What a morning! An Incredible Adventure!

I thought yesterday was a great adventure.  Truly, it was.  I posted on social media that it was a great day.  I met a new friend and got to "kick" him in prayer, learn about him and his story, share some resources with him.  I also had lunch with my Mom and brother.  I got to hang out with my husband on his lunch break that they now get at work.  I spoke with two pastors on the phone yesterday, one who is retiring and is at the churches I am projected to go to and another in South Carolina who is also a spiritual director and in Hearts on Fire.  I attended my kid's final middle school band concert last night and that was a super blessing!  Then I came home to a fire in the fire pit.  Ah, what an adventure yesterday was!

Today did not need to try to out do yesterday.  This is not "Survivor".  Though, after this morning, I can definitely reiterate that my life is TRULY an adventure.

Here is the devotional I read from Jesus Calling this morning as I started my day:

I knew my choice-points-- walking, TKD (taekwondo), Bible Study, homework, a meeting this evening.  I was reminded here to make choices one at a time.  Not a problem.

I captured a beautiful picture of the sunrise from my deck and posted this on Facebook before my morning walk:

"A new day is dawning. A wonderful cool breeze. I have to finish exegetical notes for an assignment. The other thing on my mind today is my first staff parish meeting at my projected appointment. Tonight I meet them and they meet me. This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Holy Spirit, you are welcome here!"

I went walking at the Greenway.  I met up with my walking partner, Heather, and off we went.  We ran into another black belt, Dana, and walked and chatted with her for a while.  After our walk, my car battery was dead.  Just like had happened to us on vacation in Florida a few weeks back (an adventure I didn't share with too many folks, though I did post on Facebook).

I got out the jumper cables and connected them to Heather's car.  I shared my morning devotional with Heather, laughingly.  I figured I would take the car to get it looked at because the folks in Florida said it was okay.

On my way to the mechanic, right smack dab on Hixson Pike before you get to Big Ridge road traffic light, my car died.  Dead.  I stopped for the light and it just died.  I noticed when the light turned green.  I turned on the hazard signals, but there was no reaction.  TOTALLY DEAD.  Not wanting to get hit from behind, I hopped out and started directing traffic like an airport person, waving folks over to the other lane.  (I was in the left hand lane.)  Lauren, a manager at Starbucks who was about to go hiking, came out and helped me direct traffic while I called 911.  I got my insurance information out of the car to call a tow truck.  Somehow the car automatically locked when I closed the door.  I didn't know that until several people were going to help move the car out of the street. 

Lauren and I waved off traffic while waiting for the police.  I didn't want someone to hit a stopped car.  The hazard lights finally came on, but because of the sunshine, you couldn't see them.   And, evidently it was difficult to see two woman waving down traffic at times too.  Then Shannon showed up.  Even three women are difficult to see.  Shannon and Lauren were life savers.  A friend from church, Laura, stopped to ask if we needed anything.  There really wasn't anything to be done.  There were several offers to move the car, but with it locked.  OOPS!

Finally, the police man came and gave us a protected blue light barrier.  My first words to him?  Can I kiss you?  That probably shocked him.  I meant on the cheek.  That's how grateful I was.

Lauren took off to go hiking (I can't wait to hear about her adventures) and Shannon went to work.   Thank you ladies!

With the policeman there I called my husband at work to call the wrecker.  I didn't have their number programmed.  Nor was I going to take the time to go through insurance and wait any longer.  There is a time and place for that.  Today wasn't it.

You see, today is my initial interview with my first projected assignment.  I am projected to the GAP Parish and I meet this evening with the staff parishes of the three churches.  Initially I was only to meet with the staff parish of the Parish, but we are all getting together.  That is cool!  But today of all days for my car to die?!?!  And to die not once, but twice?!?!  And in the middle of Hixson Pike?!?!

After I make the phone call about the towing truck, the policeman invites me to sit in the cruiser, in the back.  COOL!  As I'm back there, I faintly here something about amazing grace.  Hmmm.... sounds like faith music.   I asked him what the radio was and he responded 88.9.  That he keeps it there.  I knew that to be Moody Bible Radio.   I mentioned that God sent me a fellow kingdom walker to my rescue.

We continued to talk off and on as we waited for the tow truck.  I asked his name.  He said, Martin.  Martin Santos.  I caught my breath.  I switched over to Spanish and in Spanish, said to him, then I guess you speak Spanish.  We spoke Spanish for a moment or two.  I told him that not only did God send me a fellow kingdom walker, but God sent me an angel who spoke Spanish.  On the day that I go meet with my first (projected) churches, God sent me someone who speaks Spanish.  Wow!! 

Why does that mean something to me?

I continue to be amazed, frankly, that God has called me into pastoral ministry and that God has continued to affirm CLEARLY my gifts and graces to and for the Hispanic people.  Yet, I haven't seen things work out.  But, obviously things are working in the darkness, in the cocoon, back behind the scenes where I cannot see.

My two year bilingual Academy experience affirmed my calling with Spanish over and over again.

After talking with Martin, he said that if I had told him I spoke Spanish when he first saw me, he would have responded with 'yeah, right... it's going to snow.'  Remember, I don't look latina.  I only am one by heart, «por corazón».   God used Martin to affirm my calling this morning.  Wow!  Tears literally came to my eyes when I realized that this policeman spoke Spanish and was puertorriqueño.  Spanish is my heart language.  My heart was overwhelmed and blessed this morning.

The tow truck came.  Somehow the car was thankfully in neutral and they were able to load it.  I asked Martin for a ride to BiLo so I could get my husband's car and the other set of my car keys to take to the mechanic.

I got to ride in the back seat of the cruiser!

Before Martin left, I asked if I could pray for him.  I didn't have the guts to ask if I could "kick" him. ☺  I also asked if he knew "tic tac" and passed along a message of greeting for him. ☺

If you think you saw me standing in my Dalton High t-shirt today on Hixson Pike in front of the BP Kangaroo, you did.  That was me.

me, back at home, safe and sound

There were a few moments that I didn't think I would still be here.  But, like I said, I didn't want my car to get hit or others to get hurt and cause more of an issue.

God is good.  I experienced God as protector today.  I experienced God as guide today.  I experienced God as messenger today.

Thank you God for the messages, the guidance, and the protection.

Thank you for all the hands and feet that offered help and that stayed by my side today.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for each of you.

Gracias, Señor, por siempre estar conmigo.  Thank you, Lord, for always being with me.

Life truly is an adventure for me.  There are days when it is more adventure than I could bargain for, but I will live into it the best I can.  My morning post on Facebook?!?!  Am I still rejoicing?!?! You bet I am.   To rejoice is a choice.  Regardless of the circumstances, I can rejoice and count it all joy.

How is your adventurous journey going?

Blessings and peace!

Debra  ☺