The Beauty that Surrounds Us

Six months! Six months since my last blog post! My goodness I have a lot of catching up to do.

Where in the world do I start? First, three of those months were spent at home. Yep, some might say that I had me a nice three month vacation...well, that couldn't be farther from the truth. I was ready to get back in the truck just so I could have a vacation. From the time I got home until the time I left back out again it was go, go, go! I am always amazed at God's goodness. I can be gone for months and months and not have any requests to make a sign but as soon as I start home, I begin getting requests like crazy. The Lord knows how I like to stay busy when I'm home without Carlos and He certainly made sure that boredom or depression did not have room in my life for those three months. The next time I stay home though He and I are going to have a little talk cause I'm telling you...I was exhausted! It was a good exhaustion and I am thankful for all the work but still a nap every now and then should would have been nice.

I also started a new business with Rodan + Fields...it's clinically proven anti-aging skincare lines created by the same Drs. that created Proactiv. (Yes, I had to get a little plug in.) So, between getting my business started, making signs, church and family, I was a busy girl. What's the saying, "No rest for the weary!" Nope this weary little chick didn't get much rest at all. But, I wouldn't have had it any other way! I told Carlos when I got back in the truck not to expect any work out of me for two weeks. I was on vacation! Yea, that didn't happen either!

My mama asked me one time why I never write blog posts when I am home. "You don't have anything interesting to write about when you're home?" is actually what she said to me. "Yes, I do! I just never seem to have the time to sit down and do it." I was thinking about that question one morning as I was out walking when the Lord started pointing out all the beauty around me and said, "Lynne, here's your next post. I really think He meant for me to write it as soon as I got back home but sometimes I just don't catch on as quickly as I should. So here we are a couple months later but it's as fresh in my mind as the day I took that walk. I am always left in awe as we travel around this beautiful country of ours but on that early, crisp, overcast morning God showed me that I don't have to travel to the west coast or to the east coast or through the Rocky Mountains or the Great Smoky Mountains to see His beauty....it's right there out my front door! It wasn't just the things I could see but it was the sounds all around me as well. It was the beauty of dew glistening on a shiny, green, heart shaped leaf...the cows as they grazed in a green pasture and watched my every move as I walked past them...the wild flowers that grew in the ditches...the enormous oak trees that stood tall and strong...the rustling of the water as it flowed across the rocks in the little creek...the heart shaped rock on the dirt road...the birds as they sang to one another and after a very long walk it was a house that we call home! It's nothing grand or extravagant but it's where memories are made, stories are told and an overflowing  abundance of love is shared.

 

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God!" NIV  We get so busy and so caught up in our everyday lives...in just being...just doing...that we forget to stop to listen to God's voice or see His beauty that surrounds us even when it's out our front door. One of God's most beautiful creations is nature. Through nature, God is able to speak to us, teach us, and provide for us. Job 12:7-10 says, "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." NIV

I challenge you today and everyday to stop what you're doing and just be still...listen for God's still small voice...see the beauty that's right out your front door; whether it be the sounds of the birds, the sweet smell of the blooming flowers, the artwork of a sunset or sunrise, the wind blowing softly through the trees, or the sound of your children laughing and always remember that "The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." Psalm 33:5 NIV

Till we meet again!
Only By Grace!
Lynne

Thankfulness

Let the new year begin!

Carlos and I brought in the new year at our 2nd home...The Dixie Inn fuel stop in Minden, LA. Our original plan was to go to Shreveport and watch the fireworks but it was cold, cold, cold and raining. Now, we already don't like the cold and we certainly don't like the cold in the rain so it didn't take us long to decide that fireworks in Shreveport were out of the question. We spent a nice cozy night snuggled up on our wee tiny couch in our truck watching fireworks out the front windshield that were being shot off in the park across the woods from us. We also watched the greatest band ever on tv playing live in Mobile, AL...The Village People...NOT!!! And who needs to see The Ball drop in NYC...not us...we saw something even better. We watched a moon pie drop in Mobile. Now people really...The Village People and a falling moon pie...what could be better!

New Year's Day...I don't know about you but the New Year's Day lunch is a very important lunch. Our parents have drilled in us that no matter what, we must have black-eye peas, collard greens, rice and cornbread. The black-eye peas are for good luck and the greens are for money; the rest, I guess just goes good with the other. Well, just because we were in the truck didn't mean this year was going to be any different...except maybe for the collards. I'm sorry but those things stink to high heaven. I can't stand the smell of them in my house and the thought of stinking up LC was...well, it wasn't going to happen. I'd probably still be smelling those things today. Thank goodness it's all superstition or else we would be busting our hineys for nothing. We did have a very good meal though. I cooked some stew beef with carrots and potatoes, rice, black-eye peas and cornbread. I kinda skimped out on dessert so Carlos went to the Huddle House and bought us a hot fudge brownie cake with ice cream. He asked me if I wanted to share one or have one by myself. "REALLY...I want my own!" It was surprisingly very good. We hate we missed spending the day with our family but as long as we are together...all is good!

