Day 30 | Possibilities

April 8, 2017

Announcement: I just added a new page to my website! You can check it out here. It explains the reasoning behind mold avoidance and is full of helpful links for those who are suffering from chronic illnesses. Please read and share!


I spent some time praying out loud last night while Brett was falling asleep on my lap. It was really nice to just be honest with the Lord about how overwhelmed we feel. It helped me to let go of my worries and just trust that we’re going to survive the next few days even if they end up being rough. Nothing lasts forever after all.

Since then, we had the idea of returning to the Albuquerque area and finding a place to camp in the public wilderness around there. I did pretty well in that area although I hadn’t unmasked at that point. I suppose it could be more problematic now that my sensitivity has increased but I think it’s worth a shot. Albuquerque is a city with decent air quality and there’s a Whole Foods there too. Who knows, I might even find it to be more tolerable than Vegas.

In any case, we’re thinking we will look around a little bit more in the area we are now before we decide to make the trip to New Mexico. There may be some other good spots on the public land surrounding Pahrump. We know of at least one potential road we haven’t explored yet. It would be awesome if we didn’t have to go very far.

If we are going to need to travel, there’s a ton of work that needs to be done in preparation. Unfortunately, it’s been so windy here that we haven’t been able to do any laundry these last two days. We’re out of clothes already! There’s no way we can travel through towns and cities without clean clothing for decontamination.

We also would like to clean the car out and at least try to denature some of the toxins that appear to have contaminated it. It’s not super dangerous but I just don’t feel very good in the car anymore. We’re thinking of letting it sit for a few hours with the heat on high to speed up the off-gassing process.

We also need to pack everything up, find some things that got lost in the wind, and refill my thyroid prescription. It’s going to be a busy day tomorrow. I hate that we have to do so much work on Sunday but it just so happens to be the only day the winds are supposed to be calm. Hopefully we can take a day of rest later in the week. We definitely need it.

We’re still really hoping to get a cargo van soon and convert it into a little camper like Sara Mattson and her husband did. There are just a couple things that need to fall into place before we can start looking, but we’re definitely getting impatient. We’re so tired of being cold and uncomfortable at night. A real bed sounds so luxurious! Plus, it would be amazing not to have to worry about the weather so much!

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15 Comments

  • Savannah

    Ana, you are in our family’s prayers!! I will be praying that the Lord would give you and Brett His peace and wisdom in knowing where to travel! He is going before you as you are in the wilderness!!
    “And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”
    Isaiah 58:11

    April 9, 2017 at 1:38 pm Reply
    • AnaHarris

      Thank you so much Savannah! What a fitting scripture verse! 💚

      April 11, 2017 at 10:56 am Reply
  • Chris

    Ana, today at church I told a friend of mine your situation as her daughter lives in Los Vegas. I was hoping for some kind of contact possibility. The best we could come up with is some numbers. The Los Vegas Chamber of Commerce is supposedly very helpful in giving people information (location ideas etc). Their number is: 702-641-5822. They may be able to tell you which areas might fit your needs best and if they are not restricted to a number of days. (Of course you’ll have to explain you are not looking for the traditional camp sites). Then we located the number to the Southern Nevade Bureau of Land Managment, its: 702-515-5000. They are open Monday – Friday 9-4pm. I would ask to speak to someone higher up who can help you. Maybe they could give you a pass that lets you stay longer or even give ideas of some other places to stay that are not restricted to a certain number of days. My friends daugher also suggested the Red Rock Canyon area. This is remote and dry etc. We do have some wonderful Christian friends that live in Belen, New Mexico (right below Albuquerque) so if you end up there, please let me know and we can put you in touch with them. They are super nice and we know they would help you or be a contact. They are also “All natural” people so might be a good resource for food etc. We have seen pictures of where they live and its also similar to the pics you’ve been showing. As always, we are in continual prayer for you Ana!! God has laid you on my heart (I’m not just some crazy lady!! I think God calls us to step up and be there for others and for some reason He’s called me to pray and help you in any way I can. And from the remote and terribly mold ridden place of northern, Michigan no less. But then the Lord has a great sense of humor!! LOL) and I’m leaning on His continual help and promises!!! He will provide!!!!!!

