What did you do for Thanksgiving?

We started off the day cooking turkey, ham, and all kinds of other food. We were joined by our old friends, Scott and Amy (Goris) Sutherland. Amy is from Willmar but they have lived in Kansas City since about 1995 or so. Scott and Amy were original Freshfire band with us. They have 3 kids that are Hannah's, Josiah's, and Sophie's ages. Scott posed as George Washington as he read the Thanksgiving declaration.

After we stuffed ourselves with lots of good food we headed for The Plaza to watch as David Cook switched on the Christmas lights. The plaza was stuffed with people. We found a place close to the front by the stage but as the show started hoards of people kept coming and we were getting mashed into the storefront windows. It was starting to scare some of the children as well as John and I. (All this to see David Cook) We decided to pick up the kids and head for safer ground further away. We wound up in front of a largescreen tv which was much better for all of us.

I have a video on Facebook of the real David Cook fan in the family.

It was fun to see and the fireworks works were entertaining. The entire event was short and sweet, so off we were to find hot cocoa and leftovers at home.

Getting out of the parking ramp was a different story. We were only up 1 level but it took us 45 minutes to get out of the ramp and when we did the roads were blocked off sending us in the opposite direction then where we had come from. We took a turn thinking we were headed back to HWY 71 but instead we were going north on an unfamiliar road. As we were trying to figure out where we were the trafficway we were traveling brought us onto 35W and our engine quit. We coasted as far as we could to get to the side of the road but the problem was...THERE WAS NO SIDE OF THE ROAD. We were on a bridge with a entrance ramp right behind us and we were stopped in the right lane of traffic with our flashers and light on. After about a 15 minute wait for help and praying like our lives depended on it, (because they did) the police arrived. The tow truck followed another 15 minutes later plus another squad car. We had 6 of the kids with us, Zach was leading a set in the Justice Prayer Room. The police loaded us into their cars and we all got off the freeway and into a unmanned gas station lot. Let me tell you, this was not the neighborhood to break down in. We were so relieved to get off that freeway.

We called our friends, the Dinsmores, who were at the JPR and they came to pick us up. The van got towed to the nearest car dealer to where we were. We have no idea what is wrong with it, we'll find out tomorrow.

So, this Thanksgiving we feel very blessed to have friends who are there when you need them and a God who protects. We are all safe and sound and warm. Bless you all.