Looking Ahead

It’s hard to believe, but we’ve officially reached the halfway point of our year-long journey around the world. I’m sitting in Tokyo right now along with the rest of the family. Big challenges have been overcome and we’re back wandering together.

When we first set out, we knew this adventure would change us. We just didn’t know how.

So far, our travels have taken us through Hawaii, New Zealand, and Fiji, while Josiah also had the opportunity to spend time in Cambodia. Every destination has left its mark, but the biggest changes haven’t been measured in miles: they have been measured in relationships and in growth.

We’ve watched Josiah mature in remarkable ways. Liam and Jessy have grown in confidence and adaptability. The younger kids seem perfectly content wherever "home" happens to be, proving once again that children often embrace adventure better than adults expect. And Leona has been walking through a very welcome career transition. Watching new doors open for her has been an answer to prayer, and we’re deeply grateful for the freedom she’s experiencing.

And now we are in Japan.

We can hardly believe it.

We'll be spending an entire month in Tokyo, partly because monthly Airbnb rentals make good financial sense, but mostly because a city of this size deserves more than a quick visit. Greater Tokyo is home to approximately 33 million people, a little less than the entire population of Canada. That statistic alone is difficult to wrap your head around.

I'm looking forward to immersing myself in the culture, observing daily life, and experiencing a place that has fascinated the world for years.

After Japan, the itinerary becomes a whirlwind.

We'll spend a night in South Korea before flying to Paris for a week. From there we'll continue through Switzerland, Italy, and Norway—all during the month of August.

September is expected to be spent in Northern Ireland, while October and November remain flexible. We're hoping to continue exploring Europe and, if time and finances allow, finally make it to Africa.

Long-term family travel is incredible, but it's also very real. Every destination is balanced against budgets, logistics, and the reality that this isn't simply a vacation—it's everyday life on the road.

For much of the journey, we've intentionally embraced slow travel.

Taking time to settle into places has allowed us to experience destinations beyond the typical tourist checklist. It's still our favourite way to travel. That said, the second half of the year will include a few more bucket-list experiences. We're looking forward to finding a healthy balance between lingering in places and seeing some of the iconic destinations we've dreamed about for years.

One unexpected joy has been building the @sevenwanderers2026 community along the way.

Our YouTube channel has grown to about 200 subscribers, and while it currently earns exactly zero dollars, that's honestly been part of the fun. Since there isn't any revenue to protect, we don't mind occasionally (always) losing monetization over a favourite song sneaking into a video. Sometimes a little Metallica just fits the moment.

The blog has also become one of my favourite ways to reflect on the journey. Writing helps me process experiences that might otherwise blur together, and it's been encouraging to know that family, friends, and fellow travellers are following along.

If there's one lesson this journey has taught us, it's this:

Our family was built for this.

None of us have experienced significant homesickness. We've discovered a resilience we didn't fully know we possessed. We give each other space when needed, support one another when life gets difficult, and generally take the unexpected in stride.

Travel has a way of exposing weaknesses, but it also reveals strengths. This year has reminded us that discomfort doesn't have to become discouragement. Delayed flights, unfamiliar cultures, changing plans, and countless small inconveniences haven't defined the experience. Instead, they've strengthened the bond we share as a family.

For that, we're incredibly thankful.

As we step into the second half of this adventure, we're excited to see what God has planned next. Thank you to everyone who continues to encourage us, pray for us, read the blog, watch the videos, and cheer us on from home.

We're grateful you're travelling this journey with us.

Dawson