Merry Christmas!

Miami Beach day

For Christmas this year, we requested to be routed through Florida. The warmth sounds so relaxing after everything we've been through lately. In fact, they're having an unseasonably warm Christmas - and we're enjoying every minute of it! A couple days to relax, in a hotel with a real bed, a normal shower, and pleasant weather outside...it's been lovely!

We visited the Miami Zoo, and found the exhibits interesting and interactive. We also went to the beach and basked in the gorgeous weather! We cooked a delicious roast in the crockpot for a good Christmas dinner, and simply relaxed and enjoyed the time off.

While there are a lot of people that we miss and would like to spend time with over Christmas, we did get to Skype with both sets of parents. We have much to be thankful for this year - each other, the people that are dear to us, and the adventures that we share together. We have the memories of Christmases past, the hope of Christmases future, and the love of a Savior who humbled Himself to walk among us before giving the ultimate sacrifice. We are blessed.

Merry Christmas!

More Weather Experiences

#3 catching some sun

Well, we're currently sitting in Georgia, waiting on our next load - our assigned load got cancelled! That's the way that trucking goes though. Sometimes they run you so hard you barely have time to breathe, picking up loads as soon as you deliver others. And then other times you sit at a location all day because the load that was supposed to be picked up at 10am was actually scheduled for 9pm by a miscommunication - only to get cancelled at 8:30pm, leaving you high and dry.

Snow and ice on the windshield 

The past week has been interesting: we have experienced nearly every kind of inclement weather and now we have also experienced heavy snow and ice. We had a load from Dallas, Texas to Denver, Colorado. Just after crossing the Kansas/Colorado border, we hit a sudden snowstorm, completely obliterating the road in snow. We pulled over at a truck stop for about 4 hours to let the storm blow by, then managed to safely deliver the load in Denver.

View from our parking spot 

Our load back out of Denver, however, was 3 hours late on its pickup time. When we finally got the load and headed back out of town, we could tell another storm was right behind us. We tried to outrun the storm, but got caught in freezing fog, which coated everything in ice. Our mirrors, headlights, and windshield froze over, and the road became slick. Then the storm caught up, adding wind and snow to the mix. We pulled over again, but this time the storm lasted almost 24 hours! It continued to snow and the wind increased to 40 mph. Parked 100 feet away from the truck stop, we couldn't even see the building!

Snow and ice on the fields 

Thankfully, our fleet manager understood when we explained the conditions. We spent the night in a hotel, and got up the next morning to 6 degrees with a wind chill below zero. The wind had finally calmed down and highway workers had been working to partially clear the roads. A few hours later, after letting the truck warm up and scraping off the snow, the temperature had reached 12 degrees. We cautiously started out, driving slowly as the road still had patchy ice. The farther east we got, the clearer the roads became. About the time we reached the Kansas border again, the roads were clear enough to run full speed again.

Needless to say, we are pretty done with snow for now! We aren't wishing for a white Christmas this year - in fact, we've requested to be routed through Florida over Christmas. It sounds so warm and inviting after what we've been through lately!

Merry Christmas, and stay safe!

Christmas Memories

Only a few days left till Christmas! Are you ready for it? I have been enjoying rolling down the road listening to Christmas music.

We'll have the day of Christmas off, but instead of trying to get to any of our family and rushing to see everyone in one day, we decided to stay on the road and let everyone who has kids or family go home. We also decided not to exchange gifts this year, since we have no room in the semi to keep stuff and no time to buy and mail stuff. Instead, we have told out family that we ask for their thoughts and prayers, and phone calls when possible - what more could we want?

Of course, it doesn't feel much like Christmas since we won't be seeing anyone or exchanging presents. But listening to Christmas music brings back a lot of cherished memories.

Family Christmas photo, circa early 2000s

When Bing Crosby croons "White Christmas" or Burl Ives tells us the story of Rudolph, it takes me back to snuggling on the couch with my mom, watching the classic Christmas movies every year. I smell cookies baking and see rows of chocolate dipped marshmallows that we will give out to our neighbors.

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" makes me think of going with my dad to pick out a Christmas tree. "The First Noel" and "Silent Night" bring back memories of days spent celebrating with church family and participating in the yearly church Christmas skit.

"Walking in a Winter Wonderland" reminds me of my first few winters in Indiana. Snow was a magical thing. My friends laughed at my enthusiasm, but I enjoyed the experience - snowmen, snow angels, snowballs, even [accidentally] falling through the ice on a river.

Lights at the zoo, Dec 2014

"Mr Grinch" makes me smile because last year, it was the only Christmas movie my sweetheart and I could find to watch in the few hours we had together. Our first Christmas was small, but we had each other and so we had the whole world.

It doesn't feel much like Christmas this year...but we will be together, wherever we are. What more could I want?

Safe travels, and merry Christmas to you!

