Trippin'

For the past three weekends in a row, we have hit the road - Hubby and me - to see our babies and their babies. We met a newborn, celebrated a 6-year-old and gathered up a heart-full of cuddles and giggles from our two almost twos. We've covered a few hundred miles in what has come to be known as "The PeePaw Mobile" aka Hubby's 12- year-old-Sequoia with a few dents and dings and three rows of seats. This isn't earth-shaking news for most folks. There's nothing unusual about packing a bag and hitting the highway on a Friday afternoon for a weekend of visiting. For us, though, this is a wonder. For 31 of our 33 years of marriage thus far, one or both of us have been in full-time ministry. And somehow in all those years, we never managed to arrange for more than 3 - 4 Sundays off in a year's time. Not even in the early days. There was no paternity leave when the boys were born and I don't recollect Hubby even missing one Sunday for either birth - the boys conveniently coming on a Friday/early Saturday morning. He brought us home and dropped us off then headed back to a rehearsal or staff meeting or service of some kind. I don't know that I would have liked having him underfoot for 12 weeks but it sure would have been nice to have a little more time to adjust. Being truthful here, I'm torn between thinking it's ridiculous the amount of time folks take off these days and feeling quite jealous we weren't afforded that opportunity. But it's water under the bridge at this point and... we have seen how other folks have lived all these years so we're burning up the road making up for it! I have to say, though, the first time I got back in the car after that traumatic drive when we moved from Texas, I was a little skittish. I drove 13 hours alone in my car one day and 7 the next. By the time we got here I was about comatose and had to pry my hands off the steering wheel to get out. I'm used to it now and enjoying the freedom of going.

We have a little ritual... I take my last call on Friday afternoon in the car and off we go. We have two phone chargers plugged and ready and the PeePaw Mobile has lots of cup holders. It's even got DVD players mounted in the back of the drivers' and passenger seats! With headphones - like from "We Are The World." Y'all know what I'm talking about. If not, check it out on the Google - it's a cool 80's thing. I'm threatening to ride back there watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," next time he head to Georgia. Hubby is not amused. All I can think of is when we got Ruby, our red 1995 Ford Windstar Van, and we stuck a 13" TV onto a plastic milk crate with bungee cords and hooked it up for the boys to play Nintendo on trips. We were ahead of our time I reckon.

Of course, the best part of these trips is the destination. The squeals and little arms reaching up for hugs. The arms that used to reach up but are shoulder to shoulder bringing hugs from the same height now. But the journey is enjoyable, too. We talk some and listen to the radio. I read, maybe catch a cat-nap. Navigate if there's an unfamiliar patch - check for delays up ahead. Watch for the best places to stop - a rest area or truck stop maybe. Drive thru burger place if we're hungry or snacks if we just want a little something. Y'all know you can't go to the restroom without buying at least a pack of crackers, right. It's a rule. Once in a while you luck up on a place that has gas, a convenience store and a fast food restaurant. It's the travelers' trifecta. I am always in amazement at the stuff you can get in one of those establishments. The one thing I just can't fathom is that they have showers. I guess it's a blessing if you drive a truck for a living but I still think I'd be a little squeamish about that. Some folks have a bucket list of places the want to visit, but I don't. Maybe someday. Right now, it's enough to be able to make these little trips and see a few things along the way with our kids at the end of the road.

In reality, it's all a journey. Whether you go far and wide or stay in a tight little circle. No matter. There are conversations to be had, books to read and naps to take. Delays and detours up ahead to navigate. A little entertainment once in a while, some sustenance and yes, a chance to wash off the dust here and there. Pretty country to see and unusual places to visit. Hugs to collect. Love to dish out.

And I figure I'll have a chance at that bucket list one day, too. I once read a book called Heaven by Randy Alcorn. In it he talks of the new earth we read of in Revelation: “If you're a child of God, you do not just "go around once" on Earth. You don't get just one earthly life. You get another-one far better and without end. You'll inhabit the New Earth! You'll live with the God you cherish and the people you love as an undying person on an undying Earth.” The way I see it, whatever I miss this time I'll just catch the next go round. It'll be all new again like it was meant to be and the Creator himself will be there to show us around. It will be pristine and untouched - like day one. Won't that be grand? I can't even imagine. But I'm packed and ready for that road trip on a moment's notice. It'll be a wonder. Come, Lord Jesus. Quickly come. Selah.