Too Much Excitement for One Week!

Following Steve's good example, I was out visiting one of my 'elderlies' (she is 87ish) and was returning home after dark, when a deer decided to run out into the road within 1.5 miles of home. I braked, it turned away, but we still impacted. It was a solid 'thud' as we hit; fortunately no air bags deployed and I was able to drive home - after I checked out the damage. I admit, I did leave the deer laying on the median, legs still kicking slightly. I came home and filed an online claim with USAA.

They called on Monday to follow up. Seems there is no authorized repair facility in my area, so they have to send an adjuster out which they explained takes 24-48 hours. Once I have that estimate, I can take it to the shop of my choice for repair. And, they will cover the cost of a rent car only while my car is in the shop. That was unfortunate since I had planned to travel to St Louis to attend the temple Tuesday and spend the night; already had a room reserved. While I could probably cut the flapping portion of the bumper off, I did not feel comfortable driving an undiagnosed wounded van 500 miles. So I paid for a rental car and drove to the temple Tuesday AM. Was able to get several ordinances completed and felt good about being there. Then, for old time sakes, I went to Denney's for my favorite meal: breakfast.

Was up Wednesday, breakfasted at the hotel and at the temple by 9 AM. Completed two more endowment sessions before heading home. In between the sessions, I had time to ponder/pray in the celestial room, which resulted in a very sacred spiritual moment for me; it was like having a bottle of 'Peace and Calming' poured over me. On the way home, the check engine light on the 2020 Chevy Equinox came on. I called the Enterprise agent in Mountain Home; he was not much help (it was 445 PM). So I just came on home and had no difficulty. An interesting item: I pulled into a gas station to top off the tank and could not find an access door release. I spent several minutes looking; no where to be found. Then I thought:  ask Google. Did you know all you have to do is push on the access door and it pops open? And there is no gas cap; just a rubber flap that the gas hose pushes open when inserted. Seems to me anyone could pour something in the tank.

Spent Thursday morning getting caught up on home stuff and then drove the truck to Deborah's. Sarah's school was presenting a veteran's day program on Friday and her band was playing and she invited me to come. So I did. I was impressed with the program which lasted about 90 minutes. The band was superb - not at all what I remember sounding like when our junior high school band played. And the choir was equally talented.

They had four speaker representing the four service branches. The Army was represented by an activity duty Army National Guard's man; he was the most animated, but then he was a recruiter! The Marine Corps was represented by a captain that flew CH-46s in Viet Nam. I was able to visit with him briefly; he only spent five years in the Marine Corps and got out about the time I went in. It was an excellent program. I did learn that the CH-46 was retired a couple of years ago; a milestone in the 1990's we did not believe could happen. 

Hailey had a rough night and took an early nap on the couch:

Not sure what happened to fall this year. We went from hot weather, had a few days of transition when the trees started turning color, and then the cold hit. The leaves have not wasted time falling so the pretty colors did not last long. And today is 74 degrees; but Monday we could get a wintry mix and will have temperatures in the teens. Lows for the rest of the week range from 17-26 degrees.

Saturday was mainly spent in scanning photos and documents. The more I scan, the more I find. Guess the gradual cleaning out of desks and bookshelves turns up more items of importance. That evening I was able to get a ride to West Plains for the evening session of Stake Conference. Received some excellent council concerning ministering from several people, all with a different emphasis, but it all came back to disciplining ourselves to act as the Savior would in every situation we find ourselves in. Our initial response to discord or another's need, or friendly encounters should be acting out of love and not hate. Which means we need a lot of practice. Elder Curtis, an area 70  shared just how much God loves us; we underestimate just how much that is. He shared an example when as a stake president he needed some inspiration, and it wasn't coming. As he pleaded for an answer, the thought occurred that he needed to repent; and then what he needed to repent off (something minor); God could not reveal the needed answer since he wasn't clean enough to receive it. Once he repented, he got the answer he needed..

Today we were counseled to promote and elevate our faith in the Savior. Faith leads to repentance which ultimately leads us to be a covenant people. We were reminded that we can strengthen others by inviting them into our homes. And Elder Curtis encouraged us to have practical faith; if we have any eye of faith, we can see as God does.

Oh, the van is still sitting in the driveway waiting for the adjuster to come look at it. I called on Wednesday and was told the adjuster had been canceled - evidently a glitch in the system. So they rescheduled it. When I followed up on Friday I was told something a little different. Bottom line: van still isn't any closer to getting fixed than it was a week ago. Good thing I have a 1930 Ford as a backup vehicle! Late news update: the adjuster just called and will be out in the morning! Hurray.

Have a great week!