Warning Signs

Just as we put our jet skis into the clear water, it started to rain. 

Not just any rain but rather, big fat droplets falling in a rapid down pour. I was freezing, circling my jet ski, waiting for my sister who was having troubles starting the one that she was on. My little sister held on tightly to my life jacket, all the while, we all were wondering who in the world thought that this was a fun idea. Finally my older sister was able to start her jet ski, and we took off, with hopes that the rain and storm would blow over soon. 

We were trying out a new lake that had really pretty scenery, that is, if we were able to see it through the pelting rain. I squinted through the hail-like water droplets, goosebumps on my arms and legs. We were trying to find the beach where we could wait out the storm, but we didn’t know where exactly where it was located. We had a ways to go. 

We stopped out in the middle of the lake. We were all not having fun. That’s when my sister noticed my hair, and I saw her hair. Even though our hair was in braids, both of our wispy’s and loose strands were standing strait up! Like if you were to have rubbed a ballon on our heads, and the static makes the hair stand strait up. We all knew what that meant. We were out in the middle of water, in a storm. We didn’t see any visible lightning, but knew we were in serious danger of getting struck by it. 

So, what do we do now?!? 

First of all, we didn’t have many options. We had to get to the beach and get off the water! We could barely see what we thought was the beach, so we headed for it as fast as we could. The rain stung, but the urgency to get off the water was the only thing that mattered. I prayed, and I prayed hard. 

We made it to the beach, and pulled our jet skis up far enough onto the sand so that they wouldn’t float away. We safely made it to the RV where we told our scary adventure to our parents. It was one of those moments when we knew our angels were with us and watching out for us!

You know, I can’t help but think what would have happened if we hadn’t payed close attention to the warning signs we were given. If we would have stayed out on the water and waited for the storm to pass.

There are warning labels and caution signs everywhere. Whether it be driving on the road, or on a child’s play toy. And we must take these signs seriously for our own good. 

Do you think God has given us warning signs? How about when He told or more like warned, Adam and Eve NOT to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:16,17 

“And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Every warning sign comes with a consequence. If we wouldn’t have listened to our warning sign of our hair standing strait up, our consequence could have been getting struck by lightning. For a driver who didn’t heed the speed limit sign around a tight curve, that consequences might result in rolling the car. For a parent who did not heed the sticker on a small toy, the consequence might be for their child to choke on it. For Adam and Eve, since they did not heed the warning of God, their consequence resulted in death. 

Don’t be fooled by the looks of things. We didn't see the lighting, but that doesn't mean it wasn’t there. A driver might think that the turn wasn’t very sharp, but he wouldn’t have known until he was right upon it. A parent might read the warning label as a silly suggestion, but that doesn’t mean their child will not want to stick it in their mouth. Adam and Eve saw that the fruit looked good, and were tricked by Satan to not listen to God’s warning. 

There are lots of warnings in the bible that we should NOT ignore. One big one for me is, to get ready for Jesus to come again. He is coming quickly! And we need to be ready when he comes. We don’t want to fall asleep (Matthew 25:1-13). 

We need to share this good news, because we have been chosen to be his hands and feet. Even if we are a very small part, even if we are his fingers and toes, if we are doing all that we know how, if we are striving to be His light, then we have done our part. 

And aren’t fingers and toes very important?! We might feel like we are so small and feel as if we don’t make an impact, but as long as we are following God’s direction, we ARE making a impact. Even the smallest of sparks, can still light a forest fire! 

So, summing up. Listen to the warnings around you. And most of all, take heed to God’s instructions and warnings in the Bible. 

Jesus is coming again! Lets do our part and shine our light! 

We were able to go back out on the water when the storm blew over. It turned out to be a very fun day! Here are some pictures I took...!

Have you ever been in a scary situation that you knew your angels helped you out of? Do you think warning labels are important? Have you ever gone jet skiing? What is one thing that you are thankful for today, right this second? 

Lets talk about it in the comments below! ;D

Miracles and Angels

Exactly two weeks ago, we were spring cleaning my aunts house. We were working really hard, and decided to take a 15 minute break. It was a nice day so, my younger sister, younger cousin, older cousin, and I went out for a four wheeler ride. The younger two were on Auntie and Uncles four wheeler, and us older two were on our four wheeler (pictured above with Rosie!)

Sometimes we play this game (basically hide and seek on the four wheelers) where two of us hide anywhere on our property and the other two try to find them using the four wheeler tracks. The younger two, who we call the “babies” even though they aren’t babies anymore, had already gone. So it was me and Julia's turn to "hide." 

We figured our hiding spot would be up in the woods, so I headed that way. I was driving. We crossed our bridge and Julia suggested we drive down in the creek bed. We thought the babies would just drive by if we were hidden down in the creek. We saw a spot that we thought we could get down into the creek, it was about a foot drop, then a small sand landing lowering into the water. 

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked as I was driving closer towards the creek.

