Sometimes Life Changes the Route
Not much travel has been happening lately…
Well, that’s not entirely true. It just feels like a lot less than what we’re used to.
About a year ago, we shared a different kind of journey with you—one we embarked on alongside our church family called Uncharted. Unlike most of the adventures we write about, this one didn’t require packing the RV, booking a flight, or plotting a route on a map. Instead, it was a journey of faith, purpose, and personal growth.
Sometimes the most important journeys don’t involve changing locations at all.
Trading Retirement for Work
As part of our Uncharted journey, both Tracey and I stepped back into the workforce.
I transitioned from being a volunteer in our church’s finance office to becoming a part-time employee, continuing work that I had already grown to love.
Tracey, on the other hand, dove headfirst into a General Manager position at a local restaurant.
Talk about a lifestyle change.
We went from being retired, traveling whenever the mood struck us, to working again—and not just working. Tracey was putting in 12- to 16-hour days, seven days a week.
If you know Tracey, you know he loves a challenge. Turning around struggling businesses isn’t just something he’s good at; it’s something he’s genuinely passionate about.
For five months, our lives looked completely different. Some changes we expected. Others caught us completely off guard.
A Christmas We’ll Never Forget
By Christmas, we had settled into what had become our “new normal.”
One of the most rewarding parts of this season was being able to donate every dollar we earned back to our church.
That may sound unusual, but it was one of the most fulfilling experiences we’ve ever had.
God has a funny way of reminding us that sometimes the greatest blessings come through serving others.
When God Opens a Different Door
As we moved into the new year, another unexpected turn appeared in our journey.
After five months of pouring his heart into the restaurant, Tracey realized something difficult.
Despite accomplishing exactly what he had promised to do, it became clear that the owner didn’t truly want the help that had been requested.
After much prayer, thoughtful conversations, and a lot of soul-searching, Tracey made the decision to step away.
Looking back, we can clearly see God’s timing.
Almost immediately, another opportunity presented itself.
Tracey is now serving alongside our church’s Pastoral Care Ministry—a role that seems perfectly suited to his heart for helping others. We couldn’t be more excited to see where this new chapter leads.
Finding Our Rhythm Again
One unexpected blessing that came with this change was the return of something we’d been missing…
Normal life.
Tracey is back attending church regularly.
He’s back with our Bible study group.
He’s spending more time with our daughter, helping her study for tests, and picking up right where they left off with their never-ending sarcastic banter.
Those simple moments are the ones we missed the most.
For me, life has settled into a different rhythm as well.
I’m working a few more hours than originally planned, but I genuinely love what I do. The biggest adjustment has simply been remembering how to balance work with everything else. Funny how quickly we adapt to retirement—and how slowly we readjust to working again!
Sometimes it’s the little things that remind you.
Like realizing you’ve run out of clean clothes because you forgot to do the laundry.
Hitting the Road Again
Perhaps the biggest blessing has been adding travel back into our lives.
While Tracey was working at the restaurant, I managed to sneak away a couple of times to visit our granddaughters and even took our daughter to a skating competition in California. Unfortunately, his schedule kept him from joining me.
That has finally changed.
A couple of weeks ago, we packed up the RV and escaped for a long weekend to one of our favorite places—Double Adobe Shotgun Sports and Campground in Bisbee, Arizona.
Four days wasn’t nearly enough.
We probably could have stayed two weeks.
But after the past several months, those four peaceful days felt exactly like what our hearts needed.
Looking Ahead
The calendar is beginning to fill once again, and it feels wonderfully familiar.
First up is San Diego, where we’ll cheer on our daughter and her synchronized skating team. It will be especially meaningful because it has been quite some time since Tracey has been able to watch her compete.
After that, we’ll head to Texas for Spring Break, where Tracey will spend Easter with family.
Then comes Country Thunder.
Later in May, we’ll join our oldest son and daughter-in-law in San Antonio for the Kenny Chesney concert.
July will take us somewhere entirely new as Caitlynn competes in Sun Valley, Idaho.
If everything falls into place, September may bring another first—Tracey’s very first trip to Hawaii.
And October?
Disney World.
See…
That actually sounds a lot more like us.
The Journey Continues
Life has a funny way of taking us down roads we never planned to travel.
Some seasons are filled with miles.
Others are filled with growth.
Looking back over the past year, we wouldn’t change a thing. God has been faithful through every unexpected turn, every difficult decision, and every new beginning.
Thank you for continuing to follow along on our journey—whether it’s one that takes us across the country or simply deeper into the life we’re called to live.
We hope you’ll continue checking in to see where we wander next.
“Live. Travel. Adventure. Bless. And don’t be sorry.”