OK

In this transition to get to the mission field, Joanna and I are not alone, there are four small girls following us everywhere we go. Four little lives that need led, loved, trained, educated and shepherded. Many times I fool myself to think that in this whole chapter of life that the kids are ‘the least of our worries’ assuming that they will go right along with all the changes and enjoy all the scenery as we drive across the USA. They are in young stage of life that affords a lot of flexibility and they have indeed been very flexible through it all, but I don’t want to set cruise control on parenting.

We need to keep intentionally training them and reminding them what this stage of life is all about, the unique opportunities that they are experiencing and eventual destination down the road. While this season of life is unpredictable, random and many times very stressful, we need to remember that the kids can see our demeanor and attitude. While our words of instruction leave impressions on them, a negative attitude from us can leave an even deeper impression.

Before we started our 6 month road trip, we were positive and hopeful about the trip and how the girls would do with traveling and the inconsistent schedule, but we were just guessing. We really didn’t know. When all this was still fresh in our minds, we were at a church in FL and received some advise from a friend that has really stuck with us. It was just a simple sentence that I’m sure they didn’t think would leave so much of an impact on us, but it did…

She said, “If you guys are OK with it all, the kids will be OK.”

Very simple, but very true, and this has proven to be true over and over. As long as we are OK with the life of a nomad, then they follow along. Praying this continues to be true as we hit the road again to IN, IL, NE, MO, TX, AL, TN, and VA in the next month.