In most everything, the reality of a thing is different than the dream of the thing. The dream of the gypsy life was romantic and exciting, but when the rubber actually hit the road, it was stressful and challenging and scary.
Even with months of researching and planning, our first trip was anything but smooth. Ray and I felt like a pair of salmon, swimming upstream, being bashed on unforseen obstacles, making little headway despite constant struggle.
A Marine corp saying became our motto: Adapt, Improvise, Overcome. My self-talk also included "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.", "Turn the coin over and look at the other side." and "Look for the blessing in the cursing." It was one thing to say these words once or even twice a day, but when a new situation happened 10-15 times in a day, it was hard to keep a positive attitude, and easy to start doubting the sanity of the whole adventure idea.
Change is hard. We had changed every facet of our lives with the turn of the key in the ignition of a motorhome. Brushing teeth, cooking a meal, getting mail, paying bills, traffic... it all was different. There was no relaxing in the familiar routines of living.
And although Ray and I were together in this, I was lonely. I missed "my peeps", my family, my co-workers, my friends.
Our first Sunday in an new church, the sermon was from Proverbs 3:5,6 "Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Oh, what familiar words. I started to relax into that sweet spot of being held in His hand.
My first day in a new job, I arrived very early. I started exploring and found the chapel, turned the Bible to my personal verse, Isaiah 41:10, and found it already ink marked. Someone before me had found comfort in it. "Do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will harden you to difficulties. I will help you." It was like a hug from a dear friend.
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