The “smoke” that gives the Great Smoky Mountains their name – this is a typical view from our front door.
In what is becoming an alarming trend, getting back to TMM was once again an ordeal. We left on schedule from my parents house near Erie Pa, Saturday January 3. That’s about the last thing that went right. We were hoping to drive over half way to the mountain on Saturday, before getting a hotel (the total trip being 10 hours driving). We wanted to make sure we arrived Sunday in daylight since our cabin was without heat for two weeks (our only heat source is a wood burning stove) and our water was shut off so the pipes wouldn’t freeze. That SO did not happen.
After many issues and stops we made it a little south of Columbus OH before getting a hotel, in over 7 hours (what should’ve taken 4 hours). However, this turned out to be a Sovereign blessing as the staff at the hotel we stayed at was marvelous. Even before all the trouble started they were very gracious and helpful as we checked in with our boys at a very late hour. The next morning as we went to leave, our car started making an atrocious screeching noise and we discovered our serpentine belt wasn’t moving and we had no power steering. Apparently, it’s an important part. (Like wheels for instance, if you’re just joining us – see this post.)
As it was Sunday, finding a solution to get it fixed was a little difficult. The hotel staff started calling around for us while Lance tried to see if he could get it working on his own. Neither one was successful. After a few hours of calls between us and the TMM staff, towing companies and other places we finally made a plan, which was changed a few hours later, and then again that evening, and then again the next morning. During this time the boys and I played games in the parking lot and hotel lobby (I told you the hotel staff was gracious!) until it was determined we’d definitely be there another night. Some wonderful woman at the front desk had called her manager and they not only gave us our room for another night at a reduced rate, but also a voucher for breakfast in the morning and a gift certificate for a local pizza delivery place since we were stuck at the hotel for the day. (I told you God sovereignly chose our hotel room!) We spent the rest of Sunday and Monday morning entertaining the boys in the exercise room, (3 exercise machines, 3 boys, perfect.) pool (swimming in clothes! how fun!), hallways (…now try running down the hall as quietly as you can without stepping on any of the designs on the carpet…), and hotel room (TV time!). Alex only fell in the pool face first one time and I had packed extra clothes and food enough for 3 days just in case, so all in all we managed pretty well.
Monday morning we had our car towed and fixed. The hotel manager had one of his staff drive Lance in the hotel’s car to pick it up, so we didn’t have to pay a taxi. God provided for us every step of the way.
We left Columbus Monday afternoon but only made it as far as Knoxville this time. It was getting late, dark (bad plan – see above), we were exhausted and the boys cranky (with good reason after 3 rough days). Also, Micah had been getting a fever every night starting a day or two before we left my parents and the upheaval of the past few days had done nothing to help him get better. We decided to get another hotel rather than push through and get to TMM at 10:30 (although we had heard that a wonderful TMM staff member had built a fire for us in our cabin). Again, God was sovereignly directing our steps.
This hotel was unfortunately dreadfully dirty and smelly – but it did serve to show us what a wonderful blessing the hotel was that we had been at for the last 2 days. Micah had a terrible night, spending most of it feverish in our bed. Although it was then Tuesday and classes were starting, we decided to find a doctor for him before we headed back up the mountain and out of civilization. (No offense to anyone ON the mountain reading this blog…you know what I mean.) Among other issues, Micah has had a fever for a few day 3 times in the past 2 months and we were concerned there may be underlying health issues beyond the current symptoms. As God has continually blessed us, we found a naturally-minded doctor 13 minutes from our hotel room who was able to see him that morning. As with the hotel, the staff at the doctors office, Seasons, was wonderful. We found out later that they are Christians and start each morning with a staff prayer. They are also committed to healing with natural remedies if possible, which is exactly our health philosophy as well. Praise God for such a blessing!
After the doctor’s visit, we finally got back to TMM Tuesday evening and spent Wednesday unloading our car and putting everything away. (Actually it’s still not all put away, but we made a valiant start.) We kept Micah home for the rest of the week and he finally started to feel better Sunday evening and had no fever that night. We’ve had a message from the doctor that one of his tests show extremely low levels of vitamin D so we’ll start him on supplements as soon as they come in. We go back in a few weeks to find out the results of his blood, stool and saliva tests so we’ll keep you updated when we know more. Meanwhile we appreciate your prayers for him!
Next time I post, barring any other crazy situations, I’ll tell you more about my curriculum and other things that we’re doing right now. Until then, we appreciate your prayers.
Ruth, for our family.