We loaded January 2 in Minden with another control building for the Solar Farm. Back to Boulder City, NV we went. If you remember this is the farm that is built in a Tortoise sensitive area with the Tortoise Crossing signs. I was so hoping I'd get to see a crossing Tortoise this time but once again no Tortoise in sight. Maybe next time. We successfully unloaded in Boulder City and loaded right back going to....CONNECTICUT. I do believe we have lost our minds. Y'all know we do not do cold! You are probably asking the same question I kept asking, "What were we thinking?" Originally, we thought it was the money talking but we later realized it was the Lord.

Timothy took an extra week of vacation so he didn't leave when we did. He left the following week taking a control building to Boulder City. He loaded on Friday along with several other trucks and on Sunday morning while in New Mexico sleeping...WHAM! A super trucker decided Toot's truck needed a little remodeling. He ripped the front bumper off, tore the lights out and messed up the fender. I know accidents happen but when they do most people stop and check things out...not this driver, he kept right on going. I do not understand how someone can be so inconsiderate, disrespectful and just plain sorry. I am so thankful that Timothy wasn't alone. The drivers with him also heard the commotion and jumped out of their trucks to try and stop the hit and runner but to no avail.  Do you remember the episode of the super trucker hitting us and me getting out in the freezing cold with just my pajamas on...Timothy is a lot like his mama! It was freezing...in the 20's and he jumps out with just his jeans and a jacket on...no socks, no shoes, no shirt. One of the drivers with Timothy unhooked his truck and trailer and told him to get in. They knew which way the trucker went so they off they went, to track him down. They even went to the New Mexico scale house to see if the truck could be seen on video but of course, the video camera wasn't working. Now picture this! Timothy standing there talking to the DOT with no socks, no shoes and no shirt. He is very proud of his truck and works hard to keep it looking good and when an A-1 driver hits his truck and keeps going the last thing on his mind are clothes. The DOT rode down to the truck stop, wrote up the accident report and told Toot what he had to do for his truck to be legal on the road. Instead of spending his day off relaxing, he and the other drivers spent most of the day patching, bending and fixing his truck so it would be road legal again. Then on Tuesday...yep, there's more...his truck broke down in Flagstaff, AZ. Once again, Carlos and I are so thankful he wasn't alone. I think there were six or seven trucks traveling together to Nevada and when Timothy said he was having problems and hit the shoulder, they all hit the shoulder. They looked at his truck and advised him on what to do. They helped him find a good shop and tow truck and even pulled his trailer to the nearest truck stop. All of those drivers with Toot were under permitted loads and could only travel during the daylight hours. There wasn't a lot of daylight left when all this happened but they stayed and helped. One of the drivers even stayed at the truck stop to keep an eye on his trailer until we got there. Why in the world can't everybody be like these guys? It really isn't that hard to be polite, kind and helpful.

Our load put us on the same interstate as Toot and when his truck broke down we were only about 70 miles from him. This my friends is when we realized it wasn't the money talking to us it was the Lord. You see, we try not to go to Connecticut in the summer, y'all know how much we dislike working the north east. So us taking a load in the dead of the winter is nothing short of the work of the Lord. Some may say it was luck or a coincidence that our path crossed with Timothy's but I do not believe in luck or coincidences. I believe that it is all God. I have said it before and I'll say it again...His timing is perfect!

Sitting at the truck stop and watching your son's truck pass by hooked to a wrecker is not a pleasant sight. We were able to postpone our delivery date by one day which gave us time to take Toot's load to Kingman, Az where one of the drivers that had been with him earlier met us and picked up the trailer. This driver drove all the way to Boulder City, dropped his trailer and drove back to Kingman to get Toot's trailer so his load could be delivered on time...that is team work. After spending three days in the shop and a boat load of money he finally got his truck back, went and got his trailer and has now reloaded headed back to Georgia so his buddy at Real Life Kustom Services can get that baby looking good again. We are now on our way to Connecticut for a Tuesday delivery and then we are off to Chicago, IL. Ok, Lord you know we are not cold weather people. Timothy is going home, we have no family up north so please send us back to the warm weather. One trip up north is enough.

I have to share...when Timothy was riding with Carl for his training, I had several people ask me why I stayed home and didn't go with them. My answer was...."Are you kidding me? Carlos, Toot, me and Spice all in that truck! I don't think so!" Well, we experienced a little bit of what it would have been like. Toot stayed with us Tuesday night in the truck...yep, all three of us. The plan was for him to sleep on the cushions on the floor...well, things do not always go as planned. Since I am the shorter, smaller of the three guess who got the floor...you guessed it...ME! On top of that, I had to use a towel for a pillow because someone forgot to get theirs. When we were trying to get settled for the night Toot said, "Y'all really didn't think this thing through did ya?" Not sure we were thinking at all! He and Carlos both offered to sleep on the floor but I said I'd take one for the team...although, neither one of them offered me their pillow. I read something the other day that said Your children may get older and grow up but they will never be grown. Some of you may think we baby Timothy too much or we need to cut the cord. We don't baby him...we love him, we support him, we encourage him, we pray for him, we are proud of him and as long as Carlos and I are on this earth we will do whatever we can to be there when he needs us. I don't care how old you are, you are never too old for your mama and daddy. My parents have traveled many, many miles for us and Carl and I will always do the same for our Toot Toot.

