Cullen Clan: There and Back Again: Week 53 A Brush with Death and Miracles

Last Monday, Elder Cullen and I were heading from Carthage to Nauvoo in the evening for the Christmas Walk Meeting (we're in charge of parlor games and stories). It was very dark especially now with daylight savings ended. As we cruised down the unlit, dark country road we chatted as usual with one of our kids through the hands free system of our lovely Pearl (the name of our new car). Suddenly we heard a LOUD BANG and a wave of blood completely engulfed our windshield.

Weirdly, just on the crest of that blood wave we felt something else...a wave of energy or vibration went right through our bodies! We stopped and looked at each other..."WHAT WAS THAT?! and then...I think we hit a deer." We hung up with Spring and elder Cullen turned on the windshield wipers. yep..it was a deer. We just became part of the 2 million people who hit a deer this year. It had bolted out of the trees so we didn't even have a chance to see it coming.

We turned around and lurched home. The road is so narrow and dark we didn't want to become the 2nd road kill of the night. The car was very off balance all kinds of indicator lights were on. We drove straight to a car wash. I took photos for insurance and got back in the car and good old Elder Cullen washed the car. It was traumatic.

Our friend who is helping build the new temple visitor center just hit a deer the week before and it totaled his truck. We were told his bags went off and bruised his face. OUR bags did not go off...even though the radiator was pushed into the engine damaging the transmission and other things. The estimate was 14 thousand dollars of damage. Insurance is going to pay it. WHEW! So God shielded us financially, Geico is not giving us any run around or grief. Which is a blessing. GOD also shielded us physically. We both felt that that "energy/vibration" we felt go over and through us was like a shield and protection from the impact. We were NOT harmed in any way even though we were going 60mph and stopped suddenly...no whiplash, nothing. It was as if our ancestors had "dog piled us" as it happened and we were protected. The only negative physical thing was that we both had a stomach ache for a day. Elder Cullen, who did all the dirty work of cleaning the car had to stop work and take a nap the next day.

Our ministering brother and sister came to visit us the next day. They canceled everything just to hang with us and fill any needs. Elder Cullen was sleeping, I had a health and wellness apt. so they drove me to that, then took me out to lunch and brought some home for Elder Cullen. I thought at first I didn't need anyone...we were OK and nothing really needed to be done, we were literally FINE.

BUT as they drove me to my appointment I suddenly became aware of how nice it was to not be driving myself, to have these two "angels" just surround me and do that easy thing for me of taking me there, waiting and taking me out to lunch then home. I felt so comforted...it was like having protective angels on either side..just there if I needed them. I felt myself just relax into their presence and let go, like a little kid... not being in charge...not needing to manage. It was very comforting and pleasant.

The next day they made us dinner. It was wonderful. The ministring brother and sister program is truly wonderful. Thank heaven we never sold Lazarus! (our Suburban) NOW he's our only transportation. The Pearl will be in the shop for a month. MEANWHILE the day after our wreck, our sweet renter called to tell us that both the clothes washer and the dishwasher had died. LOL When it rains....

AGAIN, God sent us an angel and a dear protective friend at home came over and took care of the problem. He is SO capable and kind. We felt so shielded from the stress because he knew who to call to fix it and take care of the problem and did it without any issues. We LOVE him and his family forever and ever.

As activity directors we hosted a very fun card making night for those who were interested. Elder Cullen was the only man there and he loved making his own Christmas cards. The event was such a success that we have two more nights planned.

Last Sat. on our day off we got to go to the Rennasaince Faire. We have been taking our kids to the California Faire, working the Faire, and loving the Faire for decades. It was fun to see how it goes out in the midwest. I got to sing sea chanties with a pirate.

ALSO, you know that candy we got last week? I turned the carmels and the candy corn into candy corn on the cob!

HAHAH! That was my fidget project while we drove to the Faire. ALSO We had a goodbye party for some departing missionaries. I am going to miss them terribly...

sigh how does one keep track of all the people they love and care about?? TOO MANY. I guess this blog is one way. If we tried to communicate with you one on one we'd never get any work done. BUT we can reach out with our adventures this way to share and LOVE your comments. Just a pin point of communication to say, we remember you, we love you and we want to keep in touch.

At my water color class I made another painting that looks like a really good 5th grade project! LOL

I am NOT good at this, however it is very calming and enjoyable to be creating with friends and talking and I love the bright colors.

In OTHER news, we took another site missionary to the burn pile to look for a good walking stick. Of course boys will be boys and he and Elder Cullen started fighting with them! LOL