Three Strikes

We have had a really wonderful time road tripping across America.  So far, it’s been over 4,000 miles.

Sweet moments at Dw’s childhood home.

A beautiful time with Liberty’s birth family.

A day at Virginia Beach frolicking in the water.  {Is there a sillier word than ‘frolicking’?  It just kind of makes me giggle.}

Hanging out with my precious longtime friend Lori at an Inn in the mountains above Hendersonville, NC.

And then somewhere in there a bloggy {now turned to real life} friend Facebooked me and said, “Hey, from my calculations you are traveling through Knoxville, TN…could I treat you to Cracker Barrel?”

I mentioned her generous offer to Dw.  His words?  “We’re in.”  We are a Cracker Barrel lovin’ family from a way back.

But yesterday we had a ‘Hey, doesn’t this feel familiar moment” when the car made a really weird noise. Then another noise.

To make a long story short, we limped our way to Knoxville where we enjoyed a delightful lunch and afternoon with Mary and Gigi.   While we visited and laughed and talked serious stuff the dealership found that there is a problem with the transmission.

Suddenly this is all sounding a little too familiar.

In fact, it sounds awfully familiar.

And the news from the Chevy dealership?

They can get the part by next Wednesday.

Next Wednesday?  As in like, 6 days from now and just 9 days before Autumn’s wedding?

Then, of course, they would have to work on it.

Then, we would have to drive lickety-split to Phoenix..which is hardly around the corner from Eastern Tennessee…and then when we get home we have to throw our stuff together for Autumn and Karl’s wedding and head back to Colorado.

Hmmmm.

This is sounding terribly familiar.

Remember the RV Trip from you-know-where?

And then the recent trip to Denver where our car broke down and we had to limp to Albuquerque and rent a car to take our tribe to Denver to finalize all their adoptions??

All I’m thinkin’ is “Are you kidding me?  Like, seriously?  What the heck?”

So here we are in Knoxville, the mechanic has ordered the part and said he will put everything aside to work on our van when he gets it.  It’s only got 60,000 miles on it and is under warranty {thank you Jesus}.

I guess this means we will be looking for unique opportunities to minister to those around us here, cause He surely has us here for some special reason.

Whatever the reason we give thanks that we are safe, that the transmission problem happened in a city, not on the side of a vacant dark road in Nowhereville and that He will work it out for us to get home with enough time to turn around and head back to Colorado for the wedding.

Lastly, I’m thinkin’ the old saying, “Three strikes”…well this would be the third strike…from here on out, walkin’ may just be our new mode of transportation.  

41 thoughts on “Three Strikes

  1. Well welcome to our beautiful city! Do you need anything while you are here waiting? Email me if I can help in any way. Hopefully you enjoy Knoxville even though you are stuck here. Maybe you could get to downtown to see Market Square and World's Fair Park while you're here!

    1. I guess we are going to do some "sploring"…and I bet we'll have a blast…we need to find some wedding stuff too…like outfits for the little boys…so we will be doing that too…

  2. oh dear! I just love your attitude! You're always teaching me through your example. I've been feeling really uptight this week about the littlest things – my messy house, my days that don't go exactly as I envisioned them to be. Here you are going with the flow and even with the pending wedding of the century! You never cease to amaze me. Maybe this is happening to you just to continue to teach us bloggy readers! 🙂 Love you my friend! Hang in there and enjoy TN!

    1. Honestly Fe, most of life is like, "oh well" cause face it, there's not anything that will be accomplished by stompin my feet…*sigh*…so I guess we'll get to know Knoxville like we never would have dreamed! haha. xo

