Good things don't come easy

There are so many things to love about Austin.  Along every road, I discover another gorgeous hilltop view.  These views are filled with natural growing trees.  Among these, the Mountain Cedar tree that grows here that's the most allergenic tree.  The pollen from the tree appears as smoke in the air.  It distributes across the plateau of hill country.  What do ya know...I'm allergic to Cedar.  To prevent the symptoms that come with "Cedar fever", the recommendation is to stay indoors.  AHHH.  It is soooo beautiful here.  How can I stay indoors??  Hmmm, I guess all of God's amazing gifts in the world do not come easy or without sacrifice.

Keeping it weird in Austin

       Have you ever had a random deep, inspirational conversation with a complete stranger?  I’ve had them in the past but I realize now....they are not coincidences.  These interactions, however short they are, happen for a reason.  So don’t be weary to entertain a stranger if you feel compelled. I just had one with a sweet hairdresser.  

Brian, the boys and I have ended the RV journey and are settling our home in Austin, Texas!!  We’re blessed to have a business opportunity open in the beautiful city of Austin. 

Getting back to the hairdresser’s story......she was telling me how she listens to person after person (in her chair) talk of the things they don’t like about themselves, only to do nothing to change.  She described one girl who suffered painful shyness throughout her childhood.  This girl, rather than continuing to live a life of shyness, after graduation, decided to move to China by herself.  This girl stood up to her fear, she challenged herself and changed her life. I was so moved by her experience. 

I could feel God reassuring me during this story - comforting me and reminding me to lean on Him for strength.  We don’t have to go it alone. Leaving Florida, living in an RV, homeschooling, leaving family, friends, sounds exciting, but to a rigid, worrisome soul as myself, it wasn’t easy.  To sustain patience, I had to keep in prayer and His word.  Now, at this time, I’ve never been more at ease about the future of myself, my family and any obstacle that will try to interfere.  With complete faith and focus on Him,  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Getting our road legs

We’re all feeling a little more settled in our new place.  We packed way too much and are slowly getting rid of things to make some walking room.

For some reason, I thought it would be a breeze to keep a little motorhome clean but as you can see, it’s next to impossible.  Oh well, with two boys, who was I kidding!

While visiting Dad (Brian’s dad), Linda and Andrea in NC, we were spoiled with organic, home-made meals, but nothing beat the boys wrestling time with a real “teenager” as the boys call him. Eric, “the teenager”, was such a sport. I mean, I’m completely exhausted after a 3 minute tickle session, but Eric played for hours everyday with them! I don’t remember having that kind of energy.  

Gavin & Greyson, Eric the "teenager" and Nick                                     Me, Brian, Tom and Linda

 Rough-and-tumble play with the boys is a normal part of our daily routine but I’m partial to tickling while Brian likes the rolling around, wrestling matches. Since the boys were babies, we've had tickle fests. As the kids got older, they started the play wrestling but, to be honest, as crazy as it gets - it’s totally worth all those belly laughs!!  I love playing silly games with the boys and having pillow fights. It might not sound normal to some but we’re careful that no one is hurt and enjoying those moments of pure happiness together because they don’t last forever!

Dancing

In Savannah, the boys have a dance-off while the kids at the county school event load up to leave!

Our visit to Savannah, GA started at the Red Gate Farms RV camp. We arrived around 9:00 am and to our surprise....Stedman Graham (Oprah’s longtime boyfriend) was speaking. He has an organization which includes him speaking to schools, organizations, foundations, etc., helping guide youth and achieve their potential. There were about 300 high school students with parents there at the Red Gate Park.  We didn’t even have a reservation for a RV lot as we had been winging it on our way up from Tampa (rookies). I felt so blessed and grateful to God He led us there! It was a pretty amazing experience. While Brian set up the rv, the boys and I went over to the event area (sat about 100 yards away) to listen to Stedman and other speakers.  Their words spoke right to me.  The expressed how important it was for each student to have an identity, their own identity.  We as parents or adult figures can do so much more to inspire the youth today to realize what they’re capable of and to start setting goals they can achieve now.

Allowing Gavin and Greyson to express themselves, while growing their faith on this journey, and always, is most important.  Our Creator made us in His image, and gave us each special, unique gifts and when we allow him to do His work through us, we love, lead, forgive, heal and are not only saved but save others.

Give it to Him

We were digging our heals in the status quo - jobs, chores, bills, school, because that’s where we had certainty and control. After several poor decisions and lack of balance, we had to accept that we could no longer go on thinking we knew what was best for us. That is God’s job. He has a plan and He’s really in control. To be honest, what a relief as He is doing a far better job in the driver seat of my life than I’ve EVER done! Glory to Him!

ABOUT OUR FAMILY

We're the Heinz family. The 4 of us hit the road November 2011 to RV full-time for a year. Well, let's hope we make it a whole year! We sold the house and traded it in for a "HOUSE ON WHEELS" as our boys call it! We have no experience RVing and not much in the way of the great outdoors, so this should be quite an adventure!  Along the way, we hope to find the next hometown for our family but we'll leave that in God's hands!!