Life At the Moment

The past few days I have spent alternately flat on my back or curled up in a little ball. At first we thought it was a stomach flu bug, but as it progressed over 4 days we concluded it was more likely food poisoning. Whatever it was, it kicked my butt! I'm sure you don't want to hear about the various forms of fluid that exited my body, but suffice to say that my whole system cleaned itself out. It's like a reset, a new start - because believe me, there is nothing left in my body from the past week!

It got me thinking about resets, new starts, second chances. Obviously the new year is swiftly approaching, the time when most people ponder their past and set new goals for their future. Sometimes a fresh start is exactly what we need, getting rid of the old distractions and focusing on the changes that need to be made. While letting go of the past isn't always a pleasant experience, sometimes it is necessary before we can move on to the new goals ahead.

Well, there's my deep thought of the day. In other news, my unit Christmas party was Sunday. It was a blast for the kids - games, presents, Santa, a bounce house, etc. For the adults, it was kinda boring. The food was definitely the best part - and there was plenty of it! Much better than last year, when, due to a misunderstanding, my sweetie and I didn't get to eat at all!

After drill weekend, we got to visit with some of my wonderful in-laws. We also viewed a property that we are considering buying in the future.

Not sure yet where exactly we will settle down, but we intend to be somewhat close to my hubby's family. We want to be involved with family, especially when we're ready to have kids. We want property that we can raise animals and children on, room to expand and experiment and live. Room for kids to play, room to grow and raise most of our own food, room to work with our hands on the land and enjoy the years we are given.

And now we are back on the road. We have already added a few more states to our trucking map (at the bottom of the page). The last few days we haven't moved much since I was sick, but we're ready to see where we're headed next. Safe travels to you!

Thanksgiving Thankfulness

Today is Thanksgiving and in the great tradition of the holiday, I am counting my blessings.

My love is here next to me. It's his turn to drive and we are cruising down the road, belting out classic country songs and laughing at highway signs. Last year, he and I had just a few hours together before we both rushed off to work. I am SO thankful that we get to be together all day today (and every day)!

Our furry four legged baby is in the back curled up on the bunk. She is convinced that the bunk belongs to her. She has adjusted very well to trucking; she knows the sounds of the air brakes and the turn signal, and when the truck slows down she jumpa up to watch out the window. Her presence makes this adventure better and I can't imagine doing this without her.

A recent visit with my parents 

We've seen both of our families regularly lately. Driving across the country has allowed us to visit with my family several times recently, and when we go home we often get to visit my lovely in-laws. We may not be with them on the holidays, but I am so thankful for the memories made.

The prayers of our family and friends accompany us across the country. No matter where we are or what we're facing, our loved ones are thinking of us and lifting us up to our Heavenly Father. Long phone calls with dear ones break up the monotony of the miles we drive. There is nothing more precious than hearing their voices and knowing there is love behind them.

It was delicious! 

We're on the road this Thanksgiving, and though we are rolling, we will have a good meal today. There won't be fine china this year, but paper plates are just fine. There won't be any of our family with us, but our own little family is together and that's all I could ask for. There's a ham in my crockpot, smelling wonderful, and mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese will grace our makeshift table.

We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

Dear Driver...

To the driver of the gray pickup who passed me today and felt like a one-fingered wave was appropriate...

1. Everything you eat, drink, wear, drive, write on, or use in any way, including the phone in your hand and the pickup truck you are driving, was on a semi at some point before coming into your possession. If we stopped rolling down the road, your world would come to a stop.

2. I know you were annoyed because I was driving 65mph in a 75mph speed limit zone. What you might not know is that my truck is governed at 65mph. That means it won't accelerate any faster. In fact, most semis are governed between 59 and 65. Trust me, we are not driving slower than you would like just to annoy you.

Rearview rainbow 

3. There are many reasons semis might drive slower than they are capable of going. For instance, in the past 24 hours, my husband and I drove through areas under high wind advisories, flash flood warnings, severe thunderstorms, dust storms, and tornado warnings...and that was just today. Keep in mind, I am 73 feet long and 13 feet 6 inches high. If there is high wind, rain, standing water, low visibility, curves in the road, mountains, or any other situations that pose a hazard, please believe that I will drive at a speed that I feel is appropriate to the current conditions. This is for my safety as well as yours. You want to go home to your family tonight, right? If I lose control and cause an accident due to reckless driving, you will wish that I had been more careful.

Next time you pass a trucker, feel free to smile and wave. Or don't, that's your call. But please don't get mad at us for doing our job to the best of our ability.

Be safe out there, folks.

Our First Anniversary

One year ago today, I married my best friend.

November 15, 2014

It's been an interesting year... We've had our ups and downs. We've learned so much about each other and learned how much we have yet to learn. We've faced a lot together and come through stronger and closer than ever.

A year ago, I had no idea we would be spending our first anniversary in a semi. I had no idea that we would put everything we own in storage and hit the road, driving thousands of miles every week. I had no idea I would wake up this morning, with my sweetheart and our dog all crammed on a twin size bed, somewhere in California... But here we are.

