Blessings, Backroads, and Belly Laughs

I can’t tell you where we’re going - and probably won't until we get back. But this isn’t just about a destination, it’s about something deeper. We’re planning a trip. Not a vacation, exactly, but a journey with purpose. One with a place in mind, yes, but also with open hearts and room to breathe.

We’re driving, not flying......and that’s intentional. 

There’s just something that has proven to be sacred about piling into our Wagoneer (still finding bits of sand from Florida and Lake Michigan from LAST year!), windows cracked to let in the breeze, and time stretching out ahead like an open invitation. 

No rush. No airport chaos.

 

Just shared space where the conversations go deeper, the laughter gets louder, and even the quiet moments feel meaningful. Sometimes we sing, sometimes we pray, sometimes we just sit in the stillness and watch the world pass by. And honestly? That’s my kind of travel.

And of course, someone always manages to get me laughing so hard while I’m driving that I can barely see the road....eyes watering and squintin', cheeks hurtin'....the whole thing. Probably not the safest setup, but it sure does make for some unforgettable miles. Let’s just say Jesus stays very present with us while we drive....**ESPECIALLY at night, when I ask Him to keep the animals off the road.  

**I've done that every time I set out to drive for the last 11 years, and I kid you not..... we have driven past animals just standing alongside the road waiting for us to go by.  Sometimes it has been a group of 3-5 deer! And once we pass, they walk across the street!  My oldest children have witnessed it for all of these years that it is now standard practice for them to pray before driving also! ** 

Just wanted to add that little testimony in to give glory to God where it is due!  

When I plan, I don’t just look for the fastest route. I have never been a "straight shot" girl when it comes to travel.  I look for the most beautiful route, the kind that winds a bit, the kind that lets us stumble across wildflower fields or timeworn barns with stories in their boards. I seek out those quirky places on the map that most people skip - you know the ones I'm talking about.....the roadside attractions, old general stores, little museums run by someone’s grandpa who knows every dusty artifact by heart.  And I especially like the scenic routes! 

I plan trips like I live life: with structure, but plenty of space for wonder.

I always leave room for God to surprise us. Because He does....in the most ordinary places. 

A forgotten trail that leads to a stunning view. 

A tiny town with big charm. 

A field of sunflowers we didn’t expect. 

These aren’t just good photo ops - they’re necessary pauses. 

Tiny sermons in nature remind us just how intentional our Creator really is.

These road trips give us something we don’t always get in our daily routine: time together. Real, connected time. The kind where you lose track of your phone but not the sound of voices. The sort of trip where the stories flow, the joy is unforced, and even the silence is sweet.

I think that’s why I love the road so much. It invites reflection. It holds space for conversation with each other and with Jesus. It slows us down just enough to see things....really see them....and in doing so, we often see ourselves a little clearer too.

So no, I won’t tell you where we’re headed just yet. Because the truth is, the “where” doesn’t carry as much weight as the “how.” How we love along the way. How we notice. How we hold space for joy, for silliness, for unexpected detours. And how we return home, not just with souvenirs, but with memories stitched into the fabric of who we are.

The road might be long, but I think that's my favorite part.