Monday was one of those days where things just went wrong. It was one of those chances to look at a situation and decide to see the good or to just focus on the bad. I went to bed that night feeling blessed and grateful for so many things.
On the way home from a doctor's appointment and running errands, our van decided to die on the side of the road. It was lunchtime. I realized my cell phone was not in the diaper bag. I had all 4 kids with me and no way to contact anyone. As the car came to a stop and I put on the hazard lights, the first thing I told the kids was, "we need to pray." As a little girl my mother would drive me and my siblings across the Utah and Nevada desert to visit her parents every summer. There were no cell phones, hardly any other cars or places to seek help, and it was hot out there. On one trip we broke down several times and she always had us pray first thing. Within 10 minutes a patrol car would show up--it was miraculous, truly. So I remembered my mother, and we prayed.
I felt safe, but tears did well up in my eyes as I stood helpless on the side of the road, hoping for someone to stop. Thankfully, we were in a high traffic area and after 5 minutes or so a sweet old man stopped. He also had no cell phone but assured me he would find a way to get assistance to us.
A few minutes later brought a firefighter by. He let me use his cell phone to call the few numbers I knew off hand and to use directory assistance for those I did not. No one was answering. He stayed there with me and my children until a patrolman from the local college happened by. These two sweet men talked with my children, gave them stickers and badges and kept them all calm and happy.
We finally had the city police for that area arrive. He told me we would have to tow the car because it was such a high traffic area we couldn't leave it. However, I still had no one to come get my kids and not all 5 of us could fit in his vehicle. He made another call, and yet another officer took time out of his day to help our family. I rode with Annie and Ezra in the back of the first officer's car--with a normal back seat. The two big girls went in the back of the second officer's car--a plastic, plexiglass, and barred cage! I wish I had my camera! The kids thought this day was getting better and better.
After getting the van into the shop and gathering up all my children (and car seats!) from the two police cars, we still needed lunch. So we walked across the street to a restaurant. A RESTAURANT? Now my kids KNEW this day was awesome. They happily ate, so oblivious to what an emotional drain the day had been for me so far. I was so grateful to see them smiling and laughing and all SAFE.
Another hour or two later, the van was fixed, the bill was paid, and we finally made it home. The amount of money was unexpected for sure, but we felt blessed we could cover it. Marty's calling exposes him to trials beyond what we can imagine, and if having to simplify Christmas a little more or eat from our food storage is all we need to do to recover, we feel incredibly blessed.
The largest lesson I learned was of the faith of my children. I can see why the scriptures teach us to be more like them. They never once worried or felt scared. They completely trusted Heavenly Father, me, and all our earthly angels that day to take care of them. They were joyful even through the trial.
I am grateful for our mountains to climb. I'm grateful that this mountain wasn't too big! And I am most grateful for the view once we get to the top.
