OneMoreRetread Hits the Road

OK, this is a blog about life on the road with OneMoreRetread. The really tough part of blogging, which I've never done before, is going to be not overthinking when I'm writing. I took a lot of writing and editing classes in college, and you're taught to go slow and careful and to mess around a lot with your copy. But it's pretty clear that no one does that these days, particularly when they're blogging.

This first blog deserves a little bit of explanation, I suppose. I'm OneMoreRetread, bc that's what God does with a lot of us. He salvages our lives, when we're all bald (ha!) and seemingly worthless and ready for the trash heap. The road of life can wear us down, can't it? And that's about where I'm at. The end of myself, but rejuvenated and made useful . . . and perfectly happy and fulfilled . . . through my relationship with Christ Jesus. And with the help and the support and the love of the most beautiful, sweet, funny and amazing woman in the world.

We're in our mid-fifties, and we've been married for over 35 years, having started out as highschool sweethearts at good old Grand Ledge (MI) High School. We've raised four amazing kids, seen them all married to fantastic spouses (more kids for us!) and we have nine . . . count them . . . 9! beautiful granders. The newest, youngest, is a sweet little yet-to-be-born girl. We're sure of it. At least we think we are. Not really.

I've completed a number of years in Christian Ministry. Frankly, it feels so good to move back into the "real world" that I can't describe it. There is peace, purpose, adventure, challenge. All of it. And in the process, Patty and I are working our way out of some longstanding financial problems. Actually, we're trucking our way out of them. Beginning next Monday (August 11, 2008) we're stepping up from Class B to Class A CDL drivers, and we're teaming up, going over-the-road with Central Refrigerated. We have two and half weeks of training and orientation, then four weeks together in a truck with a trainer, then we'll be assigned our own truck. Three months after that, if everything seems good, we'll likely lease on as Owner-Operators. Big rigs, here we come!
For the past 3 months we've worked together, as independent transport contractors for Horizon Transport, delivering trucks, motor homes, etc. across the states and Canada. I think Patty said that when we hit Colorado that will be the 28th state in the past few weeks. Also Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec. So we've hit the road together. I'll tell you more about the challenges and the journeys, and hopefully the realizations and revelations, as time goes on, but right now we've got to make some miles toward Colorado Springs, CO. We'll be leaving the Flying J at the junction of I39 and I80 and heading west in just a few more minutes. Keep looking up!