Starting the journey and figuring things out.

 

So we left David Lee last week and headed to the only spot we could find between Nashville and Georgia!  We ended up finding a spot a bit north and drove there to stay over the weekend.  God really set that one up for us!  He gave us a spot where we were told that there weren't any; it was not a loud and rowdy campground, and we met some good folks there.  We were able to share how He had gotten us to where we are...but...He put us right next to the most amazing people!  We got set up and the kids invaded our neighbor's space from there!  We ended up having some great conversations over the next few days getting to know more about each other.  They were a father/wife and son/wife combo...it was like a two for one deal!  They just loved on us and blessed our socks off!  We are so thankful that we got to meet them and hope to see the Jackson clan again.  (I hope they were serious when they said call when we come back through!!!!!  :)  )

We were able to get in some amazing trout fishing and enjoyed Creation through crystal clear water, beautiful weather, and amazing wildlife and landscapes.  One of the coolest things...Kelly started a fire and I wasn't even around!!! 

So proud of my survivalist!

We are feeling like we are getting allot figured out already with the 200 sq ft house thing!  We are getting more organized as time goes on and learning that time is something that we (humans) have put a number too.  I have to remind myself sometimes that God has given us an opportunity to slow down and share His Good News and how He has worked in our lives; doesn't matter what time it is.

We have visited 2 National Battlefields in the last week.  The kids are really enjoying the National Parks Service Jr Ranger Program.  In the last week, they have been given 1 pin (only 1 of 5 to be given in the entire U.S. Parks Service) 4 badges for Civil War history and an environmental badge.  We hope to go to another Civil War sire tomorrow and learn some more.  I am really amazed at the history that we are learning and that this was only 150 years ago that the U.S. was the way it was. 

Completing the books to earn their Jr Ranger badges

Checking out the artifacts.

Earning another badge (I call it learning history!...shhh)
 

 We said goodbye to our friends this morning and drove on.  We arrived in Georgia and got set up and were greeted by some really nice folks.  Our "yard" is about 10 ft from the sand and the water of the lake.  Right when we got here we had a chance to share how we got where we are and God is so gracious.  Then, it poured like we haven't seen in about 2.5 years!  That didn't stop the rest of the clan from jumping into the water...they were wet anyway!  Funny story...after arriving, we had a dad come down with the camp host; the dad wanted to meet Zachary before he met his 11 yr old daughter tomorrow.  (I think Zachary passed the test!)   

It's raining...who cares?!?!?!

We hope to meet up with a few friends while we are here, learn about the area, and see how the Lord leads us. 

Our first week!

First off...we forgot what it was like not to have cell service, Wi-Fi- or internet.  No worries though, we have stayed busy!

We left Kelly's mom and dad's house and headed to Scott AFB Il to get things organized and make sure things were good to go.  While there, Kelly and I celebrated our 15th anniversary.  We made a roast, potatoes, veggies and quinoa in the camper and celebrated as a family.  While at Scott, we did some fishing and talked to a few friends and also had a chance to go to our old church again and saw some other friends.

Starting laundry.



Proud to be doing laundry?!?!?!

 



 They said it was a workout but they liked their new chore.

Taking care of some school.

They also played some games that day.

Lounging around.

Spending time outside...doing about everything...at the same time!

Getting to know the local wildlife.

 

We made it to the campground and settled in after an "issue" with our first spot.  We have done some fishing, bike riding, and relaxing.  Our main reason for being here though, was for David's graduation party and graduation ceremony!

Relaxing and sing a bit. 

Getting ready for s'mores!

Kelly's mom and dad came in town and we all went to David's graduation party.  Kelly went over earlier that day to help Amy decorate.  We all went back later that night for the party!  We ate, met many of his friends, chatted with some that we knew, and ALL of the younger kids had a great time playing in the yard.  We had a great time seeing him and his accomplishments being celebrated.



Pictures at the grad party!

We were blessed enough to be here and see David graduate with Honors.  We are so proud of him and the man he has become.  Tears were flowing and smiles were large!  We can't wait to see how God uses him in the future as he heads to Univ of Tennessee.  He is working at Dairy Queen for the time being but is putting his heart into what he is doing.  He has been told that he makes the best BLT and the best BBQ wrap by two different people!

So proud of our boy!

