VIDEO UPDATE: If you’re reading this in an email, you can click on the image above to go straight to the video.

In our last video we shared a candid look at life in Quartzsite.

Hello Friends!

If you’ve been following our journey, you know there’s rarely a dull moment—and this past stretch has been no exception. We wanted to catch you up on what’s happening behind the scenes with our home-on-wheels, our family, and our little Arizona corner of the world.

A New Bus Adventure! 🚍

Remember us talking about getting a new bus? We welcomed a 1996 Prevost converted motorhome into the family last summer that, back in the day, cost more than a house. We scored a crazy good deal (thanks to patience, faith, and a lot of prayer). The whole family was involved in the decision, even holding a vote after praying together in the bus’s living room. Spoiler: it was a unanimous thumbs up!

The drive home from Nashville to Minnesota was a sweaty adventure—imagine 95+ degrees and zero AC. The generator gave out, we melted, and yet somehow loved every minute.

The Old Bus: Confetti Send Off!

Leaving our previous bus after owning for 10 years and living in it for four years tugged at our heartstrings. But in true Renegade style, we sent it off with party poppers, confetti, and lots of blessings for the new owners, hoping they’ll love it as much as we did. And yes, Gibson also scored a “pencil snake”—because out with the old, in with the new (pet)!

Answered Prayers: We Have Water! 💧

YES—you read that right! After 3 years of prayer & dragging a hose from our neighbor, we finally have our own water spigot thanks to a well-share agreement. Something that feels miraculous after years of rationing every drop. We actually enjoy hearing running water.

Renovations: The Never-Ending Story

We dove right into updating our new home. Here’s what’s new:

  • Installed a powerful three-zone mini split A/C (finally, cold air!)
  • Added solar panels and modern batteries—practical and eco-friendly
  • Swapped out the 1996 energy-guzzling fridge for a sleek, efficient one (it took major “Fridge Tetris” to fit it through the door!)
  • Added shelving to make better use of our surprisingly tight storage
  • Added sleek trim to the roof to hide the solar racks.

It’s Not All Smooth Sailing…

If you’ve ever started “a little project” and ended up knee-deep in twelve more, you’ll relate. Our intended bunk room remodel snowballed: “just one thing” (like running new wires or updating the floor) kept uncovering more tasks. The boys are currently bunking in the clubhouse, and our bus looks a little more “work in progress” than “luxury liner.” But we’re getting there!

Puppy News!

Exciting news: Daisy delivered two healthy puppies! The past weeks have been a blur of puppy snuggles and excitement. If you prayed for her, thank you—both little girls are thriving. Carrying on with the flower theme from Daisy, their names are Rose & Buttercup.

Prayer Requests:

  • Wisdom: For juggling projects, making decisions, and knowing when to say “yes” (and “no”) to extra jobs
  • Progress: That we’ll get the bus ready to roll and make it back to Minnesota soon
  • Focus: To stay on mission with what God has for us in this season

Thank you for journeying with us, supporting us, and being part of helping this community. If you have feedback or want to connect, reply to this email. We love hearing from you!

Until next time,

JD & Lia, Gibson & Maverick, Franky & Daisy, and Buttercup & Rose!
The Renegade Life

TELEGRAM

We encourage you to join our channel on Telegram, where we’ve been posting short updates between our monthly update videos. We also post urgent prayer requests there too. Download and find our channel at the following link: https://t.me/+-vH59gjLAfM5MThh

Join us on TELEGRAM

SUPPORTER VIDEO PLAYLIST

Supporter Playlist

If you’d like to catch up on our journey in the past, here is a playlist of all our supporter videos. It’s kinda fun to go back and see Gibson as a pudgy toddler, and Maverick was just a babe when we started our Renegade Life Journey!~

SUPPORTER VIDEO PLAYLIST

We love you guys, thanks for watching/reading and we’ll see you in the next video!
Lia & JD