It had been twenty-five years and another lifetime ago since I’d last seen my Bethany friends (Bethany College of Missions was where I got my start in Christian publishing back in 1980s).
We had all been through a lot in those intervening years. But it was so wonderful to catch up!
I was so grateful for the warm welcome we received at St. Thomas More Parish in Pottstown, PA . More is the patron of adopted children, and Pennsylvania will always be for us the place where went through the most trying time of our lives together, when Chris was placed in therapeutic care for over a year. I’ve never talked about that time publicly before … but afterwards a mother came up to me with tears in her eyes, “That happened to us, too, our foster child. Unless you have been through it, it’s hard to understand. Thanks for sharing your story.”
We were unable to see Sarah Christmyer, who was sick… but we reconnected with several other PA/Ascension friends. So grateful!
Next day Craig and I continued to “Pray Across America” at the National Padre Pio Center in Barto, PA.
Driving across the state yesterday, it felt like we were welcomed into an Ansel Adams painting, snow frosting the trees as far as the eye can see.
Thought I’d take a few minutes to recap first week. The first week of our tour took us from the Church of the Little Flower and the Ukrainian National Shrine of the Holy Family…
It’s official. We have moved. Had a buyer for our house in two days, creating a logistical nightmare of epic proportions as Craig and Chris labored to find a place — ANYplace— to put boxes and boxes of a lifetime of family.
Then the snow started.
Then the septic tank started leaking in the basement.
Long story short, it had been an adventure of a lifetime. It reminded me to be thankful for things like flushing toilets and hot showers and, well, if I ever find my crockpot I will be thankful for that, too.
But most of all, I am thankful for … this.
Craig has a dream. He wants to see all 47 of the National Parks in the continental U.S. with me and whichever family members are around to enjoy it.
I have a dream, too. I want to see my husband fulfill his dream without giving up running water and indoor plumbing. Or beds with actual sheets and pillows.
Is that too much to ask? As it turns out … not at all! See?
This little beauty will be ours on Friday. That and the vehicle Craig is picking up as I type this, large enough to pull it from state to state.
Would you like to come along with us? I’d love that. I’ve set up a special page here where you can follow along. Feel free to send us your tips (or a shout out for a visit, if it looks like it will be in your area … Did I mention this thing has a picnic awning?). We can only travel about 200-300 miles a day. So we won’t get there fast … but we will get there!
If you want to be sure not to miss an installment, feel free to add your email address to our newsletter, or friend me on Facebook. I hope to acquire a Facebook Live habit along the way. Fingers crossed.
St. Christopher, keep us in your sights as we are #livingthedream as we are #prayingacrossamerica. Our first trip begins in April!
Life on the Road Less Traveled 