Tag Archives: road trip

Passenger Princess

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Are you a passenger princess? One of those people who does day trips in style? With the snacks, water bottles, playlists downloaded and the car find games all ready in separated little zip lock baggies for each of the kids? Or do you get in and hope there’s gas enough to get you there? I must admit, on any given day I could be either one of those people. This weekend, the hubby and I had a Saturday to ourselves, so we spent most of it in the car. We ran a lot of errands, picking up this and that, stopping to look at a few spots (including a church sale where I thrifted some great stuff… but that’s a different story). Around here, in order to get pretty much anywhere, you need a reliable vehicle. I have become a passenger princess most times.

It’s a funny thing, driving. Do we take it for granted? Do we remember it is a privilege which not everyone enjoys? Do we take advantage of the tools we have? I think most of us rely on our GPS now. I know I certainly do. Then again, I was one of those “print out the full map instructions before you go” people back in the day, too. I like to know where I am going and what the roads are like and how long it’s going to take to get there… then I can plan those snacks accordingly! 🙂 Our youngest is learning how to drive and she so hopes for the independence soon. Not that she may ever get the car… but, you know, hopes and dreams. I’m discovering I’ve forgotten a lot of the “rules” as she learns… can you change lanes in a roundabout? How many demerit points in not forcing a passenger to wear their seat belt?

Photo by Athena Sandrini on Pexels.com

Out here, there are a lot of different vehicles on the roads: cars, a whole lotta trucks, ATV’s and giant farm vehicles that go oh so slow (especially when you get behind them on your way to church!). I think driving is not only a valuable skill to have, but gives you so much more things to learn… patience for example. I lived in the city my entire life… but in less than a year, I have discovered city traffic is very stressful! There is something precious about taking your time. There is also something I noticed here that is not always possible in the crowded city. Emergency vehicles are much more respected. The rule is to move as far to the side of the road as you can in order to let the emergency vehicles passage… not always possible on a six lane highway packed with cars; but on two lanes, most times you have the chance to pull over and stop or significantly slow down. I always say a quick prayer for those involved, as we’ve needed an ambulance on occasion. My heart aches for the uncertainty of the “victims”. When you are aware, you have more time to think about it.

And then there are the other things that share the road. It’s time for snapping turtles to lay eggs… and we met our first one digging around in the gravel road preparing her nest the other day. There are several warnings around the lake to watch out for wildlife. I’m yet to meet a bear, but the hubby met several deer a while ago… which, in turn, forced us to buy a new vehicle. (Also another story for another time…). Foxes, stray dogs, skunks, many a squirrel or chipmunk, the odd cow or chicken crossing the road. The farmers are the slowest ones, though. Patience.

Watch Out for Turtles!

Many times, I have tagged a mittonmusing post as “faith journey” or “spiritual journey” related, because so often my musings and thoughts revolve around this journey we are all on. The ebb and flow of the road we travel, the people we meet, the hills and valleys we travel along and the times we need to slow down and pray for those around us. It really is similar to a day trip in the car. Are you prepared with snack and games for the journey? Which really means: have you planned?! Do you have a final destination in mind? Do you know where you will end up? I trust you do. And I encourage you to talk to someone if you’re unsure. Eternity is a long time to be unsure about.

There is a local road nearby which dips and climbs along huge ski hills. As you reach the top, you have a fabulous view of the rolling hills below: farmers fields in deep hues of green and golden brown, country homes dotted here and there. Depending on when you travel, the sky may be lit with all kinds of colours of a summer sunset or clear blue reflecting the lake if you look that direction. I love it when I get to go that way… especially when I am alone and can see where I am going… usually the highway far far ahead is visible, and I prepare for more traffic, less patience and a lot more cars travelling with me. It’s a “side street” that gets me to where I need to be, and even though it takes me a little longer, I often choose it simply for the pleasure of the drive. The garden center/farmers market is also there … which usually delays me further, but patience, right? We are all learning patience.

So as you take your road trips this summer, or make that daily commute to work, or attend that one more meeting, I encourage you to plan ahead and take in a side street… simply for the reflective view. Take your time to pray for those on the journey with you who need you to move over to the side sometimes and give them passage. Enjoy the scenery. Avoid the hazards. Be aware. Look toward your destination and be prepared. Sing along to the radio and bring all the good snacks. Travelling blessings, my passenger princesses!

Faith Journey

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Do you have a favourite car? I’m not a big car buff, so as long as the vehicle gets me from A to B safely, I’m happy. The eldest and I were chatting about cars recently — she wants a mini cooper. She has yet to get her driver’s license, and is nervous about driving, so thinks a cooper will be “safe” and easy to maneuver. The youngest wants a big truck for the same reasons. So many vehicles out there on the roads. So many choices for travelling. So many arguments and thoughts about what brand, what qualifications, what this, what that. Fuel mileage. Safety features. Electric?

Photo via the Car Connection

Remember the good old days where you shoved all your kids in the back of a big ol’ wood paneled station wagon and went “road tripping”? Seat belts? Not a thing. Car seats, ha! (Not that I am condoning such reckless behaviour…buckle up, people!) Yet, you understand, right? The ultimate road trip was fun. It was exciting to see who would barf first, or get all the alphabet letters in license plate guessing games. And trips back then were screen free! How did we ever survive?? How did our parents survive? And who was in charge of the map? A paper map… that had to be folded back together….

