Back in the Van (For Fun This Time)

October 25, 2017

Guess what? We missed #vanlife so much that we decided to take a trip to Colorado!

Just kidding! πŸ˜‰

We didn’t miss showering in a storage container or digging through an icy cooler to get breakfast… But we are on our way to Colorado and we did sleep in the van last night.

Only this time we aren’t fleeing some horrible environmental trigger. We actually decided to take this trip because three of my best friends are coming to Colorado on tour with Ballet Magnificat and they happen to be performing in a location that is safe for me.

We drove through Denver last night and spent the night at a Cabela’s parking lot. Today we’re driving the rest of the way. We’ll be staying in a hotel when we get there.

I’m so excited to see them! I will admit that I’m about as nervous as I am excited. I have reason to believe that I’m a lot more resilient than I was when my dear family came to visit but there’s still a small fear at the back of my mind. What if this is a stupid idea? What if I get really sick again? What if the hotel is moldy?

But I’m trying not to dwell on those doubts. I’ve come such a long way in these last six months and I’m continuing to get stronger. When I was really ill, I never could have dreamed of taking a trip just for fun. The only trips I took were trips to see my doctor in D.C. and they were absolutely miserable. I would get a raging headache from being in the sunlight (even with my dark glasses) and have to struggle to keep from vomiting. Sometimes the gagging would become uncontrollable and we had to stop quickly so I could vomit on the side of the road.

We almost always had to take multiple breaks so I could lay down and rest. My dad would take the seats out of the minivan before Brett and my mom and I left on the trips. That way I could lay down in the back, close my eyes and try to rest. Often Brett had to massage my feet because I was in so much pain I couldn’t relax. How I hated those trips!

D.C. was only 6 hours away but it took us two days to get there. Yesterday, it only took us half a day to drive the same distance. It was so easy! Two years ago I couldn’t even have imagined what it felt like to travel in a healthy body.

I was even able to do most of the planning and preparing for the trip. I planned out our meals just like my mom used to do and made sure all the laundry was clean. Then I spent yesterday morning running back and forth from the apartment to the van, packing. It’s hard to believe that not too long ago I couldn’t even remember what it felt like to have an able body and an able mind to keep track of all the details. I just can’t wait to for my friends to see how much better I’m doing!


By the way, Brett and I made a beautiful PDF of my favorite resources for suffering souls. I created the content and he made it look fancy with his superduper graphic design skills. It’s available for free to my email subscribers. Click here to sign up and receive 5 Resources for the Suffering Soul.

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24 Comments

  • Laura Davison

    Ana, this is wonderful! And so exciting! I’m so glad you will get to see your friends again. I’ll be praying that things go well πŸ’•

    October 25, 2017 at 2:26 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thank you so much for the prayers Laura!πŸ’•

      October 26, 2017 at 8:54 am Reply
  • Chris Barratt

    Taking a trip for fun!!! Whoo hoo!! This is awesome!! So excited for you both. (And you look so cute together!! ) Can’t wait to hear how it all goes and to see the pics!! Enjoy yourselves!! πŸ™‚

    October 25, 2017 at 3:23 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thank you so much Chris! 😊

      October 26, 2017 at 8:54 am Reply
  • Grandma Zimmerman

    Awesome!! So happy for you!!

    October 25, 2017 at 3:26 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thank you Grandma! I miss you! πŸ’•

      October 26, 2017 at 8:54 am Reply
  • Stephanie Lyon

    You look so happy! Seeing you regain health is such a joy. Miss you!

    October 25, 2017 at 9:37 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Aww! Thanks so much! I miss you Stephie! πŸ’•

      October 26, 2017 at 8:55 am Reply
  • Natalie Julson

    This is so exciting! Have fun and praying that everything is smooth and goes well for you guys

    October 25, 2017 at 9:47 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thank you so much for the prayers Natalie! 😊

      October 26, 2017 at 8:57 am Reply
  • Ruth Meyer

    Enjoy the trip! πŸ˜€ Just wanted to let you know, I was praying for you and Brett today, after reading my Bible, while sitting in my backyard watching our ten little half-grown chicks free ranging for the first time. I wasn’t sure how our little “mini flock” would do outside the coop they’ve been living in, but they did great, and never strayed far from “home”. They are so sweet, and let me pet them, and they follow me around like I’m some kind of mother hen. Silly story, I know, but thought it might brighten your day. πŸ˜€

    October 26, 2017 at 4:41 am Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Aww! That’s so cute Ruth! πŸ˜ŠπŸ’•

      October 26, 2017 at 8:58 am Reply
  • Jen

    Praise God! Your progress is so inspiring. Praying all goes well on your trip and you have a great time seeing your friends!

    October 26, 2017 at 5:50 am Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thank you so the prayers Jen! I really appreciate it.

      October 26, 2017 at 8:58 am Reply
  • Katherine, Forster

    That’s awesome! I hope you have a wonderful trip! By the way, I started listening to Brooke Fraser and I really like her music. πŸ˜€

    October 26, 2017 at 7:59 am Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thanks Katherine! I’m glad you like Brooke Fraser. She’s one of my all time favorites especially her two albums Albertine and Flags. πŸ’•

      October 26, 2017 at 8:59 am Reply
  • Sharon Cleek

    So so so happy for you! God bless you and your trip. Love you.

    October 26, 2017 at 1:28 pm Reply
  • Koryn

    I’m so happy for you Ana! It’s wonderful that you can start taking vacations and trips just for the fun of it.

    October 26, 2017 at 4:15 pm Reply
  • Amanda Cook

    Oh joy! How exciting! I am so proud of you, you’ve come this far, don’t quit now!

    October 26, 2017 at 6:15 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thank you so much Amanda! πŸ™‚

      November 1, 2017 at 10:01 am Reply
  • Christina Osborne

    Hi Ana! You came to mind today and I realized that it has been awhile since I checked your blog. I think the last time I read your blog, you had just purchased the van. It is so exciting to see what the Lord has done since then!! Praying that you have a wonderful (and safe) road trip!
    P.S. Your perseverance is a huge encouragement to me right now!!! I’m in my (Lord willing) last year of grad school… it is easy right now to feel overwhelmed with everything that I need to do.

    October 30, 2017 at 8:31 am Reply
    • Ana Harris

      I’m so glad Christina! 😊

      November 1, 2017 at 10:01 am Reply
  • Lizbeth

    Yay! That’s so awesome, congratulations!

    October 30, 2017 at 12:57 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thanks Lizbeth! 😊

      November 1, 2017 at 10:02 am Reply

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