On the Road Again. The Journey Continues.

The second week of our road trip found us in South Florida. As the week ended, we began making our way to the middle of the map. The first week of our trip included some time with family; this last weekend included time with some precious friends.

As we were driving north, making our way from Florida to Missouri, we stopped in central Georgia for lunch on Friday with two precious friends. Then on Saturday night, we spent some time in Tennessee with more special friends. Friends like these are among life's greatest blessings!

Whether you are on a road trip or just "traveling through life", there are some highs and lows. We experienced some high points this week as we spent time with friends, but there have been some low points as well. In this trip around the country we have made some interesting observations. Among them, that there are bad drivers every where you go, and the disturbing reality that this country's infrastructure is falling apart! Roads and bridges everywhere are crumbling!

When we arrived here in St. Louis, we were upgraded to a suite. This is a special blessing, since we are here for the entire week. We have two rooms, which gives us plenty of room for our "stuff", plenty of room for Al to work, and a separate room for sleeping.

We left a drought in Florida to come to Missouri, where they have had too much rain, and a number of roads are flooded. Besides the rain, it is much cooler here than I expected, which makes me very glad I thought to pack jeans and a jacket!

As we begin this third week of our trip, I have three conclusions:

• Expect the unexpected. No matter how much you plan and prepare, no matter how many times you check the weather forecast, things won't always turn out exactly as you expect they will. Be flexible. Make adjustments where necessary. And enjoy the journey.
• Sometimes the "unexpected" is a special gift. Like our suite, for example. "Unexpected" is not necessarily a bad thing. Be thankful. And enjoy the journey.
• Friendship is one of life's greatest blessings. Over the years we have been blessed to have many "forever friends" come into our lives. Friends with whom we share a special connection. Friends with whom we have enjoyed the journey of life, and with whom we enjoy every moment we get to share together.

We're in our third week of living on the road. We've seen some beautiful parts of the country. We've eaten some good food. Even so, I confess there are days when I long for home! But until we make our way there, the journey continues!


"In everything give thanks."  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)