A Series of Unfortunate Events

Recently, a group of us went jeeping about 45 minutes outside of Nederland, Colorado.  We woke early to find a beautiful day.  We all gathered in a parking lot with smiles on our faces awaiting the new adventure ahead.  We got a little late start from Denver and headed to Boulder where we met some of our crew.  This is when a series of unfortunate events begins and I believe it was in these events, God was testing us.

After filling up with the team, we thought one of the jeeps needed a new alternator [which in CJ-5 terms; would be 3 bolts –in and out].  A cop stopped to look at the jeeps and we asked of an auto store close by.  He pointed to the left and we headed out.  Of course, being in jeeps we missed the median in the middle of the road and were promptly pulled over for illegal turn and hopping the median.  This less than adequate median was barely visible and once on top of it realized but was already in the middle of traffic.  What other choice was there but to continue over.  What could have ended terribly bad, ended with the cops escorting us to the auto store with no ticket, warning, or such. 

The cops continued to chit-chat with our group and look over the jeeps.  They bought an alternator and this quick fix turned into a 4 hour process of wiring; re-wiring.  The men all tucked under the hood of the jeep and the women enjoyed a Dairy Queen Blizzard for breakfast as well as people watched.  Now, if you have never been in Boulder, the people-watching is phenomenal.  There are always some odd characters to make you giggle.  I feel we all did a very good job of entertaining ourselves.  God tested our patience and our attitudes.  We must have passed-VROOM! The jeep started and we were off to the trail about an hour away.

We stopped at the trailhead to eat a bite and take a potty break.  We were all still in great spirits as we filled our bellies and got even more excited about the journey ahead.  Hitting the trail, we immediately had a problem.  The jeep I was in popped a bead and then bent the rim.  The guys quickly got out the jack and spare, changed it and we were off.  The other trail riders patiently waited.  Even one of them let us use his other jack for better support.  Even though we had told the rest of our group to go ahead, they all jumped at the opportunity to help and informed us, “no man left behind.”  Of course, I had to chime in, “no woman left behind.”  God tested our togetherness.

We continued on the trail enjoying the scenery and group comradery.  We had another little pause when we had to switch out a battery, but that was quickly remedied.  We made it to the top after going through streams, mud puddles, being rained on, going from hot to cold to hot to cold time and time again, and all with good spirits.  The top was filled with lakes, snow capped mountains, and a landscape that made your mouth water.  We enjoyed a few beverages and snacks before we decided to cross a small lake.  Yes, a lake!

It was smooth sailing across this body of water as long as we stayed in the middle and followed the line the previous jeeps had set for us.  I even got the opportunity to drive through it with a little guided driving.  I have to say I was terribly nervous.  I looked at the pedals like they were some foreign objects; not remembering which was the gas or the clutch.  The adrenaline surged through my body as Chris calmly guided me through the waters.  “Let the transmission do the work, a little break, more gas.”  God was testing our team work.

We headed back down the trail when we realized the dark clouds quickly closing in.  It was about 6:30 p.m. and everything seemed to be going great until. . . “I think I ran out of gas”, one of the team members stopped short of a water hole and hill.  All we could do was laugh as this day had tested us so much, we could not expect anything less.  We waited for the leader to back down, tie the tow rope, and pull him down the rest of the way.  The other half stayed back to let the other trail riders pass, again!  God was saying,” slow down.”

It was getting dark and the rain had started to come down.  We were not even certain a gas station was open in the mom and pop place of Nederland.  We finished the trail and headed into town as a unit.  Four jeeps strong, we pulled in and filled up.  Upon filling up, we rearranged jeeps and bodies when we noticed the jeep out of gas, actually had a line break and this is why he ran out of gas.  AAA was called.

One hour until the flatbed arrived to take the jeep down to Denver, CO.  Two stayed behind and the rest of us scurried down the mountain in dark and fog ridden roads.  The city never looked as beautiful as we neared our end.  Our delirious minds trying to push our bodies to just make it our beds.  God got us all home safely.

Our comical trail of unfortunate events tested so much of what makes us human and what God would love to see within each of us: love, comradery, courage, strength, optimism, fun, humor, teamwork, and the drive to make it even in the worst conditions.  This team of people [some strangers, some best friends] found the best in the situation; enjoying every turn, bump, and stop in the road.  They got back up when something said just walk away.  It was not about how known we are, what we have or how much money we make.  God was constantly testing us.  He whispered metaphors all day,” Let go and crossover for me.”  Testing our ability to fulfill his purpose.

Sasha, Lana, Rich, Aly, Jen, Chris, Nicole, Ty, Shelley

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17