Over three years ago I surrendered completely to God and prayed daily that he would lead us to where we were supposed to be. It is much easier than it sounds once you get used to the idea that He is in control.
Early in 2017 we realized that we were being lead to move, so we started our search. For years Marg's doctors have told her that she needs to be at sea level to help with her breathing. Knowing we could not afford many coastal areas we zeroed in on North & South Carolina.
I was tired of making mistakes with my life and truly felt; what do I have to loose with Him in control?
Now comes the hard part, waiting on Him. Once you learn to have patience and listen, things start to happen. To be able to move we had to sell our business first, then our home within the same 6 month time frame. Crazy...
He brought us buyers of the business and our home in His timing, not ours. Our business & home sold in the same time frame without too many hiccups. Both selling for more than we had anticipated allowing us to move and hopefully become debt free in early 2019.
Be careful what you specifically pray for. We prayed that we would be able to drive both cars to North Carolina and find a home. I forgot to ask for the cars not to break down...
We left early one afternoon from Firestone Colorado with maps and atlas in hand (no GPS). As we headed onto E-470 we were greeted by a massive thunderstorm. Maybe a indication of what was to come...
All we had planned for was our final destination not a route or time frame, a true walk (drive) in faith. Anyway, on we went looking towards a future having no idea what was in store, an adventure that has still not ended.
I was driving our trusty Saturn Vue packed to the brim, actually over packed, containing most of our "important" stuff. Marg was behind me in her Toyota Solara convertible loaded with the rest of the "important stuff" that we did not trust to the shipping container.
As we neared the Colorado/Kansas border a red light started to flash on the Vue's dash, one that I had never seen before? after 220,000 miles ya would think I would have seen it before. Low and behold the transmission had started to overheat, not good.
Our 2004 Saturn Vue is a crossbreed, one of the most reliable vehicles we have owned, and unfortunately the Saturn company no longer exists. The Vue Red Line has a Honda powertrain with a transmission that is very unusual and can honestly only be worked on by a Saturn tech, of which there is not one anywhere near Colby Kansas.
Remember I am trusting God, and well He steps in and off we go the next morning. For the next 4 days I learn how to drive an injured overloaded 14 year old car 1800 miles. What proved to work best was keeping the speed around 70mph on the flats, never use the air conditioner and Lord help me if I come across a hill. Did I mention no AC? we were driving across the U.S. to North Carolina in the middle of June!
After Colby I had to look at the temp gauge every 30 seconds, yeah every 30 seconds for 1800 miles and adjust my speed. Finding that if I could keep the temp just under 1/2 way the Vue's transmission wouldn't overheat. Took four of these episodes (over heating) to get me educated on how to limp one of our only cars across the country.
We would have to go up the hills on the shoulder with our flashers on in 2nd gear. Meaning I had to keep the speed @ 20MPH hoping that I had a huge downhill coming up to coast down (in neutral) with the AC on.
Instead of hillbilly AC, an open window blowing air over something wet or a swamp cooler...
Do you remember the pics of the families traveling to Cali back in the depression/dust bowl, been there done that.
Never want to drive through West Virginia again...
5 long and adventurous days later we finally pulled into Marg's sister & husband's driveway. Well, I kind of chuckled after a big sigh of relief. God has a sense of humor, I was the one who only asked to make it to our destination. Next time I'll ask for a little more...
At this time in my life I prayed only for a roof over my head, or to truly let go and see what God had for us. This is interesting and exciting to do and guess what it works! really a load off to let go and see what He has for you.
What are our actual needs? For me it is a home, health, the ability to eat, stay warm or cool, have transportation, and the ability to communicate with family & friends. Also to not be a burden on society doing my best to be a decent, honest, caring citizen. Treating others with love, grace and respect. This can be hard in this day and age, with all of the things that can easily overtake our lives.
We live very well in our opinion, not top tier, though not homeless. Thankful for all we "have" been blessed with and that we live in a free country...
One regret of our cross country adventure was I was unable to truly enjoy the scenery. Focusing instead on the temp gauge and the road ahead, as I brushed the sweat out of my eyes with the back of my hand...
Stay tuned for part 2
WP
