A School on Wheels
Lessons Learned on the Road After a Month!
“God gave me a vision for our family: being on the road at various campgrounds, making connections with people, and sharing the message that “You Matter.””
When we first started considering the idea of traveling the country in an RV for a year with the family, we knew there would be plenty of challenges and struggles. We thought about the obvious things: how we would handle living in less than 300 square feet for hours on end, the logistics of traveling across the country, and learning to operate and set up the RV at different sites. While we dealt with all of those things in their own ways, the most meaningful lessons we've learned so far are different from what we expected.
As I sit here thinking about what to write, I feel a slight tinge of anxiety. After going through a master's program in clinical counseling, I've written countless papers on "lessons learned" and "areas of personal growth." Typically, those papers focus on things gone wrong or areas for improvement. I could write a novel on the things that have gone wrong or what I could have done better—like taking care of the hitch setup on the Bronco months ago or taking a course on RV maintenance rather than relying on YouTube videos. However, the main lesson we've learned on this trip can be summed up in one statement: "However you think God is going to work things out, and that you know His plan; think again."
To understand why this is so meaningful to us, we need to go back to the beginning. This all started in the summer of 2023 when the family took a three-week trip to visit 13 national parks. During that trip, God put the vision in Sarah's heart to have the family experience the country in a meaningful and impactful way by traveling in an RV for a year. Sarah has always valued experiences and memories over material things, and this idea was the ultimate culmination of that mindset. She began casting that vision within the family almost immediately after we returned from our summer trip.
I've never been one for super adventurous or outside-the-box activities when it comes to day-to-day life. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" has always been my motto. So, Sarah knew she faced an uphill battle convincing me to step out of my comfort zone. It wasn't until eight months later, when we experienced some major shakeups in our family, that God started moving the wheels of change in our lives. I was suddenly laid off from a job that, while not super stable, I didn't think I was at risk of losing. But it happened, and as the scripture says, God takes what man means for evil and uses it for the good of those who are called by His name.
Two Sundays after being laid off, we were at church when God gave me a vision for our family: being on the road at various campgrounds, making connections with people, and sharing the message that "You Matter." I was in the process of taking actions that would have made it more difficult for us to rent out the house and hit the road, so I told God that if this was His plan, I needed things to happen with work and finances to make it possible. And He did, or so we thought.
It seemed like everything was going to work out cleanly and simply, with some business dealings I had going on. I envisioned us hitting the road with zero financial stress and a big bag of cash. However, over the next three months, we experienced a series of unexpected turns. There were times when we didn't think it was going to happen, and the scenario looked extremely bleak. I was ready to throw in the towel. The primary business opportunity I was working on fell through completely, and I was devastated.
A good friend and mentor offered wisdom that changed my perspective: "God gave this vision to Sarah, and she brought it to you. Part of being married is believing for one another. Stick with this until God gives Sarah the ‘no,’ and see what He does." So, that's what we did. Through tough and challenging circumstances, God made a way in a manner we hadn't even considered. In retrospect, I believe God orchestrated it this way because there will be times on this trip when we need to remember that He’s got our back and will always provide, even when we can't see or conceive how.
We're meeting amazing people, learning about their families and stories, and sharing our passion for what we're doing. I can't put into words how exciting that is because it aligns with the vision God gave me six months ago. It’s scary being this far from home and feeling vulnerable outside my familiar environment. I know there will be more terrifying moments, and in those times, we’ll lean into the lesson that God got us here, and He won't abandon us now.
Sarah has always been the visionary in our relationship. Her heart for adventure and her passion for making memories have always been infectious. When she first shared her idea of traveling the country in an RV, I was skeptical. I'm a creature of habit, and the thought of leaving behind the comfort and predictability of our daily routine was daunting. But Sarah's excitement was contagious, and slowly, I began to see the potential for growth and discovery in her vision.
Our journey began with a lot of preparation and a fair share of setbacks. Learning to navigate life on the road was a steep learning curve. From figuring out how to operate the RV to managing our time and resources efficiently, every day presented a new challenge. But with each obstacle, we grew stronger and more resilient. We learned to lean on each other and to trust that God had a plan, even when things didn't go as expected.
One of the most profound lessons we've learned is the importance of flexibility and adaptability. Life on the road is unpredictable, and we've had to learn to go with the flow. There have been times when our plans have fallen apart, and we've had to make quick adjustments. But in those moments, we've also discovered new opportunities and experiences that we would have missed if everything had gone according to plan.
We've also learned the value of community. Traveling from place to place, we've met so many incredible people who have enriched our journey in ways we couldn't have imagined. From fellow travelers who share their tips and stories to locals who welcome us with open arms, we've found a sense of belonging wherever we've gone. These connections have reminded us that we're never truly alone and that there is always support and friendship to be found, no matter where we are.
One of the most challenging aspects of this journey has been the vulnerability it requires. Being away from the familiar comforts of home has pushed us out of our comfort zones and forced us to confront our fears and insecurities. But in doing so, we've also discovered a strength and resilience we didn't know we had. We've learned to trust in ourselves and in each other, knowing that we can handle whatever comes our way.
As we continue on this adventure, we're reminded daily of the lessons we've learned and the growth we've experienced. This journey has been about so much more than seeing new places and having new experiences. It's been about discovering who we are and what we're capable of when we step out in faith and embrace the unknown.
In the end, this trip is about more than just traveling the country. It's about living our lives fully and intentionally, creating memories that will last a lifetime, and trusting that God has a plan for us, even when we can't see the whole picture. As we continue to navigate the challenges and joys of life on the road, we're grateful for the lessons we've learned and the journey we're on. And we look forward to seeing where the road takes us next.