Lessons from the Open Road: Faith, Trust, and the Beauty of the Stumble
Our second family road trip through the States has been a journey of much more than just miles. It has been a masterclass in what it means to support a man with a vision and how to navigate the unpredictable terrain of life with faith as our reliable GPS. As we traversed North Carolina and beyond with our three children in the back seat, I found myself reflecting on the deep spiritual and relational lessons this journey has carved into my heart.
The Better Stumble vs. The Perfect Plan
One of the first things I’ve had to embrace is that a "better stumble" is often more rewarding than a "perfect plan". There was a moment when we completely missed the library we were looking for, only to find ourselves at a museum instead. In the past, I might have felt the urge to have every minute plotted out like knowing exactly which hotel we would reach and when.
But on this trip, we chose to walk in faith rather than scarcity. We didn't always have a calculated number of days or a locked-in destination. While not having a plan can be stretching for me, I’ve learned to go along with the "flow" because of the trust I have in Engel.
Trust as an Extension of Faith
People often ask me how I can be so comfortable with the "on the fly" nature of my husband’s decisions. The truth is, my trust in him is simply an extension of my trust in God. Over the years, Engel has made these types of spontaneous decisions, and they haven't ended badly. There’s a history of reliability.
I firmly believe it was God who initially led me to trust Engel, highlighting something in him that stood out. Just as God has never failed me, I see that same reliability reflected in my husband as he actively seeks God’s leading.
For example, the prelude to day 2 found us checking into our hotel behind schedule due to an unplanned, but Spirit-led, visit to a relative Engel felt compelled to see. Neither I nor the children had ever met her, but listening deeply to that internal nudge led us to her door. Though brief, the stop was overflowing with mutual appreciation. She was overjoyed, and the children were thrilled to have met her. She wanted to give them the world, but we remained mindful of our mission to travel lightly. This encounter was a beautiful reminder of Proverbs 16:9: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." This establishment gave way to a reflective initiation to our second day.
The Wisdom of Strangers and Digital Seeds
I tend to be the more reserved one, often content to sit in the car while Engel—who has never met a stranger—engages with the world. Whether it’s learning a "gas hack" from a lady at a station or hugging a digital friend like Junaid for the first time, I’ve seen how his outgoing nature brings wins for our entire family.
Let me tell you about this “gas hack”. God’s provision is an endless stream, but it requires a humble heart to remain open to the ways He chooses to provide. We do not claim to have an exhaustive plan or all the answers, but we have learned that when we walk in alignment with Him, His grace often appears in the most unexpected places.
On our way to Virginia but still in North Carolina we pulled over for a much-needed gas stop. Engel went to the pump and while there a woman noticed our Florida plates and struck up a conversation. Instead of putting up defenses or rushing past the moment, Engel in his true form, leaned into the encounter. In doing so, the woman shared a practical piece of wisdom: paying cash in-store often results in a lower gas price. It was a simple, humbling reminder of the power of a single conversation, Engel’s mantra, and how God uses the "wisdom of strangers" to ease our burdens. Leviticus 19:34: "The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." This echoes our family’s experience of being "island people" navigating a vast, new mainland and finding grace in the hearts of those we encountered.
We’ve also seen "digital seeds" turn into a "physical harvest". Prompted by Engel, I previously coordinated an accountability group with my friends, Alicia Cox, Tricia Benjamin, and Tracy Hiliare. We all had the common goal of becoming the best version of ourselves in our day to day personal and professional roles. Of the many by-products of our accountability group, Tricia connected us with her step mom, Diane, who lived in Virginia. That relationship blossomed. Even though we had only communicated via WhatsApp, Diane was able to shop for us in due time, with such care, ensuring every dollar stretched to bring us value. It would have been remiss of us to not connect in person with Diane on this journey.
We met Diane in Virginia within a tight window before an important rehearsal she had. Given that the drive from North Carolina was approximately 5-6 hours and despite Richmond traffic, we were thankful for those few meaningful moments. The warmth of an embrace, a genuine smile, and open hospitality made it worth the drive.
The excitement of the in person meeting was further heightened by our next stop. After five years of virtual mastermind calls, Engel finally met Junaid and his family. It was a "real-life" mastermind milestone. It proved that internet friendships are seeds that grow into "Iron Sharpens Iron" support in the real world, just as Proverbs 27:17 describes. While the children enjoyed playing together, Junaid’s wife, Sarah, and I picked up the conversation with topics surrounding our shared healthcare backgrounds. She provided a warm, hospitable environment with my favorites, watermelon and strawberries. These moments served as a reminder of God’s love that sustains long journeys such as the one we were on.
The Strategic Role of Support
My "yes" is a source of immense power, and I have come to realize that there is a strategic way to support a man with a vision that goes far beyond being passive. It is a conscious, kinetic partnership where my trust gives the vision its true momentum.
Supporting the Visionary Lead: I’ve learned that support often means choosing to allow Engel to lead the way, even when the "GPS is tripping out" or the path feels uncertain. This isn't about a lack of power; it's about the strength found in walking in faith together.
Protecting the Seeds: We talked about "digital seeds" becoming a "physical harvest," but that harvest depended on consistent support. If I were to change how I supported during these challenging, high-pressure stages, I would risk destroying the very seeds we have spent years planting and nurturing together.
The experience in Washington D.C. serves as a profound final lesson on the power of perspective and the rewards of sustained trust. Our arrival was marked by "navigational tension" and a height of frustration as the GPS failed us, mirroring the deeper strain I could feel Engel carrying—the weight of financial costs, the responsibility of our three children, and the sheer scale of this mission.
While I initially struggled with the obvious lack of secured parking and the uncertainty of wandering a new city in the middle of the night, choosing to move past my own discomfort led to a beautiful, seamless experience. Seeing the children’s pure joy as statues they had only seen in movies become a reality validated the entire struggle. It reminded me that our true power wasn't in having a perfect plan, but in the "yes" that allows us to walk in faith, turning potential hiccoughs and hurdles into lasting memories on our timeline.