  3. Oh Linny! That is awful! I can definitely empathize with you! I am murphy's law of car trouble and sickness lol. Less than 6 months into marriage our only car was t-boned, so my MIL sold us her car and a van (never saw the van, they finally returned the money for it) but the car was beautiful, then 3 months later the engine threw a rod, so we replaced the engine (unfortunately with a shady mechanic) less than a month later I traveled alone to visit my parents 3 hours south when on the interstate half way between the car simply shuts down, it was towed to Taylor and sits there to this day, it was a Saturn so we were never able to find another engine since they went out of business. We went 4 months without transportation relying on sweet friends/making new friends until a complete stranger gave me her old car, it has been great, but then once again last Christmas while I am alone and out of town the belt snapped while I was turning in busy Little Rock. It was so scary! But God has blessed us with amazing friends and my husband and a friend were finally able to replace the belt. I also thank Jesus for the La Quinta management who chose not to tow our car even though it sat for a week while we worked on it.
    I will pray that your car part comes much sooner than the estimated time.
    Continue to travel safe. I wish I could come see you in Knoxville while you wait.

    1. Well Miss Halee, I am glad that some sweet person gave you guys a car – bless them! What a nightmare you have had with cars!! Jeepers – Creepers! And if you were near Knoxville, I'd love to have you come visit. xo

  4. Hi Linny, Praying for speedy repairs and travel safety for you and yours. I did love hearing you met some blogging buddies-you all look so cute together. Blessings to you today.
    Noreen

  5. Good grief! Always an adventure with the Saunders! God must have something special for you guys there in Knoxville TN….I look forward to hearing what he has planned……

  6. Wow, your trips are always full of something "interesting" happening! We'll pray for opportunities to minister, for vehicle to be repaired unusually fast, and for the rest of the trip to be "less interesting."

    If you want to drive through the Kentucky bluegrass while you're out this way, we're just half a day from Knoxville. I wish we could help you in some way!

    🙂 Blessings and prayers

    1. Are trips always are, aren't they? The ladies I had lunch today with said, "You couldn't even plan all this stuff if you wanted!" We all laughed. Glad the dogs are with us or they would think that we ran away from home forever.

  7. Oh My Goodness…so sorry this is happening right now, but God is going to show up big and get it done..Enjoy this time in the Mountains of NC..you just might be there for a reason ;-)…Loved seeing you all yesterday..Love to you all.

  8. OH NO! we just had our transmission fixed and it wasn't under warranty 😛 but now it's acting up again. It's a daily reminder to turn all my anxiety and worries over to God. It's such a hard thing for me to do I think I worry waaaaay too much, but I am doing better little by little. I hope everything works out and will continue to pray for you (as always) Much love to you and the kiddos! Ruby isn't done with the 'splorin yet Mom! hehe xoxo

    Sam

    1. I'm thinking Ruby does want to do more 'splorin …haha. Bummer on your transmission not being under warranty. Total stinky bummer. I will pray your trannie problem rights itself by the power of God!

  9. I'm happy that you are making lemonade today with the lemons. I wish that I lived anywhere near Knoxville I would have you stay at our home in a New York minute, we would swim, eat, chat, drink coffee, visit, relax and enjoy. I would hug more necks and see more smiles than ever before. I hope that this adventure turns out amazing! I'm thankful for "warranties" and mechanics that understand deadlines, and for this amazing miracle wedding happening soon for Autumn. Take care and God bless you all on this "side trip" home

  10. What Chevy dealership did you take your car to? I'm from Maryville (just outside of Knoxville) and good friends of ours own West Chevrolet. Please let me know if I can be in touch with any of my friends there to be of assistance. There are several large churches that could probably be of assistance as well: Cedar Springs Presbyterian, Fellowship Church, Sevier Heights Baptist. My parents live nearby so if you need anything at all, please let me know. I'm happy to help make some connections for you.

    Emily
    emilyrelkins@gmail.com

  11. Well, you could consider biking. It is a little faster than walking,and there is more of a breeze to keep you cool. AND you could get your exercise in at the same time. ;o)

    1. Actually Bec, I think the bikes do sound better except even they break down…and we'd have to change the tires…and we are so not good at all that stuff…and we would have to get a side car for Ruby and Jubilee. So I think we'll stick to walking. Carrying paper fans that the kids make in the evenings and decorate could count for art too. haha.