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

No matter what our circumstances we are to give thanks to the Lord. It is easy to give thanks when life is running smoothly but it takes faith, love, commitment and trust in the Lord to give thanks when life hits a brick wall or takes a curve too sharp for us to handle. It is so easy to sit around and sulk during our troubled times but it is during those times that we get our strength and perseverance to carry on through Christ Jesus. Instead of having ourselves a little pity party, as Christians, we are to keep our minds focused on Christ and give thanks for His goodness, mercy and grace. It doesn't matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to be thankful for. Expressing our thankfulness to our Lord is the first thing we should do each day. Giving thanks for the sunset...the sunrise...the rain...the snow...the voice of our loved ones, the test that came back negative...the healing of a loved one...the birds chirping...the laughing of a child...finding your keys...the touch of a tiny baby...the food on the table...nothing is too big or too small for God. Expressing our gratitude and thankfulness puts a smile on His face and shows our love for Him. I know the things that Timothy went through did not directly happen to me but they did affect me. I am thankful that Timothy wasn't riding down the road when his truck was hit. I am thankful that he wasn't hurt when he got hit. As bad as the damage is, I am thankful that it isn't worse. I am thankful that when his truck broke down he was in Flagstaff and not in the middle of nowhere. I am thankful Carl and I were able to be there for him when he needed us. I am thankful for the truckers with him who stayed and helped.

Timothy's year did not start off the way he had hoped. He went from smiling and laughing to being upset, depressed, frustrated and stressed in the matter of just a few hours which he had every right to be...he's human. Things in life happen that are completely out of our control. What matters is how we let those life mishaps affect us. We can choose to live a life that is filled with sadness and a why me attitude or we can refocus our hearts and minds to the love of our God. We can choose to live a life of thankfulness even in the midst of troubles. Timothy didn't let his troubles get the best of him. He is right back to his crazy, funny self. Although, he probably wants to put a sign on the front of his truck that says "Caused by an A-1 trucker." The idea of people thinking that he doesn't take care of his truck or the fact that it doesn't look "SHARP" drives him crazy. But in just a few weeks, it'll be a sharp good looking truck again.

Til we meet again!
Only by His grace,
   Lynne

Memories

New day. New month. New year. New adventures.

Where in the world did 2014 go? Wasn't last night January 2014 and today it's already January 2015. My how time flies the older you get and when you're having fun!

While reflecting back on 2014 all I could think about was how blessed I am and what a great year it was. Yes, we had our troubles but our blessings far out weighed our difficult times. Saying goodbye to our sweet little Spice Girl in March was the most difficult thing I was faced with. It is amazing at how those little four-legged babies can touch our hearts. There still isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about that little girl. Then there were a couple of times that LC just wanted to act plain stupid. Not sure why he insisted on breaking down and making us spend a lot of money on him. I know he wants a little TLC also, and we do give him plenty, but when he makes us dig deep...and I mean DEEP into our pockets...it's time for a talk and maybe even a change. Our goal this year...sorry LC but we may just have to say goodbye and hello to a newer and less needy LC.

When I think about the blessings and the grace that was shone upon us this past year, I am brought to my knees. In April, My Love said goodbye to that horrible, stinky, life threatening thing called smoking. I am so very proud of him! I know it is a struggle for him but prayer and the Lord got him to put them down and prayer and the Lord will continue to get him through each day and each temptation of wanting to pick another one up.

In July, Carlos and I actually spent our family vacation time on vacation. For the past several years something has happened that caused us to either be late or have to leave early or him not getting to go at all. But this time we arrived on the same day as everyone else and we all left the same day. What a blessing it was to spend the week resting, relaxing and enjoying time with the rest of our family.

At the end of November Timothy and Haley's little chihuahua had four beautiful little puppies. It was amazing watching her go from a rambunctious little dog to a protective, caring mother. Watching her motherly instincts take over was so sweet. She was doing exactly what she was supposed to do. She was doing just what God created her to do. What a miracle it is when babies are born, no matter how many legs they may have! There were several times that tears welled up in my eyes as I watched her bathe, nurse and snuggle with her babies.  Now y'all know that it doesn't take much for me to cry and I did a lot of crying during the Christmas season. I think my hormones just went whacko.

