Police flares

*Note: this blog is an excerpt from a blog on www.myspace.com/willetonline - but this was my favorite part :)

I am currently in the van on our 22 hour drive home from Nebraska to Maryland. Unfortunately, a blizzard quickly moved into Iowa overnight, and the last night of the tour had to be cancelled - but Iowa, we shall return soon! :)

Of course, it wouldn't be the Christmas tour if we didn't have some sort of vehicle trouble. If you remember last year, our transmission blew leaving us stranded for 5 days in Ohio. Last night, we left Nebraska to try to beat the snow and had been driving for about 4 hours when we lost all power, brakes, acceleration, lights, etc and slowly drifted to the side of the road in the snow. We had blown our alternator and were stuck :( After being on hold with AAA for an hour, we called 911 to get help because it was -5 degrees and snow was starting to fall. Long story short, we got towed, slept in a hotel for a few hours while the van got fixed and are back on the road.

Special thanks to the policeman that stopped to ask us why we didn't have our hazard lights on while we were on the shoulder. (Note: we did have a flare out behind us that another cop had given us in Pennsylvania - but it was starting to burn out - this is an important part of the story)....

I would like to point out that

1. When you blow an alternator - you very rarely have any power in your vehicle at all and ...

2. Don't ever ask a cop for a flare because we did and he replied saying "I can't give them to you because police flares are special."

Really?????????? ........like....Seriously?!!!????? Funny - because the one we were using was from a cop!

(sorry - a little bitter and a little sleep deprived from this long drive....but nonetheless...really?)

Homeless in Ohio...

Yesterday, we were on the road traveling to Sidney, OH. We were pulling off at an exit to grab something for lunch when we spotted a man and a woman on the sidewalk with a sign that said "homeless, please help." As we sat at the stoplight, I asked Justin to grab any food he could find from the back of the van. We pulled up a bit and safely pulled over on the shoulder. I walked up to the couple and asked them if they could use some food. They graciously received it and we began talking a little.

I asked them if they were ok and if they needed anything else. They told me about how he was trying to find a job, and came to live with his brother, however, his brother moved and left them on the street. Unfortunately, as they talked, I could smell alcohol on their breath, but I wasn't going to judge them - especially without knowing the extent of their situation.

I told them that I was sorry I couldn't do more, but that I would be praying for them. We shook hands and I walked back to the van. My prayers go out for them tonight as the temperature outside dips below 30 degrees.

I normally miss these kind of people, but today, God reminded me to notice those around me - especially those in need, and he provided an opportunity for me to serve them. I wish I could have done more. Maybe I could have. But my prayer is that a seed was planted and I am asking God to grow it....