Laurisa's Light group starts out their performances talking about how life is a highway with bumps, wrong turns, exhilaration and reaching our destination. That is one of my favorite songs they sing. Well this weekend we were tested on the highway of life. I could wrap up my weekend into a good talk on the meaning of life with it's trials and hardships and what the eternal plan of happiness is all about. It was one of those shear learning experiences that required a lot of faith and miracles occurred. It was an incredible experience that taught me amazing lessons in faith and realizing that if we listen to the Spirit we will be watched over and blessed.
Laurisa called me on the way home from my friends cabin and asked if she could drive the van to California. I would have said yes, except I had a horrible feeling come over me, so I called the director to find out what the situation was and he asked if I would drive some of the group in my van. I agreed with a moment's notice, we left the next morning at 6 a.m. Down the highway about 4 hours going 78 miles an hour with 6 young adults in the van we had a tire blowout. Yes our tire was in shreds. It was definitely a trial but we were all safe. About 2 hours later the boys changed the tire and had a new one put on and we were on our way to Six Flags. I am so glad that I listened to my feeling because I don't know if Laurisa would have had the experience as a driver to get over 4 lanes with cars passing going 85 miles an hour with a blown out tire.
We had such a wonderful time at Six Flags and the beach! It was a lot of driving in crazy L.A. traffic though. The whole time I kept saying to myself that I was so glad that I was driving and not my daughter. The traffic was insane and caused us to take 4 hours to get to a beach that was 60 miles away. I drove 22 hours in a 48 hours period. It was worth every minute of stressful traffic just to be in the midst of these amazing individuals. I love each one of these Young Adults. They are truly inspiring and have amazing faith. I also have never laughed so hard! This group knows how to have fun and they always make you feel better about yourself being around them.
We had a true miracle happen on the way home. We left L.A. before the rest of the group so we could get home around midnight. We had a quick stop in Indio California and as we left I noticed the gas gage was on empty. So we looked at the GPS and it said there was a gas station 20 miles away. I knew we were good because my car can go about 25 miles when the gas light goes on. So we were so relieved to take the gas exit when we no sooner noticed there was not a working gas station. It was all boarded up. Cars were circling looking for gas. We got back on the freeway heading toward Blythe and looked on the GPS to see where the nearest gas station was and it said 60 miles. At this point I didn't know what to do. I knew there was no possible way the van could go 80 miles with out gas. So I asked everyone including calling Wade what we should do. It was unanimous, they all said we have to have faith and we'll make it. They all said a prayer and the most peaceful feeling came over me. I knew at that point we would make it. It truly was a miracle when we rolled into the gas station in Blythe 80 miles after the gas light came on. I know it was the faith of these amazing Young Adults. I have never felt so blessed and so protected.
The gas station worker said more people run out of gas on that freeway between Indio and Blythe. We truly witnessed a miracle, thanks to prayers and amazing faith.
This is one of my favorite pictures that Wade took. It was the view out our window of the old Catholic Church. It looks like a painting! I loved the old bell tower that sounded every hour.
If you are ever in Albuquerque the Sandia Peaks are a must see. They have the longest Tram in the world. It is 11,000 square mile panoramic view and 10,000 feet above sea level. It is breathtaking to look out at this lush but rugged landscape. Wade and I ate at the restaurant at the top. It had the most amazing view of the whole city.