November 15, 2015

And you know what? No matter where we are or what we are doing, there is nowhere I would rather be than by the side of this amazing man. Come what may, we will face it together - and that is everything.

A year ago, we had already been through so much, we were already deeply committed to each other, and we were thrilled to officially and legally pledge ourselves to each other before God and our family and friends. Today, we have a deeper understanding, commitment, and love for each other.

Love is a living thing, that grows or ebbs based on how you feed it. Every day we make the choice to love each other, to choose each other, to have patience with each other, to be kind to each other, to be there for each other.

I can't wait to see what God has for our future. No matter where we go, no matter what we do...I love you.

Weather and Safety

California windmills working hard

It seems that we have a knack for hitting some of the worst weather! Don't ask me how it happens - believe me, if I knew how, we would avoid the bad weather! In the past month we got stuck in torrential rainstorms in Texas, drove seven hours through extremely dense fog from mid Illinois down to Memphis, Tennessee, and had to stop for 12 hours to keep from being blown off the road in Ohio.

The wind was so strong Wednesday that we couldn't keep the truck on the road. It didn't help that we had an empty trailer with no weight to help hold us down. My sweetheart was driving down the right lane and the trailer was on the shoulder when we decided it was time to pull over. The wind was 25-30mph with gusts up to 51mph. We pulled over at a rest area and told our dispatch that we didn't feel safe to drive. Just sitting in the parked semi, the whole truck was rocking back and forth!

We have agreed that anytime either one of us doesn't feel safe about the roads, we will not drive. No load is worth risking an accident, causing damage to the property we are hauling or endangering ourselves and the people traveling around us.

#3 is very serious about driving

As we are coming into winter, weather is becoming a greater concern. Anyone driving in winter needs to be mindful of changing conditions, snow, ice, etc - but when piloting 50,000 to 80,000 pounds cruising down the highway, caution in bad weather conditions is absolutely a matter of life or death. Driving something this big and heavy is a huge responsibility that must be taken very seriously for the sake of our own lives and everyone else around us, not to mention the freight that we have been entrusted to transport.

Every day I see truckers doing stupid things, dangerous things, usually out of laziness. God forbid we ever become complacent about driving a semi, because most accidents are caused by carelessness.

Stay safe out there.

Life On the Road

It's currently 1:46am local time in Illinois. My sweetheart is driving and I'm in the passenger seat keeping him company, especially since we are driving through some thick nasty fog.

Sunset in Texas

We've travelled the corridor from Texas to Illinois three times in the past few days, making stops in Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Tennessee along the way. It's a beautiful run, right through the heartland of the country. During the daytime, miles and miles of farmland stretch in every direction, fields as far as the eye can see; they give way to the rolling curves of the Appalachian foothills, currently emblazoned in the glory of autumn colors. The hills level out again to ranchland, dotted with cattle, of every color of the earth, grazing on the sparse vegetation left at the end of the year.

At night, however, the darkness makes the distance seem greater, as there are few landmarks to denote the passing time. Weather conditions such as rain or fog make driving more stressful than the usual monotony.

My honey and I have worked out a rotation schedule that allows each of us to drive about half the night and half the day, so that neither of us has to handle all the night driving. Now that we're finally getting into a routine, it's getting a lot easier for both of us.

Fall colors in Tennessee 

Sleeping in a moving semi, while the other person drives, is harder than we originally expected. The bumps, curves, and speed changes that are part of normal driving make restful sleeping difficult. As for cooking...now that's an experience! Yesterday I was trying very hard to make lunch for us as Don was driving, but we were on a road that was plagued with an unusual quantity of bumps, dips, and potholes. I now have a better understanding of what our country's early settlers experienced while crossing the land in covered wagons! For the most part, while the truck is on the road, we stick to sandwiches and snacks, but just in case you ever wondered, it is definitely possible to cook in a crockpot and a toaster oven while in a moving semi. My cooking blog, Bekah's Recipes, has several of the meals we've made lately and I will continue to update it as we try new things.

Stay safe on the roads and wave if you see us!

First Two Loads

Team Davis

Well, our first two loads as a team have been delivered! It's been an interesting few days!

Our first load, a straight shot from Ohio to Texas, went pretty smoothly. We ran into bad weather in Texas but still managed to get the load delivered on time.

We didn't have an assignment yet for the next day so we shut down for the night, only to get a call at 4am with our next load assignment. We had to take an empty trailer from Dallas, Texas down to Laredo and pick up a loaded trailer and take it right back.

Now, you might have heard about the terrible weather that Texas has had this weekend due to the hurricane that hit Mexico. Roads literally flooded and a train actually derailed just south of Dallas due to the high volume of rain pouring down. It was one of the worst storms Texas has had in a long time - and we just happened to be in the middle of it.