Pinky and her babies

My sister and her husband and family followed God's calling to be a host family to an Ukrainian orphan girl during the Christmas season and half of January. She doesn't speak any English and none of us speak any Ukrainian but that certainly didn't hinder us from being able to communicate. The first day we all met her was on our traditional Christmas Cookie Day and oh my goodness, I shed so many tears that day, it was just crazy. Just seeing her eyes light up and the smile on her face when she saw a cookie that looked good was all it took for me to just lose it, but when I saw her and my niece working together to cut out Christmas sugar cookies...the flood gates were opened! Pure innocent sweetness! We take so much for granted and don't always appreciate the little things in life. But those little things meant so much to "T". Sugar cookies...simple star shaped Christmas cookies put the biggest smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes and the smell of cookies coming out of the oven received a huge, enthusiastic thumbs up. There was so much laughter, fun and excitement in that kitchen that day. Have mercy, I'm losing it just trying to write this! And then, on Christmas Eve during our brunch  when the local news station came and interviewed my sister, her husband and my eight year old nephew about having "T" with them, I lost it again! They opened their doors to a young 15 year old girl who has probably never experienced the feeling of real love from a family before. As my brother in law said, "We wanted to be a blessing to her but instead she has been a blessing to us." Not just to my sister's family but to the whole family. I was only able to see her a few times before we had to go back out on the road but each time I saw her she ran up to me and gave me a great big hug and kiss. Love...love is the universal language. With the help of a Google translator app and lots and lots of love T experienced true love, joy, happiness and family. As my nephew told that news reporter, "She has a family!"

A sweet, fun mess!

Sharing his love for "T"...let the tears flow!

 

Laughing at some silly pictures "T" found on the iPad

And then, on Christmas Eve afternoon more tears were shed...Timothy proposed to his long time girlfriend! There were tears flowing from everywhere...Haley, Timothy, me, Carlos, her parents and sister. Tears, tears, tears...tears of  joy, happiness, excitement, thankfulness and love. This was probably the sweetest and most humbling Christmas I have ever experienced.

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19 (NIV) Over 2000 years ago God sent His one and only son to us. A young, poor, virgin girl from a small town gave birth to a son...a son we call Immanuel...a son that saves...a son that forgives...a son that rescues...a son that loves...a son that took on human form...a son that was/is perfect...a son that hurt and felt pain...a son that was born just so he could die...for us. He was born for me and he was born for you. His blood was shed so that I may have eternal life and so you may have eternal life! That is real love! Because of the love that God showed us and continues to show us each and everyday, we can show love...even when we can not understand each others language. With love there is no language barrier!

One of my favorite songs is by for King & Country "The proof of your love."

(Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 is the scripture this song is based on)
If I can speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy
But don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rust gate
If I speak God’s word with power, revealing all of His mysteries
And making everything as plain as day
And if I have faith to say to a mountain jump and it jumps
But I don’t love, I’m nothing
If I give all I earn to the poor
Or even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr
But I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere
So, no matter what I say, no matter what I believe, no matter what I do
I’m bankrupt without love

Let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

I want my life to be the proof of His love! What about you?

I hope each and everyone of you had a very Merry Christmas and will have a blessed New Year. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for my family and me in 2015.

Til we meet again!
Only by His Grace,
   Lynne

Answered Prayers

It was a beautiful, warm, sunny, spring day in April and as I was getting out of my car after a long day at school, I looked up and saw Carlos standing in the back yard. When I walked out there to speak to him, he was grinning from ear to ear and said, "I have some good news!" "What is it?" "Jeff bought the dump wagon!" "Are you serious? He really bought it? "Yes, and he also wants to buy the truck!" The minute I heard those words tears welled up in my eyes and I started doing the craziest, silliest, happy dance EVER! Our prayers were just answered above and beyond what we had been praying for.

Carl has been driving for 20 years and when Timothy was little we would pack up and hit the road with Los during the summer months. We would plan out the places we wanted to visit and Carlos would get a load in that direction; after we unloaded we would spend a couple of days sightseeing. It was a great way to make money and vacation at the same time. By the time Timothy was 11 years old, he had already been to Pikes Peak, Seven Falls, The Garden of the Gods, The Grand Canyon, The Hoover Dam, San Francisco, The Alamo and Las Vegas. We loved it and I was hooked. One day I would be able to go with Los full time...or at least I hoped.

On May 10, 2010, we bought a new truck...well, new to us. We had been looking for quite a while but just had not found anything we liked...that Los liked. It either didn't have the right kind of motor or it wasn't the right kind of make or the right model...was too old or cost too much, wasn't the right color  or looked good on the outside but was a piece of trash on the inside. Then, I found it, looking through a truck magazine I found a very nice truck with a custom sleeper. That means it had a bathroom with shower, a sink, microwave and a nice size refrigerator. "Los, look! Here's one right here! It has a custom sleeper and all. It's perfect!" "What kind of truck is it?" "It's a Freightliner Coronado." "Nope, won't work. It's a Freightliner." "Oh my gosh, really." Well, the search continued for about 2 more weeks and then Los showed me a picture of a truck he had found...IT WAS THE SAME TRUCK I TOLD HIM ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO...THE SAME TRUCK...I MEAN THE SAME EXACT TRUCK! "That's the one I showed you a few weeks ago and you said no because it was a Freightliner!" He just looked at me with that so called sweet, innocent grin that he just loves to flash. I couldn't believe the dealership still had it...trucks with custom sleepers just don't last long. Los called about  it...we put a hold deposit down...and a few weeks later we were off to Columbus, Oh. We drove it...loved it...bought it! We actually got it for ten thousand less than the asking price because of a misprint in the paper. We didn't realize it then but God was already working on His plan for us.