Outside of the graduation, the kids are doing a whole lot of fishing, bike riding, school, and hanging out.  Mom and dad came over and played a game while they were here and David spent the day with us yesterday.  We hope to make it to Civil War battlefield this week and then off to Georgia.

The "house" is doing well.  We are finding new spots all the time to store things in and I have had to fix/change minor things but overall, we are very pleased!  It really doesn't seem like much of an adjustment to living in @ 200 sq ft.  BUT, it has only been a week and we know that frustrations will come.  We have all the necessities but have found a few "extras" that we need as we don't live in the typical home.  The kids are doing a great job with the transition...and so are the adults so far!

God continues to put people in our path as we go on this journey.  Daily we have met someone new that we have been able to share how God has worked in our lives over the last few years.  We have met people from all over the country already and even met someone who does RV ministry at this campground.  They are from a local church and stay here periodically to give our Bibles and hold Sun day services.  We have also received numerous tidbits on where to go and things to see all over the country!  We are loving the stories that people have and the places that tell us to check out or ways that "they" think we might be able to serve in a certain area.  It is so wonderful to be able to share our Love and passions that He is allowing us to use.

This is how it begins...

So...this is real...we are about to do this.  We moved to Vancouver Island, BC about 2 years ago to help plant a church.  In that time, God used our family to create some wonderful relationships with people we would not have otherwise known.  We are so thankful for that opportunity and trust that He will continue to change lives there.  We have since left and the Lord has shown us a glimpse of what He has in store for us next. 

We left Vancouver Island, BC about 3 weeks ago and traveled for about 6 days; so much has happened since then.  We had an amazing road trip and had some of the most amazing experiences.   God put so many amazing people in our path.  He showed us exactly why He gave us each person and we were so thankful to meet so many wonderful people.  We also saw so much of His creation...so beautiful.  We also experienced snow storms, dust storms, sun, clouds, thunderstorms, ice storms and made through it all! 

Loaded into the van.

 

We stopped at an Oregon Trail interpretive center and actually had the opportunity to walk on the same trail that pioneers did so long ago as they traveled along a trail that changed their lives...some for the better; some not.  The kids loved it and learned so much.

The kids earned another badge as Jr Rangers!  So proud of them. 

Our cute little prairie girl!

                                                

Walking on a part of the exact trail that was used.

 

Entering Arches National Park in Utah

 

 

 

...and then after a bit of driving...

Snow!

Stopped to take a picture for one of our Victoria BC friends!

Since then, we arrived in Illinois and Missouri and have seen our amazing family and friends. Since we have been back in the Midwest, we have attended our old church a couple of times, went to the St Louis zoo, and spent some great time with family. 
     

Feeding the stingrays with grandma. 

We even got to make it to the farm and see a new calf and a crazy pig!  We even got to help with bathing and feeding the cows and feeding and lotioning up the pigs!

Putting lotion on the show pig.

Caleb feeding the babies.

Mommy feeding the babies...and loving it.

 

We are getting ready to embark on something that so many people say they dream of doing.  We have not only moved out of one country, left a bunch of amazing people, and took an awesome road trip, but we have now began to pack our new home on wheels!  We are so excited to begin this adventure.  We now are the proud owners of a Jayco 31.5fbhs. We have done so much research on how to live in a RV.  We have begun to incorporate some of this into the RV and we are beginning to make it amazing place by coming up with creative storage ideas, decorating, and finding ways to make it our home.  The kids are excited to camp for the next year and they are having a great time adding shelves, finding spaces for certain items, and creating new ways to have space where space cannot otherwise be found.  We even had a project and took a over the door shoe hanger and cut it up, put grommets in it, and it now hangs around the bottom of the bed for storage.

 We received our "Mobile Washer" recently and they were so excited.  It is essentially a plunger that you do laundry with; one of our ways to be budget conscious on this adventure.  Each time we receive something for this epic journey, we (especially the kids!) are excited and want to know exactly how it fits into our daily routine.  The kids are actually excited to see how this works as this is going to be one of their chores while we are traveling!

This blog thing is new to us...I don't know how to start it and how to maintain it but we have a plan to do this and allow our loving friends and family to know how we are, what we are doing, and what these amazing kids are up to!  We hope to be able to tell so much of our experience without boring people.  What to tell...?...about RV modifications? Who we meet?  What we did...?...we will figure that out as we go, I guess and hope that we don't bore too many people.