Have you ever wondered what “normal life” is really like for us? In addition to nightly church services, weekly ladies luncheons, team meetings, and counseling sessions, regular life continues. There’s a home to maintain, laundry to do, groceries to buy, and school to teach. HOWEVER, as we are in churches throughout North America, and even as we travel to those churches, we have such incredible opportunities to see and do things we probably otherwise would never be able to experience. Almost every week, we have a “travel day” when we pack up the trailer, travel to the next church, and set the trailer back up. We pray for uneventful (read no blown tires, no excessive traffic delays, no truck issues) travel days, and more often than not, they are. And some times, travel day turns into a wonderful opportunity. Let me give you an example. In September, after finishing two THIRST Conferences in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, we headed north to Loudonville, NY. With GPS on and atlas in hand, we began an amazing two day journey of touring the New England area in a Volvo semi with a 54’ trailer in tow. We left Raleigh and drove through Virginia’s state capital, Richmond. We continued on to Washington, DC driving right next to the Pentagon and seeing the Capitol Building, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial. As we approached Baltimore Harbor, we saw the massive ships carrying imported cars filling the harbor…then we took the truck and trailer UNDER the Patapsco River by way of the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Next came Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey (we skirted New York City!), and we stopped for the night just over the border into New York. Every big city we come to, we scan the atlas for significant landmarks and (for Christian) professional sports stadiums to search for. The next morning, we headed to our first “college visit” for our son Christian. Since last year, he has been considering and praying about going to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. When he heard we would be in New York this fall, he asked if we could stop by to tour West Point. Knowing how big New York is, I hesitated to even imagine that we might be near. However, when we mapped out our journey to Loudonville, we discovered we would be driving right through that area! What a joy to be able to dream alongside Christian and to imagine what it might be like for him in a few years if the Lord in fact directs him to West Point. Our time at West Point was amazing. What an incredible campus, outstanding education, and rich history West Point offers. With Christian’s encouragement, I am now the proud owner of a t-shirt that says “West Point Mom”!!! As I reflect on my own life’s journey, I am challenged to pray big for my children, trusting that God’s plans for them are even grander than I can imagine. Almost 650 miles, 6 states, the US Capitol, over $100 in tolls, beautiful New England scenery, a visit to West Point, and quality time as a family…that’s a pretty exciting travel day! So there you have it...a snapshot of life on the road!
