Tag Archives: tbt

Day 3449 – TBT To Our 2013 Road Trip

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Five years ago today, we were starting our 2013 road trip across the country. In some ways, I wish we were making the drive again this year. I love the freedom of the drive and having a car the whole time.

But I have to say, arriving the same day via plane is pretty nice. This year we’re renting a car the whole time, which is the first time we’ve done so.

This was also the trip where I wore my Ravens jersey for a few days straight, pretty sure it stood up on its own…

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Day 3043 – Throw Back Thursday To When I Knew I Was An Alcoholic

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Originally posted 8/6/17
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I’m working through my second draft of my memoir, and I’m happy to see it taking somewhat of a logical shape.

Yesterday, we had so much fun hanging out with some friends at a beautiful waterfront bar. Chatting with one of my friends, we talked about what was success for my first book, which was that one person’s mindset was changed.

In my current draft of the memoir, I wrote “I don’t want to write this book. Thinking back to these times doesn’t make me happy. Trying to read other memoirs about drinking is hard to do. I want to forget it all happened. I want to leave those memories in the past. Why would I ever want to go back there? Why would I want to share even more about the things I did? I suppose, if just one person is helped. If one person can move past addiction and treat it finally as a sin, it is worth it.”

I think I have my goal for this book.

So, when did I know I was an alcoholic?
Probably in the few days after my last drink. Here’s a snapshot from my journal, which is part thinking out loud, part praying, in the days after that last day.

September 29, 2014 (first day sober)
“I do enjoy it and I have had some great times, yet I’ve quit so many times. Can I really not control myself or am I trying to prove to myself that I can? Am I holding on to sin? Should I cut it loose? Do I need to cut it out completely? Truly? Forever? Is it standing in my way?”

On October 3, 2014
“Thank you also for the clear “it’s time” to quit drinking. Thank you for the strength already against temptation. Let it open doors to honest communications about how Christians aren’t perfect.”

Almost three years later and I think it’s so true – that it can open lines of communications. People are shocked when they hear about my sobriety – “but you’re a Christian!”
Thinking back to the months following this moment, I remember thinking that there is almost more stigma against people who don’t drink than people who do. Look at all the memes about drinking at the end of the day, or that say “how could I ever quit drinking, I’d be boring!” I was more embarrassed and nervous to say “no thank you” to a drink, then when I was downing bottle after bottle.

I’m so thankful for sober Jen, because she can go to places like we went yesterday, and remember every minute. I really hope we can live near the water some day.

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Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
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Day 2742 – Throw Back Thursday To My First Visit To California

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About 9 years ago, Bret had returned from Iraq and we had just the best visit! I still remember wondering if we would end up getting married or not. So glad it all worked out, I like sharing life with this guy!

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Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
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Day 2399 – #tbt post – Day 1302 – Even When Your Car Decides To Shut Down While Driving, Give Thanks

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I posted this on February 2nd of 2013, almost 3 years ago…

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Tonight, I had intentions of visiting the store for Superbowl snacks and groceries. I was also going to try and find some purple hair dye. I know, I know. SILLY to look for the DAY BEFORE the Superbowl. But, I was going to do it.

Not 9 minutes from home, my car died. Like, power failure, all indicators went down. I was actually at a pretty safe spot to pull over and no one was behind me. I sat there for about 45 minutes waiting for Bret to pick me up and looking up what the heck it could be.

I was obviously bummed and kicking myself. It’s been acting a little funny….but still running ok. I was due for an oil change and intended to go either yesterday or the day before. As you know, I’ve been feeling a little under the weather and didn’t get the chance to go. What was great was my dear husband didn’t make me feel worse by making a big deal about picking me up or going to the store OR that I didn’t get the work done. (But I really didn’t think it was THAT bad). Instead, he (several times) said, dude, calm down and offered a fist bump. To say my husband has grown in the past few years is an understatement.

After the store, on the last hill of the drive home, we struggled. Started to slide in the snow. Thankfully, we were in the truck and it’s great in the snow…but it still struggled.

It hit me that if I had been driving my car around in this, I wouldn’t have gotten up the hill. I would have been going the other direction on our home road….and it’s worse on the other route. If it was just me, I would have driven to several stores looking for the hair dye. The snow would have been worse. I could have gotten in a very serious accident and done even more damage to the car. As I realized this I was just overwhelmed by God’s grace in all situations. Sometimes what looks like a bad situation is actually the best thing that could have happened to you.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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Let’s also remember when something really cool happened, car wise!

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