Complimentary Story
Year-End 2025Two damaged lives, a yellow truck, an open road, and a life we never could have imagined.
After spending several weeks in Quartzite, AZ we had done all we went there for. Our main purpose was to buy supplies to make the items we sell. That is how we spend our free time.
While we were there, we met many people who “lived-on-the-road” the same as we were doing. That fact gave us common ground and the opportunity to visit. It was interesting to learn what circumstances brought them to the point of leaving a normal lifestyle. We all fit into one of two basic categories: 1). People that were forced into living this way and 2). People that freely chose to live on the road.
The people in group number 1 were often bitter about life. They came from circumstances that broke them financially and they chose to do the best they could living on their own. The people in group 2 made the conscious choice to walk away from whatever security they had and live independently. This group was generally satisfied with their lives and had a good positive outlooks on life.
Before we got to Quartzsite, we met the same types of people in the small markets that we sold in, but most of the people in those local markets were local people that went back to their comfortable homes after a weekend of fun. The majority of the people in Quartzsite were there because they needed a place to spend the winter and that is where you could easily see the difference in the attitudes of people.
We left Quartzsite the first week of February and headed for Yorktown, TX. We had met a man in San Antonio who was going to open a restaurant in Yorktown and asked if we would set up our tipi at Raleigh’s Ole Smoke House and Buffet and be there for his grand opening. It was formerly “The Junction.” He did not put his name up before the open house.
As we got to Tucson, AZ we saw a market and stopped to see if we could set up there. We did stay, but the weather was bad. We did not do much more than break even on expenses. The rest of the 1200 mile drive was uneventful. We were hoping to spot other places to sell, but that did not happen.
When we got to Yorktown and found the restaurant, they told us they had been trying to find our business card so they could contact us. The Chamber of Commerce had been pushing them to have their grand opening and they wanted us there. This was another one of those situations that God directed. After we had purchased the supplies we wanted, the thought was to relax and spend more time in Quartzsite doing nothing but relaxing and waiting for winter to pass, but I got the feeling that we needed to be headed for Yorktown.
After we got there, we found out the feeling of the need to leave was at the same time they were trying to find our contact information. God was once again quietly working in the background just as He had done so many times before. (Proverbs 16:9). So often, people are looking for the big spectacular miracles so they can say they saw God working. If people would take the time to look at what seems to be simple everyday happenings, they would find God working in their lives and they would have a personal opportunity to be a witness to the countless small ways God directs our lives.
It does not happen often, but we had two things disappear without being paid for. When this happens, we pray for the people who took them. We know there are dishonest people and do what we can to discourage them from stealing. To keep from losing valuable items, we started putting a large tray of beads out front and do not pay much attention to it. It is a popular item that people enjoy looking at. There are literally 1000+ assorted beads in the tray. We put it there so anyone that is inclined to steal from us will have an opportunity to do it without causing us any real damage.
We always like it when the local police stop to visit. It is usually evening and they will usually stay for quite a while. This town was no exception. We had a nice long visit with one of the local policemen. They are generally willing and sometimes anxious to offer advice about the local area.
Yorktown is an interesting town. It takes us back to when we were children and memories of the small town atmosphere we grew up with. Across the street from us, the welding shop hoists the flag every day. Cows were just across the fence from us. Chickens and dogs roam the neighborhood freely and today some boys had their BB and pellet guns out playing and shooting at homemade targets. And all of this was within the city limits!
We saw our first robins of the season. We were told they arrive mid-January and stay a few weeks and then are gone. The weather is capable of changing rapidly. A couple days ago it was in the 80s and today was cold. The robins must be somewhat confused. Of course, it seems to always snow in our home state of Illinois after they show up!
Today the weather turned warm again. It was a slow business day and we had time to enjoy watching squirrels play in the trees and chase each other.
The life we are living can be difficult at times, but there is nothing in our lives that can compare to the freedom we are enjoying. (Ecclesiastes 5:18).
“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, ‘Fear not; I will help thee.’” (Isaiah 41:13 KJV).
Email:
harry@virtually-forever.com