The trip south was in a downpour the majority of the way, and we got there about 2 hours late. We sat another 2 hours at the shipper while they got it all figured out. But going back north, especially after the sun set, was extremely difficult. I don't mind driving in the dark, but driving in torrential rain in the dark, accompanied by high winds, is not fun. To make it worse, the roads in Texas are not built to drain water since they rarely get weather like this, so the highway had about half to 3/4 inch of standing water and any low spots had puddles 3-4 inches deep. With visibility extremely low, my tires slipping on the road, and puddles threatening to grab my wheels, I was stressed out and praying hard.

The roads still covered in water the next morning 

I passed several accidents, including a jacknifed semi. I was trying to let my sweetheart sleep, but as conditions only got worse I finally woke him up. He kept me calm and helped me navigate through till we could find a rest area and stop for a few hours. We called dispatch and let them know that the highway was flooded and we were stopping for a few hours, and they didn't hesitate to tell us to be safe.

A few hours of sleep later, the storm finally began to lessen a little and we got up and finished the delivery. The load was about 10 hours late, but we got there safely. No load is worth a life. We are thankful for everyone who was praying for us going through that weather! Please continue to keep us in prayer!

We are currently on our third load, and before you wonder how this one is going...we are sitting at a truck stop waiting for a tire change. Don't ask.

Now It Is Fall

There's a crisp in the air, a chill in the breeze
That rustles through brightly emblazoned trees
Leaves in their glory of red, gold, and brown
Shine brilliantly today then blanket the ground

Beneath them the busy small creatures tread
Stocking up food for the winter ahead
Above them geese loudly repeat their call
Summer is gone and now it is fall

The apples are golden, the cornstalks are dry
The ripening pumpkins look up towards the sky
The fields yield their bounty to farmer's delight
And it seems the sun sets a little sooner each night
A harvest moon rises as frost comes with a snap
And the earth settles down for a long winter nap

2015 Rebekah Davis all rights reserved 

Team Davis - Ready to Roll!

You, me, and #3 with our truck

Our family is back together again - and we are officially professional drivers!

I got back to the terminal to take the upgrade tests but unfortunately had to leave for drill weekend before finishing. Yesterday I got the road test and backing test done and upgraded from student to professional status. Team Davis is back together! And over the weekend we picked up our baby girl too, so our family is complete.

We have been assigned our new fleet manager and we are waiting for our first load assignment. We have lots of stories to tell from training, and we will be making more stories as we roll together, so I will do my best to keep this blog updated.

Happy navigator! 

And for everyone who has asked how #3 is adjusting to truck life, well, she has made herself at home! She wasn't too sure about it at first but is adapting to the space restrictions. All 3 of us in one twin sized bed is quite cozy! She thinks the bed and the passenger seat are equally her domain, and puts her paws on the dashboard any time we leave her in the truck. She's learning to get herself in and out of the truck with a little help. We may eventually get a ramp or stairs to help her so it's not so hard on her joints though.

I missed him so much!

So for now, we are settling in and adjusting. Now that we're finally in our own truck, we can get things the way we like. We've been organizing and figuring out where to put everything. We have plastic organizers in the cupboards for clothing and food, and the top bunk has room to store our cooking appliances and extra stuff. I plan on doing quite a bit of cooking on the road, which is usually much cheaper and much healthier than truck stop food!

I hope y'all have had a good summer/fall and I look forward to catching up with everyone!

Training Update and an Upgrade

A big congratulations to my sweetheart who finished all his training hours, passed the upgrade tests, and is now a fully fledged professional driver! Yay!

Congratulations honey!

The truck behind him is ours now, a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia. It was brand new when they gave it to him - plastic on the seats and 7 miles on the odometer!

He's been running some trailers around for the company while waiting for me to finish my training. It keeps him busy plus adds some income. It's certainly better than sitting around doing nothing!

As for me, I'm a few days away from completion. I got a week behind because I had to go home for drill weekend. But I'm almost done and can't wait to be back with my love, in our own truck, and not have to be separated again!

Bay Bridge, Maryland 

In the past week I've been as far north as upstate New York and as far south as the bottom of Alabama. It's nice to finally get some decent trips instead of the little 200-300 mile runs they had been giving us. More miles means more driving hours which means faster graduation! Here I come!

Training Week 2 and 3

Indiana corn fields

We are done with Weeks 2 and 3! I have been from South Carolina to Maryland, and Wisconsin to Kentucky, and Don has been all the way out to California. It has been incredibly stressful, mostly because of everything besides driving. Driving is fun - construction zones, mountains, and bad weather are exhausting, and mechanical issues, miscommunications, and rude people make the job much more difficult. But when my honey and I are back together to deal with all the frustrations, it will be so much better.