In January 2011, after a lot of thought and prayer we made the decision to change companies. We decided to lease to a wonderful, Christian based company with a lot of customers and a lot more freight. It was extremely difficult for Carl to leave a company that he had been with for about 12 years but financially he knew he had to do something. One of the best decisions ever!

In March 2011, I started praying that if it was the Lord's will that He would work things out for me to join Los on the road. We had been trying to sell our dump wagon but just had not had any luck. One morning after I got to school I called Carlos and said, "I prayed this morning for God to send a sign showing me if I should quit work and join you or not." I know God doesn't always send signs but you see I am one of those people that love to have signs...a big 'ole neon flashing sign. You know like in the country song "Here's your sign." Well, I prayed that God would say, "Lynne, my poor little child, HERE'S YOUR SIGN!" The sign would be that we sold the dump wagon.

On a beautiful, warm, sunny, spring day, God spoke and flashed that big 'ole neon sign. He knows me so well because I know He was thinking, "I better give this girl 2 neon flashing signs." The other sign was our old semi-truck. We had not even discussed selling it but when Jeff bought the dump he also said he wanted to buy the truck. When Carlos told me that, I immediately said, "I need to go talk to Mama." "For what?" "To see what she thinks." "Lynne, you prayed for God to send you a sign. He not only sent one sign...He sent 2 signs! So do you really think you need to discuss it with your mama?" He was right and you see God knew that is exactly what I would want to do and that is the reason He said, "I need to give this child 2 signs." I did go to Mama's but not to discuss our decision with her but to do the "Happy Dance" and to tell her what God had just done. Little did I know,  she already knew. Carlos was so excited about all this that he had already done the "Happy Dance" and shared  our wonderful news with her.

2 Corinthians 5: 7 says, "For we live by faith, not by sight." I know that my prayer required sight...the sight of a sign. Many people believe that praying for a sign is a sign of weakness in your faith.  I believe that is true if all you are doing is looking for signs and are not studying the Word of God...are not praying...and are seeking a sign that is outside the will of God. We are all humans and those with faith see signs of God every day. I believe if we are praying, studying God's Word, and bringing Glory to Him through our every day actions and words, that it is ok to ask for a sign. A sign that shows us the direction He would have us to go.  Sometimes those signs may be the answer we wanted but then sometimes they may not be.  He also says in Matthew 7:7 "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Please don't take that out of context. What we are seeking for and asking for will only be given to us if it will bring Glory to God and if it is in His will. Our faith comes in knowing that God has a plan for us and continuing to love Him, follow Him, share of His Glorious and Marvelous works and abiding in Him...no matter what sign he gives us.

God showed me a sign on that sunny April day not because of anything I had said or done but because it was all part of HIS Plan...not mine.

I thank God everyday and I always give Him the Glory for being able to spend all this time with My Love.

I apologize for this post being so lengthy but I was really having trouble getting started. I have been putting it off and putting it off because I just could not find the right words. I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking about it and I just started praying and asking God to give me the words. Well, He did! Once I got the computer out this morning the words just started flowing. Once again I'm left in awe. The tears have welled up in my eyes several times at how He has been planning and working things out for Carlos and me to be together on this amazing, adventurous ride...before we even started planning and praying about it. Isn't God So Good!

I hope you enjoy reading each post and I pray that each one brings Glory to Him.

Only By Grace!
   Lynne

God's Plan

Pure excitement! That's how I felt when Carlos hung up the phone and said, "Well, looks like we're going to New Hampshire!" Pure excitement...not what I heard in his voice or saw on his face! As many of you know, the east coast and especially the north eastern states, are just not on our map. But this was a really good paying load, and we do not turn down good paying loads. Plus, New Hampshire and Maine are the only two inland states that we have not been to. So, that right there tells you that we have to go. Los on the other hand...would disagree!

We were about 100 miles from where the load had to be picked up...Compton, CA. Off we went! I immediately got out the map, the truck stop book and my travel book of all the places in the US to visit. I was like a little kid going to Disney World for the first time. Yep, I was planning out our long weekend for when we unloaded. I found a truck stop in Maine not far from our unloading destination, a car rental place and our points of destination to visit. "Oh my goodness! The weather is perfect! The trees are turning, all the beautiful fall colors! This is going to be a great trip! We can go to Portland and see the lighthouse. Look at these pictures of Camden Harbor! Wow, look how pretty Rattlesnake Mountain is! We have not been sightseeing since our Washington trip. This is going to be so much fun!" "We can rent a car and make this a weekend road trip!" What?! Why yes...my excitement had overflowed and spilled over to My Love!  I mean really...how could it not! "Maine, here we come!"

WOMP! WOMP! WOMP! Our thrill just got squashed! Seriously, you have got to be kidding? Our load was two big crates. We can only tote 41,500 pounds legally on our trailer. That wasn't the problem. The problem...each axle is only allowed so much weight! We loaded those crates...chained them down and went and weighed. Nope, not gonna work! Too much weight on our drive axle. Unchain...move crates...rechain...go reweigh. Shoot fire! Still not going to work. Unchain...unload...sad...disappointed...no Maine trip...find a new load.

