Laugh Out Loud

When I am alone in the camper trailer there are few instances when I actually laugh out loud, however this morning I found myself hysterically funny and had a good belly laugh. In the past when I would drag myself home from teaching all day physically and emotionally exhausted, I would fantasize about being in the middle of nowhere in a small dwelling with nothing to do.  This morning I caught myself complaining in my head about being in the middle of nowhere in this little RV with nothing to do. I remembered my fantasy and thus the giggle.
I have to admit that God has given me what I wanted. He seems to want my happiness and thus grants my small requests. But I worry about how God will use me. I attach circumstance, people or places to my worries of whether God will use me or not. So I worry when I think I may not be where I'm supposed to be. Worry, worry, worry.  Well here is what I read in Phillip Yancey's daily readings from Grace Notes this morning. "Wealth, poverty, comfort, suffering, acceptance, rejection, even death or life---none of these circumstances matter much to Paul.  Only one thing matters ultimately: the surpassing goal of exalting Christ, a goal that can be accomplished in any set of circumstances."  I am comforted and overjoyed. All I have to do is allow God to direct my life and trust He knows what to do with me. My job is to exault Christ no matter what.  Big smile.

Anniversary

Well 21 years of marriage seems like some kind of accomplishment. I married my best friend and we work hard to understand each other. We know our own short comings and forgive each other often. We enjoy being together and therefore must adjust when we have to be apart which, lately, has been  often. We are willing to compromise but also know when compromise may undermine the integrity of the other and therefore the relationship.We give each other space to pursue an idea or dream even if one of us does not agree. We allow each other to make mistakes. We encourage the artist within and celebrate creativity. We laugh and remind each other not to take the world so seriously. We harness our tongues when angry and talk things out when cooler heads prevail. Romance is the twinkle in his eye or a special smile. May be not perfection but it got us this far. 

Here's the Thing

Our travels have been side-lined for now with the need to earn a living. However, the surrounding area offers a large number of places to explore. Yesterday for example we traveled through Rockwall, Texas just to see the sights. Massive stone mansions crowded the outskirts. I stared in wonderment at the opulent  dwellings complete with rounded stone turrets.  Had I been transported into old England? 
 As we traveled into Rockwall proper we were surrounded by high-end shops and restaurants covering every square inch of ground for miles upon miles.  Lake Glen Hubbard shone beautifully in the midst of elegant hotels and structures we couldn't get close enough to for identification.  Granted we didn't take too much time to explore.  It was below freezing and the wind was wicked.  Come nicer weather I will be sure to check out more of Rockwall.
Just an aside - My mind wanders and wonders about the people in all sorts of dwellings I pass on the road. Today a I wondered. If I had the millions of dollars to build a huge stone mansion, would I?  Probably not.  It isn't  me to blatantly consume.  I would feel piggish.  I feel that way at times in my little RV when I think of all the people in the world that don't even have enough to eat for the day.  I am not here to judge, only to observe.  If I won the lottery say 150 million who's to say what I would do?  I would naturally spend it on myself; take care of the mortgage I'm upside down in, pay off the credit card and then give away a great portion to family and charities.  But all is moot.  I am in a great nation of power and wealth, the low man (or woman, in my case) on the totem pole. 

Alone

Well here I am alone for the first time in 21 years.  Filling the days hasn't been so hard, though.  Living in a camper always presents something to do, making sure I have enough propane to keep warm and to cook with.  Emptying the grey tank and black tank.  Keeping things organized so clutter does not become a problem.  Living on the road is also a challenge when it comes to banking but nothing major.  The Personal Banker has been very helpful and understanding.  Oh yeah, going to the laundry mat takes up a lot of time.  Here in Blue Bonnet Ridge RV Park there is quite a bit of land to roam around on.  The pond is large and is stocked with a variety of fish.  The dogs and I take lots of walks.  So far it has been windy and cold so we don't get out too much.  I still have a lot of exploring to do around this area and look forward to new adventures.

Silence is Golden but for How Long?

This long winter's nap is coming to an end. So once I again I am tapping the keys.  Living and traveling in an RV has been quite challenging. We found out that it is very expensive, more so than we planned  for, to retire and see the world.  We looked into the "work camper"  life and found that basically most work camp jobs are only for free lot fees and electricity or minimum wage which does not cover expenses when you still have a mortgage to pay.  We have been lucky so far to keep our heads above water, but to continue to do so Vic has gone back to work full time as a truck driver.  We have landed in Terrell, Texas which is 35 miles east of Dallas. 
Here at Blue Bonnet Ridge RV Park, I am enjoying warmer temperatures than encountered in Ohio and Kentucky in November, December and January.  This is a great little community and I feel safe and secure here.  The grounds are immaculate and the management is A number 1 in my book.  They have already helped me tremendously.  As soon as I get organized with banking, bills and the mundane, I may try to find a job as well.  When I retired it was only from the teaching field not from the working world.  However I have the luxury of taking my time to find out what Terrell and the surrounding area has to offer.
The park is 5 miles outside of Terrell in a rural area surrounded by ranch land.  Terrell itself appears low income and run down. However it has character and  offers enough retail to be comfortable.  Vic is driving for Texas Star Express located 25 miles from here in Rockwall Texas which is an awesome area located on Lake Ray Hubbard. I'm sure I'll be visiting Rockwall often.  Here's to my return blogging and hopefully many more to come.