Still Waters
Wow you guys, this is way overdue and it has been crazy since we last posted!
Our last update was from the Grand Tetons, which seems SO long ago. Let me catch you up-
We drove through all of Yellowstone in a day. I had no idea that Yellowstone was in the middle of mountain ranges! I've always pictured Old Faithful in the middle of flat land as far as the eye could see. And yes, it's flat right there where Old Faithful is.
But that is such a tiny part of a ginormous national park! There are a handful of mountain ranges within the park and even the plateau is 7 to 8,000 ft. in elevation. We drove for eight hours circling the park (we missed our turn off to head east halfway through due to road construction- oops!) in our 1993 RV that was just barely hanging on, up and down mountains, over summits and along cliffs where I was sure we would all go tumbling down to our death.
Yellowstone was gorgeous, and we did get to see some amazing views and wildlife.
That night we drove all the way to Cody, Wyoming, and left the next morning to continue on.
Then came the Big Horn Mountains, and that is where Green Pastures quit on us. Again. We were towed back to Worland, where we waited for another check of our engine and repairs.
Worland is actually an incredibly friendly little town! The people were so helpful there and everyone seemed to know everyone. We visited a museum and did some on site history while we waited.
The next day we hopped back into Green Pastures, hoping we were in the clear for the rest of the road trip.
But that was not to be. Let me just tell you, the Big Horn Mountains are intense! We broke down three more times that day. In the middle of nowhere. With no cell phone service.
Praise God, we were able to let Green Pastures rest an hour or so each time and then move forward. I am telling you it was a miracle we made it over those mountains! By the time we got to Rapid City, South Dakota that evening- muscles knotted and shirts sweat-stained from all the worry- we were ready to stop our travels and pray about what in the world we should do next.
We spent a total of ten days in Rapid City. We prayed, called RV shops, looked for a new RV, and then did it all again.
In the middle of that week, we visited the Black Hills. Gorgeous! That was a refreshing couple of days, where we saw Mt. Rushmore, went horseback riding (heaven!), homeschooled and played.
When we headed back to Rapid City, the RV problems continued. One thing after another continued to break even while we were just traveling within the city.
We were in need of wisdom and direction. Do we head home? Do we just keep fixing this RV and keep breaking down all along the way? Do we spend more money on another one? Good grief, so many things to consider and pray through!
After a week of this, and knocking on every door, seeking God and wisdom from others, we finally decided to trade in Green Pastures and invest in a better trailer.
Meet Still Waters (Psalm 23), our new travel trailer. (Sorry, we haven't taken inside pics yet.)
"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3a
Last Wednesday, after ten days in Rapid City, we finally continued east. We are so thankful!!
We spent the last few days in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes. Lots of really pretty trees and rolling green hills. Much to the delight of the kids we went to the Mall of America, which is a ridiculously huge mall with a small theme park in the middle called Nickelodeon Universe. We had a great time there going on rides, and visiting some stores we don't have back home.
Sunday morning we worshiped at Bethlehem Baptist church in Minneapolis, where John Piper used to preach. It was so refreshing to worship Almighty God with the body of Christ. How amazing that we are bonded to people we have never met before!
So the journey continues. Yesterday we drove through Wisconsin to Illinois, and tomorrow we will visit Chicago ("Lord willin' and the crik don't rise!" as my Grandma used to say.) It is crazy to look at a U.S. map and see how far we've come!
But that isn't the most important part. The deep, dark times where God has met us, and the sweet refreshing times with Him, have been life-giving. Being together as a family, being sharpened by one another, laughing and crying and praying together... It is priceless. All glory and honor and praise be to the One who is always faithful and kind. He is worthy.