The hardest part, of course, is being apart from each other. I miss my sweetheart so much it aches. But I am thankful for long phone calls, sweet text messages, and random selfies. I keep reminding myself that it's not permanent, it's only for a couple more weeks, it's so much better than deployment, it will be amazing when we're back together. And actually it has been good for us - it has helped us strengthen our communication and get back to the basics of our relationship. It has been a good thing...but we're both ready for it to be over.

Colorado trees beginning to change colors

As for our trainers, they are both very nice people. However, they are people who are used to working alone and doing things their own way. And of course some disagreements and misunderstandings are inevitable when two complete strangers are locked into a space the size of a walk-in closet and forced to work together. In addition, unlike most jobs, you can't go home at night and come back refreshed the next day. Sleeping in the berth certainly isn't uncomfortable, but if the other person makes any movement, the whole truck moves. Suffice to say that we are getting very, very ready to be out of training and back together.

Nebraska clouds

Once we have our own truck, we will be able to find our own way of doing things. We will be able to agree on where to place our belongings in the truck, and figure out a schedule that works for us. There will still be difficult days but at least we will be able to face them together.

In the meantime, we are simply doing our best to get through one day at a time. We have learned so much about trucking - picking up loads and delivering them, and everything in between. It's difficult right now, but in the long term it will be a good thing. We just have to make it till then!

Good morning!

It's a good day to have a good day. It's a new start, it's a precious gift, it's a good morning.

Training Week 1

Wow! It has been a crazy few days! I'm currently somewhere in Maryland, and Don is somewhere in Kansas. We met up with our trainers (whom, incidentally, are both very nice people!), and have been learning a lot every day.

Sunset in South Carolina

My first day, I experienced driving with and without a trailer, as well as with an empty and with a full trailer. I drove in rain and over hills, and saw the aftermath of 2 major vehicle accidents as well as witnessed a trailer drop (falling off the truck due to being improperly hooked up). I successfully picked up and/or delivered two loads over short distances and picked up a trailer for the next day before calling it a night.

My second day was even crazier - we had to wait most of the day for repairs to be made, then when we finally got rolling we ended up in terrible weather - lightning, rolling thunder, and torrential downpours, the kind that force you to drive 20 mph in a 70mph zone because you can't see the car in front of you! It finally cleared up near sunset and I got to experience some night driving before the weather turned nasty again. In a short period of time, there was so much water on the road and the lights were gleaming off of it in just the right way that I couldn't see where my lane lines were. To make it worse, my trailer tires were slipping in the water on the road. Let's just say I was a little stressed out! I called it a night and my trainer finished driving the load in, and we got it to its destination on time the next morning.

Don's driving so far hasn't been quite so bad, but he has spent more time waiting around for loads, or waiting to drop loads off due to paperwork errors (the company's fault, not his), or waiting around for the service department to come fix a flat tire! He too has experienced some bad weather and less than ideal driving conditions.

Clouds before the storm

Backing is still difficult for me but I'm getting better with daily practice. I've learned how to deal with hills, narrow roads, and bad directions! I've been cut off by cars as well as by other truck drivers, and nearly run off the road because of drivers not paying attention.

However, in the course of the last few days, we have seen some beautiful country. We've seen sunrises and sunsets, thunderstorms and rainbows. We've seen trees and lakes and clouds and flowers and people picnicking. And driving is fun. Driving down an open road, enjoying beautiful scenery and getting the job done is fun.

This training period is not easy. Being apart from each other is difficult. Learning the ins and outs and details of driving is stressful. But when we are back together, in our own truck, it will be worth it. Until then, we will "embrace the suck"* and stay positive. This isn't forever, this too shall pass. And then I'll be back with the love of my life, doing something that we enjoy and making money at the same time! Doesn't that sound great!


*military term meaning to deal with things you don't like and keep a good attitude

Hurry Up and Wait

Three days of orientation done, and we are OFFICIALLY HIRED!!!! Feels good to have a job again!

Now we are waiting to get on the road with our trainers. Once we are with our trainers, it will be 3-4 weeks of driving with them before we can upgrade to our own truck and be back together. Unfortunately, however, we are going into a holiday weekend and the majority of experienced drivers are taking home time right now. So now it's a waiting game, dealing with doing nothing, setting us back that much farther. It's frustrating right now.

Buuuuuuuut it will all be worth it when it's over and we're back together! So in the meantime, we enjoy a few more days together and try to relax before the real fun starts...

Get Ready, Get Set...

I passed the CDL test! We both got our CDLs - and we both passed the hazardous materials tests too, so now we each have the hazmat endorsement (which means more money).

Now that the tests are done, it's like a huge dark cloud hovering over us just left. Now we can focus on getting everything packed up and put in storage over the next few days. It's all the stress of moving, but almost worse because, instead of going from one house to another, we are putting everything in storage for the next few years.

A few days ago, we took a few photos together, just to commemorate the ending of this chapter in our lives and the beginning of the next. It's been a good chapter, full of memories... Now we're ready for the next chapter.

