I've given my husband some extra hugs and kisses this past twenty-four hours.
Because he spent the 48 hours prior to that on a bus, 30 of those hours stuck on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with two feet of snow between each vehicle.
P. led a group of 50+ from our diocese down to Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life on Friday. Thousands of people showed up to to walk down Constitution Avenue and be a voice for the unborn and for their mothers (and fathers!) who suffer physically and emotionally after an abortion. It's always a hugely powerful and inspiring event (which the media generally chooses not to cover despite the large numbers that show up -- hundreds of thousands) and I would have been there if the little bun in the oven was not causing so much morning sickness.
Instead, I was warm and well-fed at home when I got the message they were stranded on their way home from D.C., stuck on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with the snow coming down fiercely and trucks, cars, and buses stopped for miles and miles ahead.The next 30 hours proved to be challenging but so, so grace-filled for them-- and actually me as I heard the ways God was providing. It's such a beautiful thing when people pray and when God shows up in the midst of a tough situation. Looking back, the stories are just beautiful. God truly uses everything, and he orchestrates good from bad.
The #turnpikemass celebrated by a couple priests on a snow altar on the roadside with hundreds of people attending.
Students posting pictures of them brushing their teeth in the snow, their smiles joyful instead of fearful or complaining.
The firefighters and military bringing water and food supplies to the hundreds of vehicles stranded.
And finally-- an opportunity for P.'s bus to share their experiences with each other from the March for Life...and then the bus driver himself opening up about a past abortion his girlfriend had...mourning his loss and crying for his child. My husband was able to share with him about the mercy and love and healing of our God. I was particularly touched about this moment because of the way God loved this grieving man so much that he used the crazy storm to provide a moment for healing and renewal for the bus driver that might not have happened if they had simply driven straight home.
News reporters and writers published and aired multiple stories on the stranded group and even that had the fingerprints of God all over it. While the media typically doesn't cover the March for Life, they were sharing stories of it now and all were able to see the peaceful, joyful students and adults who were on the trip to stand up for every single life, that every life matters and has meaning.
P. and I celebrated his return last night simply, with Chinese food and football. (MSG-free for me!) But ever since his return, and as I process the pictures and the stories, I'm just overwhelmed by the way our God cares for us and provides for us. As His children...but also as an individual child. He loves us all and cares for us as family, but He also loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to be loved (St. Augustine). So beautiful. If I could rest more in God's personal love for me, I have a feeling it would change my life.
How was your weekend? Are you near the East coast or are you enjoying warmer weather? Where did you see God in your days?
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I'm so sorry your husband was stranded but what a beautiful story that came out of it! Thanks so much for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteYes, such a testament to how God always works all things for good!
DeleteI live in a suburb of DC and have been snowed in since the storm began. We're almost there, though, I think. Our neighborhood has been getting plowed out for the last couple of days... I heard about your husband's story via Facebook friends sharing stories and was blown away by the witness and beauty that happened on the turnpike, in spite of the hazardous conditions. Praise and thanks be to God!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's somewhat exciting and cozy to be snowed in there snug as a bug...although cabin fever probably happens too ;) Hope all are safe and warm!
DeleteI live in a suburb of DC and have been snowed in since the storm began. We're almost there, though, I think. Our neighborhood has been getting plowed out for the last couple of days... I heard about your husband's story via Facebook friends sharing stories and was blown away by the witness and beauty that happened on the turnpike, in spite of the hazardous conditions. Praise and thanks be to God!
ReplyDeleteLaura, are you feeling any better? Do whatever you need to in coping with that sickness!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is so powerful that the storm enabled your husband to speak with the bus driver about love and healing!!! God is so good :) God brought so many wonderful blessings out of that blizzard-I was particularly excited about the media coverage; it was such a nice surprise to see secular sources mentioning groups that were going to the March for Life! I am glad that many of them have made it back safely! I know it was a big time of grace, but also that there were lots of sacrifices and some stress, too-one of my friends, on her bus, was only allowed to leave the bus for 1 hour during the whole time they were stranded on the PA turnpike. Yikes! Over here in Oklahoma, I was enjoying my flip flops and 40-50 degree weather all weekend, but all the East Coast people have been in my prayers!
Yes, it was great to have more news coverage than usual! :)
DeleteYour weather sounds wonderful, I love Oklahoma!
I'm actually still feeling quite sick but my energy levels are improving so hopefully will be enjoying the second trimester in a week or two. :)
That's rough you're still feeling sick! Hang in there! I'm glad that your energy levels are improving, I'm sure that's a huge help :)
DeleteOh my goodness, I heard about the story of your husband and the bus driver on the March for Life's Facebook page a few days ago!!! I saw the photo and read the caption, and I remember it gave me goosebumps and I just thought how amazing and wonderful that was. I can't believe that was your husband's photo/story! :)
ReplyDeleteMy school drove 20+ hours to Washington for the March last Wednesday/Thursday, only to turn around and head straight back first thing Friday morning to avoid getting caught in the storm... so we drove over 40 hours total and did not go on the March. It was very disappointing, but it certainly made for an excellent sacrifice to offer up for the babies and an end to abortion.
Oh what a small world! That's neat that you saw the story! I loved seeing all the other stories, too. We felt so connected to all the Marchers!
DeleteSo true about the sacrifice to offer up even if you were unable to be at the March-- many graces from that!!
Oh my goodness! That's so scary. We live in Pittsburgh, and heard all about it as we were driving to a basketball game in the morning. I can't even imagine!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely made me realize how powerful storms/weather can be even in our modern world!! Thankful for all the military and firefighters working hard!
DeleteIt's so amazing how God's grace breaks through during those moments of discomfort and not being in control. That testimony of your husband ministering to the bus driver is awesome! To think it may not have happened if they would not have been stranded.
ReplyDeleteYes so true. Makes me wonder how many times I miss opportunities God is sending me in unexpected trials...
DeleteSo thankful he made it back safely! And what a beautiful illustration of how God takes care of us like you said. There were so many incredible stories! Hope you're feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks, sweet friend! I enjoyed seeing your updates on Facebook! You have such an amazing group of students!!
DeleteThe story about P and the bus driver is amazing! I also love the Turnpike Mass story. Really, every story coming out of this has been beautiful! What an amazing witness to life. -Jessica, Sweet Little Ones
ReplyDeleteYes, the pictures from the Mass were so beautiful! I love that Jesus can be physically present wherever there's a priest ready to celebrate Mass! :)
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