Tag Archives: near death experience

Day 3336 – Reflecting On Our Near Death Experience Nine Years Ago

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I’ve shared my full story of our near-death experience before, so if you haven’t read it, check it out here. But today I wanted to talk about the lessons I learned through it, since it, and how it still impacts my life.

For the last 20 years of my life, I have been met with much young death. The ages ranged from about 18-30ish. I’ve attended a lot of funerals. The shortness of life has been within my radar for my entire adult life. Dating Bret also kept it in my view. Honestly, I don’t know if I could have handled having this person I loved deployed to a literal war zone without these experiences.

So reflecting on how close we both came to death that day on the river, I think these things.

– I am never ever ever ever promised tomorrow or even the next second, so I better enjoy the time I have.

– The little things that bother me and stress me out on a day to day basis are so small compared to the scope of my life.

– I let go of the things I need to let go of and hold onto the things I need to hold on to.

– I am much more honest about the things I need and the things I don’t need.

– If I want to wear a Batman shirt with a cape, I do it.

– Even if I’ve made countless mistakes, I can make a difference by sharing those mistakes.

– I live without regrets. While in a lot of ways, I could point to a number of things in my life that I regret. I could say, wow, this situation is NOT what I wanted to happen, I would change THAT for sure. But I’ve learned that everything that has happened in my life has brought me to the person that I am today. And honestly, I really like that person, and I also can’t wait to see who that person is down the road….however many miles I have left on it.

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Day 3272 – Canoe Day – A Reminder Of A Near Death Experience

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It has been almost nine years since this took place, but it is still something I think about.

Here is the original story, posted on my Facebook account back in 2009.

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On Friday, while Bret was at work, I opened a book I hadn’t read for several years. A quote jumped out of the page: “Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or the last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.” – Betty Smith. I thought about that evening and the following morning. Bret and I had decided to go canoeing several weeks ago on Saturday since it was his first official Saturday off since he started working at Dick’s.

When we arrived at the river, it was noticeably higher than normal. Bret commented a few times at how high it was and also how fast it was moving. He had just canoed the same stretch about 2 months before. Instead of really thinking about the situation, we said a quick prayer and put in. For about 4 minutes, it was glorious, on an adventure with my new husband in the beautiful wilderness. That quickly changed when we went a few hundred yards and I noticed a fallen tree across the entire river.

We tried to paddle to one side but couldn’t and hit the tree around the middle. The canoe sided up next to the tree, tipped and we both fell in. My first thought was, ha, I knew we’d fall in. Immediately after, I was under the water and then the canoe was turning so that it covered my direct pathway up to the top. I had one second to think, oh my gosh, I’m going to drown, right now. Then I felt a pull, I hit my head twice, and I popped out the other side, backward. I saw Bret pop up right after.

He had more time under, to think about going up for air, wondering if there was enough time to go back for me. I was able to grab a paddle floating by, we swam to shore, I got out and he ventured downstream for more of our floating items. He was only able to grab the car pads, that keep the canoe off the car. He then tried to dislodge the canoe, which was somewhere under the water where we went down. I was on the shore yelling down to him, asking what a concussion looked like, what were the symptoms, etc. after about 10 minutes of this, he decided we might need to take me to a doctor.

We walked back on a trail on the side of the river, where we ran into a man running with his dogs. He asked if we were going to put in…while we’re standing there with one paddle, 4 car pads and completely soaked. We half-laughed and said we already had and almost drowned and that the canoe was stuck. He offered to help us fish it out, even after we told him about the danger of the situation.

After putting his dogs away, we walked back and he saw the tree and agreed at the danger. Just seconds later, the canoe popped out the other side and we took off down the trail. The guys jumped in and I ran along the path. It was about a ¼ mile down the river that they finally got a hold of it and got it out. Once we got it out, the guy ran off and we carried the canoe from there. The canoe had sustained some damage as well…the front part, where the rope is attached, was torn out, there was a large split on one side, about 2-3 inches wide. We were able to rig it on the car and get back to the house.

Later that day, we sat down and read from Facing Your Giants, a book we hadn’t read from in months, at least 4 months, and the chapter was on family. There was a portion about treasuring and honoring your spouse. While part of what spoke to me through all of this was God’s amazing, undeserved, overwhelming Grace and Mercy on our lives.

We went back to the spot the next day, and there was actually another tree directly underneath where we had flipped, as well as many branches. There was really only about 4-6 feet of a clear shot through. If we had been feet off, we wouldn’t be here. If the water hadn’t pulled us through, we wouldn’t be here. Also, if we hadn’t left at the moment that we did and came back to the tree with the guy when we did, the canoe would’ve been long gone…even though it is probably beyond repair.

The thing that has had more impact has been God’s hand in the small details…me reading from the book I hadn’t touched in years! And then that we would run into the guy at the exact moment…who, I might add, we might not have talked to if I hadn’t stooped down to pet his dog…and if he hadn’t convinced us to go back at just that moment, we wouldn’t have the canoe. And then the book we hadn’t read in months, right at the perfect chapter. I can think of thousands of reasons for the experience…to humble us in the face of the outdoors and our own pride…to remind us of how short our lives are…to appreciate every moment…but mostly, I am reminded of how deeply our Father loves us, to love us in large things, like protecting our lives, but also small, details that only you and Him would know about. What a great God!

….just imagine four more feet of muddy water and this is what the river looked like…

day_01815d

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
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Day 2971 – Eight Years Ago Today, We Almost Died

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I can’t believe that it has been eight years since we almost died. So much has happened in the last eight years, and I am so thankful that God was gracious and let us live. We are still constantly amazed and aware of the shortness of our lives. I know I say it all the time, but we really do speak in terms almost daily about the shortness of our lives. Some mornings, we say “Yay! Another day together!” because we truly aren’t guaranteed any set number of days or years. When a friend asked how long I planned on continuing this blog, I laughed and said, “until one of us dies?” Dark humor, maybe, but true. We say “love ya, it’s been real” most times we say goodbye. It’s a really great way to live, it helps to forgive easier, and move on quickly. It fills you with such a sense of thankfulness.

