September. Just three weeks away from closing on our house and officially moving into our RV. When we started this in early July it did not seem like an eventuality, but rather a possibility. I used to think that God had a very specific plan for our lives (He does but it has more to do with our hearts than our address) but that it was my responsibility and part of my spiritual growth to learn how to discern or figure out where He was leading me. I spent hours, days, months! praying and journaling and beseeching God about so many things, small and large. One season in particular always reminds me to stop!
We were fostering two little girls (twins) who had been severely neglected. They were 2 1/2 when they came to stay with us and they could not talk at all. They were eventually diagnosed with Environmental Autism. Oh how I prayed about those girls. They were only with us for eight months but I must have filled at least 3 journals with all of my prayers for them. Not just prayers for their well-being but I was also praying about whether we should adopt them. Almost from the very first day I was obsessed with whether or not we should adopt them. I went to every court date and did everything I could to help those two little girls overcome their limitations. I agonized over every up and down and looked for every sign that would tell me what to do. But guess what, they never became adoptable. They went to a relative who eventually adopted them but they were never going to be ours. I look back on that time whenever I start to look for the answer to a situation that isn't really a situation yet. I think that is why we are supposed to pray for "daily bread." Hmm. Nothing wrong with planning. Nothing wrong with praying. Just don't waste my time praying as far out as I plan. So back to my point.
Back in July I told myself, and anyone who would ask, that we were, "heading in the direction of full-time RV'ing." This way, if it didn't come to fruition, I would not be so disappointed (not to mention, I wouldn't look like an idiot to my friends and family.) There was so much that needed to happen and so many things that needed to work out just right that I fully expected to hit some major road blocks. Our house might not sell - sold. Our house might not appraise - appraised. Our camper, truck and car might not sell - sold. We might not be able to find a new truck and camper that worked with our budget - found, underbudget.
Lesson learned? Probably not.
And here we are, living in a mostly empty house, three weeks away from what seemed like a pipe dream. We are excited. Well, Jeff and I are excited. In between the layers of exhaustion there is a layer of excitement. Ivy and LP are teenagers so their excitement already peaked and waned, especially with the many weeks of cleaning and organizing. Not to mention the endless discussions about what they can and cannot take, what makes sense to put in storage and what to do with the stuff that doesn't make the cut. Let's just say that it will be a relief to be done with this particular lesson on "How to Teach Your Children to Let Go of Everything." Subtitle: "While Struggling Through Your Own Issues With Stuff."
We have exciting news! We know where we are going for the first three months of our new adventure. Before COVID we had plans to visit Helen, GA for Oktoberfest this year. My parents and our family have made this trip for the last 5 years and this year was supposed to be the 50th anniversary. Our favorite polka band (yes, you read that right) plays there every year and we dance and eat and drink lots of fantastic German beer. My dad is 1st generation German-American and we have embraced that heritage as best we can in the South. The kids learned how to Polka and they love sauerkraut and bratwurst as much as we do. Oma and Opa (my parents) made camping reservations at a new place this year and we were going to stay at Unicoi State Park. Oktoberfest in Helen was cancelled but we still planned on going, come hell or high water. Since we already had these plans and a time-frame, this became a good place to start our new full-time RV life.
We have always loved the Georgia State Park system and have many favorites all over the state. Unicoi is a favorite because of it's proximity to so many other amazing places in North Georgia. I set my sights on camp hosting at Unicoi and started researching. I applied on the GA Dept. of Natural Resources website and we subsequently submitted our background checks. I even called the park and left messages for the park manager, just to make sure we are on their radar. Weeks went by with no response but I was not worried. Jeff decided that we needed a backup plan and I started looking for other parks in the area. I happened upon a private campground that looked promising and called that day. I spoke to a lovely woman who sounded very busy. She quickly told me they could use the help and to send our resumes. We eventually had a long chat and it seemed like a great fit. We made a commitment to workamp at Enota Mountain Retreat for three months and will be heading there in October. A few days later I was telling Oma and Opa all about it and found out that it is the same campground where they made reservations back in February. We will arrive on the same day and have them there for the first week of our new life. Mercy and grace around every corner.
Before I forget, I want to give a shout out to Squeeze Box with Mollie B. We have had the privilege of seeing them perform many times over the past several years and have enjoyed getting to know them and their band members. We think of them as good friends and we are so sad that we won't see them this year. Check out this picture of Jeff.......
Did you ever see the last Clint Eastwood movie? It's called The Mule. A few years ago MollieB sent a shout out to all of her fans asking for Polka dancers to join them when the band did a cameo in a Clint Eastwood movie. There was no way that we were going to miss that so we submitted our pictures and bios to the casting company and a few months later we drove to a town just outside of Atlanta to an active VFW hall that had been transformed into a movie set. The band performed 2 songs in the movie and we danced for 8 hours that day while they filmed it from every angle imaginable. Jeff was thrilled to get the opportunity to take a picture with this guy and he was so kind and accommodating. It was a great day and makes for one heck of a party story. Also pretty fun when a friend sends a screenshot from the movie and Jeff's 2.2 seconds of fame. He made the movie cut but I only made the trailer. And you have to be watching it in slow motion to catch a glimpse of the side of my head. #ClintEastwood #TheMule #MollieB #Squeezebox #Polka
I think I have taken the scenic route to the point of this post. What was my point again?
In three weeks we will load up our new rig and head north. I cannot wait!!! Here is a follow-up list of what we still have to do:
-Register Big Betty at the DMV. We were able to register the RV but the bank that held Big Betty's title was slow in releasing it. After weeks of waiting for our appointment at the DMV we had to make another one for the day before closing. All in good time.
-Outfit the rig with all the comforts of home and all the organization tools I can glean from YouTube and purchase from Amazon. I am going to a tennis tournament this weekend and will use my down time to work in the camper that we are taking with us. #JekyllIslandTennis
-Continue with the kid's high school swim season and all the fun and excitement that has to offer. Right up to the last minute. #TerryParkerHighSchool
-Garage sale
-Last minute doctor appointments
-Dinners with friends
-Give away more stuff
I’m SO excited for y’all!! What a fantastic adventure. I’m going to live vicariously through you. Love you!! (PS I’m not on social media anymore so I’m keeping up with you this way! And my contact info is the same!)