New Year, New Adventures!

We love the outdoors.  Obviously.  You don't make a choice to live in a tent if you don't love being outside all the time.  Even so, I am thankful that this winter has been very mild.  Every day we learn a bit more about what to do and what not to do.  Being able to do that without having to worry about several inches of snow and constant bitter cold has been a blessing.  Our heaters can only do so much in an enclosure that has plastic walls and no floor.

We have had a wonderful time this winter.  There is a certain perspective of what is really a need when your resources are limited.  I thought I would miss all the "fluff" that comes with having a house.  No pictures on walls.  No knick knacks to dust.  No floors to mop. No grass to mow.  No tv.  None of these are bad, but are they necessary to have a full life?

We traveled to Daytona Beach, FL this week and are back in a hotel.  All that is provided in a hotel was taken for granted before we began our adventure.  Now, there is a great appreciation of simple things like running water and electricity.  The ocean view and kitchenette are nice and we will enjoy it while we are here but we miss our tent!  Simple is good!!

Our winter adventure hadn't been as "productive" as far as helping people that we had hoped it would be. Until we started thinking about it.  When we help a stranger we know it's God putting them in our path to help.  When it's family, it's not so clear.

In Virginia and Maryland it's impossible to find a state park camp site that is open in the winter.  There are plenty of private campgrounds that have RV sites that you can put a tent on but they want a king's ransom for the privilege to stay there.  Darren's brother, Trever, cleaned out his backyard and it has been an ideal campground this winter.

Cleaning his house.  Picking up dog food.  Adding an extra plate when I make dinner.  These are all things that if it was a stranger, I would know instantly that it was a "God thing".  Since it's family we just do it without seeing that God had us right where we were needed most this winter.  He didn't want us out helping strangers when there was a greater need right in our own family.

We are really looking forward to all the adventures that God has in store for us in the coming year!!  Where will God lead YOU this year?