champions and adventures on the river

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes on our trip to Lynchburg, VA.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  There were tons of memories made and many special friendships formed.  And we came home victorious!  The girls played their hearts out and took the championship title of Division 2a.  They got to play their final game in the Vines Arena at Liberty University.  Playing in a Division 1 gym was overwhelming and exciting all at once.  They trailed the entire game and managed to take the lead in the last three minutes.  It was a nail biter to say the least!  We're so proud of all of them!

On our way home from the tournament, we had ourselves quite an adventure.  We came home through Virginia and decided to cross into Maryland via White's Ferry.  When we were about 1/3 of the way across the Potomac River on the ferry, the cable holding the ferry broke!  Aparently a huge tree had floated down the river and bumped into the ferry getting tangled up in the cable.  The tension caused the cable to snap and it was then that we were floating freely down the Potomac River.  It was the most surreal experience.  We were in the front of the ferry and so we saw everything clearly. 

 As we drifted down the river, we went askew and hit the river bank on the Maryland side.  The captain told everyone to get into their vehicles and we all quickly complied.  Our family began gathering our laptops and cameras and essential stuff in case we needed to pile into life boats. (just so you know...my knitting bag was in that essential stuff pile!)

That however, proved unnecessary as they were able to slow the ferry down enough to hook it to a tug boat.  That little tug boat pulled the entire ferry back to the dock and after some manuevering with a big bucket tractor, we were straightened out and able to drive off.  It was some kind of adventure.  (that's our van in the front there with Johan Samuel and John in the front seat getting a great view of all the action)

I called my mom and mother in law and asked them to pray for everyone on the ferry.  God was so gracious to answer the prayers that were lifted up for all of us.  We felt calm and peaceful throughout the entire experience....well, except for Kenzie.  She had to go to the bathroom so badly and when she realized we were off cable, she had a bit of a moment.  But she and I jumped ferry when they got us close enough to the dock.  They had left the gate open as they were securing cables and she, Maggie and I quickly slipped out and jumped to dry land to get her to the port o potty. 

Whew!  (good lesson:  go to the bathroom before getting on the ferry!)  As we were leaving the ferry, after the hour + long ordeal,  the ticket collector gave us two round trip fares and told us to, "Come back and see them again!"  Needless to say, we're so grateful to be home.   We're praising the Lord for His protection...I'll even relish doing the piles of laundry this week....those piles that could have ended up on the bottom of the Potomac River!