Why we put everything in storage and moved into a RV.

Perhaps, the title above sounds like your worst nightmare. Perhaps, it's a long forgotten dream of yours. Regardless, it's different.
It's not the "norm" lifestyle for young married couple in their 20's.
So why?
Why did we decide to squeeze our entire existence into a 23 footer?

Over the summer, Brad and I felt a big shift in our hearts to start doing the things we've said we were going to do. We didn't know where that would take us but we decided to allow ourselves to be lead by the Spirit.

We booked a trip to Costa Rica (knowing very little about the colorful country) and took the time to really talk to one another about what we wanted our lives to look like. All the while living in a tree house.. I know, it was awesome. Thank you. :x

If you would have asked me a few years ago what I wanted my life to look like, I would have said something like successful, financially blessed, and happy. There's nothing particularly wrong with those things, but my ideals and aspirations have changed over time. After we spent time talking, we found that we both deeply desired the same things.

• For one, we had both started feeling a big pull to reduce.

Reduce our schedule.
Reduce our belongings.
Reduce our stress.

• Secondly, live more intentionally.

Be intentional with time and commitments.
Be intentional in conversations.
Be intentional in our faith.
Be intentional with our relationships.

• Thirdly, we did not want to be tied down.

With that being said, we came home from our Costa Rican adventure, put everything in storage, and bought a RV.


I couldn't begin to tell you all the various reactions we've had to this. Sure, some have looked at us with judgement seeping through their beautiful eyes; but mostly, I don't think people know what to think of it.
Some think we're broke, some think we're crazy hippies, and some think we're just crazy.

The thing is, it's our lives. We don't need you to side with us, but graciously accept that we all take different paths for unique reasons.

We didn't want to get to be 60 years old and have a pretty bank account and a full bucket list. We aren't promised tomorrow, or the next hour for that matter.

Living in a RV has already taught us so many life lessons.
Like relative humidity and dew point.
Like how to play Tetris with groceries in a refrigerator.
Like maximizing your toilet paper squares.
Like what we really do and DO NOT need.
Like how washing dishes by hand will never be fun.
Like how being crammed with your love takes you to new heights of closeness.

If you ask us now what we want our lives to look like, we would tell you what it currently is.

Simple. Healthy. In love.

We're not really sure how long this chapter will last, but while it's here, we're embracing it with open arms and an open calendar.
 
With love, 
b&k

Way with Love

 So apparently I am a blogger now.  I have been in an unknowing apprenticeship to my wife for the last 6 months.  Secretly she has been grooming me into a well oiled blog machine.  It feels great to know that my master Jedi has released me into the wild and I am ready to take on sith lord Darth Bane (she said I'm supposed to cater to all walks of life with my blogs- so nerds, unite).  As I sit here and ponder the past year of marriage, one thought eclipses the rest and that are the words 

unconditional love.

This phrase is tossed around a lot as an old adage expressed to children by their parents growing up as they demolish parts of the home or wrestle with personal choices.



When I was a young lad, I remember the very definition of the phrase was exemplified by my Grandad Bill.  He showed me love in a way that is rarely replicated.  It was a type of love that at the time I just thought, "Is he just that stupid to keep loving a boy with a radical case of ADHD?".  There are many instances that tried his patience, but he never once buckled or lost his cool.

I remember a time when we were fishing on a lake near Lubbock (West Texas where he lived) and for an nine year old's attention span, fishing is his kryptonite.  We were fishing one spot on the lake for probably ten minutes and I was not catching anything so I said, "Grandad, let's move spots." 
 He says back, "Brad give it some time and let the fish come to you." 
 Switching spots to me meant driving the boat, where at the time was way more exhilarating than staring at a pole.  Well obviously I didn't wait because this story would be pointless if I did.  As he turned his back to me, I proceeded to crank the ignition and floor the throttle.
  All I remember is hearing a lot of unfinished cuss words and grandad getting knocked down and pinned to the rear of the boat by the acceleration speed. 
 After he managed to crawl up to the throttle stick and maintain control of our vessel, we had traveled probably half a mile across the lake and were not close to any docks or shorelines by the grace of God.
 Upon stopping my Grandad looked at me and said, "Was that fun?".
  That confused me. 
 I was waiting to get tossed overboard for almost wrecking his new bass boat and I get asked that?!  I almost thought it was a trick question, because I was starting to catch on to when people had been condescending before.  
Then he followed it up by saying, "because if you thought that was fun then we can do it again. Just tell me next time so I can enjoy it too."

  He had a way with words.  He had a way with love.

  He proceeded to tell me the dangers of what I did and why he wasn't mad at me, but that I needed to tell him before I make any decisions like that because we are in this together.  I had never seen this type of punishment before.  It was rare.  There were many other times throughout my childhood that he displayed this type of affection. Anyhow as a child, I only knew this as a strange love given only by grandads that have nothing to lose.

  Looking back now,  it was the very essence of the unconditional love that we all yearn for.  The love that was originated by our Father God.

Fast forward 22 years.  I am married to the love of my life, and now unconditional love is my daily mission.  It's the paramount of our marriage.  It's the epoxy (<--caters to manly men) that holds us together.    It's the extremely important and quintessential part of our life that Grandad Bill showed me, not taught at me, but showed me. That through him God instilled inside of me, on a boat, in the middle of nowhere, at nine years old.

-B

photo credit