The Sunday of Snowdrifts,

or YOU TOO, CAN HAVE FUN IN THE COUNTRY.

It took us two tries at vehicles and two tries at routes, but we made it to church this morning, only 15 minutes late for Sunday School.

The gravel roads don't show up on the "Road Conditions" map, but let me tell you, they were a mess!

Looking north, you can see how the wind had drifted large fingers across, from west to east.
It's possible to get around on the right, or small side, but really, that section of drift on the left needs the V-shaped plow.

The road to the south was no better, with drifts going on into infinity.
These pictures were taken after we brought the mini-van back from our first attempt. We had turned east at Washington reformed church, but it soon became apparent that no plows had traversed this section. We only had two miles until the blacktop, but when we encountered a drift nearly to the vehicle's hood, Loren backed up to the crossroad and started north. This looked slightly more passable, but then Loren realized the minivan was leaking antifreeze, so we returned home.

Moby Dick, the large white 15-passenger van, miraculously started, and though we only had 4 kids with us--3 were home sick--we were able to travel north for several miles, before hitting another blacktop.

I'm pretty sure the only reason we got that far was because a farmer had made his way through the section north of the WRC.

About 15 minutes after returning from church, the plows finally went through. Ha.
______________

There's been a little change in plans for getting Kendra back to Grace. Originally, Loren was to drive her back tomorrow, but Sharon volunteered to meet him halfway--in Illinois--and then both could be to their prospective destinations by midnight, instead of Loren having to stay over and come back on Tuesday.

It mattered not that Ma, in her inimitable premonitionary way commented, "I have a bad feeling about this..."

It mattered not that Kendra, who had put off packing until later, suddenly had 40 minutes in which to gather her stuffs.

Kendra even brought up the fact that we'd told people at church she was leaving on Monday, so they wouldn't be praying until tomorrow...

The wheels of, "Let's get this over with, today!" had begun to grind, however, and there was no stopping them. Kendra could help Loren drive, and he'd take Ethan along to help him stay awake on the return trip (Ethan can talk the ear off a mule).

They left shortly after 4:00. Not long ago (5:45) I received a call..."Mommy? Have you heard anything on the news about bad roads? We ran into a patch of ice and have passed a LOT of cars in the ditch..."

*pause*

(so much for Kendra helping Loren drive. He won't let anyone touch the wheel if there's the slightest hint of dicey roads)

"You tell Daddy that I TOLD HIM I HAD A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS."

Small comfort.

Ma would appreciate your prayers on their behalf.
 

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