Most everyone remembers the family vacation movies that appeared several years ago.  We had our own version of those memorable road trips ourselves and I’m sure many of you have as well. In the movies, the most outlandish things happened, sometimes horrible situations, but some of the things that happen on a family vacation can actually cause us to back out in fear.

We were no different than the Griswolds.  We’d pack our vehicle to the max with luggage, camping equipment, the family dog, a cooler full of goodies and five of us.  Family vacations really do bring you closer together – if you like sitting on each other’s laps or can bear the smell of body odor for more than an hour at a time.

Oh the joys of the open road – where you can leave all your troubles behind and just enjoy the blessings of God’s creation . . . well almost.

Our first camping excursion taught us how to put up a tent, build a fire, cook over it and wash dishes in the open air.  I’d never been camping in my life, but my husband – and avid outdoorsman – loved it and wanted his children to experience the rich rewards.  The tent was set up, car unloaded, we ate under the tall pines and it was lovely – until a tornado came spinning through our campground in the middle of the night.

The children were fast asleep when the tent started to sway in the wind.  My husband scurried outside in his underwear to secure our habitat to a tree, as I held it up from within, with water dripping down into my armpits.  The kids slept through the entire thing.

Family time together can make for some wonderful memories.  Through those times, we  had an opportunity to learn more about each other, a chance to enjoy each others’ company, but as for me, I much preferred doing it in a Holiday Inn.

Time you spend together is never wasted.  BTW, this was before smart phones and other electronics.  “Never leave your children to their own devices,” a quote from my husband. Think about the Children of Israel.  They had a forty year family vacation in the wilderness.  No wonder they complained so much.