Day 51 | Sleeping at a Truck Stop

April 29, 2017

Last night we slept at a truck stop and I did surprisingly well there. Normally, we have to take a bunch of stuff out of the back seats so that we can make room to lean our seats back. We weren’t able to do that last night because it was raining and we didn’t want things getting wet. That meant we had to sleep sitting up. It was really, really hard to get comfortable! Especially since we don’t have any pillows (since pillows can’t be washed). Brett didn’t sleep much at all but somehow I managed to fall asleep.

We had planned to go sledding on the sand dunes at White Sands National Monument today since we both really needed a chance to relax and do something fun. Unfortunately, we called ahead only to find out it was raining and hailing at the monument. Bummer! We were pretty disappointed!

We decided to drive back to the Albuquerque area since we needed to buy food and we still hadn’t found a spot that could work for more than a day or two in southern New Mexico. The drive took about 3 hours and after Brett was done shopping we headed toward Grants. Our hope was that we could reclaim our campsite in El Malpais National Monument. Sadly, I started to feel a little off when we arrived at the state park. Maybe something is wrong with that location after all? I don’t know. It was pretty obvious that it had rained a lot and all the road signs were covered in thick mud. I’m not sure if that could have affected things.

We decided it probably wasn’t going to work to camp there and that we just needed to find an inconspicuous spot to spend the night. We could re-evaluate our plans tomorrow. We drove around for two hours before we landed on a decent place to sleep.

Unfortunately, I burst into hives at the first place we tried. Not only that, the dirt road was really muddy and we almost got stuck! Then my throat started closing up at the second spot we tried. Definitely not safe! It’s always so hard finding a spot when it’s dark out. We couldn’t see anything! There could have been a landfill nearby for all we knew!

Finally, just before the clock struck midnight, we found a decent spot. Unfortunately, it started raining again! We braced ourselves for another hard and uncomfortable night. We’ve had about as much as we can take these last couple of days! I think a cargo van is going to feel like a palace after this.

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9 Comments

  • Natalie Julson

    Praying for you guys! Hope you can find some fun soon and relax finally for a bit <3

    May 1, 2017 at 7:00 pm Reply
  • Thelma Zimmerman

    So sorry to hear you are having such difficulties. Wish you could just come here and sleep in a bed.
    Continuing to pray for a safe place for you and for improving health. Love you, Grandma

    May 1, 2017 at 7:12 pm Reply
  • Mom and Dad

    We still don’t think you should expect to find anything good in a place called “Malpais” 😉

    May 1, 2017 at 8:01 pm Reply
  • Carolyn Young

    Praying you find some relief and rest too!

    May 1, 2017 at 9:37 pm Reply
  • Chris

    Ana!I can’t imagine what you are going through!!! All of us who sleep in a house at night and don’t have to live like nomads are so spoiled compared to what you are experiencing. But then American’s are spoiled at any rate and we take our luxuries for granted, like living in a country where we’re free to worship openly, and having our daily provisions and so much more. I’m so terribly sorry. I’ve read through all the posts and I totally understand your frustration, crying, and all of it. It kind of reminds me of that time Elijah was so exhaused and God provided just the creature comforts for him, so he could regain his footing. Oh, I will pray today that God provides all these and more for you. And I understand about not getting the bathrobe until you’re settled. It would be a waste of money at this point. So I will just pray and contribute, so when you need it you can get it. Here is my prayer for you today, “Lord Jesus, I humbly ask you to watch over and provide for Brett and Ana! Lord, see them and send a whole team of angels to surround them and cover them and provide and guide them. Lord, they are depending on You in a way most of us do not. So I pray for healing and provision that is so supernatural that they can only give glory to You for providing it. Lord, it says in Your Word that we, Your children, are more valuable than the sparrows that roam the earth, so I ask You make this very clear to Brett and Ana today, that theywill have no doubt of this great truth!!! And I thank you in advance for this Lord!! And for all You are doing in and through their lives!! In Jesus precious name, Amen.” Ana, the Lord is our great Jehovah Jireh!! The great provider!! I will beseech Him today to prove this facet of His character to both of you. You are not alone!! Never forget that!! Praying continually!! –Chris

    May 2, 2017 at 8:05 am Reply
    • Alyssa

      Amen, I agree!

      May 3, 2017 at 5:34 pm Reply
  • Sara

    Praying for you guys! Especially that the rain doesn’t make the outdoor mold worse.

    May 2, 2017 at 5:28 pm Reply
  • Alex

    Hope you guys get to go sled on the sand dunes soon, Ana! I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be trying to find a good place to sleep each night. We are continuing to pray!

    May 2, 2017 at 6:03 pm Reply
  • Carmen

    I wash my pillows at least once a month…have you tried that?

    August 12, 2017 at 8:29 am Reply
  • Leave a Reply to Carmen