A No Boundaries Adventure With My Husband

No Boundaries. 

As promised, here’s part 2 of joining my husband’s adventurous spirit. I highlight our camping trip with “No Boundaries.”

And I share the spiritual lessons I learned on this adventure.

No Boundaries Camping 

But first, let me explain. Because I almost hear the sighs and see the eye-rolls. My family knows I’m never without boundaries.

“No Boundaries” (NOBO) is the name of our new travel camper. An RV by Forest River.

Years ago we had a pop-up camper and camped often. Our kids were young. And camping is a memory-building activity for both children and adults.

Recently, I looked through old pictures of all the state parks and campgrounds we visited as a family of four. Each time, for a few days to a week, we made it our home away from home.

So, when Mike desired to get back into camping, I decided to go all-in. He researched for what fit our needs—accommodating two people with a few essentials. A place for the both of us to sleep, air conditioning (a must for my husband), awning for shade, water/electrical hookups, and a pull-out section with a lock box, small refrigerator/freezer and stove top.

Mike drove to Ohio to purchase the camper, stopping in Kentucky on his way back to Tennessee to try it out overnight. Next, it was my turn to go. Yay! I looked forward to this getaway with my husband.

No Boundaries Trip 

Choosing David Crockett State Park for a couple of days on our first camping adventure made sense. It’s not far from our home and the campground provides a lot of features and history.

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Joining My Husband’s Adventurous Spirit

Adventurous. 

The word described me in my younger days. Even though I’ve never really enjoyed roller coasters or spur of the moment adventures. Because friends often stirred up my adventurous side by coaxing me into trying new things or spontaneous things.

And my past history proves the word fit me at least for a time. Like the way I spent every summer in college on a mission project with CRU, Campus Crusade for Christ. Travels including Virginia Beach, Virginia; Zimbabwe, Africa; and Redlands, California.

Also, when my husband and I were dating and first married, adventure still lived in my heart.

I was on an adventure with Mike in life and glad of it.

Adventurous Heart for Jesus

Back then, I considered mission work as adventures with Jesus and for Him.

And the adventurous ministry life continues. Mike is a lead pastor and I write and speak. So God’s calling to share the gospel of Jesus Christ is an adventure.

We’ve lived in eight cities and three states. Mike’s also ministered overseas to Hungary and Germany.

Since adventurous portrays Mike’s spirit, I want it to characterize who I am, too. Especially during this season of life as never before. Mike’s favorite adventures are trips to the mountains and camping. So I’m doing a two-week blog series about joining his adventurous spirit.

Even if you are single, I hope you join the adventure. We could all use a little more adventurous spirit not only in marriage, but also in life and with Jesus.

Adventurous Souls as a Couple

This week I highlight a day trip we took to a place called Beauty Spot. Beauty Spot lies on top of Unaka mountain and includes part of the Appalachian Trail.

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7 Ways God’s the Most Faithful Father 

Always. Forever. Faithful. 

These words pop in my mind when I think of fathers.

And if you know anything about my story or have followed me for a while. Then you know my earthly father abandoned me for part of my childhood.

When he reappeared in my life, he was a self-proclaimed atheist. My dad held no belief in God, much less the idea of a heavenly Father who loves us and never leaves His children.

Yet, after sixteen years of me praying for him, my dad finally believed in God and accepted Christ as Savior.

He passed away in 2010. So, I’m always a little tear-filled, a tad heart-broken, and a bit soul-grieved this time of year. Because I miss so many things about him.

I miss my dad’s presence in my life. Never able to talk to him in person or on the phone. I miss making him a lemon pie every birthday, every Thanksgiving, and every Father’s Day.

Still, I celebrate three fathers every year. My biological dad in heaven, Gene. And my first stepdad, Wendell. They will both always have a special place in my heart.

Wait. Who’s the third father?

As we honor fathers this week, I decided to concentrate on my heavenly Father in my blog post. He’s the third mentioned, but first in my life.

A Faithful Father

7 ways God’s always and forever the most faithful Father. 

(1) He loves big.

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No Matter What: 5 Promises for Life in Christ

No matter what. 

I admit the phrase used to bother me. Because it stirred questions in my soul.

Such as, “no matter what” means what exactly? Maybe to never back down. Or, never give up or give in. Perhaps, to keep going in the face of opposition or dire circumstances.

And I assumed the subject and context both played into the meaning.

Still, if you are anything like me, the phrase conjures up a lot of unknowns. And even a few knowns we’d rather not deal with.

So I put together a list of God’s truths and promises in five areas.

I searched for the exact phrase in Scripture and found it in The Living Bible Translation. Some of my favorite Scriptures translated with such powerful words. Because…

 No Matter What 

(1.) No matter what today brings. Trust in God’s strength and love.

“Patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” Romans 5:4-5.

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