Flat Tire = !@#%&*(

Finally, we are home. Sharon and I have been on the road since April 18th. Meetings in Bosnia occupied our first week. Then we took an overnight ferry to Italy (from Croatia) for a few days R&R traveling to Rome, Florence and Pisa. We celebrated our 25th anniversary (three years late), as well as our 50th birthdays (also a bit late). From there we went to Germany for meetings and then on to Chicago where we witnessed our eldest son's graduation from Wheaton College.

On our trip back we flew into Frankfurt where we picked up our waiting car. From there we drove to Salzburg, Austria. While DUJ (driving under jetlag), we experienced a flat tire. Our second of the month long trip. No big deal, right? Well it was. We limped into the rest stop and changed the tire to the little donut in the trunk. We found a tire store just a few miles away. As we looked at the tires we knew we needed to replace two tires. OK. No problem. Well, actually a BIG problem. Germany is not the most credit card friendly country in Europe (Balkan countires are friendlier). They would not take VISA or MasterCard.

But, they said not to worry, there is a bank in this town and we can get cash from the ATM. However, both banks' ATMs were out of cash! Back to the shop. They suggested a bigger nearby town. We left Sharon's passport and took off with two new tires looking for an ATM. Aftger 30 minutes of fruitless effort, we finally found one. We made it back with just 30 minutes to spare before the shop closed.

Now here is where the title comes in. While racing back to the shop with the cash in hand, I took a wrong turn. This caused a...discussion in the car. :-). We were not going in the right direction. Then I took a second wrong turn. Now, the discussion more accurately resembled a shouting match. Not one of my more stellar moments. The pressure of getting back to the shop before it closed was enormous.

Once again I was forced to look into the mirror and see a very ugly person staring back at me. I wish I had responded better to that situation. So does Sharon. :-). It proves to me that just when I think I have mastered some area of my spiritual life, the daily tests prove that I have a long way to go.

Keep praying for daily victories.

Thanks.

Trent