Weeks 31–35: The end of one journey

February 1, 2019 — Today ends our 337 day streak of living with friends, in hotels, in AirBnBs, hostels, refugios (even a timeshare) but largely in other countries and entirely on other folks’ turf. Today also marks the end of our 2,356 day streak as a rent paying married couple. Today we close on a house, our first owned home together.

The last year was an incredible journey launched in late February when Lilibet came to stay with us for a few months in her quest to learn English.

The journey continued as Rachel graduated from her Master’s program and Jake led a study abroad program to Cuba. Then, all our earthly possessions (minus 78 combined lbs. in the two backpacks) went into the POD as we and the packs started south.

The further we traveled south, the more we continued to separate from our stuff. By the time we made it to Patagonia in October, Rachel counted a minimum of 13 different ‘piles’ of things left in others’ care, intentionally and otherwise. As we headed gradually north to reclaim these piles — ultimately visiting over a dozen countries across Latin America — we reflected on the places and people our hearts now longed to reclaim as well.

Thus, upon returning to the states and claiming our Janie (a car), we embarked on an ambitious December journey, visiting many of you and 14 states en route. It was a beautiful, restorative month, but marked the end of a 100 day stretch where we never stayed in one bed for more than 4 nights at a time.

Suffice to say, by the time we returned to Williamsburg on January 4th for our home inspection, we were beat. We were fortunate to land a cushy, private re-entry pad during the month of January as we prepared for this next phase of the journey.

As we now prepare to settle in, relax a bit, and winter in our new abode, today was…full to say the least. Closing was at 9am; PODS arrived at 10am; PODS was emptied into garage by 2pm in advance of pick-up tomorrow; Rachel cleaned much of thedownstairs; professional carpet folks cleaned the entire upstairs; and we set up shop for the next adventure — painting — which begins tomorrow.

We are thankful for our journey and for a chance to rest from it. We are grateful for the life which waits for us here in Williamsburg, for our church, and friends, and jobs, which, while imperfect, offer daily challenge and are meaningful to a significant extent.

We aren’t sure how long we’re promised all of this or to what end. 2020 may yet spin us back into motion. However, in 2019, we are very much looking forward to the different challenge of being, as much as possible, in one place, with one community. Jake will still travel, but will limit his international trips to a month of the year as opposed to last year’s eight. And we will continue to share our life with you through this forum, though perhaps not as regularly or as interestingly.

We plan to pen a monthly update here. Jake will also try to put some of his accumulating thoughts down on at least a monthly basis, Rachel will do the same ‘as the spirit leads.’ The updates will likely be of our housework and side hobbies instead of our worldly travels. Reflections will likely steer more towards the dynamics of stationary life than that of one on the road. No obligation to continue following if that’s not your cup of tea.

For us though, we are excited to continue the journey and hope our thoughts here might remain an encouragement to you. We are all in this journey together after all.