If you’ve followed along at mittonmusings.com for any length of time, you’ve certainly noticed our references to our “faith journeys” or our “spiritual journeys”. Maybe you are wondering what exactly that means. It’s what I’ve been thinking about recently as well. And there is no simple answer. Let’s start with the word “journey”. The simplest definition is this:

“an act of traveling from one place to another” or

“a long and often difficult process of personal change and development”

Oxford online dictionary

Those two statements may not be as simple as they appear. Journeys involve ups and downs and backwards and forwards. Not to mention pit stops along the way. “Faith” adds a deeper and even more complex thought to the definition. Faith in what? Faith in whom? Then we can chat about how does that faith affect the life choices you make on the journey? Spirituality can mean something quite different. I believe humans are intensely spiritual beings. We’ve been designed that way. Consequently, our world is relatively open to “spiritual” things these days. It’s when we draw lines and point fingers that things get complicated. No one wants to be intolerant. And I’m not talking about “church” or “religious beliefs”. Although they certainly play a role in the journey.

Let’s break it down a little more. A road trip begins and ends. There is a point A and a point B. How you get to point B from point A is up to you…. you can take the scenic route up the mountain and through the valleys, or straight across the highway. But the journey always starts with choices. Who or what will be the master of the journey? Who will be in the driver’s seat? Who will you trust to get you to your final destination and where will that be? The crew here at mittonmusings, hopes that driver will be the Christ of the living Bible. It’s who we’ve chosen to be in the driver’s seat of our spiritual journeys that will one day unite us with Him in Heaven. He’s our point A and Heaven is our point B. The Bible is our map and we are making stops along the way to share the experience with you! Are you ready to start the journey? Share with us! Follow along as we chat each week about our journey. And maybe a little bit about our favourite cars!

Photo by Leio McLaren (leiomclaren.com) on Unsplash

Road Trip!

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We went on a long drive this weekend. Maybe we were not supposed to. Perhaps we should have stayed home. But we stayed safe — and realistically there is nothing else to do, am I right? Better than being exposed to viruses in the grocery store, right? So, we went. I had some goals and things to see along the way, so I planned the route the day before. Google mapped my meandering “scenic” journey through countryside and small towns. Not that anything was open. It was about the journey. What about you? Do you love a good road trip? With four kids plus the two of us, budget often dictates we drive instead of fly. We have done our fair share of road trips. Our kids have travelled via minivan from day one. They are good travellers and we have all survived. Technology helps… but planning is better. I remember travelling to Disney and creating “car kits” for the kids with games and snacks. Now they are older, so technology it is… unless you are picking up the oldest who has been slightly isolated and needs to share. Or the youngest who never gets enough one on one attention and will talk your ear off if given the correct topic.

The hubby and I used to talk a lot on road trips — how we would never do what so-and-so does with their kids, as our future children will be angels. (*cough* wheeze …choking on our own words). Or, what our perfect house would look like if we had money to burn. We don’t chat much now on car rides… unless it’s me telling him to slow down, or to get gas before it is too late. Or making that sucking-in-air noise as you brace the sides of the door handle as he changes lanes. Like your feeble human arm will protect you from that 18 wheel semi truck who happens to be too close. Come on, I know I am not the only one who does this, am I right? Aged nerves are not as steely as they used to be. Maturity has a way of doing that to you.

Nonetheless, we road tripped a little this weekend. The sun shone, the van was gassed up, and time was on our side. We plugged in our phone and punched in the first “stop”. Anyone remember those fold out maps (à la paper) with highlighted routes and sharpie x’s here and there? Doesn’t happen anymore, does it? Phone apps and google maps rule now. Which had me musing… oh, how we trust in that little piece of technology. We believe it will get us there. On more than one occasion, I have told myself just to trust the GPS… it knows. Truthfully, it usually does.

As we travelled along this time, we, again, trusted in our app and turned down a somewhat questionable sideroad. It was paved, but narrow, and a little too country for my liking… and not where I had planned. I asked the hubby, and he assured me that the maps were giving us “the fastest” way. There was very little signage on the this backroad… but it eventually came back out to a main street and we continued along without incident. This little blind side trip had me thinking again… How many times do we want clear and visible signs?

We often want clear signs! (photo credit: Ryan McGuire)

If you are anything like me, you want signs to point you in the right direction. Some concrete indication that yes, this is it. This is God’s plan. This is what I should be doing — or that big sign that says “TURN HERE” you are going the wrong way! The map has the big sharpie X plainly highlighted with all the stops. I looked up “signs” in my Bible app… and “signs and wonders” often accompanied each other in the listed verses. Seems like humanity has always been looking for “signs”. The big miracles. Clear indications of supernatural influences. Many of the early Jesus followers were seeking just these magic shows, however, and not really interested in Jesus himself or His teachings. Still others were unconvinced… hardened hearted Pharaoh mocked Moses’ “signs”. His own magicians could conjure up snakes and smoke just as impressively.

Perhaps as you’ve been home, contemplating life with the rest of us, you are looking for signs too… should you go back to the same job? When is it “safe” to go out? Who should make the decision to reopen businesses? And when? I’m with ya. I want life all mapped out, too. Yet, our online Sunday service this week reminded us that sometimes we need to reassess, and perhaps a pave a new path on our spiritual journey. God sometimes asks us to go where the road is not clearly marked. Where the road is narrow and a little too “country backroad” for our liking. And for a brief moment we are scared that it is not the way.

Still, Who is in your driver’s seat? Who controls the GPS and the steering wheel of your life? Do we give up full control and say, yup, Jesus, go ahead and take the wheel? I’m just along for the ride. It’s hard. It’s scary. It may even be a little dangerous. It’ll take some faith and a whole lotta trust. But — it may just be worth your drive. Happy road-tripping, my friend, happy road-tripping.