Living Exodus!

In January, Jess and I started to read through the bible together. Starting at both Genesis and Mathew simultaneously we should finish it in one year, reading a couple chapters of both Testaments each day.

As we were nearing the end of Genesis, Jess mentioned briefly that she thought it would be neat to read about Moses in the desert while we were in the Mojavi. I laughed and said "be careful what you wish for". Little did we know that our lives would soon become the first half of Exodus!

Three nights ago (Saturday night) we were dropped off in Barstow, CA. We arrived just in time for the second half of Mass at St. Joseph. After Mass concluded we asked the priest if we could spend the night in their parking lot; he said yes. The next morning we attended the full service and afterwards enjoyed a hot breakfast provided by the Knights of Columbus. We then set off for the on-ramp and waited for a ride east.

After a couple of hours we were able to get a car ride to the next exit in Barstow. There happened to be a man at the on-ramp already, so we sat and read our bible. At this point in time we were at chapter 13 of Exodus. After more hours passed by and no luck with rides, we decided to grab our bags and walk to the next on-ramp. We were expecting it to be easier to get a ride where there wasn't another hitchhiker. After four miles of walking we realized that past Barstow there was nothing and we were in fact, in the middle of the Mojavi desert. Night was upon us and we set up tent under the only tree in sight.

The next morning we walked along Historic Route 66 to the next town called Dagget. It was there we re-filled our water packs and waited for a ride. Shortly, a lady named Cheryl picked us up and told us "You'll never get picked up here, let me take you back to Barstow". Discouraged we agreed and she dropped us off at what she called "hippy hill" which was the same on-ramp we were at before we started walking. Only this time, the man was gone.

While waiting we decided to continue reading where we left off last in Exodus. It was the beginning of chapter 14 which says "Then the Lord said to Moses: "Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahi-roth.". Immediately we started laughing and took it as a sign that us turning back was the right thing to do, and we wished we would have read it the day before. Soon after the Red Sea opened up, as it did for the Israelites and we obtained two good rides taking us all the way to Tucumcari, New Mexico (over 800 miles).

At this point in the bible we are past the Red Sea, the Israelites are safe and have rejoiced, but now are beginning to grumble towards God and Moses about water and other various things. Which Moses tries to remind the people that their murmurings are against God, but God continued to respond by taking care of his people.

Today (Tuesday) we were dropped off in Amarillo, Texas by a guy who promised to take us to Oklahoma City. (which would have passed the ice storm in Amarillo). However, after sticking up for foreigners when he made some racist remarks; he decided he was no longer going to Oklahoma City and dropped us off in Amarillo.

After sitting in the 15 degree weather (which felt like 5 with the wind), it was easy to focus on the negative as did the Israelites in the desert. We decided that we would dip into our emergency money and got a room at the American Value Inn to bring us out of the cold.

While in the room, we warmed up and had time to reflect on our recent two days. It was here that we realized we had become like the Israelites and quickly forgotten the blessings we received only a day ago. There is no time for negative thought because after all, we are alive, safe, warm and blessed by a loving God who provides for our daily needs. A God who hears our murmers, but still continues to love us and provide for our needs. Tomorrows weather is forcast to be in the 50's and we are in high spirits for the end of our journey! We are almost there!

Finally, we have one public service announcement: these bags as
photographed to your left were in the dozens and left on the side of
the road in the Mojavi. They were all filled with only tumbleweeds.
Why are we picking up tumbleweeds in plastic bags? A tumbleweed in a
orange plastic bag, tumbling down the road, made for a funny sight

We have also added a list of the cities we have been dropped off and
picked up (mileage of rides included), located at the top right of
this page.

Peace and Love,
Jordan and Jessie