Our Trip to the National Archives
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Traveling full-time in a fifth wheel means our life is equal parts adventure, ministry, unexpected breakdowns, and miracles. This week’s vlog (embedded below 👇) follows our family as we finally made it to Virginia—and into Washington, D.C.—to visit the National Archives and see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights in person.
But the story didn’t start there. The Lord took us the long way around, and honestly, I’m glad He did.
A Trip Delayed… and Divinely Redirected
A couple of months ago, we set out to make this exact trip. Instead, our truck broke down in North Carolina, leaving us stranded on the side of the road with our fifth wheel. But God already had the rescue in motion.
A member of a nearby supporting church heard what happened and came to our aid—driving up in a huge dually truck with the right hitch, a massive shop, tools, knowledge, and even some of the parts we needed. He and his pastor helped tow our truck, deliver our camper to the church property, and get us fully set up on a brand-new camper hookup.
And as if that wasn’t enough blessing, our missionary friends were already there in their own camper. Chewy—short for Chewbacca—was the highlight of the kids’ week and really does make Chewbacca noises!
Over four days, those men helped Scott repair the truck, fed our family, prayed with us, gave us a love offering, and sent us back on the road safely. We decided to head home and postpone our trip to Virginia until later.
It wasn’t our plan, but it was absolutely God’s provision. Ministry life keeps us flexible and teaches our kids (and us!) to trust that every detour has purpose.
Finally Heading to Virginia (For Real This Time)
Fast forward to this week—the rescheduled church meeting finally happened. Since the church was only about 45 minutes from Washington, D.C., we took the chance to squeeze in a quick family field trip to the National Archives.
Parking was… a nightmare. We ended up with a parking ticket. There were people everywhere. We didn’t see any military presence, which surprised us with so much activity in the city.
But the moment we walked into the National Archives, the chaos faded.
Standing in front of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights was almost overwhelming. The documents that shaped our nation—the ideas, sacrifices, and biblical principles woven into their foundations—were right there in front of us.
We finished the visit with fancy caramel coffees from a little family restaurant, tired but thankful.
(And yes—I teased Scott about trying to “steal the Declaration of Independence” like Nicolas Cage. Scott claimed he actually saw Nick Cage holding it… so naturally he had to drop-kick him, but Cage escaped in a Shelby Mustang. 😂 Marriage humor at its finest.)
Traveling in the RV… and Realizing How Much We Miss Home Cooking
One funny part of RV travel is the constant dance around hookups—or the lack of them. This trip didn’t give us sewage connections, which meant we avoided making big homemade meals because dishwashing quickly becomes complicated.
And after a week of eating out or keeping meals extremely simple, we were so ready to get home and cook from scratch again.
Cooking fresh, whole meals is such a core part of the lifestyle we teach here on Plain Living Home—choosing simpler ingredients, saving money, and building foundational homemaking skills. Being without that for a week really makes us appreciate it deeply.
(Internal link idea: How to Boil Water – The Over-Explained Beginner’s Guide — https://plainlivinghome.com/how-to-boil-water-the-over-explained-beginners-guide/)
Why Visiting Historic Sites Matters for Raising Capable Kids
Experiences like the National Archives are priceless for homeschooling. There’s something about seeing history up close that makes it come alive in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Children learn:
- the origins of liberty
- how nations are shaped
- why laws matter
- what biblical principles guided the founders
- how fragile freedom really is
These are the lessons that shape capable adults—kids who can think critically, discern truth, and appreciate the sacrifices of those who came before them.
This also ties beautifully into what we teach in the Hope Chest: preparing young people—especially young women—to step into adulthood with wisdom, skill, and a well-rounded understanding of the world. History is not just for textbooks; it is a foundation for character.
(Internal link placeholder: The Hope Chest Book Page once live)
A Christian Nation… and Our Ministry’s Calling Today
Walking through the National Archives reminded us again how deeply Christianity influenced the founding of our country. Scripture, prayer, and the desire to honor God shaped the earliest laws, government structure, and individual freedoms.
But as our nation drifts away from those roots, the need for gospel-preaching churches grows greater. Our ministry exists because our country has lost the foundation that once defined it.
Seeing those founding documents wasn’t just educational—it was convicting. It renewed our desire to plant churches, strengthen homes, and encourage families to cling to Christ in a culture that no longer does.
Watch the Vlog: Our Trip to the National Archives
(Embed your YouTube video here)
👉 https://youtu.be/UwRfdEOpMAo
Final Thoughts
This trip wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t smooth. We got delayed for months. We got a parking ticket. We were tired. We missed our home cooking. But in every moment—from the breakdown in North Carolina to finally standing before the Declaration of Independence—God showed His faithfulness.
He always does.
RV life, ministry life, and homeschooling life aren’t separate lanes for us—they overlap, support each other, and create a beautiful, chaotic, unpredictable journey. And we’re grateful for every minute.
Thank you for coming along with us. 💙
Until next time, master in disguise.
