THE RV

    Never in a million zillion forevers did I imagine myself as EVER being homeless.  I think that's probably been crystal clear from my past few posts.  I never saw it coming, never dreamed it would happen and then it did.  And that was that.  Here we were thankful for the kindness of many good friends. 
   And again, I never in a million zillion forevers did I imagine myself living in an RV and again, here I am........................
     It all started with a peaceful morning and my husband and I snuggling on the terrace of the Scottland families monstrous home.  My husband asked what we should do next.  We'd ruled out a nice riverfront parcel we were looking at that had pre-existing RV's in place.  Every other property and possible home was going to take time and energy to make livable.  It seemed logical that an RV would be a good next step.  It would give privacy to anybody we stayed with and stability to the kids of having our own "temporary" home.
   We scoped out a lot of deals.  I had my heart set on a burn orange carpeted beaut from the 1970s.  There was one for half that price that I figured I should probably settle with and the main thing I liked about that one was the picture of the kangaroo on the front.  All in all, in my mind, this was temporary and we should find the cheapest thing possible.  We were just about to head out to decide between the two when the Scottland family awakened.  They didn't have a lot to say about either of those models, but reminded me that if we wanted to resell it, burnt orange carpet would not be a strong selling point.  Then they pulled up some RVs on Craigslist about double the most expensive one we were considering.  I panicked!!  Spending that much would really delve into our house fund.  My husband hadn't considered spending that much, but liked the idea of a diesel engine saying we could actually drive it some place.  He started looking and looking. 
   The more he looked the harder I breathed.  Fear constricted my mind and rationality began to lose its hold on me.  The next thing I knew, we had spent an insane amount of money on "The Executive".  This was no ordinary RV.  Though an older model, she came fully loaded.  "The Executive" in her day booked at $130,000.  Of course years have gone by and she is old hat to todays quarter of a mil models.  She roared onto the Scottland Ranch in all her glory.  My husband grinned from ear to ear.  I worried about the things on her that wasn't working.  Buttons and levers can be seen everywhere.  The front drivers seat looks like something out of star trek.  Immediately the boys began playing space ship inside her.  Then one boy accidentally ripped off her door hatch (whoops). 
    She's equipped with an ice maker, coffee maker, hot water spigot.  Pull a handle and a checker board pops up from no where.  Lift a panel and wha la - A wine rack.  Miss Moonbeam was especially pleased and proud with the "secret bed" of hers that comes when the table is taken down for the night.  Open a door in the heavily mirrored back bedroom and a stereo system emerges - Groovy.  There is an alarm clock in the wall.  2 - older version TVs also grace her interior.  I am only scratching the surface of what "The Executive" can do.  Last night I discovered that the door handle was lit up with "The Executive" extravagantly showing through the clear lighting.  Did I mention all the real wood and leather interior?  Anyway, she's real fancy, and for sure not what I had in mind at all.  I guess God figured she was right for the time.
   What I dubbed my "Thankfulness Journey" has been very helpful to my mental health.  Instead of despairing, every morning with my devotions, I write an entire page of things I am thankful for.  It is so amazing how it has changed me.  I am finding so very many things to be truly thankful for.
   One of the things I'm so thankful for is the Scottland family.  They truly don't mind that we're staying here.  They have given us more than we could possibly ever give back to them.  Saphira and I laughed and laughed about it the other day.  Normal people don't want some families possessions cluttering up their buildings.  Normal people would mind that there are over a half a dozen junky vehicles sitting on different spots on their property not belonging to them.  Normal people would not tell you to pull your monstrosity of an RV directly in front of their home about 6 feet from the front door.  They wouldn't let you use their central vacuuming system to clean its carpets.  Normal people would hope for a time frame of how long they have to see you every morning when they first wake up.  None of these items seem to pertain to this wealthy rancher and his wife.  They seem to be taking it all in stride and not minding at all.  This never ceases to make my mind reel.  How can they not mind all of that?  Then I have to rest in Gods Grace and accept where I am and be thankful.