53%

I don’t want to rub it in, but I seriously just looked at our screen saver and it looked exactly like the view we have from our window right now: a cotton candy clouded sky with sea, surf, and sand.  We’re camped out on Padre Island National Seashore, and not only is it free, but it’s extremely beautiful, and relatively desolate.  Although we were sad to leave Alpine and the many friends and doctors we had so graciously become acquainted with and inspired by, our gypsy spirits were ready to journey on.  Although I must admit, even though Alpine was not on our travel itinerary, I know why He was on God’s; it was the first place I could see our family settling down again (at least for a couple years ;o)  But while the Lord has always answered our prayers for safe travels, they haven’t always been maintenance free.  I will say, His timing is incredible however!  Although the new alternator in Arizona consumed half of our “Zoo” day, Phoenix could not have been a better place to need RV parts.  And once again, though needing new tires was a bummer, San Antonio was the ideal spot for them to be replaced.  We even got to enjoy the exoctic river walk and historic Alamo while they were being changed!  To boot, Addalynn’s prayers were answered and she got to “meet” the ocean before nightfall (she’s half mermaid you know ;o)  Although the weather thus far has been less than ideal, we’ve still managed to go boogie boarding, shelling, bike riding, and running on the beach.  We’ve learned to take full advantage of library storytimes and McDonald’s playplaces almost every town we go to.  But even though our motorhome is covered in fine powdered sugar sand and we wade the ocean with goosebumps, we’ve been told brighter and warmer days our coming our way soon, so we’re not ready to throw in the towel yet (pun intented).  Plus, this sleepy little beach town has us pondering.  After hearing Sunday’s message on loving the 53% of people that will never step foot in church, we are dumbfounded by the number of homeless people down here.  With the devastation of hurricane Harvey and hiring signs in almost every business window, it seems something else is keeping these people in poverty.  Perhaps they are poor in spirit as well.  Although this blog may not find you in a warm place right now and you might not even know anyone that’s homeless, I know we all know someone who is hopeless.  I challenge us all this week to offer someone who’s path we cross true hope.  How we do this you ask?  By creatively connecting with them, putting yourself in their shoes, loving on them, and sharing with them the hope that you have… the hope of eternal life with Jesus, by knowing and following the abundant life He has planned for each and every one of us.  God Bless you all!  Peace and Love, Eric, Jenna, Addalynn, Ethan, Abram, Sophie, and Holly