Cell Phone and Serendipity

A yearly tradition, my niece’s and nephew’s Holiday Concert was upon us.  My sister called to ask if everyone could gather at our home, since we live closer to the school.   We ordered Chinese for dinner, and everyone ate hurriedly amidst last minute preparations for the bake sale, auction and raffle that would be a part of the evening’s festivities.  Running a little late, and having difficulty navigating the overfull parking lot, we rushed from the car in to the gymnasium for the show.  My husband, who I often refer to as the absent-minded professor – because he is both absent-minded and a professor – couldn’t find his cell phone.  This is not surprising, nor unexpected; he often can’t find his cell phone.  Unfortunately, this time, it wasn’t in his pockets, it wasn’t in the car, nor was it at home. When we returned home that evening, he was calling the phone, in hopes to find it somewhere in the house, when he heard a ‘Hello’ on the other end.
 
Frustrated with not being able to retrieve the phone that evening, I called our rescuer in an attempt to plead my husband’s desire to get the phone immediately, but alas it was getting late, and I left a voicemail message.  Concerned with what could happen to the phone and use of his service, we called the carrier and suspended the service, and went to bed, hoping the phone would be returned and we weren’t going to be adding one more hassling project in to this crazy week before Christmas. 

The next morning, we did receive a call and jumped in the car to retrieve the phone from its rescuer at a local gas station.  I thanked her repeatedly, and offered her $20 as a token of our sincere appreciation.  She refused, explaining that she did not pick up the phone to get a reward, which I acknowledged but asked her to please accept our modest gift.  She shared her wonder at how the phone hadn’t been run over in the parking lot, and I said, “Because you picked it up.  Please accept our thanks.” 

She repeatedly declined, and I continued to pleasantly insist (I can be like that).  She finally acquiesced, hugged me and said, “Thank you so much.  I have been unemployed for a year, and just started my new job last week.  I did not know where I was going to get gas money to get to work until I received my first pay."  She looked at the money in her hand, and continued, "WOW – God does provide.”
 
Lisa Sierk, December 2009

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Peace Camp 2010 for children who are entering kindergarten through grade 6 will be June 21-25 at Trinity.

Counselors from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio will be on site to lead the campers in a dynamic opening program each day at 9 am, followed by Bible study, crafts, games, and other activities with peace education from a member of our congregation.