  12. Wow…van issues, sounds familiar! The past 3 trips we have taken we have had van trouble, not fun with a large family! Knoxville, that's just a little over an hour from us. If we can help in any way let us know…munckfamily @ att.net. We are in the wedding crunch around here our oldest is getting married on the 18th. I saw you said you needed to shop…well starting tomorrow is Tennessee tax free weekend. We'll be praying that the van gets fixed quickly!
    Blessings ~
    Laura

  13. LINNY, how I wished the other day while reading your blog that you would be passing through Knoxville. Live right outside Knoxville in oak ridge if you all need a place to stay. I've got plenty of room. Btw, was at Beaty last week getting our car worked on before hubby headed to mission trip in Africa. God bless, Becky

  14. Posting this via iPad – hope it works. Was wishing the other day while reading your blog that you would be passing through Knoxville. Live right outside Knoxville in oak ridge. Have plenty of room if you all need a place to stay. Btw, was at Beaty last week getting our car fixed before hubby left on mission trip to Africa. God bless, Becky

  15. We are in Knoxville as well! Small world 🙂 If you need a tour guide to show you around, I know my kiddos would love to play with yours, and I'd love to meet you! We have one bio boy, one treasure from Rwanda (with roots from Uganda), and we are foster parents as well. Maybe you can visit the Great Smoky Mountains while you are here – only a short drive. We also have a great zoo and free splash parks all around the city for the kids! Praying for a quick fix for the van!

    Jenn
    jennifernew81@hotmail.com

    1. Jenn, just like the other offers – thank you! I would love to meet all of you..and if I'd been able to plan a bit I think we could have a had a regular big ol' party…maybe next time??

  16. Oh My! God bless you dear friend! I know you will make the most of it! You always do!!

    I am guessing BECAUSE HE is in control that ALL will work out for the best!

    Wish you were stuck in MPLS!! That would be SO MUCH FUN!!

    Saying prayers and sending them your way!

    HUGS to you and your clan!!

  17. oh dear, car problems on a vacation never ceases to amaze me. Too bad you don't have AAA but then you'd have to go back and get your vehicle if you rented one. There are always blessings in disguise when troubles come. You just got an extended vacation like ya wanted, sort of! HA! Will be praying everything works out ok that you make it home and then to the wedding in time without any more trouble and everybody well! Hugs!

    1. I laughed when I read your "extended vacation" comment stuff. if we didn't have a wedding sneaking up on us that we have to first go home to repack and get little boy clothes…it would be grand to lollygag…but we are having fun in spite of it all and thankful for His provision!

  18. OHMYSTARS you are in my city!!!!!! oh linny, i would love love love love to meet you in "real life"!!! and being a nanny i have the scoop on awesome playgrounds/fountains to play in around kville! is there ANY WAY in your exploring tomorrow you would have time to let your sweet treasures run off some energy at a playground?? i am going to email you my phone number… oh my stars! :}

  19. Oh my, oh my….I am so glad you guys have a great sense of humor and love to look for the best in everything! Praying you are back on the road quickly!

  20. Praise the Lord for warranties! I wonder what adventurer Gods has planed for you there in Tennesse? Haha… you all have been on such a fun journey – I feel like you all should get out your safari or 'explorer' osutfits. 😉

    1. Hey girlfriend…the home owners assoc at our new home called and said that the desert storm took out our only two trees on the front lawn and asked when we would be cleaning them up? Dw told them we were in NY {where we were when they contacted us}…ugh…so I think we have some busy days coming up when we get home…but maybe we can sneak a dinner in with you guys?? xo

  21. linny – call me! We are passing by Knoxville sometime this morning (Friday, august 3) from our vacation in the Smokey Mts. and want to help you guys out in some way. I left you an e-mail of both of our phone numbers.

    janet and kevin

  22. So Linny…How about planning a break down in the Seattle area…I would love to see you too!

    Seriously though…if you are ever in our neck of the woods…PLEASE let me know!

  23. So what is it about cars that break down while on vacation? Happened to us, too, just recently. However, as it turned out, we experienced an amazing little blessing from God, which made the trip all the more special and memorable! Safe travels to you!

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