Saturday, November 21, 2020

31 Hours in Fredricksburg

 I know I've been remiss in posting, but I've been at my Mom's since the 11th and I just got back Thursday night...just before midnight. I went down for her 3rd immunotherapy infusion and an appt with her oncologist. Alas, the Sarcoma has spread significantly in her lungs and they canceled the infusion. The last option is for her to begin taking Votrient, a kinase inhibitor. In 3 weeks, she'll have another scan. I came home for a little while and will head back in 3 weeks, or sooner, if she has difficulty with the side effect, or just needs me.

I headed back on Wednesday, leaving at 7:30 in the morning in an attempt to get home by dark. About an hour and a half into my trip, I began hearing a racket underneath the pick-up. I had heard it once before, but it was not loud and when I had pulled over I didn't see anything out of place. We had to replace the flywheel and starter a few weeks ago(it's a 2015 F-250) and DH said things weren't quite right so we had stopped in and discussed it with our mechanic. He said it was fine to drive it, but bring it in in a couple of weeks. 

So, when the loud flapping intensified and I was 500 miles away, I prayed for a dealership because I figured they'd be more apt to have parts, should I need them. I was just about to pull into Fredricksburg and no sooner had I sent up my little request, a Ford dealership appeared on the horizon. Alas, it was not a simple fix. Turns out I needed a new transfer case and u-joint and the closest one was in Houston, 250 miles away. The service manager said he'd try to get me out for $3000.00. O.K. Ouch! Big sigh, but I had peace about it and I felt God's hand on my shoulder:

It was a beautiful day and I walked around the lot for a long time while they diagnosed the problem. I finally went into the waiting room where a lady was putting the final touches on the Christmas tree and I offered to help. Then I sat down and pulled out a quilt and worked on the binding:

There was one older gentleman waiting for an oil change and we struck up a conversation that turned into a lovely 2 hour visit. He was an 85 yr old veteran that had just lost his dear wife and owned the Amish Market in town. We visited about everything under the sun including faith, family, politics, world events, food, and history. What a dear, dear man and I can't tell you how blessed I was by our time together. God's hand again. 

Then, the lady, Shirley, who had decorated the Christmas tree popped around the corner and asked me if I was the lady from New Mexico. Yes, Ma'am. She said they were going to set me up with a room for the night and a  loaner car. She asked if I needed cash or anything else and I was nearly brought to tears by her kindness. God's hand.

I love Fredricksburg, but I never take the time to explore because it's already a 9 hour trip between home and my mom's and I try not to make it any longer. Plus, my mom always wonders what takes me so long when I DO stop at the quilt shop there. LOL. Which, yes, I did exactly that! I was very cognizant of the fact that I was leaving a lot of $$$ at the dealership so I wouldn't be supporting the small businesses as much as I would have liked, but it doesn't cost to browse:

Or window shop:

And Fredricksburg is the best place to window shop!

Especially when it's all decked out for Christmas:

And I'm one of those annoying people who refuses to begin celebrating the Christmas season until the day after Thanksgiving, but I was strolling downtown and this was happening at the Marktplatz:

Such a pretty evening to stroll through town and I splurged on a Sangria as I walked back to the motel, about 2 miles away:

And then I settled down by the firepit for a few hours. If one is stranded, this is a pretty good place to land. God's hand.

As I walked by the front desk in the lobby the next morning, the clerk, with whom I had had a lovely visit with the day before, said, "Good Morning! You have a package". I was quite surprised, and when I opened it I found this:

The dear gentleman I had befriended at the dealership the day before had dropped it off at the motel - he even spelled my name right! People I've known for a long time don't even do that. LOL. I was touched by the thoughtful gesture. God's hand.

As I sat at the firepit and all night long in the motel, I kept hearing cattle bawling and I couldn't figure out where they were. I was in the middle of town, but of course, it made me grin and feel right at home! So the next morning, I jumped in my loaner car and went exploring, in search of bawling cattle. What can I say, I'm a ranch wife. So I rolled down the windows and sure enough, I found the source - welcome to the local sale barn, LOL

And yes, I went in and visited with them. Hey, we had a lot in common and I was curious if they too were experiencing a drought (they were) and what kind of numbers they were running. They sell sheep and goats one day and cattle the next. The owner asked if I knew someone (I did - he's at the sale every Monday) and we had a good visit. I said, "Yes, sir, he's quite the character". He replied, "Well, that's one way of putting it". LOL

I thought this place was a feed store and wanted to take a peek:


Not quite:

                            

But I browsed and noticed this book:

                                       

I flipped it open to that day and read this:

I chuckled. God's hand.

My truck wasn't ready until 4:30 on Thursday and and I still had 7 hours in front of me. I went in to settle up:

Yes, they had deducted $1000 from the total and told me to have a Merry Christmas. There may or may not have been some tearing up. Without a doubt - God's hand. 

It's so good to be home, and I am giving thanks to God for the the kind people he planted in my path and for the sabbatical I didn't know I needed.

29 comments:

Dorian said...

Good morning Karin, what a blessed day you had. So glad there was the dealership right there and you weren't stranded somewhere. Continued prayers for your Mom.

