Traveling across the country in an RV is a lot of fun, very educational, adventurous and truly replenishes Chris’ and my faith in God through the many fine people we have met along the way and the Lord’s many protections. I say that because stuff happens and we have witnessed not only God’s hand in his ongoing protection, but also His humor in keeping us humble. Many people save up to buy a beach home or a vacation place on the lake. We are so very blessed to leverage some assets and be able to have a home on wheels. We are able to travel the country, share our faith, and hopefully bless others with the many stories we experience along the way. Here are a few of the humorous ones from our first year.
Our first major dream trip was along the Eastern seaboard where we visited friends from the Carolinas down to Florida in February 2023. Near Augusta Ga., we stayed with friends Elaine and John. Stepping out their lovely front door to take Service Dog Charlie for a walk, he lunged forward and my toe caught on the porch floor. I fell down four brick steps, my head slammed into the brick landing. We went to emergent-care. Three stitches later, they sent me home. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” A few lessons—Stepping out to begin a dream is great, stepping off a porch not so much; It’s not the step or the fall, it’s that sudden stop; I know now why they call them “landings,” and finally, it’s better to let God order your steps than a dog. Looking back on it, it’s funny now..kind of!
There was the first outing with our very close friends from our church—Kim, Chuck, Cindy, Christine, Ed, Tony, Chris and me. We all began gathering together for a picture when Chuck had to move his SUV. Then Tony had to get his walker. Kim was missing. She didn’t hear about the picture because she “must have been talking.” Almost ready, then Ed had to go to the bathroom. Now we were lined up. No, Chris had to get Service Dog Charlie. Finally, picture taken. It doesn’t help when the average age of the group is 69 ranging from 59 to 84. Half of us can’t remember what we were about to do and the other half doesn’t remember what we did when we did it. Recalling Ecclesiastes 3:13, “that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.” These folks truly are a gift of God and we have a lot of laughs. Sometimes we can even remember what was so funny.
Traveling all day in the RV to our beach vacation location, Ed, Christine, Chris and were pretty hungry. We settled in on a Mexican restaurant at Emerald Isle. I ordered a chili relleno with beans and rice. cut off a fairly large hunk of the pepper and stuffed it into my mouth like I hadn’t eaten in a week. It was the hottest pepper I’ve ever had. My mouth was on fire. My head started sweating. My eyes watering. Wow! One of our beach traditions is early morning coffee on the beach. This year, Service Dog Charlie suddenly started digging on the beach and plastered Ed’s cup with sand. Then he turned directions and covered my lap in sand. John 16:24 says, “ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full.” A hot mouth, a cup of sand and a lap to match it, every year we ask for a joyful trip to the beach. And we get it…mostly!
Leaving Valley Forge this fall for our next stop in Connecticut, we experienced one of the great people in our nation. We were headed toward a low overpass that would have clipped the top off of our camper and a man pulled along-side us motioning for us to pull over. He told us what was going to happen, then offered to take us around the overpass and put us on the path to our next stop. We didn’t get his name, but from the goodness of his heart, he saved us from ruin. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Strangers or angels, our faith is our bond and inspiration. These are just a few of our adventures, humorous or otherwise. Hope you enjoy them!
