It was a typical Friday evening in Santa Fe; we were off to an art exhibit, followed by dinner with dear friends. Snow was lightly falling, the smell of burning pinon in the air.
A few steps into an intersection changed everything.
My husband pushed the crossing light button, and we waited for the signal. We noticed the snowplow opposite us at the intersection, but never anticipated it would make a left turn into our path.
What followed was the stuff of nightmares; as I laid in the street looking at my husband, his face bruised and bleeding, I prayed to God that he would save us.
Kind strangers came to our aid. Ambulances appeared. Wonderful ER personnel gave us prompt and careful attention. City police documented the details of the incident, and transportation officials sent messages offering support.
Our dear friends arrived, full of love and compassion – and prayers.
Having suffered the worst of the injuries, my husband was transported to a university medical center, where he spent 4 days recovering. Again we were surrounded by expert, caring medical professionals.
Our precious friends went above and beyond, riding in ambulances, following behind, spending the night with me, and getting me to see my husband in the hospital the next day.
Our three angel daughters appeared, calm and competent. They shopped, cooked, took care of details – and loved.
Through it all, we marveled at God’s Providence; He protected us from injuries that could have been so much more severe.
A split second further into that intersection could have resulted in dire consequences.
One sweet friend shared that she was sure an angel had pushed us out of the way.
And we agree.
And we have received the clear message that God isn’t finished with us yet.
In the weeks prior to our accident, we had many a conversation about surrendering our lives and our future to God. We laughed about being in “the 4th quarter” of life, and prayed about where we could serve God in the most meaningful way during this time.
The phrase “living a life of eternal significance” resonated with me. I adopted it months ago as one of my personal aspirations.
In the months ahead, we will be moving to the Pacific Northwest to be closer to our family. We have trusted that we are following God’s direction, knowing that we will be “stepping out of the boat” into uncharted waters.
We have felt God beside us, guiding us every step of the way.
And in the craziest way, He met us at the intersection that Friday night.
Our hearts are overflowing with thankfulness that we are alive! And we have been both overwhelmed – and humbled – by the outpouring of prayers, good wishes and offers of help we have received from so many gracious people.
We continue to recover, bolstered by faith, anchored by hope and trust, embraced by God and surrounded by the love of family and friends.
In the weeks ahead, God will help us restore our energy and repair our injuries. He is stitching our hearts, souls and bodies back together as I write.
And, God willing, the “Whirling Dervishes,” as we have been fondly referred to by our family and friends, will return in full strength (or maybe at a few less RPMs).
With all the credit given to God.
I pray that your close encounters with God will not be as dramatic as ours – but that you will have the exquisite awareness of His Presence and His Plan for your lives.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11
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DEAR TONI! WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!! THANKS FOR SHARING AND FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS FAITH! MY LOVE TO YOU AND JOE…SPEEDY RECOVERY! AND YOU ARE MOVING SOON TO BE CLOSER TO THE CHILDREN AND GRANDS??
BLESSINGS, LOUISE
Thank you, Louise! Yes, we will be moving up near Seattle in the coming months! We love being closer to our family! Hope everything is good with you!
We are fine…and enjoy going to San Antonio to be with Jackson and Eloise!! So I totally get your move to be closer to yours! Love! Louise
Love you both and hoping Joey will get over those headaches! I too have had an angel a couple times in my life rescue me!
Thanks, Deb! We have to be grateful for our angels, don’t we?
So glad you both survived your encounter with the One who holds you close!
Amen to that, Lois!
Sill saying recovery prayers for you both.
And they are greatly appreciated, Sheila!
Toni and Joe, we have prayed so hard for you both since we heard about the accident. We are so thankful to our dear Lord for his protection and for the unseen angels who were right there with you. We will continue to pray for complete healing. Love you both.
Thank you so much for your prayers,Linda!
We send our love our love to you and Rick….
Toni, I am feeling JOY as I read your blog…not just in knowing that you and Joe are going to heal from your injuries, but JOY in your faith that reminds me and encourages me to trust in God in all things. He is in control. Looking forward as God continues HIis work in and thru you and Joe. Ride the joy, experiecing His peace …. do not be restless….all in His time.
Love to you, Joe and your family,
Thank you so much, Jeanene! We will try our best to keep riding the joy and hold on to HIs peace as we journey through recovery and to the Pacific Northwest.
Our love to you….
Toni, your eloquent words make my heart swell, for only you with such a pure soul could find such positive and optimistic ways to deal with such a frightening ordeal! May God continue to watch over you, Joey and family! Love you!, Susie & John
Your love and prayers mean so much, Susie! We will miss seeing you in CA this winter, and look forward to our next time together!
