About 24 hours ago, our family was blissfully en route to Flagstaff, AZ, not knowing what lies ahead (or above) of us! We drove to ghost town (aka Barstow), had a quick lunch, and headed onto Highway 41 to Flagstaff. Around 5pm, unbeknownst to us, we were confronted with a digital sign declaring "road closure" due to fatal accident. The little store/gas station off the exit was packed with 50+ big rig trucks and a sea of cars and it was impossible to find a parking space. We didn't know what to do next.
An elderly, wise man named "Ricky" who worked nearby became the stranded travelers' counselor, giving everyone advice on options they could take. We were told to try an alternate route south to Prescott then back up to Flagstaff, if weather permits. Since there was no room in the inn (nor a manger), we decided to take our chances and for 2.5 hours, we traveled the dark, perilous roads, with snowflakes beating against us on all sides, above paths covered in slippery ice.
Exhausted, we tried to find a restaurant and perhaps it was a sign from above ~ we saw "Safeway", then next to it, "Happy Wok"! That was the only chinese fast food and we had dinner15 minutes before it closed! Though the iphone reception was greatly interrupted, I was able to send intermittent facebook updates and prayer requests. Friends from everywhere encouraged us and prayed for us. Then at 8:30pm, en route from Prescott to Flagstaff, our communication was cut off and so was our one and only alternate route. We were stuck in the small mountain path, 7,000 feet above sea level, and the traffic stopped. Panic and fear came over us as we received the most dreaded news from nearby truckers with CB radio updates ~ the road would be closed due to a truck accident!
The blizzard worsened, and snowflakes became crystals. Outside it was 27 degrees and our right windshield wiper failed us. Abbie had a fever and I was nauseated, ready to toss cookies (and cashew chicken with rice). Then the formidable words came out of Abbie's mouth, "I need to go poo poo!!" Well, we did the 99 Ranch shopping bag tag team, one holding the bag and one holding Abbie, and managed to, well, help her with business.
We fumbled around looking for tylenol in the packed trunk, giving her meds without measuring cup, and tried to share jokes and remain calm. We sent FB status updates but there was no connection. It was just us, snowflakes, freezing cold, and God. IF you are ever in a similar situation, you will really need (1) one big sleeping bag, (2) medication, (3) full tank of gas, (4) a sense of humor, and (5) a heart-to-heart talk with God while you are still conscious ~ And let Him know whether you'd like to receive Him and accept Jesus and the eternal life He gave you, because honestly, this life could end sooner than you'd expect. I was nauseous due to anemia and altitude sickness, and I felt my first full-blown panic attack coming on. But suddenly, the CD played, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet....", and that calmed me down. Also, I started giving thanks for what we do have, and that was our eternal life thru Jesus, our family is together, heater, calming music, plastic bag for Abbie's........., snacks/water in the car, gas in the tank.....etc. I braced for a night in the freezing cold, expecting to be snowed in, and waking up in our "Igloo-on-Wheels".
Suddenly, a police car zoomed past us followed by a huge sign from above.....it's not a midnight star, but a midnight snowplow, and it scraped ice while leading us from complete stop to a turtle's crawl down the dark, slippery path. Yet we weren't complaining at all, given our worst-case scenario earlier. It was a miracle, that after an hour, this snowplow would come out of nowhere and open up a road for us! Abbie was feeling unwell and Caleb was nauseated. We prayed some more and tried to distract them with more jokes and see spy games. We followed the snowplow and trucks as our lives depended on them, and continued our 10mph journey for another 2 hours until we finally arrived after midnight ~ concluding our 15.5 hour journey!
I thank God for this incredible adventure, and I know that this experience helped me grow closer to Him and my family (and you!), realize my insignificance compared to the magnificent nature He has created, and give thanks for the things I take care for granted every day! Thank you for your prayers, and for embarking on this Christmas adventure with us!
必有童女懷孕生子；人要稱他的名為以馬內利。（以馬內利翻出來就是「 神與我們同在」。）(馬太福音1:23) This trip, I truly know what it means to have Emmanuel ~ God with us. Sometimes, there's no one but God with us! (^_^)
2 comments:
Dear Soph and family, glad to know you are safe. Take care and drive extra carefully in the cold and snow. Stay warm and keep us posted.
WOW!!It is the only word I can say after I read all your "incredible adventure". I'd been to Colorado few times during winter vacation, and once we experienced snowstorm, it stopped our way home. We were looking for food, gas stations, and a Hotel to stay, while only liquor shops still opened!! Ha~
I do like what you said “…life could end sooner than you'd expect. …Also, I started giving thanks for what we do have, and that was our eternal life thru Jesus, our family is together…”, I thank God for your faithfulness and trust in Him.
And I can see you really are an awesome mommy from how you comforted Abbie and Caleb when they were feeling unwell and nauseated. Wow~~
Thank God for being with you during the trip and bring you guys back home safely. Thank you for sharing your story, love it!
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