DING, DING, DING! New load...Crestview, FL. It's not Maine but it's only about 170 miles from HOME! Carlos had not been home since July 4th, so yes, home was much better than Maine.

I have said before that I am amazed and left in awe at how My God works. LC needed some work and we really didn't want to have to do it on the road...big bucks! Carlos always says why pay someone to do something when you can do it yourself? The Lord knew the work needed to be done sooner than what we thought! So He planned for us to go home. He also knew that my daddy would have a reaction to the flu shot that would send him to the hospital for a few days. He also knew that if I had been on the road when that happened that I would have been a basket case. HIS timing and planning is ALWAYS PERFECT!

We were home for two weeks and I wish I could say that Los got some much needed rest but that is so not the case. You know that job...the one that should only take a few days but ends up taking a little longer...well, that was LC and Los! Fix one thing and find something else! LC and I are going to have a come to Jesus meeting because he is really starting to interfere with my money! High maintenance is not a term used for me...oh nooo...that would be LC! But, he is fixed and as Carlos says,"He's purring!" Sounds more like a roar to me but what do I know?

Daddy is doing good. Not sure he'll take the flu shot again or if he'll drive himself to the ER without telling us; but that is a whole nother story! Just thanking God that He is ok and that I was home when it happened.

We have been back on the road for a few weeks now...traveling with our Toot Toot! I'm all smiles! Do you remember the blog post about us taking a control building to the Solar/Snake farm in California? Well, this time we took one to a Solar/Tortoise farm in Boulder City, NV. When Carlos told me that it was a Tortoise sensitive area, I just cracked up. "From a snake farm to a Tortoise farm, that is crazy." "This time it's actually listed in our instruction sheets." "You reckon they'll have "Tortoise Crossing" signs? That'll be hilarious!"

"The Copper Mountain Solar site is built upon a Desert Tortoise habitat. The Desert Tortoise is a protected species in the state of Nevada and is very active on the access roads and site. You will be required to check in at the guard station and be escorted to the site to mitigate any interaction between vehicles and Desert Tortoise. You will also be instructed on the proper way to control an area if one is to be spotted. There may be delays when heavy truck traffic is present due to slow speeds." Those were the guidelines on our Instructions and Rules sheet. Just as with the snake farm, we didn't see any Tortoises but we did see a "Tortoise Crossing" sign. I literally cracked up when we saw that. We see all kinds of crossing signs but that is the first Tortoise Crossing sign that we've seen. There's always a first time for everything. Maybe next time we'll actually see a crossing Tortoise.

After A LOT of prayer and encouragement from My Love, family and friends...especially Amelia, I have decided to turn my blog into a book. As Timothy says, "It may be the death of me!" but Carlos keeps saying,"You can do it!" I am listening to Los but I'm afraid Toot may be right. I have already had to start over...after being half way finished...because Satan (a.k.a. my computer) decided to eat it. I searched and searched and Toot searched and searched for two days trying to find the thing. Los kept saying, "It's in there somewhere!" Well, I sure as heck wish it would show it's face because I can't find it and the more I searched the madder and more irritated I got. The more I sighed and fussed the more Carlos laughed. I am so glad he found it amusing because there was ABSOLUTELY nothing amusing about it to me!!!!!  I thought,"Oh no, Satan, you are not going to get the best of me!" I finally just said the heck with it and started over. Timothy asked me one night if he was going to be in the book. "Yes, of course you're going to be in it." "Well, I wasn't sure if I made the cut. It was a tough audition!" That boy cracks me up! He keeps me laughing all the time!

When I started the blog, it was just a way for me to write about mine and Carl's time together, what we saw, what we were hauling and where we had been. Just a way to stay in contact with family and friends. I never intended to include Bible verses and certainly not any kind of devotion in it. God had a different plan. I have to admit, my confidence level when witnessing to others especially strangers, is very low. I'll share about the things He has done for me, how He's helped me through difficult times, answered prayers, His love for me and mine for Him, to close friends and family but hardly ever to people I barely know and oh my goodness definitely not to strangers. Most of the time when I start writing a post, I have no idea what verses I am going to include or if any at all and absolutely no idea how a devotion is going to be tied into it. That is what's so wonderful and amazing and fascinating and exciting about how God works. He takes our crazy, unbelievable, hilarious, frustrating, stressful, thrilling and awesome everyday life adventures and turns them into a testimony of His commitment, faithfulness, understanding, protection, forgiveness, comfort and unconditional love for us. I've always thought God answered my prayers about leaving teaching just so I could spend more time with My Love. I don't know...never thought about Him using my voice to speak His words or in this case write His words. I am just a simple, country girlie girl from south Georgia who has been chosen by God...no way did I think the adventures of this truckin' duo could be used to speak to others about His awesomeness!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

