Awaiting news

Today was court for Jesse. Awaiting news

My older brother sent an email that my grandmother fell and broke her neck and is at UC Davis. Awaiting news.

I am in CT awaiting the final leg of this journey with the load from NE. The rules state I can take an 8 hour break drive the remaining time on my clock for today then I must take a two hour break. I had to stop sooner than planned because the traffic got real bad hear in CT. So I try to rest knowing the phone will ring. I try to rest with an anxious heart. Waiting, even when you think you have mastered that skill, it comes back once again.

Hail, lightening, wind

We left Sidney,NE and headed east toward the dark clouds listening to a radio station I thought was local. WRONG! It was from Denver. We drove through a bad thunder storm. Large hail crashing upon the truck. We were able to switch to a local station which for a native prune picker (California native) resulted in more fear! Funnel clouds spotted near our area, small clouds touching the ground as if preparing to become tornados near our area. We made it out! We parked in North Platte only to listen as the warnings sounded again. I put the gear down on the trailer and then the 55 plus mph winds came. I was thankful they were from behind and even more thankful to have a full trailer.

I googled for a church to attend tomorrow; however, none are very close. Most are in areas that would not allow my truck to come visit.

Missed opportunities

Charlie and I did not make it to Stockton in time for church; however, we did visit with Grandma. I took Charlie back to Modesto that night; whereupon he was arrested and spent the next 3 days in jail. He was released and all charges dropped. Jesse has taken up his continued tough guy attitude, foul language and now has decided everyone is wrong: pot is okay. I informed him Monday night that when his court date is finalized he will have 7 days to find other accommodations. Today he went to town and applied for medical and welfare. We are broken hearted again.

Matthew and I are on the truck, picked up a salad load from Salinas and heading for North Platte. It delivers Sunday, so by the time everything is paid, I will be in the hole this week. So much for a good time!

When the budget is cut to help your child who needs the assistance and then allows the child that does not need assistance to even apply, something is wrong with the system.

California here I come

We finally left the Dallas yard only to be delayed at the Kraft. It was supposed to load at 2PM; however, it actually did not complete loading until 2AM. So off we go at 5AM on our way to Stockton,CA. Now with the delay we should still make it by Sunday, the question will be if we can make it to church. Charlie wants to see Grandma Beulah after church before I drop him in Modesto. Let us pray for a safe journey.

Edinburg,TX

So close to the Mexican border and yet it reads like a German town. But walk around a little and it is not Germany!

Loading took much longer than it should, therefore we arrived when our 14 hour clock expired. When we left from the shippers I drove down Military Blvd, aka, we drove past Stevens. I thought the truck might suddenly lurch to the left to go home, but we were able to drive past it safely.

No Candy!

We delivered early at Mars DC in Waco,TX. Monday - Friday that have a shipping/receiving office that has free bags of candy. Today is Sunday!

Church was the usual disappointment I find with many services that are lead by modern musician types. They fail to understand the difference between a performance and leading. He would change the words from what was posted on the screen, he would add more lines, which in turn leads to the congregation turning into audience instead of participant. But then the sermon was delivered and I knew this was where God had wanted us to be. Kevin was starting a lesson series on family. T A L K E D: Time, Attention, Listen, Kindness, Encouragement, Do. It will give Charlie and I something to focus on before he leaves the truck hopefully this coming week. However, it is not encouraging when you are sent from Waco to Dallas to pick up a load going to Weslaco, TX (near Brownsville). That is about as far from CA as I can get and stay in TX!

Only cavemen write on walls

Where did I read that? On the bathroom wall! I could have also started out about buffalos, camels and zebras which I observed near Dallas on I-20.

We drove from Cleveland, TN to Tallulah,LA yesterday and then drove today to Waco,TX where this load delivers. We are loaded with M & Ms chocolate of various configurations. All that chocolate for someone to enjoy! At the factory in TN when we parked the trailer in the back the smell of twix candy bars was almost overwhelming.

We have no where to go tomorrow, I have 3.25 hours on my clock which is more than enough time to deliver this load, so we will attend church tomorrow. Googled churches, came across a church of Christ, "we are the only ones worshipping right...", needless to say we will not be gracing their doors. I will find out in a few more minutes if I will be trailer free and therefore can drive, or if we will be walking. We skirted past all the major storm activity, just missing tornado warnings given shortly after we left one area! I thank God for his kindness and mercy. If I would not want God's judgment upon myself, why should I wish it for others?

Garden City, NY

We had trouble running around NY, it looks like Columbus is a major road but do not let the map fool you! Fortunately Charlie was awake at the time so we were able to move the map around and correct our lostness. This trip had a lot of lostness in it. Even ending up in Garden City, the delivery is on a major road (Stewart), but it was difficult to determine where the truck entrance was, so drive down the street, turn around and come back. Sit in the turn lane for a moment to make sure I am where I need to be, before I make a turn. Then I asked for a preplan/load out of here. The sounds of silence was all I heard next.

I wonder what is next at home. The many challenges Paula has endured plus the problems the boys have created for themselves... I look to understand, where is God working through all of this? How can I make sure I am being used in His service? When people read ICR 12:12 and following I often see myself as a portion of the body not mentioned. Do I need to change my self image into how God sees me? DUH!

Welcome to Indiana

I was unable to deliver the salad load, so traded for a WalMart load. Delivered it in Cheyenne, was sent to Lexington,NE to pick up a load. Delivered it to a Distribution center in Ottawa,IL. Picked up from there and will complete delivery of various meat items in NJ and NY. While enjoying the fine travels at early morning hours, a State Trooper pulled me over just as I crossed through the toll plaza. He stated I had not slowed down nor moved over as required by law for stopped emergency vehicles. He did a level 3DOT inspection and discovered nothing wrong with my paper work and therefore issued a warning. It also states my truck is green (it is blue) and the data for the bill of lading was wrong. ( I have 4 drops, he states one of the receivers is the shipper.) I did my yes sir, no sir, thank you's and drove away happy to receive only a warning. With the crazy things going on at home, I do not need to add to the financial crisis of the Elston household!

Salad season

Charlie and I were home for a brief stay. We thought it would only be a short visit on Saturday, but ended up staying Sunday night at home. We were supposed to pick up a load of berries in Watsonville, but that was canceled and our load was two picks of salad items in San Juan Batista heading east. Two pallets took 2 hours, the next one... who knows, we are still sitting. If I leave here at 0130 in the morning and drive all night etc, for the next 3 days I can make it. If that sounds like fun to anyone I can give you an 800 # to call.

May not get very far with this load before they repower us. If so will probably be back into this area. I will not be happy. Because the packing sheds load at what ever pace they decide, the drivers suffer in the pocket book. Although not excited about the idea of having a student driver on the truck, it would allow me to roll on loads like this without the same problems.

"We got to get out of this place" isn't that a song?