THE I-80 DEMOLTION DERBY!

"What a rotten day, this turned out to be." These words, from the great George Strait, were origininally sung about a cowboys wife leaving him (who'd have ever dreamed a country song could be about such things!), but aptly sums up my weekend. My rotten day started Friday night. I was feeling a little under the weather but not too bad. Then I was woke up by my cell phone ringing. It was Evan! and I was curled up under three blankets, shiver, sweating profusely, and am I affraid incoherent.

I woke up Saturday morning feeling a better so I worked on my sermon and then on my boat. I went to the store to get bearings, oil seals, grease and other such things, but on my way home I felt my body's gas gauge go from F to E in a matter of minutes. By the time I got home I was an aching, shaking mess. The rest of the day was spent curled up on the couch as my temperature rose steadily until it peaked at 102.6 just before betime. As my temperature rose, so did the pain in my throat. Now I know how those sword swallowers must feel after having an off night! Somewhere during the day I realized I would be able to preach Sunday morning, so I made arangements for a sub to preach. Did I mention that all the while Antonina was in Cleveland? So on top of fever, diziness, cold sweats, swallowing razors, and a real good start on dehydration, I took the dog out every 3-4 hours. Then I went to bed.

I was again awakened by my cell phone. It was the substitute preacher. His wife grew ill during the night and he could not come. I looked at the clock. It said 7:02. Service starts at 9:00. I called in a favor and got my friend Bill to preach. He is a Methodist pastor here in town, but his service doesn't start until 11:00. I suppose some day, I'll get to do a double header. The phone rang again. This time it was Antonina. She was on her way home from Cleveland, driving across I-80 when a snowstorm blew up. She tried to change lanes from a snowy and slick lane, into a clearer lane. The next thing she knew she was into the guard rail. She is fine, but the car needs some work. By 9:30, I am on the road, fever, sore throat and all for the 100 mile drive to pick her up. The rest of the day was uneventful, but as we were going to bed we watched the news. It said there were over 30 accidents reported on I-80 that day, many much worse off than we are.

It is now Monday morning and I have much to do. I just keep thanking God that Antonina is OK and that she loves me enough to brave a winter storm to get home to her sick husband. Thanks God. Thanks Antonina...you are the best. I love you too!