There was a small tree in the way, so I couldn’t hit it strait. I had to hit it at an angle. *RED FLAG* Never, I repeat, NEVER do this! I totally knew better and should have listened to my gut. 

The right front tire went down the foot drop off first. I was going super slow. I heard Julia say, “We might tip it.” Then it was too late.

By this time, we were both thinking this wasn’t a great idea, but we couldn’t do anything to stop it from happening. We were helpless as it rolled. We couldn't bale to the left, because it was up hill and gravity was against us, so we ended up falling/jumping to our right and landing face down in the creek. The water was about a foot high. The four wheeler rolled a full circle and landed on top of us, upright.

My face was under the water, and I couldn't breathe!

It was the scariest, most awful feeling to be trapped and not able to breathe. I immediately tilted my head up sideways and out of the water. My thoughts scrambled and I realized that I was, in fact, still alive and finally able to breathe! I saw that I was under the four wheeler, right behind the two front tires. I quickly backed my way our from under it, and my thoughts went right to Julia. She had been beside me when I was underneath. I couldn’t hear her, she wasn’t making a sound. I thought she was drowning or pinned under the back tire. Had I just killed my cousin? Those were my thoughts at the moment.

I spun into action! I tried, LIKE REALLY TRIED, to lift the four wheeler off of her, breaking part of the plastic side. Note: this four wheeler is 700+ pounds! Other than braking the plastic, I wasn’t budging it. I remembered hearing stories of grandmas lifting lawnmowers off of their grandchildren. I had adrenaline, why couldn't I lift it?? 

“I can breathe!” Julia had army crawled up far enough so that she could bring her head above the water. So thankful she was alive, I hurried around to the other side where her head was and she told me to turn off the four wheeler. Believe it of not, it actually was still running. Her leg was twisted back and pressing against the hot part. I quickly shut it of, despite my violently shaking hands. I then ran around to where her leg was and pulled up the broken plastic to untwist her leg. Then she was able to crawl out the rest of the way. This all took place in about 2 or 3 minutes, but to us it felt like hours.

Oh my goodness! We couldn't believe what had just happened! We were shaking so bad we could barely stand so we stood there hugging. Thing was, we were in shock and couldn't stop laughing. Not a funny laugh, but a I-can’t-believe-this-happened laugh. We found my phone buried in the sand, under the water. I figured it probably wouldn't work after being in the water. But I was able to make the call to the babies. We told them to pick us up at the creek. They took us, all sopping wet and sandy, back to the house where we told the moms what had happened. 

Both of our elbows were skinned up from landing in the sandy creek bed. Julia's elbows were worse because she had army crawled. Her head also got bumped pretty good. Both of our legs had bruises but mine was definitely more impressive.

I’m just so thankful that we didn't get hurt worse. The “what ifs” and “could haves” and “should haves” are endless. The raw and scary truth is that we could have easily been killed. It was a miracle that we made it out with only minor cuts and bruises. 

Our guardian angels were working overtime. God definitely was looking out for us. He saved us! Julia told me that, while it was happening, she was praying. Talk about the power of prayer. 

The way the four wheeler landed on top of us was a miracle. We were both side by side in between the tires. How did the tires not land on us? Because of God. 

The way the four wheeler landed upright on top of us. How did it not just roll over and not make a complete turn like it did? Because of God.

The way we both fit underneath. Inches either way and it would have been bad. How did that happen? Because of God.

The way it ended up that us two older girls got the four wheeler with the most clearance underneath. If we would have been riding the other four wheeler, we wouldn't have fit underneath. Was it by chance? No, but because of God.

The way this whole accident happened, with both of us making it out alive, was because of God!

He loves us so much and watches out for us. He is the One who kept us safe, because He cares. 

The rest of the day, I was in a daze and looked at life differently. I was so thankful for the big AND the little things. My family, my animals, even chores. I realized that things I thought were a big deal, weren't so bad, I was just thankful to be alive. Sometimes seemingly small things, no matter how essential, get taken for granted. Like breathing. I didn’t normally think of breathing, it is just something I do. But now, after having it taken away from me for about two seconds, I’m like, “I CAN BREATHE!” God is good.

I am so thankful to be given life. Life is a gift. A cherished gift that we shouldn’t take for granted. This is real, this is serious. I want to live this gift fully. I want to have true joy, because I get to live this life. I want to remember everyday that I am blessed. I want to be thankful for the little things. 

Everyday is a gift, take a deep breath and thank Him. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you so much for watching out for us. You promise to never leave us or forsake us. Thank you for keeping Your promise. Thank you for giving us this gift of life. Help us live fully and follow Jesus’ example. Please lead us and guide us. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Psalms 91:11,12 

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” 

                                                                      ~~~

Have you ever been in a situation where things could have ended badly, but didn’t?  Is there a time in your life where you knew that God saved you? What are some ways that we can live more fully? Lets talk in the comments!