We were taking my car back to my sister-in-law’s house from the dealership where I got an oil change when suddenly we heard a siren. We both pulled over in our respective cars as a police car skidded to a stop on the other side of the road. Unbeknownst to me, my sister-in-law had just witnessed another car careen through the upcoming intersection at full speed and land in the corn field next to the road. If she had been a little closer to that intersection . . . Thank God for his protection!
The policeman leapt from his car in a flash, gun drawn, shouting, “Get out of the car! Hands up!” And then a second police car pulled up, and a third, fourth, until there were probably a dozen police cars. Hmmm. Should we be here? As soon as we thought it was safe, we moved out of the area. Whew! That was tense. We never found out what was going on.
I almost made it home. Only one state away, in New Mexico, when GPS (affectionally known as Gertrude Penelopy Snodgrass) nonchalantly informed me that there were road closures ahead. She then reassured me that she would reroute me, but “There may be dirt roads.” What? I-40 westbound is CLOSED?! “How can you do that?” I asked Gertrude incredulously. Surely you jest!
Then I hit it. Just outside of the famous (infamous?) Clines Corners, the stopped traffic began. But we were creeping forward at times too, till we came to the exit GPS recommended I take. I prayed for wisdom. Remember that guy who followed his GPS into a remote spot in the woods where he got stuck and almost died? Well, I didn’t want to repeat the performance. “If the trucks take that route, I will too,” I told the Lord. Some of the truckers were taking the exit. I followed tentatively.
The road was paved, for the first portion. We headed north on a two-lane road for several miles until Ms. GPS instructed me to take a left (west) on, yep, you guessed it, a dirt road. Really? I could see the dust from the semis for miles into the distance. They were doing it too. So, I followed again. Have you ever followed a line of semis on a one-lane, washboard dusty road? Oh boy. When the wind was blowing out of the west there were times I could not tell if I was still on the road. GPS helpfully informed me, “Low visibility is reported ahead.” Yeah. You can say that again. No, never mind. Please don’t.
With much prayer, I managed to make it to the portion of the road that was paved. We followed that to a final road, heading back south to the Interstate. When we got to the Interstate again there was traffic coming from the east. Hmm. Maybe I should have waited. But, thank God, I didn’t end up a GPS statistic anyway.
I don’t suppose you would like to read a 50-page report on my summer, so I’ll refrain from giving too much more detail, but I must tell you I was blessed beyond description this summer! I endured a lot of traffic in the 7,777 miles traveled but never once was it in unbearable heat, and there was a fair amount of unbearable heat this summer, not to mention traffic. Twenty-seven times I had the opportunity to present the ministry of IBC. Twenty-five times I met with small groups or one-on-one with ministry partners. I had lots of family time in between things, or as part of my ministry visits. I was blessed with chiropractic care (Bless you, Dr. Dwayne!), a very helpful and healing massage (Bless you, Melissa!), and even a free hair trim! And there is nothing like a kayak for relieving stress (Thank you Ken and Kim!). Of course there were also lots of lunches, dinners, and even at least one breakfast.
Kelly (Learning Resource Director at IBC) joined me for a week so I could introduce her to some of my supporters and pass on some support to her. It was so fun to have someone from home in Flagstaff meet those from my home in Massachusetts!
Well, I could go on and on but let me just share a few photos for your enjoyment.
Maine coast
with Kelli on the ocean
whale watch in Plymouth Harbor
daily turkey visitors where I stayed most of the summer
beautiful flower
Barbour family (my third oldest brother’s daughter’s family)
Mehal family (my oldest brother’s daughter and her children)
Please pray with us now for God’s choice of new students for the Fall semester, which begins September 1st. Pray for the Administrative Team retreat taking place right now and for the staff retreat in mid-August. Pray we would draw closer to the Lord and to each other as we unite around our common goal of seeing God work in student lives for His glory. And PRAISE GOD FOR THE BEST SUMMER EVER! Thank you for helping make that possible! You guys are great!
Grateful (truly) and blessed,
Martha
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