As I meander across the country I am continually overwhelmed by the amazing blessing that it is to be able to make this journey. In my wildest dreams I never imagined this type of unlimited freedom to roam, explore, and focus on the Glory of God. On a daily basis I look at a map and decide whether to turn left or right, but in reality it doesn’t matter. There are so many magnificently beautiful sites to be explored along the way. My biggest concerns are which direction to drive, what to eat, where I’ll sleep, and where my next shower might be. Since leaving Fargo, I’ve put over 10,000 miles on my car and less than 5% has been interstate. I generally don’t have a schedule so the scenic path is always an option. Some days and places have been better than others, but I have not had a bad day on my journey.

Many people have asked me about my eating habits, seemingly out of concern, but I promise that I am eating just fine. I typically have PB&J for breakfast, some fruit and snacks for lunch, and a simple camp meal for dinner. I’m eating healthier than the bag of chips and mountain dew lunches that I used to eat at work. I eat a lot more than I used to. It seems like I’m an empty pit, eating nearly double what I used to.

I am getting better at finding places to sleep with practice. I split my nights between tenting in campgrounds, sleeping in the car in forests or parking lots, staying at hostels, or staying at a kind soul’s home. Those kind souls are also very helpful by providing a place with bathrooms, showers, and best of all good company!

It has been wonderful to catch up with old friends and to make new ones along the way. There are friends who I’ve met up with for the first time in years, and they’ve graciously invited me into their homes. I have met boyfriends, fiancés, children, and pets. Each time I’ve been nervous about these reunions, but each time it’s turned out wonderfully. I just want to say an extra thank you to each of you who have taken time to meet with me and opened your homes to me.

After 3 months and 10,000 miles of amazing travels I still don’t know where I’m going… But, I remain most excited to find what will come after the journey. I still have a crazy confidence that God is preparing something for me and the people I meet along the way are going to lead me there.

A very rough interpretation of my path thus far.

Another Thought

When I ran a marathon a few years ago I was hugely encouraged by another runner with Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who gives me strength” on the back of his shirt. I leap frogged this guy about 5 times between miles 18 and 20, and each time I approached him that verse gave me a boost. This has been a bit of a favorite verse since then, but recently the context jumped out at me. Philippians 4:12 says “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or living in want.” Paul wasn’t talking about God helping him through one huge struggle, he was focused on the day to day survival. I was also struck by the term “content”. Paul knew that God is always present, and he remains content both in situations of much and of need.

As I journey I am living with less than I ever have before, but I still find that less is more. It feels great every time I use something up or leave something behind. Space is probably my biggest commodity in my Rav4. I now walk through a box store and cringe at the size and bulk of all the “stuff”. I suspect that 99.99% of it is of absolutely no use to me during this phase in life. I am fully content with what I have in my car.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain NP

Rocky Mountain NP

Rocky Mountain NP

Rocky Mountain NP

Elk in Rocky Mountain NP

Sunset at Rocky Mountain NP

Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park

Terrain on the way to the Black Canyon of Gunnison NP

Black Canyon of Gunnison NP

Black Canyon of Gunnison NP

Black Canyon of Gunnison NP

Black Canyon of Gunnison

Black Canyon of Gunnison NP

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes NP

Great Sand Dunes NP

Great Sand Dunes NP

New Mexico

Rio Grande Gorge

Rio Grande Gorge

Rio Grande Gorge

Diablo Canyon near Santa Fe