Loo-a-vul

There are few things in this life more exhausting, more grueling, more... refreshing than a road trip. In my lifetime I've been on a few. At least enough to know they can change your life.

My first road trip was freshman year of high school. I drove with my family to Florida to spend two weeks in various places. Orlando, Clearwater, St. Augustine... it was a wonderful family vacation.
It was the first time I saw the ocean.

In college, my best friend Jeff planned a road trip of epic proportions. He grabbed a guy named Jason and me and told us his dream. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Canada, Michigan, Wisconsin, and back. ONE WEEK. Just three guys, one car, and a whole lot of scenery.
It was when Jason became one of my best friends.

Later, Jason and Jeff and I reunited. This time we went west. We survived Kansas (just barely) to make it to Colorado. This trip was less hectic. This was a lot more music and mountains. This was a turning point in my soul. If the ocean made me feel small, the mountains made me truly see beauty for the first time.
It was when I fell in love with God's creation.

Just this last weekend, I took a break. I took a breath. There are people in my life that will always be special to me. Even though we have scattered across America, some in Indiana, some in Ohio, some on the East Coast, some in the South... They will always be special. So in the midst of my crazy, always on the go life... I went to Louisville (pronounced: Loo-a-vul). I drove to Lincoln, IL after worship team practice on Thursday night. And arriving at my destination around 11PM and knowing I had to get up at 6AM my friend Squeaky did what he could to make sure I got my rest. He threw a party. Which is exactly what I needed. No really. I thought I was going to be tired and drained the next day, but I wasn't. My soul was rested.

So at 6AM I picked up Alaina (a good friend) and we started our journey to Kentucky. There was music and pancakes and music and conversation. We only got lost once and five hours seemed like an eternity and a fleeting moment all at the same time. We arrived at Louisville and at SouthEast, one of the biggest churches I have ever seen. It was a good thing we brought our "southern teeth." We reunited with our long lost friend Amanda and got the full tour of the church. I was tired and took a nap on a couch. I woke up two hours later realizing that I was now apart of the tour, as the couch was located in the History Room and a tour was in progress. "And to your left you will see the bum on the couch under the historic news clippings."

The night was long, the conversations full of joy, and the rooms full of laughter. I had the best pork chops of my life at Molly Malone's Irish Pub. And the next day we were back on the road. Just one night. Just a couple of friends. Just a few hours sleep.

It was when I found some rest.

Have you taken a road trip yet? It will change you.