This weekend we are getting on a bus and heading to orientation with our new company. We will have a few days of orientation, then we will each go on the road with a trainer for a few weeks (about a month depending on how fast we get through the driving time). After that, we'll be back together, on our own, and in our own truck!

We're not looking forward to being apart for awhile, but it's a necessary step in the training process, and it's a short time in the grand scheme of things. And there are always phone calls, and pictures, and possibly even a weekend together somewhere in the process. And after that - well, after that, we never have to be apart again unless we choose to.

In fact, we'll literally be together the entire time. It's definitely going to test our relationship, and a lot of couples don't make it as a team because they can't deal with being crammed together, in the space of a walk-in closet, all day every day. However, we work well together as a team, and I'm confident that with a good deal of patience, love, and understanding, the building blocks of teamwork, we will be just fine. After all, when we first started out together, we lived in a tent (it's a long story). We've been through difficult times together and it always makes us stronger.

Here's to the next chapter in life. The adventure is beginning!

Almost There...

Who would've thought that getting a CDL would be this hard????

Hubby at the wheel of a school truck

Before we made this decision, we talked to several truckers and did our research. We heard a lot about different companies, training programs, driving in multiple states, and anxiety on your first solo run. We had no idea that actually obtaining a CDL would prove a little challenging.

In the great state of Indiana, the commercial drivers license test is comprised of three parts:

Demonstrating parallel park

1. The pre-trip inspection, involving naming over 100 parts of the truck, trailer, and inside the cab, and informing the examiner what should be checked on each of those parts to ensure safe operation of the vehicle, as well as actually checking the function of key parts like the brake system.

2. The skills test, which means three backing maneuvers: a straight line back up, an off-set back up to the right side, and a parallel park. These three maneuvers are boxed by lines with cones over them. Touching any of these lines or their cones, or pulling ahead too many times, mean points against you; too many points, or getting out of the truck too many times, means you fail.

3. The road test. If you get this far, you're still not in the clear because simply hitting a curb or taking both of your hands off the wheel are automatic fails. Shifting on railroad tracks, driving a mile faster than the speed limit in a school zone, or impeding traffic are also automatic fails. Points against you can be given for grinding gears, crossing lines, turning to wide or too narrow, driving too fast or too slow, or any other issues.

Keep in mind that at this point, we have been in school for 3 weeks. We have each driven between a half hour and an hour most days of the 2nd and 3rd weeks, logging about 4-5 hours of driving time altogether. We have spent several more hours on the practice range in the school parking lot learning the backing maneuvers, and practicing the pre-trip inspection and brake check on school trucks. It's not a lot of time to learn everything needed to pass the test.

Honestly, we both failed the test the first time around. Don did not fail through any fault of his own - the truck broke down at an intersection and he was unable to complete the test. Me...well I failed the parallel backing - mostly because I was nervous and set up incorrectly, then got frustrated and upset when I couldn't get it in the box.

Don took his test again two days later and passed with flying colors! Half of the Davis team now has a CDL. I will re-take the test on Tuesday. Believe me, I have been busting my butt on the practice range, figuring out what I did wrong and how to make sure it does not happen again. I am nervous about the re-test but strangely not as nervous as the first time I took it. Please keep us in prayer as we spend all our spare time this week getting everything packed and put in storage! The adventure is about to begin...

It's hard to tell, but I'm smiling...

One Week Down!

Whew... One week of driving training down, two weeks to go! It's been a stressful week but we have learned SO much.

Out to dinner to celebrate our first week

Unfortunately, I woke up with a head cold on Monday morning, which made me miserable for the first few days of class. Monday we spent the first half of the day filling out paperwork and then began learning from the CDL manual. Tuesday morning was more learning from the manual and quizzes on what we had learned. Then by Tuesday afternoon, we headed to the DMV to take the written tests for our driving permits! With three tests to take (general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles), and less than two days of learning the information, it was a stressful time. But praise God, hubby and I both passed the tests and obtained our CDL permits.

First time driving a semi, and first time backing up!

The next few days have been continued classroom learning on things that we need to know before hitting the road - log books, hours of service limits, parts of the trucks and trailers, trip planning, map reading, turning safely, and a lot more information!

However, the thing most intimidating to me is learning to shift in a ten-speed manual transmission. Or maybe I should say...learning to shift in any manual transmission! Yeah, I've never driven a manual before...which meant I had a hard time understanding the concepts of shifting. Thankfully my sweet husband took the time to explain it all to me and reassure me that I would be able to pick it all up. My instructors were also patient with me and took me out in a bobtail (tractor without a trailer) to do laps around the parking lot practicing shifting.

Hubby smiling from the cab

We also got to start practicing straight backing yesterday - which is exactly what it sounds like, going backward and forward in a straight line within the confines of a very narrow lane of cones. For the next two weeks we will practice straight backing, offset backing (backing in a S-shape), and parallel parking. We will also be practicing the pre-trip inspection that must be done every time before driving a truck, since this is also on the CDL test. And finally we will get out on the road and actually drive!

