A Divine Interruption? Perhaps.
There are certain family events that you just don't want to miss. Our youngest daughter's graduation from University was certainly one of those. Although we had permanently relocated to Chiapas, Mexico nearly a couple of months ago, the 5,600 kilometer journey between the Aguas Sagradas Ranch and Seattle Pacific University would not deter us. In fact, we had been making plans, scheduling flights and arranging all of the details for several months in advance. I, (Michael} am generally the lead planner when it comes to these kinds of things, and I must admit that I take some element of pride in having all of the details covered and coordinating departures and schedules etc.
An important event like this one was no exception. I had booked flights from Chiapas through Mexico City and in to Tijuana and then on to CA where we would pick up our daughter Audra, and then on to Seattle to spend the long weekend with our other two daughters, Rachel and Riley. Everything was in place and carefully scheduled - or so I believed!
Celeste and I left the ranch on a Thursday afternoon to make the 3 hour trek to Tuxtla so that we would be close to the airport for our first leg, leaving the next morning at 10:00. Bags were packed, truck was gassed up, house was cleaned and locked up. I knew we were ready and had everything on schedule. In fact, we were ahead of schedule and had time to stop over for a brief visit and break up the trip in San Cristobal, a beautiful colonial "touristy" town. We had a quick lunch and a coffee and left San Cristobal and continued toward Tuxtla.
When we were about 2 or more hours into our journey, out of the blue, Celeste asked me; "You brought our passports, didn't you?" From the look on my face she knew one of two things: either he's yanking me around - or "Mr. Plan It Down to the Last Detail" has overlooked one critical element! When I suddenly pulled off the highway and proceeded to make a U-Turn, she realized it was the latter.
So there we were, retracing the first 2 hours of our 3 hour journey. I must say that I felt like an idiot. But that precious gift that I am blessed to call my wife had only one thing to say; "Perhaps there's a purpose and God is protecting us from something."
By the time we returned to the ranch it was dark and too late to venture out again. So at 5:00 am the next morning, passports in hand, we were on our way to the airport once again. The graduation was wonderful, but no more so than spending a few days with our 3 girls and enjoying the sites and tastes of Seattle with them.
Please keep us in your prayers as we are currently experiencing another "Divine Interruption" as Celeste and I returned from Seattle with a minor case of Covid, so our return trip home to Chiapas has been delayed while we quarantine and recover here in CA.
Construction of Casita No.2 has been progressing steadily in our absence, but we are both anxious to return to see the progress first-hand and continue to oversee the project.
May the Lord bless each of you abundantly and keep you in His perfect peace!
Blessings, and with gratitude for each of you joining us on the journey.