A Few Bumps In The Road
The road to Lancaster was a bumpy one. Our RV GPS verified Route I-81 was an acceptable route, however, it felt like we were driving over speed bumps every ten feet. What we didn’t realize at the time was those bumps would be a precursor to the next few days.
As we came closer to Lancaster County, said RV GPS then verified it was acceptable to take us into the city of Lancaster on one-way, narrow streets with barriers and fast drivers making pulling a 34-foot RV quite a challenge. Finally, we made it through that busyness only to end up on narrow and very windy country roads, again, RV GPS approved. Jim handled the trip like a pro, but I could have sworn I saw his knuckles still stuck to the steering wheel when we arrived at our destination.
Despite the drive we felt accomplished and headed to our site. Immediately we realized we were in a very rural area and didn’t have any data connection on our phones. We couldn’t get online, call out or text. Our network signal had a great big X on it! For full-time RVers, data is a must have since we rely on it for all communication and working remotely. In our research, we learned it was a good idea to have two different carrier plans, but we felt comfortable with the coverage maps our provider advertised and decided to save the money for the extra plan until we were further west. Little did we know, Pennsylvania is known to have spotty data coverage in many areas.
Oh, and did I mention, the final remnants of tropical storm Fred were still in the area. There were tornado warnings and a creek directly behind our site that already looked very high. Even the radio didn’t work! The public service announcement would sound but their was no voice. I think we went to bed that night exhausted to the point we didn’t have the energy to be concerned.
We came to the area to learn what it was like for the Amish to be disconnected from society and here we were experiencing it in our own lives.
The next few days were spent driving anywhere to find cell coverage, visiting cell providers, and realizing our next stop in Gettysburg didn’t have good data coverage either. That led to the necessity of purchasing an RV park membership plan which allowed us to find an available site. Ultimately, we made some tough financial decisions but now had data and a new location to stay at while in Gettysburg. I’m not sure we were comfortable with the decisions, but they were necessary.
Not having all the answers and truly needing to trust God would provide for us and show us our next steps was a huge leap of faith. With certainty we know this is what He wants us to do but that does not mean it will always be easy. We just hoped at least the first trip would go smoothly. Through those days we questioned ourselves, fought fear and had regrets. We prayed and encouraged each other as best we could but we just couldn’t shake the struggle we were experiencing. Tears, frustration, and stress were dominating the hours of our days. It was more than no internet. It was giving up control and having faith. We acknowledged when we lived at home, we were controlling much more than we realized. We were comfortable in our environment, had a reliable income, friends and family and the ability to know how to solve problems. Now it was different. We are experiencing a lifestyle that is foreign to us and we are responsible for figuring it out.
Those days it felt like the plan was falling apart but as our pastor says, feelings come and go. You may feel bad because of the anchovies on last night’s pizza! What’s important is joy comes in the morning. So, we are choosing to take the next steps in this journey, trusting in His plan and being thankful for the kind people God sent to cross our path and offer help during our first bumps in the road. Lori, Judy, Bob, and Glori, thank you for being salt and light in our journey!
And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world! ~ John 16:33
Update!
September 1, 2021
Bumps in the road are just that, bumps, not breaks.
Because we did not have data/cell coverage at our site, that caused us to pause and discover our next campsite did not have coverage either. The unexpected expense of signing up for an RV park membership allowed us to find another location. However, that site did not have availability the entire time we needed so we had to leave Pennsylvania a day earlier. Because of that, we left our campground in Gettysburg before the remnants of Hurricane Ida arrived and subsequently flooded the site we had stayed in.
When it seems like your bumps are the end of the road, don’t quit! Remain faithful. Our loving God may not always show you, in your time, how that bump was for the greater good, but we are here as examples to reassure you He is working all things for your good!