    April 9, 2017 at 1:45 pm Reply
    • AnaHarris

      WOW! Thank you so much! This is all really, really helpful. I really appreciate the time you took to come up with these numbers. At this point, I think we probably want to change spots anyway because of the robbery. I don’t feel too comfortable staying here after that. But, if we find another spot in this area we will definitely call those numbers for more information and to see if we can stay a little longer. That’s also wonderful about your friends in New Mexico! Getting healthy food can be a challenge in remote locations. Thank you again for your kindness!

      April 11, 2017 at 11:01 am Reply
  • Chris

    Ana, I left a long comment with phone numbers to places in Los Vegas and it may end up in your spam folder again. So check it out. Still praying!

    April 9, 2017 at 1:48 pm Reply
  • Natalie Marie Julson

    Praying for you guys Ana, I hope you can find someplace safe to stay soon

    April 9, 2017 at 2:47 pm Reply
    • AnaHarris

      Thank you Natalie!💚

      April 11, 2017 at 11:02 am Reply
  • Chris Barratt

    Ana. I left a pretty big comment with a list of numbers to try and call the land management people and some other things. So check one of your folders as the comment hasn’t showed up yet so may have ended up there. If it didn’t make it, let me know and I can resend it. A friend of mine lives los Vegas and gave me some ideas to pass on.

    April 9, 2017 at 8:59 pm Reply
    • AnaHarris

      Yes! It got caught in spam again. Sorry! I approved it now. Thank you so much!

      April 11, 2017 at 11:04 am Reply
  • Chris Barratt

    It may have been my internet on my computer so I’ll try to resend from my phone. So my friend in Los vegas said to try and contact the Chamber of commerce at 702~641~5822. They may be able to suggest an area that’s not restricted by the number of days you can stay that’s also not just a typical RV park, since you can’t stay at them. She also said the Red Rock canyon area is dry and remote. We also located the Southern Nevada Bureau of Land Management. They can be reached at 702~515~5000. They are there Monday~ Friday 9~4pm. Go directly to someone that can make decisions. Maybe they can give you a pass to stay longer due to your health circumstances. If you do end up in New Mexico, we have some very dear Christian friends in Belen just slightly south of Albuquerque. They are also health conscious and would be great contacts for natural food or even if you need help of any kind. Plus, our pastor is from Albuquerque and his family is all still there. So do let us know if you need to get connected with anyone there. They are all great Christian people who would help if needed. Still praying for you!!! God is faithful!! He will provide!!!

    April 9, 2017 at 9:18 pm Reply
  • Lizbeth

    Praying for you!

    April 10, 2017 at 11:37 am Reply
    • AnaHarris

      Thank you Lizbeth! We really need it!

      April 11, 2017 at 11:04 am Reply
  • jesse bercowetz

    Hi Ana- I can relate to your situation! We are on mold avoidance ( coming from NYC) we’ve been living in the desert for about 9 months now- in Joshua Tree. My girlfriend Bekah has Lyme (9yrs) and now mold infection and MCS and I’m full-time care-giver. Such an intense and abrupt lifestyle change!! Your not alone out here in the “wilderness” Blessings – Jesse

    April 11, 2017 at 2:29 pm Reply
    • AnaHarris

      Oh wow! Thanks for commenting, Jesse! I’m so sorry to hear that you guys are going through the same thing. Caregiving is so tough, especially in the midst of the mold avoidance lifestyle. You have my admiration! I pray your girlfriend can make a swift recovery. 🙂

      April 11, 2017 at 6:50 pm Reply
  • Rebecca Lee

    If you decide to convert a cargo van, don’t be afraid to increase your fundraising goal! My heart longs for stability for you right now. And people love knowing there is something tangible they can do to help. I don’t know if that is something you need to hear right now. I just know how hard it is to ask for $ and how many ways Satan can creep in with lies when we need to rely on the Lord and his people the most.

    With that being said, the one thing I know I can do for you right now is pray and I will continue to pray for strength and stamina and wisdom against spiritual attack and most of all that you continue to find joy in the small victories. Because praise God for victories big and small!

    Thanks again for so vulnerably sharing your story.

    April 12, 2017 at 9:40 pm Reply
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