Weathering the Storm

What a morning! Our dear sweet Grandma/Mother/all around amazing person, Elaine, gave us tickets to her Exchange Club's annual Pancake Jamboree. This was to be an exceptionally fun treat because Elizabeth had a friend spend the night, so we would have 5 kids with us instead of our regular 4!! We go every year, and every year cars are lined up for blocks up and down the street around the Fraternal Order of Police building where it is held. As we loaded all 5 children in the car, we noticed the sky looked a bit threatening, though it had not begun to rain. As soon as we backed out of the driveway, the rain begun coming down. By the time we were half way there, it was starting to come down steadily. I told Tucker that I'm sure the rain will have scared many people away, and we would be able to find parking right up front near the building. Well, I was wrong. We turned the corner to see cars lined up and down the road as usual. I, in my infinite wisdom, found a spot between two trucks on the side of the road and chided Tucker to parallel park in between. (By this time, the rain was teaming) My ever-obedient hubby, unfortunately listened. Before he could straighten the wheels of the van full of children, we were stuck in inches of mud! I was convinced for some reason, that I would be able to "unstick" us. So, I got out, in the pouring rain, to go to the driver's side. My adorable, little red and white ballet flats instantly sunk in 3 inches of mud! Oops! At this point the kids were already complaining about the smell of "burning rubber" and being scared of the now loud claps of thunder and lightning. My poor husband--that is just what he gets for following my brilliant idea! At this point I began to panic just a bit. (As did Tucker, if he would ever really admit it!)
But then, the Holy Spirit came into our hearts and instantly calmed us. It was then I remembered, God was in control of this situation, not me, not Tucker. God would find a way. He always does.
I left Tucker in the car, with the 5 kids, and I ran down to the building to find Elaine. She immediately gave me her coat, (I was now completely soaked) and had her Exchange Club buddies on the case to help us. One man went to get his truck to pull Tucker out, one man was directing traffic away from our stuck van, and a sweet woman, traversed up the road with me to bring extra umbrellas and help me get the kids inside. Once inside, Elaine took the kids and made sure they had their food and drinks (all while holding Patchy) and the nice umbrella lady was drying their hair off with towels. Soon Tucker had become unstuck, and his breakfast and coffee was brought right to him. We sat down and laughed at how crazy all of this was. As Elaine was feeding Patch his mound of pancakes, another Exchange Club member, came to her and told her that there was a tornado watch! We just hunkered down a little longer until we could safely get the kids in the car and home.
What an adventure!
Tucker, as if he had read my mind, commented about how we would have handled the whole situation so differently not that long ago. Instead of trusting in the Lord to see us through, we would have stressed out, and yelled at each other, and probably ended up scaring the kids. It's amazing to me, that when you open your heart just a little to God's light, how He shines so very brightly and guides you. It is such a comfort to know that I am not in charge.