We still have a long way to go, but we've already received offers from five different trucking companies. We've pretty sure we've narrowed it down to the one we want to hire on with, but please keep us in prayer as this is a big decision. In the meantime, please continue to keep us in prayer as we continue learning to drive!

The Next Chapter

Ever felt like you're right on the brink of something huge? 

Like standing on the edge of a cliff, scared to jump off but knowing that you will always regret it if you don't jump?

Well, my wonderful husband and I have spent a lot of time thinking and praying about where we are in our lives right now. We're both working 12 hour night shifts, hardly ever spending time together, and always short on money, just trying to make ends meet. And there just doesn't seem to be much out there as far as better options. It's not a sustainable life - we can't keep living like this for the next 20 years. We want to start a family, to buy a house and settle down, to have rocking chairs sitting on a wrap-around porch and time to relax in them once in awhile. The path we're on right now is just not getting us there...

A recent camping trip

So we've decided to hit the road.

We've been talking about it ever since we've been together - a backup plan, if you will - and now we've finally decided to do it. We're going to be truckers!

You, Me, and #3 are going on the road. We're starting CDL school on Monday, and if all goes well, Lord willing in three weeks we will be newly certified CDL holders. From there, whatever company we sign on with will conduct their own training course (usually 3-6 weeks). And then we'll be on our own, just the three of us and the open road.

Can I just say how amazing that sounds? Other than this past Valentine's Day, my sweet hubby and I have never had a holiday together, and our days off rarely coincide. Of course, a good deal of time in the truck will be spent with one person driving and the other person sleeping, but still, we'll be together. And whatever challenges and issues we face while driving, we can face them together instead of having to deal with them alone.

Of course, there's a scary side to this, too. We've put in notice at our jobs, apartment, etc. There's really no safety net here, and not much of a margin on the budget either. It's a huge step of faith, and quite frankly, it's terrifying.

It would be easy to repeat the cliche, God will provide. It's true - I know He will, I've seen Him do it time and again. However, it is not enough to simply sit on one's rear end and wait for Him to provide. That is not the life He has called us to by any means. 

"For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." 2 Thessalonians 3:10

This step is huge, but Lord willing, it is the step that will help us get to where we want to be. Operating under the principle of sacrificing now to get what you want later (i.e., delayed gratification), taking a few years now to live on the road and do without a lot of things in life that we take for granted will benefit us greatly in the long run. Without many bills to pay, we can pay off what debt we have and set aside money for our future. After a few years, and we see what happens with the economy and a new president in office, perhaps there will be better jobs out there for us. Decent jobs with regular hours, a house on some property, a couple of little munchkins...all of that is out of our reach right now, but is feasible in a few years if we make this sacrifice now.

Boating on a lake

In the meantime, we prepare to learn as much as we can during school and over-the-road training, so that we can be as prepared as possible for the challenges ahead. It's a new chapter in our lives, one that is very exciting (albeit slightly scary!), and we can't wait to see what God has for us on this journey. Please keep us in prayer as we take this huge step! And never fear, I plan to document the highlights and interesting moments as they come, as well as scenery and events we encounter when we're finally on the road! 

We're right on the edge of the cliff, leaning forward, feet leaving the edge, committing to the dive, knowing that we could smash to a painful death on the rocks below...but looking forward to spreading our wings and learning to fly!

So keep on climbing, though the ground might shake,  

Just keep on reaching though the limb might break,  

We've come this far, don't you be scared now,  

'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down.  

-Maddie and Tae, "Fly"

The Value of Family

My parents and I, Fall 2012

Tonight I had a long talk on the phone with my mama. Sighs...oh how I miss that lady.

A week or two ago, I had a nice phone conversation with my dad as well - which is slightly unusual since neither of us are very good at chatting on the phone. I miss him too.

And a few weeks ago, we took a few days off and helped my sweet husband's parents move into a new house. I've always gotten along with them, but it was my first chance to really spend time with them and we bonded in a new and wonderful way. And I miss them too.

Hubby with his parents, Spring 2014

And of course, there's my hubby's brother and sister and their spouses and children. Years ago, when I used to pray for my future husband, I wished for a man with a close-knit family. Having no siblings of my own, getting a ready-made family in my in-laws, nieces, and nephews, is an incredible blessing. I miss them too.

And then there's the people that I consider family that aren't actually related. People like my "sisters," Krystle and Kaitlyn; like my "grandfather," Phil; like my "nieces" and "nephew" in California; and like several other people that are dear to my heart. Of course, none of them are close enough to see regularly, and so I miss each and every one.

Someone once said, "Family is not always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs, the ones who accept you for who you are."

Someday we might live closer to some of our family members, but there will always be people that we love who are not nearby. There will always be pieces of our hearts in other places. It can't be helped. But we can't let that stop us from meeting and loving new people and making friends and "family" in new places.

