Some of you may remember just after the first of the year (2022) when I wrote about picking up the three young people whose car broke down on a remote road in the mountains. We were so blessed to be able to help them. And it turns out this past week was our turn to be rescued and blessed by another person.

Last week, we had our two youngest grandsons visiting and planned to take them camping. We got the truck and camper ready for the four-hour trip to the mountains. On the way north, we pass through a deep canyon and then begin the climb into the high country. Several miles out of the canyon, our truck quit. We had enough power to get off the road but that was it. 

We climbed from the truck into the 99° heat and found there was zero cell reception. No way to call for help. No real shade and even in the little shade around it was still stiflingly hot. We were miles from any city and there were no houses anywhere close.

But I prayed and God provided one blessing after another. First, a man on his way home from work, stopped and gave us a ride. He made room in his small car for the boys’ car seats, my husband and I, and our dog. He took us to the nearest town (over 40 miles) and helped find a place that could tow our camper.

He didn’t stop there. While my husband arranged the tow, I called about a rental car and found a motel for the night. Our rescuer played an I Spy game with the boys while we made these calls. He even invited us to bring the boys over to play with his sons while we were stranded but we didn’t get to do that.

Finally, he took us to the rental car place and saw that we were taken care of and helped us move the car seats and dog to our rental. He was truly an angel sent from God. (Just days earlier we heard about someone breaking down in the desert and they didn’t survive the heat while trying to get help.)

Our trip was sidelined since no one could fix our truck or even look at it for a few days. Still, there was one blessing after another. The car rental place was about to close, but stayed open and had a car on hand that fit us even though it was a small town. Most hotels were booked, but I found one with openings, but all the pet friendly rooms were booked. When I explained the situation, the woman figured a way to get us a room for the night.

The towing company towed our truck to the repair place and then took our camper to their side yard for the night until we could find a place to set up the camper. Most places were full but we found one a few miles out of town that had a spot for us. The tow company took our camper there the next day and didn’t even charge any extra. 

People said our vacation was more of a nightmare, but I replied that it was an adventure. An adventure with God. I had so many opportunities to point out to our grandsons how God was working on our behalf. He kept us safe. He provided in extraordinary ways. We had fun—not the fun we had planned—but still a lot of fun.

This trip will be as memorable as picking up those stranded young people on that freezing mountain pass. It’s amazing to see how God works in our lives. We can keep watch, even in times that appear to be headed toward disaster, and see His hand at work. I am so thankful. 

I pray that you see the way God works for you even in tough times.