'Til we meet again!
Only by Grace!
   Lynne

Love, love and little things

One of the greatest feelings in the world is the gentle touch of My Love's hand on my arm. I know, you are probably thinking "What? That's the greatest feeling you get from your hubby?" I said, "One of the greatest NOT the greatest!" I absolutely love sitting in the seat next to him...in my own little world (which seems to be where I stay most of the time) and suddenly feel his hand softly rubbing on my arm or a little squeeze around my bicep...this is usually the "show me your muscles" squeeze. Then there are those not so gentle touches...the moments of aggravation, like knocking my arm off the armrest or the tender arm pops or the finger poking in the arm...which usually leads to a finger poking fight. Whatever the touch or pop or poke, they are moments that I treasure and moments that mean the world to me. Just simple little love moments! It's the little things like that, that I really miss when we are not together. Last month I had a few things that needed to be taken care of at the house, so I caught a ride home with Timothy. If you read my last post, then you know there was certainly no "trashing" around on that trip! I was doing good to get him to stop for a restroom break! Click here to read As always, while I was home for those 3 1/2 weeks, I dearly missed those little rubs, pokes and nudges. It is nice being home, spending time with family and doing a little work in the shop. I just want My Love to be there with me. So, the day Los called and said, "I'm renting a car so Toot and I can come get you!" was music to my ears! Are you confused? Are you thinking, "Why is he renting a car?" "I thought Timothy was home?" "Why didn't she just ride back with him?" Let me clarify...Timothy only stayed home for a week. He bought a new trailer and had to go to Missouri to pick it up. He then went to Louisiana where he met up with Carlos. I love my son but his truck is a bit smaller than ours and having to take showers in the truck stops...oh my, I'm cringing just thinking about it...well, in the words of my hubby "I'm spoiled." I did have to take a truck stop shower on the way home but taking 5-6 was out of the question. Besides, I still had things to complete at home. So, that is why I didn't catch a ride back with Toot. After taking loads to California and returning back to Louisiana, Carlos decided 3 1/2 weeks at home was long enough. Since Minden, LA seems to be our second home, they left the trucks and rented a car. The rent and gas for a car is sooo much cheaper than diesel for LC. Now that I have confused you even more, let me get back to the music to my ears. Sorry family! I love you all very much but going from 24/7 with my hubby to 0 is extremely difficult. I've said it many times that I wish he could just carry me around in his pocket.  Oh, did I mention they drove 11 hours and were only home for 1 day. They got home Saturday morning about 8:00 and we left Sunday morning about 9:00.  Just for the record...I did tell him that it was too far for them to drive just to come get me. But he wouldn't listen...ooohhh yes, my man does love me! Now that you all are doing the finger in the mouth, uugggghhhh thing, I'll move on.

Love this man!

Love...love is a beautiful thing! Love...an emotional feeling that makes our heart skip a beat, brings tears of joy to our eyes, puts a smile on our face, puts a pep in our step, gives us sweaty palms, or sends a tingling feeling all through our body.  Love...protects, trusts, hopes, stands firm and perseveres. Love...the reason we get up in the mornings...go to work...wash clothes...cook supper...clean house...not necessarily because we like doing those things but because we love the people we are doing them for. Love...praying for others, caring for others, sharing with others, offering a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. As I was thinking about the love that Carlos and I have for one another and the love that we have for Timothy and our families and friends, I was reminded of this verse:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, 13

Love is Christ! Christ is love!
Jeremiah 1:5 says..."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. Oh my, how awesome is that! Before I was even born I was loved. I was born because I was loved. What a wonderful, wonderful feeling! Even with all our crazy antics, foolish mistakes, and self-centered ways Christ still loves us. He gave His life for me and for you. God sacrificed His one and only son Jesus Christ so that we...you and me...could have eternal life...why, because He loves us unconditionally. I think what brings me to my knees the most is knowing that while I was still a sinner, before I confessed my love for Him and asked Him into my heart as my Lord and Savior, He willingly went through torture. He was mocked, beaten beyond recognition, ridiculed, nailed, hung, bled and died on a cross...why...once again, because He loves me and you!
 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Once again we were able to travel with our Toot Toot. This time we were off to Kansas with...Verizon buildings! Oh my, you know the history with us and Verizon buildings...usually a nerve racking, heart pounding, sweat dripping experience! An experience Timothy has never had the privilege of having!  There's always a first time for everything! After Carlos and I unloaded our building in a bean patch, he road with Timothy to help him get unloaded. Off to the cow pasture they went...hummm...pasture...that should be easy enough...WRONG! Because of the way they made the road with all the rocks, he almost tore the side boxes on his trailer off and he did tear his mudflaps off.  You're probably thinking, "That's not too bad." Well, considering this was only his third load with his brand spanking new trailer...it was REAL bad! It was very close to... your trailer falling from the sky...bad!

 Timothy's third load with his new trailer and his first Verizon building.

He's not a happy camper right now!

Back to Louisiana we went...to get...another...Verizon building! Just can't get enough of a good thing! Timothy loaded up and off to Phoenix, AZ he went. Lucky dog, he took his to a church with a large parking lot. Easy peasy! Plus, the job foreman picked him up and took him to breakfast while the crane crew got set up to unload. WHAT!!!! Breakfast! Nobody ever picks us up and takes us to breakfast...heck, they don't even bring us breakfast...not even a cup of coffee or a bottle of water! 

