Back to ARIZONA

Something miraculous happened today!  The end of this chapter.  All of the long days, weeks, and months living on the bus, tens of thousands of miles, mountains of thank you cards, hundreds of new friendships, 49 states, and just like that...we were done. We have taken this road less traveled all the way to the end.  It is time to say goodbye to the mobile life and embrace the serenity of home.  

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, Jason, Choice, and Juliann

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, Jason, Choice, and Juliann

Our journey from Indiana to Arizona took 3 days.  We made very few stops on this drive as we had already visited each of these states previously on our tour.  We did, however, make a stop by Dodge City...home of the original "cowboy".

Choice

Shiloh, Tate, Juliann, Choice, and Ryder

Choice, Juliann, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Choice, Tate, Jason, Ryder, and Shiloh

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Juliann

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Jason

Going to Boot Hill was like stepping back in time to the Wild Wild West.  The stark contrast between this atmosphere and that of New England, where we were just a few days ago, was a realization of just how close we were to home.  

We took a good hour acting as Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp before continuing toward playing the part of a suburban family living in Queen Creek, AZ. 

Juliann, Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, Tate and Rusty

Ryder, Tate, Jason, Shiloh, and Choice

Shiloh, Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Juliann

Shiloh and Tate

Shiloh, Choice, Tate, and Ryder

Shiloh, Choice, Tate, Ryder, Rusty, and Juliann

Tate and Choice

Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, and Tate

Choice and Tate

The wheels on the bus were going round and round.  That was until this sign from heaven was too good to pass up. :-) 

Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann

While I still have the kiddos on loan from Jesus, we thought we'd spend a few moments just playing together.  In a way, celebrating the feat we'd accomplished together over the past 9 months. 

Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, Choice, and Tate

Shiloh, Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Juliann

Juliann and Jason

Then all at once, for the first time sense March, we saw this sign...

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Oddly enough, it was also the first time on this entire trip that we saw snow.  The irony.

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Snow, no snow.  We didn't care.  I will admit that I appreciate "home" more now than ever before. It's fascinating how going on a journey that focused on an understanding of every other state in this great country, enabled us to more fully appreciate our own.  

A big sigh and invitation to rest seemed to accompany every road sign from that point forward.  It was another 4 hours from the time we passed the state line to when we pulled into our driveway. 

Choice

By that time I had already arrived at my destination in "Snoozeville".  You can imagine the peace that filled my soul when I awoke from Dreamland to find myself gazing at my front door.  

Juliann

A million thoughts ran through my mind along with a flood of emotion.  (I will share a few of those thoughts in an entry to follow).  So many memories...one abrupt conclusion. 

The bus will forever hold a visual memoir of these memories we worked to achieve.  The back of the bus is now home to a plethora of stickers from across the United States.  This has been a fun way for us to document the various landmarks we'd been blessed to visit along our journey.  

  

Be Better Bus

Home needed to have a representation of this chapter in our lives as well.  For that purpose, we've collected mugs from all across the country.  This is how we spent our first day home.  After Choice helped me collect the necessary supplies to build a cedar-wood wall around the pantry, we went to work.  

Choice

We now have a mug wall that will serve as a daily reminder of this monumental time in our lives. The powerful moments, the times when I broke down, the emotions of gratitude and thanksgiving, the joy, the laughter, the love, the healing...

Mug Wall at home

Mug Wall at home

I admit that after a year of putting myself out there, I tend to have strong feelings such as these...

But even stronger than the desire to hideaway and rest, is the longing for others to experience a small dose of our 9 eyeopening months on the road.  I am going to work to compile a publication comprised of each individual story.  Who we met, what we learned, and ideas of how we can all be a little bit better to one another. 

A big thank you to everyone who allowed us into your homes and your lives along the way.  Whether we knocked on your door as we made our way across the states, or you tuned in on this forum to support us...every prayer, encouraging word, and kind embrace fueled our tanks to make it to to the finish line.  My heart swells inside of my chest with the recollection of the many acts of service that were done on our behalf.  I am extraordinarily blessed, and humbled.   Thank you all.

Stay tuned...more to follow...