Nor can we let it stop us from being the kind of people that love and accept others in the way that family should. After all, we all share the same Heavenly Father, which makes us all family! Everyone we meet can be a brother or sister, a friend and neighbor, a fellow sinner in need of saving grace. Let's be the kind of family to each other that makes our Heavenly Father proud.

Welcome to the family!

On Love, Marriage, and Humility

A few days ago, the Supreme Court made a groundbreaking, widely publicized decision regarding marriage rights.

Now before I go any farther, I want to preface this discussion with a disclaimer: I am a person, a citizen of the US, and a believer in Christ. As such, I am entitled to my opinions and beliefs. You are also a person, and you are also entitled to your opinions and beliefs. Knowing that this issue is very controversial, I am requesting mutual respect in regards to everyone’s opinions and beliefs. I’m not trying to bait anyone or offend anyone, and if you want to debate the issue or unfriend me after hearing my opinions and beliefs, then that is your right to do so. However, in any discussions or debates, please stay respectful of others’ opinions and beliefs.

So back to gay marriage. Or, I should say, to marriage. 

Let me tell you a story… A story of how my marriage taught me to support marriage rights for everyone.

My husband and I lived together before we were married. According to many people’s understanding of the Bible, this is immoral, which led a lot of well-meaning people to tell us that we were in sin. However, based on our understanding of the Scriptures and our personal relationships with our God, we did not believe that we were doing anything wrong – and, for the record, still don’t. I have posted before about letting everyone’s personal relationship with God be personal, and about how our God is more than capable of communicating with His children about what He wants of them. But I digress. 

This belief, held by several well-meaning friends and family members, led them to object to our marriage. I remember being completely shocked and dumbfounded to hear from family members that they thought that we should not get married simply because they believed that we had been doing wrong. Regardless of our own beliefs, and our own personal relationship with God, we were told that we should not publicly and legally vow to love each other and stay true to each other – just because someone else did not agree with our relationship and the way we live our lives.

And that’s when it finally hit me. I finally understood what many of our gay, lesbian, etc. brothers and sisters have experienced. I finally understood what it is like to love someone with all your heart and to want nothing more than to publicly promise your love and faithfulness to that person – and be told that because someone else disagrees with your choices in life or your relationship with that person, therefore you cannot marry them. I finally got it.

I used to be a very judgmental person. I was raised in a belief system that leaves very little room for differences of opinion – and, by extension, very little room for the Holy Spirit. If we truly believe that God is who He says He is, that He is capable of maintaining a personal, intimate relationship with each of His children, then who are we to judge another person’s decisions made in the context of their relationship with God? 

Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4

Let each person answer to their own master. If you disagree with their lives, their choices, who they love, who they wish to marry, how they raise their families, where they live, or any other aspect of their life that they live as a servant of the living God, step down off that pedestal and remember that you too are a servant. Just as a master can give each of his servants different orders, God can handle His servants and the lives they live. Answer to your own master and let every other servant answer to their own master.

So whether or not you believe that it should be okay for people of the same sex to marry each other, please acknowledge that their lives and choices are between them and God. They are not bound to live by your convictions, beliefs, or opinions any more than you are bound to live by theirs. 

As for me, I think weddings are beautiful, especially between two people who love each other more than life itself and are willing to pledge the rest of their lives to loving each other unconditionally and facing all of life’s challenges together. Whether those two people are of the same or different genders, same or different races, same or different religions/denominations/beliefs, same or different ages, same or different social classes – why does that matter? The world can be a dark and ugly place, but when you face it with the person who stays by your side and never leaves you to face it alone, it can be a beautiful adventure. That’s what marriage should be about, not senseless squabbles and hurt feelings over other people’s choices and the way they live their lives. 

Celebrate with the joyful. Empathize with the grieving. Do everything in kindness and respect for one another. 

He has told you, O man, what is good—
    and what does the Lord require of you,
but to do justice and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:36-40

It’s really that simple.

A beautiful memory from our wedding

"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right. The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed. It is so ordered." – Justice Kennedy

Hiking Photos

After that last post, I decided to share some photos of the scenery from our last few camping trips. We especially enjoy walking and hiking, and enjoying the natural environment. Here are some of our favorites!

I love the vibrancy of spring leaves

The trail less traveled

We stumbled across this cabin in the woods

The beauty of a fern springing from the dead leaves

These delicate lavender flowers stole my attention

I can't help treasuring them

Daisies pushing their cheerful heads to the sky

A shower of white blossoms light up the trees

A pretty little green snake just chilling in the path

The grandeur of the tall trees reaching for the skies

The sun peeking through the leaves

A fire lookout tower with about 120 steps

The view from the tower looking over the trees

The trees reaching for the wide open sky

The unbelievably beautiful open sky

I took the trail less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. -Robert Frost