Tomorrow is the big day!

Shawn will be moving tomorrow. Please keep him as well as all of us in your prayers. Thanks!

Women of Faith Conference: A Grand New Day Part 1-Getting There

About 6 months ago I heard about the WOF conference in Rochester on FLN. I emailed my Mom and asked her if she wanted to go. Of course she said yes. We purchased tickets through FLN so we could take a bus. Our hotel was included as were some meals. I didn't realize how wonderful this conference would be. I didn't realize how much it would touch my heart. While there was a lot to take in and my memory cannot hold it all I know my heart soaked it up. Over the next few days and weeks I will be blogging about my experience at the WOF conference.

As many know I don't like to rush around in the morning. I prefer to have a few extra minutes to sit down, have some coffee and "play" on the computer. I got up bright and early on Friday morning (3:55 am) to get ready to leave at 5 because I had to drive the 1 1/2 hours to Painted Post to meet the bus. Yes, I drove 1 1/2 hours to get on a bus for another 1 1/2 hours for a trip that would have taken me 45 - 60 minutes to make from home. I did it so I didn't have to drive in the Rochester traffic but more so to spend additional time with my Mom. I left the house at 4:55 feeling good about leaving early enough and having time for a cup of coffee. I had intentions to stop and get McDonald's for breakfast and to go to the bathroom so I would not have to go on the bus. Well, the best laid plans often go awry. As I was driving down 414 right after Lodi I encountered a problem, a potentially big problem. God had me in His hands and protected me though. Cruising along (but not going much over the speed limit as I sometimes tend to do) all of a sudden 2 deer popped out. I slammed on the breaks (everything in the car went flying), squealed my tires and watched as the first deer stopped then tried hard to get her footing to get out of my way. It was then I heard that sick thump. Thankfully, it was not a loud thump but a softer one. Yep, I hit the deer. My first thought was "Great, here I have this 2 days planned and now it is messed up." The deer ran off. I am quite sure I did not hit it hard enough to kill it which I am very thankful for. I pulled over, grabbed my cell phone and got out of the Jeep. Walking to the front of the Jeep expecting the worst I dialed Dustin. Of course he was still sleeping so didn't answer. I looked at my Jeep and saw that I had broken the left turn signal cover (but not the bulb) and broken a piece of plastic off my bumper (had it been metal probably nothing would have happened). I called my Dad. He said to call 911 so I did. The woman was so nice and said she would send someone. That is when I really felt crestfallen. Great, State Troopers are always busy. I just knew they were going to take forever and I was not going to make the bus. I then remembered the fire siren that was going off a few miles before in Ovid...another sunken heart...everyone would be at whatever that was. Dad went to tell Mom I might be late. I told her not to hold the bus I would just drive up. I sat there for what seemed like forever but was actually only about 10 minutes. I was on the verge of tears because I thought for sure my plans were ruined. Oh ye of little faith! After about 15 minutes I saw lights in my rear view mirror. The State Trooper was there!!! It didn't take forever. While I was sitting there I looked for my registration and insurance card. My heart feel once again when I realized I did not have a current card. Great, a ticket too. The State Trooper was so nice. He took my information (told me not to worry about an insurance card because when he ran my information it would show if I had insurance) and went back to his car. A few minutes later he came back with my accident report. I thanked him profusely telling him I was meeting a bus. Of course he made a joke about how far out of the way I was going. I told him I was meeting and spending the weekend with my Mom. I thought were were done when he pulled out a black book and said "one more thing, I have to give you a ticket for killing a deer" (I had mentioned earlier I was more worried about the deer than my Jeep because I love animals.). I immediately started laughing and said "I didn't kill it!!" He said, "ok, a ticket for assault then." We laughed and he told me to have a nice day. What a nice gentleman he was. I looked at the clock. It was nearing 6:30. I knew that I need to get moving in order to catch the bus. Then it hit me...I absolutely had to go to the bathroom. If anyone has ever traveled 414 between Ovid and Watkins Glen you know bathrooms are limited at 6:15 in the morning. Thankfully I made it to Walmart and made a quick trip. My Mom had called me on a cell phone of someone we know so I returned the call to let them know where I was. A little while later at 7:03 I pulled in to meet the bus. Thank you, Lord! Why hadn't I trusted you? Again, oh ye of little faith! I boarded the bus and a few hours later we were in Rochester being dropped off at the Blue Cross Arena.

Stay tuned for part 2!



Not bad at all but probably expensive since we have to replace the entire bumper!