Ep 20 Life is a Highway: Road Tripping Do's and Don'ts
Terminal Vocation
Updates * Family Adjustments: Deacon Mark and Erin share that they are preparing their home to welcome Mark's aging uncle. Moving things from one room to another and throwing out a lot. * Sentimental Belongings: Erin reflects on going through a trunk of her late father's memorabilia from his life, including finding an airmail letter detailing Kraft shipping cheese to India, as well as the original 1972 receipt for a Ford Pinto. * Labor Day Weekend & Family News: The hosts recount enjoying a long hike and a church club pool party. They also celebrate news from their adult children: their son and daughter will be serving in California and Ohio as team leads with NET Ministries. Seasonal Trends & Relationship Advice * Fall Flavor Debates: Mark and Erin discuss whether the Pumpkin Spice Latte has "jumped the shark," noting McDonald's decision to feature a McCafe Caramel Apple Pie flavor instead for fall. * Keeping Marriage Fresh: Using the coffee comparison as a launchpad, they reflect on their 26-year marriage. They discuss avoiding burnout by discovering new shared interests, maintaining independent hobbies, and treating love as an active verb of continuous care and service rather than a passing feeling. The Do's and Don'ts of Road Trips * Bring (and Agree On) Travel Snacks: Both hosts emphasize having dedicated road trip snacks. They recommend balancing healthy options (nuts, fruit, protein bars) with iconic road trip junk food like Bugles and gummy candies. * Stop at Quirky Tourist Traps: Mark recommends embracing spontaneous detours to absurd roadside attractions (such as Wall Drug, South of the Border, or the World's Largest Bison) to keep the journey fun and lighthearted. * Plan Frequent Rest Stops: Erin highlights stopping every two hours without judgment for bathroom breaks or stretching, noting that taking brief pit stops keeps everyone comfortable and energized. * Avoid High-Stakes Discussions: Mark advises against using road trip drive time to schedule "Define the Relationship" (DRT) talks or heavy emotional confrontation, emphasizing that vacation travel should remain stress-free. * Resist Over-Planning: Erin cautions against trying to cram too many states or destinations into a single itinerary, advocating instead for establishing a base camp to settle in and explore surrounding areas comfortably. note: cover art image generated using AI