I have traveled a lot during my career. I think I have worked in 40 states or more. Sometimes staying for a week or two and others for much longer. But during those years I was not big on vacations or traveling for enjoyment. Sight seeing or visiting other parts of the country just for the sake of it. Because of this I lived near some of the most spectacular places, like all the national parks of Utah and only visited them when I was working on a project actually in one of the parks. I traveled past the Grand Canyon several times but only saw it one time when I donated some money to PBS and was forced to take time off of work to spend a weekend there. You could say I was pretty ‘Grinchy’ when it came to vacations.
Most of that attitude was due to being a workaholic along with being an alcoholic. That is a deadly combination. Even in the darkest days of my alcohol/drug addictions, I did not miss work, but I surely missed out on life itself. When you are obsessed something has to give and, in my case, it was always family and the good things of life we should share. I just did not care about these things. I know now I missed a lot. And although I cannot make up for those lost days. Today with retirement and sobriety I want to spend time enjoying this magnificent country we live in and enjoy what is so much more important, my wife and my family.
So, ok, I have written this preface with a purpose. Last month RuthAnn and I decided that we would take a trip out west to Wyoming and spend some time digging up dinosaur bones. Many of you know that for several years RuthAnn has been joining the Southwest Adventist University team who have yearly dedicated a month to researching, recovering and logging bones from several species of dinosaurs from a site rich with them. They have built one of the largest collections of bones which are stored at there facility in Keene, Texas and also have the largest online research and informational sites. The work done is simply amazing. And this year we were intent on joining them for a few days.
Plans were set and all things were rolling along. But something we had not foreseen happened; two grandkids were added to the travel plans! One day RuthAnn called me and asked if I would mind if two of our high schoolers would join us on our adventure. I have to admit I was a little taken back. Because of the circumstances I have explained above, I am not used to vacations let alone vacations with teenagers. And not only teenagers but reluctant teenagers, who would rather spend their summer vacation housebound and buried in media.
It all seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. Of course, in all the rig-a-morel I had forgotten, as I do way to often to do the most important thing, pray and turn it over to God. Once I had done that, still with some trepidation, I was willing to follow His lead believing, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) And the truth is once I saw it all in these terms, I saw the blessings.
The first blessing is that I do not know these young ones very well. RuthAnn and I have been married a few years now and even though we live a few miles apart we do not see them very often. Life is busy and time seems to slip right past us. But now a road trip and spending time with them in camp once we are in Wyoming, I might finally get to know them. The second thing, which is so much more important, is we get to share the Jesus we know and love with them. But not just us. The other amazing thing about spending time at the ‘dig’ is the absolutely spiritual atmosphere of the experience. This crew does not just ‘do’ science but also do all to the praise and glory of God. And I believe this will be a life changing experience for these young folks as it was the first time I was there.
So, I thought I would share some of this experience with you all. Every now and again, when I get the chance to type for an hour or so, I will share our ‘travels with grandkids’ moments. I know God has a plan and I am excited to see what is in store. We travel with this in our hearts, 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7) Let the adventure begin!
Blessings
John
5/27/19
