Life Surprises

Life seldom unfolds like we think it will. Life is full of surprises. For the last couple of years, I have asked people what their greatest surprise has been since graduating from high school. I have gotten a range of very interesting answers. The answer I get most often is that life is much harder than they thought it would be. One answer I have never gotten is that nothing has surprised them. I think we should be aware of the surprises in our lives, not just when we look back on our lives, but as they occur in real time. 

Nine weeks ago, Debbie and I pulled out of Littleton, Colorado, pulling a 30-foot travel trailer. I have never pulled a large trailer before, and we have never lived in a space so small. Even our small Japanese apartment was larger than our current living space. It was impossible for me to know what this would really be like until we did it, but I knew from the beginning this adventure would have surprises. I would not have been surprised if we hated it, and I have said from the beginning, “If we hate it, we are going home.” However, after nine weeks, I not only don’t hate it, but I am loving it.

WHAT HAS BEEN A SURPRISE 

I am surprised that I have gotten used to pulling the trailer and don’t freak out on the highway or in big cities. My neighbor in Cheyenne, who knew a lot about pulling trailers, said I would get used to it, but I was so filled with anxiety when I was pulling it I doubted I would ever find it easy. In the beginning I had trouble sleeping through the night before we pulled out of a campground and was plagued with fear, visualizing the worst possible crash. However, now I sleep soundly the night before a move and have confidence pulling the trailer through traffic and large cities. This isn’t to say it is stress free, but the stress is manageable.

I am surprised that now, with only a little effort, I can line the truck up to the trailer and hook the trailer to the truck. Nine weeks ago this was very difficult for me. I have a checklist that I follow and, although it feels like I know what I am doing, I am committed to reading the checklist out loud before we pull out. Debbie and I also do a light check and walk around the trailer every time. I know that mistakes are often made when you reach a certain level of competence. Although I am feeling confident, I still want to be careful and avoid foolish mistakes. 

I am surprised by how busy I am. I am hopeful that we can find some time in the future to rest. However, it seems every day is full of fixing what is broken, going to the gym, keeping appointments, or planning the next leg of our trip. I am finding that it is time consuming to keep all our appointments and reservations in order. I am enjoying the process, it just takes longer than I think it should. 

I am surprised by how well our truck is working and how comfortable I have become on the open highway. Our truck is a 1998 Ford with a very small (4.6 liter) V8 engine. However, it has been pulling the trailer without a problem. Going up steep grades we are in the right lane going 25 or 30 MPH, but when the road is flat we have no problem going 60 or 65 comfortably. When we began this trip, I freaked out when a large semi passed me and “sucked” me into their lane, but now I take it in stride and am really comfortable with the feel that comes from being on the highway with other vehicles. 

I am surprised by how much I enjoy fixing things when they break on the trailer. The other day we had a major water leak. It took me 45 minutes or so to diagnose the problem; I then went to the local hardware store, purchased the needed parts and got it fixed. I am surprised how accomplished I felt. It was a great feeling. 

WHAT HAS NOT BEEN A SURPRISE

Not everything about this trip has been a surprise. I am not surprised how much I enjoy traveling with Debbie. We are just about to finish our fourth book together. We are listening as we drive. It has been so enjoyable to listen together, pause the book, and talk about what we just heard. I love waking up with her in the morning and talking before we retire for the night. I can’t imagine a more enjoyable person to travel with. 

I LOVE our meetings and being with people. Some people we are meeting for the first time; some are people we have not seen in forty years; and some are good friends we have been in contact with for years. In every meeting we have I am so thankful that we have been missionaries with Cadence and given our life to ministry. I can’t imagine any other work that would be more fulfilling or fit our gifts better. 

I love seeing what Cadence International missionaries are doing in the states. Before this trip, Debbie and I were familiar with all of our ministries in Europe and Asia, but we had never visited any of our stateside ministries. Tonight, we are parked in Killeen, Texas, visiting the Soldier Hospitality House, a ministry to the soldiers and famines and Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood). We have been impressed at every site we have visited, meeting dedicated missionaries who served with Cadence overseas and are now serving in the states.  

DON’T BE AFRAID

Like a lot of things I have done in my life, I was nervous when we began this journey. I didn’t know what it would be like, and I knew that the only way I could know for sure was to do it. I pray that when you see opportunities that look scary, you would always take the proper precautions, and then just do it. It might work out, and it might not; either way, when it is over you will have a great story and, in the end, a great life.