I am so thankful that you & Joe are alright & love you both so much & will miss you when you move. I also know that God is taking care of you both.I am praying that you both will heal quickly with no further complications & you will be stronger than ever.I will miss you.<3
This is Salee & I left a message.I don’t understand why it’s anonymous.
Thank you, Salee! Your love, faith and bright smile boost our spirits!
Dear Toni, God is so good to have cared for the two of you so perfectly. Both of you glorify Him in all you do. Thank you for your lives of powerful witness.
Oh Toni we were so sorry to hear of your horrendous accident and so glad you are both recovering. The phrase “living a life of eternal significance” really registered with John and me as that has been our prayer since a serious car accident he had a year and a half ago. Our car was totaled and he suffered some painful injuries but the emotional scars were even more significant. Due to the injury to his right arm he was unable to sleep in our bed for several months and slept in a recliner chair in the living room. One sleepless night he turned on the TV and began flipping channels until he came onto a Bible study taught on the book of Isaiah by Kay Arthur where he heard “Say to those with anxious heart, Take courage and fear not.” 35:4 It was as though God was speaking audibly to him and his fears were calmed. The “close encounter” has brought significant changes to both of our lives. When you say you are in the “4th Quarter” of your lives we feel we are in “Overtime” but God still has work for us to do. We are definitely aware of his Presence in our lives and as they say there are no “accidents” in God’s economy.
What a story, Jean! It is amazing how God speaks to us when we need it most. I am happy that John has recovered – and that you are feeling God’s nearness in your Overtime. Thank you so much for sharing…. Sending love and prayers your way…
Here is the walk light in Mexico! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEfb1EsHqkE
That’s pretty funny, Deb! And it sure lets you know how to pace yourself! Hope you are having a great winter in Mexico!
Toni, what a hopeful posting this is—we are so blessed by you and encouraged by your firm grounding in faith. We are going to miss this grace you exude as you and Joe leave Santa Fe to start this new chapter in your lives in Seattle. So grateful for you guys and that this, too, will pass as you heal outside and inside!
Love y’all. Steve and Marta
Thank you, Steve! We are grateful for prayers and encouragement from you and Marta.
Our love and prayers to you. I am glad God is watching over you. Dina and Herb.
Thank you, Dina! We do miss seeing you and Herb, and hope that all is well with you.
Toni and Joey,
God Bless you both in your recovery and in your move. We are so grateful that God hears the prayers
Love you.
Thanks so much, Kelly! Love to you and Chris….
Ohh, Toini…so well written..by heart still pounds imagining the scene..Just shared with many friends…BIGGEST OF HUGS to you and Joey …Frannie XOXO
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Bless you Frannie – and Louie, too! Thank you for sharing your light, love and time with us!!!
Toni, I am SO sorry to hear this. Please heal, both you and Joe, OK? PRAYING for you here in north central Wisconsin.
Thank you so much Susan! God has been helping us every step of the way. And day by day, we are getting better. Still a ways to go, but we know Heis by our side.
I miss you and our Green Chile Sisters time!!! I hope you are doing well…..
dear Toni, thank you for sharing your “encounter”. my heart goes out to you and Joe. both of you are very brave, kind and loving. i wish you much joy and happiness in the Pacific Northwest !!
Thank you so much, Bob!
I’m so sorry this happened but am grateful God has spared you. I will always look up to you and Joe as examples of those living fully for God. You will be dearly missed when you move.
Didn’t realize I was posting anonymously. This is from Heidi Cunningham.
Thank you so much Heidi! We will miss you, too -and the rest of our CCSF family!
Your faith, trust, and obedient hearts, cause me to pause this morning and thank our gracious Lord, for His abiding love and care for us His children. I can’t imagine, the terror you must have experienced those first few hours, especially not being together after laying in the street together! Thank the Lord for angels we are often unaware of, to say nothing of God’s mighty strong arms that have kept you held tightly through all of this. Know that His tight grip will carry you to the Pacific NW and that you are in His Will!! There is nothing like family, but this family will miss you tremendously. Right now we see through a dimly lite glass, but there will be a bright light as we all draw nearer and nearer to HIM through all of this. Oh, to be able to see through it clearly before that time, but we’ve been told, that won’t happen until His return, and we are safely home with Him forever!!!! Praising our precious Lord with you. God be with you until we meet again!
Your words are so comforting, inspiring and faith-filled! Thank you so much for all of your thoughts. I’m not sure who this is who wrote these beautiful insights, but they have touched us deeply. God bless you!