Thank you.
Thanks to those of you who came to my parent’s house and wished us well and saw us off.
Thank you for the gift cards and laughter and well wishes.
Thank you for following along with us on our journey.
Thank you for spreading the word about the newspaper article and the news story on TV.
Thank you for praying for us.
Thanks for feeding us and letting us use your showers and park in your driveways and parking lots.
At so many various points throughout this journey (which is only a week old) I’ve met discouragement or frustration or uncertainty. And more than once your Facebook notes or Tweets or emails or blog comments have been just what I’ve needed at that particular moment.
Even thought it’s the six of us here in the bus, your encouragement and cheers make it feel like there are many more on this journey than just us. And almost as much as I enjoy living out this trip with my family, I also enjoy telling you what’s going on and getting your reactions.
* * * * *
It’s been kind of a tough first week. You know, what with getting stuck in a ditch, and learning the tricks of the trade with this bus, and trying to get the kids into a routine, and having a busy first weekend, and watching the laundry pile up, and trying to figure out where to dump our waste water, and making sure the van doesn’t go flying off the trailer behind the bus…it’s been a lot.
But we’re getting there. And we’re learning so much about ourselves and each other.
All of that to say once again: thank you.
I am enjoying following along in your journey!
Clint
Oh Shawn (and Maile) I know the feeling!
Your dream is meeting reality and rarely is that as smooth sailing as you imagine it would be.
But you can hardly complain about it because everyone will remind you of the wonderful opportunity you have :)
Breathe, relax… you didn’t make a mistake, things will level out,
there’s adjustments to everything in life, even the good things.
And Shawn, two brains are better than one, so next time you see a ditch you think Willie can jump, ask Maile what she thinks :)
Just keep swimming. You are doing good things!
Shawn,
Two pieces of advice. Both having to do with the bathroom. First, a lesson from the Dave Mathews Band. As enticing as it may seem, DO NOT attempt to release the contents of your waste tank while driving over an open grate bridge. While this may seem like an easy solution, you never know when there will be a boat passing under you with a deck full of sight seeing tourists. DMB learned the hard way.
Second, although you are traveling by bus and not by plane, I can only assume that the facilities are fairly similar. For some reason, the scene from Tommy Boy where Chris Farley gets his tie stuck in the toilet keeps popping into my head. Not that I am saying this would happen to you but I think it best if you just didn’t wear a tie, or baggy clothes for that matter, while you are in there.
Good Luck!
Good morning to Willie and his Wanderers. I pray Gods Speed over Willies precious cargo!! Everyday brings a new adventure. Read something the other day-” be happy, it doesn’t cost anything! AND the rewards are eternal”!! Safe travels!!
i like that salutation, ‘Willie and his Wanderes’ – so fitting. i applaud your courage to even spend more than a week living in such close quarters with four young children. I had three – 1962, 1963 and 1964, and loved them so very much, but they did tend to get on my nerves from time to time.. when i say ‘your’ that included your precious wife. The two of you are so lucky to be two but think as one.. I sit here selfishly wanting to be the one on your voyage, but I am at the age where some things must be enjoyed through other people. i am sure i am not alone int thinking thist way, and age is not always a factor. But, to get to the point, keep your wonderful messages coming to us, and keep up your spirits. Just remember, you have a large number of people pulling for you and your family. til tomorrow joyce