Know When to Fold 'Em!

So many things have changed since my last post here! It is now April 2026, and I am writing this from our RV/home in Carbon County, Utah. A LONG way from hometown MI, and Odessa, TX!

Last October, hubbs and I made a very difficult life changing decision. We sold our home (also my childhood home) in an effort to continue this life journey of following Jesus, wherever that leads us.

In December, we loaded up the moving van and made trip #1 across the country with our car in tow. Safe and sound, we made it. It was the ugliest town I have ever seen! An ugly I could practically feel. But I was hopeful and too tired from the drive to really think twice about it. We had a moving truck to empty and get turned in so we could grab a few moments to rest up.

We flew back to MI, closed on the house, hugged it out with some of our people, and were on the road again one week later, RV/home in tow. We slowed down on trip #2 but not much as we were attempting to dodge early season snow-storms.

Upon arrival to the RV park, it was one thing after another. Mind you, this was 2 weeks before Christmas, so no one was accomplishing anything except holiday mode! Our truck was in the shop for more than three weeks. During that time it became abundantly clear that our quaint, cozy toy hauler was great to get away in, not so much to cook and live in. So, we started looking for other options.

Our search took us to Lubbock over New Year's to check out a large dealership and watch a lot of college football. We had no intention of buying, we did not even have our truck so how could we? However, two days later, our 5th wheel was delivered to our lot. But not without drama. I will spare you the details, but tears were shed and voices were raised over the terrible communication and handlings of this nationwide dealership. But our new home was delivered, it had all the kitchen space I needed to finally cook a normal meal. The first one in months!

Or so I thought. 24 hours later we had ice cream soup in our freezer. While the light still came on in the fridge, it was not working. Brand new camper, broken fridge. Two weeks later, right before the single digit nighttime and below freezing daytime temps, we woke to 44 degrees in the camper. No heater.

That was actually John's first day on the job. And then for the next 8 weeks, he would not get a day off. A 24 hr mandatory CDL reset doesn't really count as a day off!

How is it that the shortest month of the year can turn into the longest, most defeating month? I will spare the very personal details, but February proved to be one of the loneliest months I have ever endured. But in all I've encountered with God over the years, I have never been more certain of the healing power of the Holy Spirit. Our Comforter in times of trouble, showed up in ways some would never believe.

Hubbs and I headed to west TX with the hopes that God was opening a door for our long-time ministry dreams to come to fruition. However, 4 months into this we are making the decision to course correct. Does that mean we made a mistake when we decided to head to the Texas desert? Quite honestly, I believe that was a level of sacrifice God never asked of us.  I have also come to trust and believe that even if we do run full throttle into our own decisions, God can take even our most misguided decisions and bring something good from them.

Hubbs has gotten some closure on the oilfield he left 7 years ago. I made connections that I know were orchestrated by God. We've both been reminded of what is truly important. Our marriage and relationship with our Creator.

The plan is to focus on both as we explore Utah and Chase the Son. Praying for God to open doors of opportunity that no man can shut. Praying for encounters with others that happen as we get out and explore God's Creation. Praying for Holy Spirit wisdom to write, publish, and market my second book. Praying for work opportunity for hubbs that does not tear him down but builds him up as it provides for our needs.

I mentioned this previously in a post, it has felt like the enemy met us at the Odessa park gate. There was a heaviness there that you could almost feel trying to crush anything good. To which I initially thought the answer was to double-down, try harder, do all the things. Maybe even start a women's group at the RV park.

But as I have been reading about how our bodies are created and how they act to that kind of power through regardless of the cost mentality, I learned of a better way. Ok, I was reminded of a better way. A slower way that Jesus has been attempting to get hubbs and I to see for a while now.

So, what's in Utah? Our next Chase the Son adventure. My second book. Here's praying that the next 4 months hold more enjoyable adventures than the last. Be mindful of your prayers though, because here's the thing I JUST learned about adventures, they are defined as; "a bold undertaking, in which hazards are to be encountered". Maybe I should've looked that word up before I started using it!

As I walked around that dusty dirty, no one will smile back park, I thought of how I would explain what we're up to now. This is what popped in my head, "You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run". Those who kept right on singing The Gambler are my people! God will often bring song lyrics to mind, sometimes by Phil Wickham or Lauren Daigle, sometimes a childhood favorite from Kenny Rogers!

We've held 'em regarding things in the past. But we also need to know when to fold 'em. We're not gamblers as in this song. But hubbs and I will risk it all to Chase the Son! Sometimes you hold your stance, you stay put, even when it feels like it's crushing you. Been there! But other times it takes all the courage to call it as it is and fold 'em. Not because you couldn't play and bluff or power your way through. But because sometimes that's just not worth it. And quite honestly maybe God never asked you to.

There will be hazards along the way with every Chase the Son adventure. Staying close enough to your Creator to know when to fold 'em and walk away, or even run, is the key to enduring whatever kind of adventure you find yourself in.