When we picked up our building we were told the address on the bill of lading was not the correct delivery address. "Here are the coordinates for the delivery location." The look on Carlos' face was priceless! "Coordinates? I don't think my GPS knows coordinates. This should be interesting!" So you see, while Toot enjoyed his breakfast and got unloaded without any complications, Los and I were not using street/road names or numbers to lead us to our point of destination...nooo, we were using the coordinates! Who the heck uses coordinates?!

Cow pastures, parking lots, bean patches, corn fields, mountains and churches...just a few of our Verizon delivery spots. So where in the world did our coordinates take us to this time...the top of a very, very, tiny, narrow, pig-tail of a road. The road was so narrow and steep that there was absolutely no way we were getting LC up there. So what did we do you might ask? We dropped our trailer on the side of the road...yes, the side of the road! A much smaller truck hooked to our trailer and pulled it half way up...then, a bulldozer pulled the truck and trailer the rest of the way up. Are you thinking "WHAT?" Oh yes, let the heart pounding, sweat dripping, nerve racking moments begin!

LC sitting beside the road while we check things out. This is what I considered to be the first level of this whole insane 5 level process.

The starting point. The first of many, many narrow roads on this crazy adventure.

Carlos is in disbelief that they actually wanted us to drive our 75 foot long truck and trailer up this! "Since you can't make the turn, you can just pull straight ahead on this road and then turn and back up between the trees and rock. Then you can back all the way up to the wider open area." Seriously, have you seen the size of our truck and trailer!

 This is what they wanted Los to back up between. This is also what I considered as the second level.

 If I had a go-cart, I could have all kinds of fun on this little road and curve! It reminded me of some of the go-cart race tracks we have been on.

After backing between the rock and trees we would have to back up this road to the third level. This wouldn't have been a problem except for the fact that we didn't have enough room in level 2 to get backed up.

 Walking on up the road to the third and largest level of this whole crazy process.

 Now this, we can work this! Oh yeah, we have to get up here first.

And this my friends was the pig tail road that LC did NOT get the chance to travel up. It's hard to tell in the picture but this was a really steep hill. Our legs were worn out by the time we made it to the top.                                                     

 Unhooked from LC and rehooked to a small/shorter truck.

 Poor LC is all alone! For once he doesn't get to join in on all the fun and excitement!

 Let the fun times roll! Leaving level 1 and heading up to level 2.

After several tries of pulling up...backing up...running in the trees...almost running over the boulder...he was finally able to make it . Now, he had trouble with his day cab truck and they really thought we could do this with LC. 

Successfully completed level 2 now trying to make it up to level 3. Had a few pull ups and back ups but overall it wasn't too bad.

Finally made it up to level 3 and now it's time for the real fun. Even if we could have gotten LC up here there was no way we were going to let them hook a bulldozer to him and pull him up. Carlos said if they wanted to pull someone's bumper off they could pull their own off.

Instead of The Little Engine that Could, it's The Little Bulldozer that Could. I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!

 "I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!" said Carlos and Lynne climbing that hill.

Finally, level 4! We're in the clear now! The pad for the building is behind the tower. If I asked 1 time I asked 100, "How are they going to get the building around the tower to the pad?"

Now, you didn't really think we were going to get away without any major complications did you?  This is a Verizon building...you know better than that! Carl and I should have known better also! We were standing over to the side talking to the land owner when one of the men from the crane crew walked up and said,"Your boxes are sitting on the ground!" "What?" "Yep, and the trailer frame too." Have mercy, just one turn left...and it really wasn't even a turn...and this! These rocks can get you in a pickle almost every time!

After using a small front end loader to move some of the rocks and then hooking the back of the trailer up to the bulldozer so it could pull the trailer back out of the rocks, we were finally in the clear.  With the exception of some scratches and a rather significant size dent in the box, no damage was done. 

Up, up and away! I think this makes me as nervous as getting to the unloading pads. I am always so afraid the straps and cables are going to snap and instead of a trailer falling from the sky it's going to be a Verizon building crashing to the ground...on top of LC and the trailer. So, there is just as much praying at this point as there is at any of the others...especially when we hear popping noises!

Remember, earlier I couldn't figure out how in the world they were going to get that humongous building around the tower. Well, I wasn't the only one wondering...Carl and the land owner kept wondering the same thing. We would have never thought there was enough room between the tower and the trees for the building but then again, that's why we haul them and don't unload them. They did it with room to spare. This crane crew knew what they were doing...wish I could say that for all  of them. I swanee, sometimes I think Carlos and I could do a better job...shoot fire, I could do a better job than some of them. But, that's alright, it gives us something to laugh about and makes for an entertaining day...most of the time!

Reunited and it feels so good!

I know I give the crews a hard time about their thought process when it comes to the places they want us to get to, but I also realize that many of them have never driven or ridden in a big truck therefore have no clue what it takes to maneuver one of these big rigs. But aside from that, this was one of the nicest crews that we have worked with. The best part was not having to listen to any foul language...whether they were talking to us or each other. I truly think this may have been the first time. It's the little things that make a stressful experience not so stressful.

Til we meet again!

   By His Grace!

       Lynne