Wow. I can't believe it has been this long since I last wrote. Holy Cow.

Well, quick update.

I am in Wisconsin, interning in the Child Care here as well as driving a school bus. I am doing that until May. I have a few summer plans but after that, it seems like I will be moving home for a year.

Life is going well. It presents it's challenges and drama but that just makes you realize more and more how dependent you are on God.

I don't have anything spectacular to share that you haven't probably already heard. But just something that has been on my heart and mind. I'm not sure if it will even make sense because the past few days have been hectic and all my thoughts are unorganized...but I will try anyway.

A couple weeks ago, I started driving my afternoon routes. I began thinking about life and how it is a vapor. We don't know when our short lives on earth will end. This has especially been in the forefront of my mind recently because my mom got in an accident in December totalling our van, Amber and DJ got in one in January smashing the back of their van and the same month someone who used to go to NTBI had a serious bus crash. So I was fearing I'd be next. As I was driving along, I came to realize how I always count down the days or hours until something is over; an event, a busy day, etc. But instead of dreading the Monday to come and waiting till the day finally comes and ends, I should be living day by day, minute by minute and making the most out of the days we live. Loving everyone in our lives and everyone we come in contact with instead of setting a day that I want to be over week after week.

So as my work day was coming to an end and my crazy elementary kids loaded on my bus, I thought to myself, "Lord, if I get into an accident, please let it be without any kids on my bus."

I dropped my last student, Hannah, off and we waved to each other as I passed. I was clear and headed back to base.

I was a few miles from dairyland when I was approaching a light that was green for me. I continued, observing traffic. I noticed a red car from my right who was not going to yield to me before turning right into my lane. As I was going just under 45mph, I slammed on my brakes and then on the horn. It had just rained so the roads were a little slick. So off I slid, closer to her car, one hand gripping the wheel and the other on the horn in hopes she will move or stop. Indeed, she stopped. Right in my lane at an angle so the corner of my bus was headed right for the drivers door.

With my sister being in a very serious bus crash, seeing the pictures and driving by the place a few times a day, I can visualize what happened and put myself there. I can in no way feel the pain and scars that she endured, but just picture it wondering what it would be like and how I would react in such a situation and feeling for her.

So as I slid, I looked at the young girls helpless face as she sat their still, staring up at me, and not knowing what move to make. She had the look of horror on her face hoping I would stop in time. I came to a stop, barely touching her car. We pulled over and I got out making sure the young girl and her little sister were alright. They said they were fine so I went and radioed it in. As we waited for my safety manager, I was able to talk to the girl. She told me she just got her car weeks ago and they were just heading home. I tried to calm her down and we took a look at her car. There was an 2 by 2 inch scratch in the middle of the drivers door. If I wasn't able to slow down in time, the corner of my bus would have pushed clear into the drivers seat. But the girls were fine! PRAISE GOD. Only He was able to stop my bus in time.

After a few tears and the nerves of the day finally calmed down, I realized what a blessing in disguise this was:

1) We were able to clear the accident quickly so no cops were involved. Seeing there was no major damage to my bus, there was no need for any cops.

2) She didn't get any tickets. She was a very young driver so it was a good lesson for her.

3) Usually there is an investigation with Dairyland. But she admitted to it being her fault and it was clear that it wasn't my fault.

4) It made me extra cautious and realizing the damage my "tank" can really do, how important my job really is, and what a bit responsibility it is.

5) Made her more cautious while driving and how serious it is.

It was a real shocker but a great lesson.

Lets not take our lives or anyone Else's life for granted. Lets enjoy each day and love each person. Lets live for God daily, minute by minute. You never know when you may be breathing your last breathe or when someone walks out the door, it may be the last time you see them!