Spring break started off with some unexpected twists. We were headed to the west side when our tires started to do the wobble. We made it to semi-civilization and got the tire changed which we thought was the end of our troubles. In hind sight this would have been a good time to turn around, but that was not what we did. We pressed on, only to lose our tread in the middle of I-90 coming down Snoqualmie Pass. Les Schwab came and changed the tire on the freeway. We drove in to town and had the rest of the studs taken off and new tires put on. Once again, we were sure we had all problems solved. We got back on the freeway and headed west. Not ten minutes later I asked what smelled like burning rubber, right as Karsten noticed that there was smoke coming into the van. We pulled over and ran up the bank to make sure if the car burst into flames we weren't too close. I'm sure the folks on the freeway found this amusing. We ended up getting back in the car and taking back roads to our destination. We did make it to where we were headed. On the way back we were still getting smoke in the car, and ended up leaving the van in Seattle. Lord willing Rick will pick it up tomorrow and bring it home. I don't want to say that too confidently, since the fat lady has not yet sung.
Fortunately a lot of really fun stuff happened in between stops alongside the freeway. It made me appreciate my family. They hung out in McDonald's, sat in the van not moving for over an hour, and made the most of sitting together in places we hadn't planned to be. There was no fighting, no blaming, a little bit of crying (losing your tread at 70 mph is a little scary), but all in all they smiled and laughed more than they fussed. On the way home we had guests, not sure they will ever ride with us again, but what can I say? They even had a bit of fun looking for a mechanic on a Sunday afternoon in a van, that smelled of burning petroleum products, full of children, and a frazzled lady. There is nothing like a little adversity to bond people together.
We spent the weekend with friends we hadn't seen since September. It was a really great time of learning from each other, and laughing together. We talked about things that are not part of our regular conversation, and it was really good. We also saw that God is working mightily in this group of people. I was so encouraged by their vision and their commitment to hard things. I'm glad we made it. It was really good for the kids too. They deepened relationships with friends, and saw how blessed they have been.
Rick, Brook, and Karsten made it to the airport, probably in record time. They borrowed a car and headed south ahead of us. Two of them were in California before we made it to the airport. They are enjoying the sun and surf. I'm so glad they got to take a break this week. My Mom met us at SeaTac and took two more to her beach. She had to take a detour through north Seattle on the way home, for which I am very grateful. We meant to stop on the way down, but were too distracted by worrying whether or not the car was going to catch on fire, and where we were going to stay that night. I have a hilarious text from a good friend with mechanical skills. His advice was good and if he hadn't mentioned that I might need a fire extinguisher I might have taken it.
I ended up spending an extra night in Seattle while I waited for a mechanic to be available on Monday. Rick did a lot of Internet research while on his trip and found me a rental car, and a mechanic, and gave me an exit strategy. I have to admit my cool in adversity was thin at best. Fortunately I had a couple of friends who hung out with us for the evening who made it much more tolerable. I'm not sure what I would have come up with on my own. I had called my SIL to come and pick up the kids. She was willing to make the two and a half hour drive, and really, looking back that would have been the most fun for the kids and a whole lot cheaper for me. I didn't want to burden her like that so I told her not to come. It was really good just to know that she would have.
I guess in the end that was the biggest lesson in the whole thing. With every trial there is blessing. My family was there when I needed them. My friends were there offering help, prayer, and laughter. I wasn't alone. God took care of us every step of the way. I had a moment of realization as we were sitting next to the freeway. I realized that if I had been in Bandung I would have been much less composed than I should have been. My adventurous spirit is not as free as I had hoped. I really just wanted to be home where I felt safe. I love my comfort zone. I felt very vulnerable alongside the road with my kids and friends waiting on me to figure out what to do next. I was confused. It took me longer than it should have to look up and ask God what in the world I was supposed to do about this. He was faithful while I wandered stupidly. I should have looked up when we started to wobble and ask where to go from here, maybe we would have been told to keep going, we did and I am grateful for the time we had on Saturday.
I'm thankful for....
Doctors that have stuck with some crazy career choices for over 20 years
Roadside assistanceCar insurance
Friends that can laugh among tires in a sketchy garage run by Omar
That Madie didn't leave me
That Rick had Internet access and persistence
Prayers from many people that kept us going
Committed Christians who dedicate their lives to a vision and keep at it for years on end
People that have traveled hard roads and aren't afraid to share it with new friends
Stories that inspire us to be better people
A God who keeps me in His hand at all times
Sunshine on the mountains
Spring flowers blooming along the sound
Children, there are never too many
Families that are so much better than I deserve
Opportunities to make memoriesRoad trips that are bumpy and get better every time you tell the tale
Car advice long distance
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