On the Road. And the GPS Died.....

Today begins our third week on the road.  Last week we were in Mississippi and Texas, and we woke up this morning in Arizona.

A lot of good things happened last week.  I ticked a box on my bucket list, having now been in all fifty states after our detour into Oklahoma on Friday and our arrival in Arizona yesterday.

Last week we ate some really good food.  We stopped in at Willie's Duck Diner on our way through West Monroe, Louisiana, and had a delicious lunch.  While we were in Texas, I ate some really good Tex-Mex, and also had what may be the best salmon I ever ate at a restaurant called Texas.

But in spite of all the good things that happened last week, there were some challenges as well.

On Friday, somewhere between Dallas and Amarillo, the cruise control stopped working.  Since then, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

On Saturday, the air conditioner quit.  That was not good news!  We were, after all, on our way to Phoenix!  Since then, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

A mechanic from the van rental company was supposed to call.  But no call has been received.  Al sent a blistering e-mail yesterday to the president of the rental company.  The result is that we will be getting a new van later today.

Meanwhile, somewhere between Amarillo and Albuquerque, the GPS died.  Since there are many miles left on this trip, one of our first stops in Albuquerque, after we had checked in at our hotel, was to go shopping for a new GPS.  And then, after having made that purchase, on Sunday morning, the old one started working again!

We are planning to leave here tomorrow morning on our way to Anaheim, California.  We had planned to take I-10, but that road is now closed near Palm Springs.  My job today is to figure out an alternate route.

Life is filled with challenges, whether you are on the road or not. 

Maybe you are facing a few challenges today.  Maybe your GPS hasn't quit on you.  But maybe your air conditioner did.  Or maybe you're facing a health challenge.  Or a financial challenge.  Or maybe a relationship challenge.

One thing is certain.  There will always be challenges to face in life. 

When they come, it's helpful to remember that none of this comes as a surprise to our loving Heavenly Father.  And when we're tempted to ask why does this always happen to me or what did I ever do to deserve this, it's helpful to remember that God is in control and He is working all these things together for our good and for His glory.

Even a broken GPS.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  (Romans 8:28 NASB)


"Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it."  (Chuck Swindoll)