Oddessey2000

Well we are in memphis this morning. We stayed with the Snows last evening. Sister Snow is going to drive us halfway home and meet My mother and maybe my Brother-in-law and they will drive us the rest of the way back to Northern , Ky. I am not sure what we will do from there. THe future is still very uncertain. Please continue to pray for us. Times are rough.

Stephani's father-in-law just left his home to come and get us. and take us back to their home . n Memphis. He has other ideas to help us but this is amazing to me. famiily extends but it is still family!

I will keep you posted as tpo our plans and develeopments.

The van is totalled. not sure what I posted about the damage in the last post. The gas tank ruptered when the wheel broke. With the sparks that were flying we are lucky it din't ignite, blow up, and kill us all. (sending a thanks to Heavenly Father). The rear axle is destroyed along with the hub, brakes, and wheel. The issue now is that we cannot afford to rent a van drive to mcallen pay deposits and rent, and have mooney to live on till we are working and bringing in money. so my family is rentong vehicles and coming to rescue us. we will be riding back to Northern Kentucky with our tails between our legs. This is a definite low point but I am still grateful we are all safe and healthy and that we have family to help us out.

I have a picture of the damage, and will post it eventually but the Jurassic laptop I have will only accept 1 usb device at a time. Last night at about 1030 PM one of the rear wheels sheared of. It was everything I could doo to keep the van upright and get it of the road. the entire hub is destroyed. the rim and tire are MIA along with most of the brakes on that side. Everyone is safe and we are siting in a sing hotel room in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The annoying behaviors are already starting. I have it is going to be a VERY long day.

Just got an update. the gas tank was ruptured in the accident, has to be replaced. Could be Monday before everything until its fixed and ready to go. 4 days in a hotel room with 6 kids, 3 dogs, a cat and a guinea pig. Yummy. When will the hurting stop? to rent a Mini

Mary says we are going to rent a minivan and drive to Mcallen. Rent a house. then drive back up and pick up the van Tuesday. 36 hours total driving back and forth. Maybe even 39 hours. please pray for us.

Note that the clock has jumped forward a bit. WE are now looking at a Wednesday departure as opposed to Friday. We just need to beat the bad weather.

...bathroom. That's right. You read exactly what I meant to type. And yes there is a story behind it (who would have thought?). First I will give you some background. Today was ostensibly the last day of school for The kids. With the loading of the moving trailer looming this weekend, it was just time. This evening as we drove home from working at the Bishop's Sharehouse, Mary started a conversation with Mik that went something like this.

Mary: Hey Mik. Did you tell everyone this was your last day?

Mik: Yeah, I told Ms. Kirby.

Mary: Did anyone say goodbye?

Mik: Nah.

Mary: No one told you goodbye at all.

Mik: Ms. Kirby did. She said good bye.

Mary: None of your friends....

Mik: ...oh and Dannie shook my hand in the bathroom.

Mary: (side track here....remember the scene in "A Christmas Story" where Ralphie's mom told Flick's mom on the phone that Ralphie learned the F - - - word from Flick? Remember the garbled scream she uttered in response? Well that's pretty much the sound Mary made and I don't know how to spell it so...) What?!?

Mik: Yeah we shook hands.

Sean: (laughing)Thats my boy hand shakes at the urinal, probably before they washed their hands.

Mary: Well I hope you washed your hands first.

Mik: Yeah. After we washed our hands. We shook hands and then he gave me a hug.

Sean: (not laughing so much any more) Gave you a hug?

Mik: Yeah then we went back to class. He's my friend. And, Carter is going to be my pen pal and so will his brother Ellis.

Mary: Thats neat Mik.

Sean: Thats pretty cool bud.