We’re on a journey, caravanning with our grandson, Caleb, who is headed  to medical school in Virginia. He was interested in meeting some of my family along the way, so we volunteered to travel together so he could meet some of them.

First family stop was in the northeast corner of Montana where my cousin, Roy, and his family live and farm. It was fun, re-connecting. The farm yard was familiar to me. Throughout my childhood, our family drove there to visit our uncle, aunt and cousins. Roy gave us a tour of the farm that extended for several miles, explaining what crops they raised and why. He took us to nearby Ft. Peck Dam and Reservoir, the largest hydraulically filled earth dam in the world. My grandfather had been a WPA worker on the project in the 1930s. The project showed the amazing ingenuity of human beings. The reservoir is huge. I read that if all Montanans (pop 1.069 million) congregated on the reservoir area, each individual would have 1/4 acre—every man, woman, and child.

Later in the day, we attended a birthday party for my cousin’s great grandson, Kobe. There were burgers and hotdogs. Potato salad and chips, and of course birthday cake! During the evening we cheered on various family members who were playing a friendly corn hole tournament. The tournament ended under darkening skies. We watched the young ones wave sparklers and make noise with poppers for the Independence Day Celebration.

“Tell me again, how we’re related,” Jim asked as we drove home.

“Roy and I share the same grandfather, Jake, so we’re first cousins. His son, Bud, is my second cousin. Bud’s daughter, Tiffany, is my third cousin, and birthday boy, Kobe is my fourth cousin!” That’s a string of family members!

Early this morning the sound of birds woke us before our alarm went off. The eastern sky, a rosy glow. We filled our coffee mugs and took off to our next destination: Little Bighorn Battlefield.

Ten minutes after we left,  my phone pinged with a text message. You left your purse!  We turned around and retrieved it. Once more, we were on our way.

We drove for miles, stopping for gas and rest stop. I hopped into Caleb’s car to give him company for part of the trip. After driving for about thirty miles, I reached down to the floor where my purse should have been. It wasn’t there. I glanced up and saw a sign, “Rest Area, 2 miles.”

”Let’s pull off,” I said, hoping Jim would see us—Caleb had no cell service.

We took the exit and Jim sailed on by. Fortunately, he noticed we’d stopped so he waited on the side of the road and was able to back up toward the exit turnoff. With a smile he said,  “We need turn around and go back. The clerk at the gas station has your purse. I called your phone, ‘cause I didn’t know why you were stopping and the store clerk answered and told me your purse was left in the restroom. Let’s head back.” It was 30 miles the other way.

I was relieved as well as irritated with myself for leaving my purse behind twice in one morning. We drove back, retrieved my purse, thanking the clerk. Once more, back on the road.

Earlier this morning, I had no idea what I’d write for today’s blog, but now realize I should share this simple story of honesty and God’s provision. I believe God knows—and cares—about everything in our lives—including a lost purse, an honest store clerk, and an understanding husband.

The clerk could have just tucked the purse away for herself. My cell phone had about 3% battery—just enough for Jim to call and the clerk to answer my phone.

God wants us to “pray without ceasing.” Sometimes he answers prayer immediately, other times, we wait. After praying, we should “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thess. 5:17-18).

We don’t see all of what happens in the unseen world. That’s why we ask God for his protection whenever we begin our day, whatever our plans, including our forgetful human ways.

“Thank you, Lord for your provision and protection.”

Tomorrow, we will visit Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. It will be fun exploring it together with Caleb. I’ll keep a firm grip on my purse, and of course, ask for protection and guidance from above.

See you next time and thanks for reading!

This trip is another reminder of what a beautiful country we live in— from west to east—from sea to shining sea! Enjoy Ray Charles’ rendition, of America the Beautiful, performed before a baseball game.

Get these Blog posts emailed directly to you.