my intimate relationship with God has grown.

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Ever since a mission trek to Guatemala in December 2017, I try to live out daily 1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” When I find myself loving everyone deeply, I find that I stay in tuned with the life that God desires for me to live out.

“When I find myself loving everyone deeply, I find that I stay in tuned with the life that God desires for me to live out.”

Profession: Wife, stay-at-home mom to two boys (Landon 5.5 and Griffin 3), and blogger/influencer of Trekking Twice, a God-first family travel blog.

A one sentence bio of yourself: I’m Meg J., a Christ follower, wife, mother and influencer for family travel, residing in Northeast Florida.

When did you first encounter God? My mom was a Christian role model to me growing up, but I only chose to have a minor, non-practiced relationship with God as a child and young adult. After my husband and I became heavily involved with a God-first gym called Trinity Fitness, we both desired to live God-first lives. We have seen tremendous impacts in our marriage, for our kids and with our friends, since we made this decision.

“We have seen tremendous impacts in our marriage, for our kids and with our friends, since we made this decision.”

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? Staying constant in my quiet time with God in the mornings. I am a different Meg on the mornings that I don’t open the Bible and hear God speak. My husband works a stressful job in corporate America, so to help us stay connected, we read the same Bible chapter daily and then talk about our notes on his drive into work.

“I am a different Meg on the mornings that I don’t open the Bible and hear God speak.”

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): Pressing Pause – this devotional for women is a quick-read and a great supplement to the Bible. It gives practical examples of issues women face using scripture passages to resolve the issues. I am also reading Mom Set Free with a group of like-minded moms. This book is a wonderful resource for moms to release that we will not ever be perfect and our only goal as a mother is to point our children towards Jesus.

Finally, I am walking a girlfriend though Experiencing God. This is an AMAZING resource for a new Christian on being open to hear God’s will and not just our own.

Top three essentials: The Bible, a Carly Jean outfit and our golf cart = the perfect day. We live in a golf cart community so I never have to drive my car!

How did God speak to you recently? While in Guatemala in December 2017, I clearly heard God telling me that we needed to fill our guest bedroom. And sure enough, a few days later a woman who I had never met rang our doorbell and let me know about a program called The Greatest Exchange. It was wild! A girl from Kahzastan, Eliza, arrived in late May to live with us for a month. Beyond that, we are going to consider fostering or adopting in the future.

Hobby: Writing! I absolutely love writing blog posts and have toyed around with working on a fictional novel.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: Stay in the Word in the morning, surround yourself with God-first friends and view as everyone as a child of God, regardless of their life choices.

Favorite person in scripture? I love the story of Mary and Martha in the book of Luke. Mary, Martha’s sister, is one of my biblical inspirations. I love how she chose to put aside tasks and focus only on listening to Jesus. I need to be more like Mary!

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? Following God does not mean that you are perfect! I fight with my husband, I yell at my kids and I have ruined friendships. Sometimes, if I burn my hand on a hot dish or get scared by a loud bang, I curse. God loves all of us, even when we’re messy.

“Following God does not mean that you are perfect! I fight with my husband, I yell at my kids and I have ruined friendships.”

Favorite season? I grew up in NJ and loved autumn — all of the changing colors and harvest smells are the best. Now as a Floridian, I’d say winter. There is nothing better than a 50 degree Florida day in January!

Favorite holiday? My favorite spiritual holiday is Easter — I just love the excitement and joy that the Easter story brings. As a mom, I love Halloween. Our boys are so excited to dress up and I love how our neighborhood comes together in fellowship that night.

A dream you have? To create a community of women wherever I am called. For the past four years, God has used me to create a mom’s club community. Currently, He has influenced me to form this God-first travel blog. I LOVE bringing women together for good.

“I LOVE bringing women together for good.”

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: Every Christmas Eve, my husband and I watch the movie Four Christmases after our kids are asleep. It’s goofy and silly, but it’s become a tradition, and we laugh hysterically together.

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? In heaven, do we look like we do when we’re at our prime? As children? Do we look like our Earthly-selves at all? I find myself daydreaming about that topic.

Thing you want to raise awareness about: God wants to use you to spread the Good News and it doesn’t need to be in a traditional sense. How can your travel blog, your gym, your jewelry-making business or your gift of writing glorify God?

“How can your travel blog, your gym, your jewelry-making business or your gift of writing glorify God?”

What do you usually do before 9 a.m.? Wake up early, read the Bible, prep school lunch, feed the boys and then rush everyone out the door to get to preschool drop-off on the golf cart.

What is on your nightstand? A myriad of books: The Bible, Pressing Pause, Mom Set Free, Experiencing God, Radical Together and always a notebook, pen and highlighter. And my iPhone, of course!

Define Christianity in a sentence: Christianity is the belief that Jesus died for our sins and the only way to eternal salvation is through asking for the forgiveness of your sins and surrendering your will to that of God’s will for your life.

For more Meg:

Social media handle: @trekkingtwice

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO