So, why are we taking this trip?

Because gas prices are so low, we wanted to seize the opportunity! :)

Seriously, here’s the dominating reasons:

1. For a number of years, we’ve desired to take a family trip back east to learn more about our country’s history and see many of the key historical places and landmarks.
2. The trip will give us the opportunity to visit numerous friends and family “between here and there”, most of whom we seldom see.
3. We’ll also have opportunity to visit some churches we appreciate and respect, including Bethlehem Baptist Church (John Piper) in Minneapolis, MN; Covenant Life Church (Joshua Harris) in Gaithersburg, MD; and Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Mark Dever) in Washington, D.C.
4. We like road trips – lots of great time and memories as a family.
5. We wanted to do this before the kids graduate from high school.
6. The church leadership was agreeable to Greg combining all of his vacation time together so we could do this.

In light of these things, we’ve been praying about and planning towards this trip for a number of years. One huge recent answer to prayer is that we were able to purchase a “new to us” van (it’s a 2001 Chevrolet conversion van with 65,00 miles – excellent condition and excellent price) at the beginning of June. We didn’t feel our old van (a 1992 Ford with 165,000 miles on it) was up to a cross-country trek, so we’re very grateful for the Lord’s provision of a new set of wheels that really makes the trip possible.

As with every moment of our lives, we’re mindful that “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9). We have our plans, but we very much want to be responsive to whatever the Lord has for us along the way – whatever He wants to teach us and however He wants to use us. Please pray we’ll be responsive!

-Greg