Community Without Borders

A friend and I have decided to take a road trip spanning well over fifteen states and part of Canada. We also decided to take our kids, because: a) unattended children is frowned upon and b) we have lofty (read: unrealistic) ideas about making each moment of our trip a teachable moment for them. I have three boys and so does she, so at least we can rule out...nothing. We can rule out nothing.

We have a spreadsheet, map, binders of activities and prayers, contacts of people we will either visit or stay with, landmarks we must see, and a checklist of things we want the kids to experience, learn, or otherwise share together. We meet intermittently over coffee, discuss as we’re dashing out of the gym, or late at night over the phone. We pour over minute details and skim over seemingly important ones to (virtually) pencil in adventure. We’ve got it down to a science but we’re also ready to throw it all out through the driver’s side window (those child safety locks are in place for a reason).

We’re at once exhilarated and scared. We are doing something that each of us has done separately to some degree but never together. Yes, our kids play together, but will they help each other and bond or will some of us be flying home? We are armed with a plan and taste for adventure that refuses to be quenched by the parameters of a tame vacation.

We are curious creatures. We travel and explore only to crave home. Whatever our path, wherever our place in the journey, we’re all looking for something that reminds us of home in a new place. And as we do our final preparations for the trip, I wonder what will remind us of home? We often associate “home” with only our house and surrounding community. But in a broader sense, a community can be formed by defying physical boundaries and relying instead on a shared common goal or feeling of camaraderie. And that’s what we’ve generated. A network of kind-hearted family and friends that foolishly agreed to meet us or let us stay with them at some point and I’m at once thrilled as I am concerned about what that may mean for the future of our relationships post-visit.

So, as we set off on our incredible journey, join our community without borders, and follow along as we eight, pray, and love.