Sally Langston Warren said...

Oh Karin! What an experience! Can you imagine what your trip would have been like if you didn’t have your faith and the peace that comes with it? Your stay in Fredricksburg will bring a smile to your face and heart for years to come. I am so sorry about your mom’s illness. I hope she will be made comfortable and have a good reaction to this new course of treatment. I know everyone was glad to have you back home. Thank you for updating us! (This type is WAY too tiny for me to proofread before posting it, so please excuse typos.)

Quiltsmiles said...

What a lovely post. Thinking of you and your whole family and what a source of strength , love and good intentions you carry and share along the way. Gods hand.

May you find joy love and remain in faith with your days.

Cheryl Seaman said...

Wonderful! It is always so nice to be reminded that the world truly has more good people than bad. The "news media" doesn't seem to want to dwell upon the good. I am very sorry about your mother.

cityquilter grace said...

sounds like overflowing blessings in your life...what a comforting experience and no doubt you were at peace during the entire time...

Janna and Mike said...

What a blessing. Amazing! I cried while reading your post--we are all so truly blessed!

Joy Van den top said...

Wow! Sounds like quite the experience. So good there are still al lot of really good people! Hope your mom gets along with her new treatments and that they may be blessed. Love your blog! Farm women love other farm women especially when they quilt 🥰

Sherrill said...

So sorry to hear about your mom's newest cancer development. It's so good that you can be with her when she needs you. But these dang cars!! Can't live with em, can't live without. But some down time AND a discount? BONUS! I know a couple of guys who were glad you made it home (one with four feet..HA).

Chase Klop said...

What a wonderful post. Fredericksburg is in my neck of the woods. I’m so glad you had nice experiences in the Texas Hill country! As I was reading I was thinking...I hope she finds One Quilt Place! It’s a nice shop. Thanks for sharing!

Chantal said...

Amen. ;^)

Donna said...

Sounds like you had an interesting experience!!! If you had to break down, this was definitely the place to do it! So many kind people were put in your path!

Tired Teacher 2 said...

A beautiful post and a good reminder that God provides. Prayers for your Mom that the new treatment is helpful.

darlynn said...

Couple tears later, you made all of us cognizant to enjoy every moment handed to us. Even those that are unexpected. Hope all goes well with your mom!~

Brenna said...

Love this post. Thank you for sharing. It's always touching to recognize these tender mercies in our lives.

Anonymous said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes. Happy tears. Praise the Lord. Prayers for your Mom. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Ruth said...

Oh, what a wonderful way to spend waiting time! How very kind the dealership was to give you $1,000 off!! All around blessed people in Fredricksburg, Texas. May you have a better trip next time you go to vi---Wait! No, I mean a trip without a car repair in it. And your Mom hopefully doing a bit better.....like you, "on the way to heaven."

sandi s said...

It gave me goosebumps reading your blog today! You were being guided and touch each moment. Thank you for sharing this. I will keep your mom in my prayers. Hugs,

Shelly said...

God's hand, indeed! We just HAVE to trust that He puts us where He wants us, and it will all work out according to HIS plan (never ours). What an unexpected set of circumstances that you made the most of (with God's helping hand)! Sending prayers for your momma.

ytsmom said...

Your post just made me smile! During this time, faith is so important, and the kindness that was shown you! It makes me feel that all will be well. (I know that it will, but it helps to get a little sign sometimes!)

Chris said...

Isn't God just so good? Praying for Thanksgiving blessings for you and your hubby and giving thanks for your beautiful post.

Janet O. said...

Quite an adventure you had--and I love that you acknowledge God's hand in all the good.
Prayers for your Mom!

Margaret said...

Oh, Karin. You saw God’s hand in so many places, but I’m willing to bet that all the people who came in contact with you, thought the same thing about the time they spent with you. I hope you can have a happy Thanksgiving.

Joyfuljoytotheworld said...

Oh how kind our Father is!! His goodness and care for us overwhelms me at times. Thank you for sharing this momentary trouble spent seeing God’s hand!!!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Beautiful story, Karin! Truly inspirational.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Oh my gosh - what a story - brought ears to my eyes. You are so kind and radiate it - it is great to see how it comes back. Gillespie is one of my family names... I wonder if they are kin.... to cool!!!

The page you turned to - OH MY STARS!!! who does not need this right now - hit it right on the head!! I may just print that out and put it on the fridge!!

Gwynette in NW Arkansas said...

What better evidence of God’s love for you. Your experience speaks volumes about the fact He loves us and will care for us. Praying for your Mother and for you to be safe on your return journey to care for her.

Fae said...

Thank you for sharing.... I sent the page from Jesus Calling to my daughter who is in the midst of the second bout of brain cancer. Yesterday was just to be an MRI but she also had to go to ER with new problem.... shingles.... So grateful to have Gods hand on her constantly.

Kathy C said...

I teared up reading this. Nice people put in your path to cheer you in stressful times. It's not a detour if you find new friends along the way.

celia ambrose said...

It's so wonderful the many ways God blessed your temporary stay as you were headed home from your Mom's. Thanks for sharing it with us. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

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