Embracing the RV Life: Our Journey to Finding Home on Wheels
RV Life Chose Us
Ohkay Sooo—we didn’t choose the RV Life, but it chose us. Five years ago, I approached my husband with the idea of traveling the United States in an RV, but he immediately rejected the idea. Little did we know that life would lead us on a different path, and today, we find ourselves living in an RV in our own backyard. Our travel plans began to change during the pandemic and after Hurricane Ian left our home damaged, revealing the dreaded presence of mold, our path was more solidified that we thought. Thankfully, my older sister Leah, a travel nurse living in an RV with her family, stepped in to guide us through this unexpected adventure of living in an RV.
Exploring RV Options
Leah's insights inspired us to explore the world of RVs, and we spent afternoons touring various models on golf carts. On one of our trips we even made a pit stop to visit my dad, as his work was next to Camping World!
Hours of research followed, as I delved into researching different RV brands, lending companies, and layouts while packing up the house. I had extra time on my hands while we were temporary closed at the nonprofit. My husband, unfamiliar with RV living, felt overwhelmed, so we expanded our search at the largest RV lot nearby, Lazy Days RV. Despite facing some consistent setbacks with other dealerships, we persisted in our quest to find the perfect RV for our needs.
The Hunt for the Perfect RV
Through Facebook groups and RV Trader, we narrowed down our requirements to a bonus room/bunk layout with a specific coffee bar shelf and pantry. The espresso machine, a must-have for me, was met with skepticism from my husband. At the time, we didn’t even own this espresso machine, making a stubborn decision on the basis of something we didn’t have was quite a stretch. Hindsight twenty twenty, but your girl has plannnss. Our urgency pushed us forward, and after seven months of shopping and praying, we decided to opt for an loan and started searching for used RVs to broaden our options.
Finding "The One"
Our research paid off when we stumbled upon a listing that seemed promising. I called a listing from RV Trader and they surprisingly picked up! We visited the RV in Tampa and were elated to find it had everything we wanted (and MORE), including the beloved coffee shelf. The owners, coincidentally—or NOT so coincidentally, had been praying for the right person to take over their RV, and we were an answer to their prayers. We closed the deal that day, and my dream of owning an RV finally came true, more though the rest in sleeping in safety was finally possible. (no more mold exposure)
I write this as a reminder to myself, to continue to trust God even in the difficult time and the seemingly urgent time. I was praying Ephesians & Phillipians through this whole season. I am reminded of Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]” This RV buying process was an answer to my prayers and this scripture. There were many additional bonuses in this RV that were on my want list in addition to being $30,000 below our budget. Little things like the cool toned color scheme of the RV (fun fact, I don’t like warm colors), having a full size refrigerator, enough kitchen space and storage, a usable loft for my sauna, a washer and dryer, an easy way to have it delivered, and an extra library shelf for my plethora of books. Seriously, I am blown away at the generosity of God. I believe He wants to do this for us all the time, if only we’d have the courage to continually trust Him.
Adapting to the RV Lifestyle:
Upon delivery, we set up our RV with the help of my dad's neighbor, installing an outlet for full time living. As minimalists, the transition was surprisingly smooth, and we didn't have to downsize significantly. The only exception to the rule was my book collection. It was fun handing out new books to my bookish friends! Even though the journey was longer and more challenging than expected, everything fell into place perfectly, reflecting the true nature of Gods timing! To be completely honest, I get annoyed when Christians use this phrase. I see sometimes its use as an excuse of justification of inaction or indecision, I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut as only God really knows! It was a good thing for me to go through this process, to be reminded of Gods goodness even in the timing!
Our RV life began as an unexpected twist of fate, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This has been true with all the havoc Hurricane Ian brought. What started as a challenging search led us to find the perfect RV that matched our needs and future dreams. The adventure continues as we restore our home, embrace the RV lifestyle, and in the future begin exploring new places, and cherishing a different lifestyle!