In a world of awesome technology – where people “live” in outer space (on the International space station) and human knowledge doubles every 13 months … we are still humbled by “how things can go wrong”, and “how one thing leads to another”!

Ottawa members David and Margaret embarked on another “vacation adventure” in June 2017 … this time to Tennessee … and in the midst of their exploring, their vehicle hit a deer! Fortunately, God’s protection was around them… but … there are still the matters of dealing with Insurance, Body Shop repairs, car rental, and Police Reports.

A twist in the story involves the challenge to get a “Canadian version” of an automobile repaired in the USA! (Yes, even the driver’s side mirror can be different between the US model and the Canadian car!) … A repair that normally might take a couple days, was taking weeks … from June 5th to June 22 or possibly July 7th! Medicine prescriptions needed to be refilled, and although credit cards worked okay … cash advances did not?!?

It’s great that David and Margaret did not let this situation spoil their adventure! Margaret writes… ” such a beautiful state in the USA. Our interest in history has taken us to a number of interesting places: The Hermitage (President Andrew Jackson’s home, President Polk’s home, The Archaeological Museum, Builtmore Estate in North Carolina and lots of other places, gardens …. We have been to the Cumberland Gap which is a breath-taking view. David is taking lots of photographs…”.

… And another highlight of the trip was the chance to fellowship with Church of God brethren. David wrote … “We have attended services with United Church of God three times and look forward to one more service with them this coming week. Margaret is doing special music for that congregation this coming Sabbath. We have met many brethren and made some new friends in that congregation. The pastor and all the people have been really kind to us”.

We don’t know if this “trial of their faith” involved an “angelic deer” that crossed their path to help David and Margaret form some new Church friendships (the police reported there was no trace of Bambi!)… but we do know that unexpected things will come up in our lives, and it is great to have a Heavenly Father who is involved and “just a prayer” away… a spouse to lean on, some church friends to encourage you, and a positive attitude … to find the opportunities and silver linings that these adventures can bring.

Back in Ottawa, David and Margaret received some “deer whistles” to fasten to the outside of their car, and the following framed scripture of encouragement from the congregation! … A “tip of the hat” to the United Church of God congregation in Knoxville and Allentown for extending the hand of friendship to our Treasured Adventurers!