Thrust into a new way of life

            With only a few days to pack and make a temporary plan, we decided that Bruce should go alone at first and we would come visit.  Being that we homeschooled our kids, it was actually gonna be an easy fit for us, life on the road.

Initially the journey entailed hotel expenses and lots of eating out.  Hmmm. 

We got the job because we needed money.  These expenses cost a lot of money, but so did rigging up a wagon to go West.  Our oxen was our “trusty” ole Ford F150, maroon two-tone, with one bench seat.

Well, when God clearly opens a door you may have to just go through squinting into the Son and blindly walk in the right direction, trusting he will provide. 

The work was similar to what he was used to doing, welding in a food grade manufacturing plant on stainless steel pipes that connected tanks of product; like milk  or icecream.  The difference was going to be 21 days on, 5-7 days off.    Thinking back, I’m not sure how we covered the expenses before we got our first check. I believe we borrowed money from his parents.

                             New adventure…lots of questions.

The plan, at max, was to last one year to be debt free, so we thought.  The money was to be big and allow us to pay off our debts. 

Then the questions started coming.  Ok, what do we do as a family?  Do we stay together or be separated?  How does that look in real life?  Apart means lots of tears, stress, and not working as a team.  Should we let go of our rental house and put our belongings in storage?  If so, then what happens on the days off?  Where would we go “home” to?

Upon our very first visit to see Bruce in Harrisburg, VA, he gets an alarming call that his mother is in ICU with a ruptured appendix. 

We loaded up and went home.

                                      Timely answers

In the ICU waiting room, I see a pamphlet in the magazine rack titled, “Life on the Road.”  Seriously?!  God had some answers.

PIONEER

My fascination with those traveling West in a covered wagon was and is deeply rooted.   Their struggle.  It actually inspires me.

Looking back over my 20+ year journey as a traveling wife, I see my struggles and feel a deep connection with those wives traveling West. 

Come.  Peak under the canvas of our wagon and see how we survived the journey.

The call came the next morning after my husband had gathered us all for a prayer the night before.  The kids, 8 and 10 years old, were on the bed, sitting.  I was listening intently as Bruce explains the situation that he needs a job.  He quotes the scripture from Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith,” pause.  I interject, ” is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  His prayer was simple, but full of faith that God would provide a job.

The very next morning, Bruce answered a call; we find out it is a company he had applied with three months prior.  They informed of the need for a welder.  The life altering news was that he will be traveling on the road out of state.

No hesitation.  Our lives changed on a dime.

Pioneer wagon