So, what are you thankful for today?

This photo is NOT from our near death day, but a kayak trip we took in 2014. I’m glad we got back on the water. But I will say, I have not been in a canoe since!

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Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Day 2907 – Happy Canoe Day – or – Remember That Time I Almost Died?

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When I found out today was canoe day, I immediately thought about our near death experience in a canoe. I haven’t been in a canoe since that day back in 2009. I have gone kayaking, but not canoeing. Perhaps this week, while we’re on our retreat (stay tuned for more details about where we’re going and why!), we’ll rent a canoe and try again. Perhaps not…

Here is the original story, posted on my Facebook account back in 2009.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Friday, while Bret was at work, I opened a book I hadn’t read for several years. A quote jumped out of the page: “Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or the last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.” – Betty Smith. I thought about that that evening and the following morning. Bret and I had decided to go canoeing several weeks ago on Saturday, since it was his first official Saturday off since he started working at Dick’s.

When we arrived at the river, it was noticeably higher than normal. Bret commented a few times at how high it was and also how fast it was moving. He had just canoed the same stretch about 2 months before. Instead of really thinking about the situation, we said a quick prayer and put in. For about 4 minutes, it was glorious, on an adventure with my new husband in the beautiful wilderness. That quickly changed when we went a few hundred yards and I noticed a fallen tree across the entire river.

We tried to paddle to one side but couldn’t and hit the tree around the middle. The canoe sided up next to the tree, tipped and we both fell in. My first thought was, ha, I knew we’d fall in. Immediately after, I was under the water and then the canoe was turning so that it covered my direct pathway up to the top. I had one second to think, oh my gosh, I’m going to drown, right now. Then I felt a pull, I hit my head twice, and I popped out the other side, backwards. I saw Bret pop up right after.

He had more time under, to think about going up for air, wondering if there was enough time to go back for me. I was able to grab a paddle floating by, we swam to shore, I got out and he ventured down stream for more of our floating items. He was only able to grab the car pads, that keep the canoe off the car. He then tried to dislodge the canoe, which was somewhere under the water where we went down. I was on the shore yelling down to him, asking what a concussion looked like, what were the symptoms, etc. after about 10 minutes of this, he decided we might need to take me to a doctor.

We walked back on a trail on the side of the river, where we ran into a man running with his dogs. He asked if we were going to put in…while we’re standing there with one paddle, 4 car pads and completely soaked. We half-laughed and said we already had and almost drowned and that the canoe was stuck. He offered to help us fish it out, even after we told him the danger of the situation.

After putting his dogs away, we walked back and he saw the tree and agreed at the danger. Just seconds later, the canoe popped out the other side and we took off down the trail. The guys jumped in and I ran along the path. It was about a ¼ mile down the river that they finally got a hold of it and got it out. Once we got it out, the guy ran off and we carried the canoe from there. The canoe had sustained some damage as well…the front part, where the rope is attached, was torn out, there was a large split on one side, about 2-3 inches wide. We were able to rig it on the car and get back to the house.

Later that day, we sat down and read from Facing Your Giants, a book we hadn’t read from in months, at least 4 months, and the chapter was on family. There was a portion about treasuring and honoring your spouse. While part of what spoke to me through all of this was God’s amazing, undeserved, overwhelming Grace and Mercy on our lives.

We went back to the spot the next day, and there was actually another tree directly underneath where we had flipped, as well as many branches. There was really only about 4-6 feet of a clear shot through. If we had been feet off, we wouldn’t be here. If the water hadn’t pulled us through, we wouldn’t be here. Also, if we hadn’t left at the moment that we did and came back to the tree with the guy when we did, the canoe would’ve been long gone…even though it is probably beyond repair.

The thing that has had more impact has been God’s hand in the small details…me reading from the book I hadn’t touched in years! And then that we would run into the guy at the exact moment…who, I might add, we might not have talked to if I hadn’t stooped down to pet his dog…and if he hadn’t convinced us to go back at just that moment, we wouldn’t have the canoe. And then the book we hadn’t read in months, right at the perfect chapter. I can think of thousands of reasons for the experience…to humble us in the face of the outdoors and our own pride…to remind us of how short our lives are…to appreciate every moment…but mostly, I am reminded of how deeply our Father loves us, to love us in large things, like protecting our lives, but also small, details that only you and Him would know about. What a great God!

….just imagine four more feet of muddy water and this is what the river looked like…

day_01815d

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Day 2851 – Why The Hood Of My Car Made Me A Little Sad Today

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Today may sound a little silly, but we’re all about silliness and simplicity over here. Last week, our car was involved in a minor accident. Today I visited a collision repair place to get an estimate. One of the things that will need to be replaced is the hood of the car. You wouldn’t think the hood of a car would make you thoughtful, but the hood of my car is a little different.

Back in 2008, I was driving from my job in Baltimore City to deliver an order to wedding clients. The sky was like the movies where one side was all blue and birds singing and the other (the exact direction I was driving) was filled with black, dark, menacing clouds. In a short 1/4 mile drive, the rain started to pour. In another 1/4 mile, I thought, wow, that’s coming down pretty hard, like hail. After driving a block or so, I realized it WAS hail. I pulled over and sat in my car as it started to rock back and forth from the wind. I watched the clouds around me swirl. I have never been more afraid and thought I was going to die. As I sat there, leg shaking on the break, repeating “I’m going to die” over and over again, lightening struck close by. It blew a transformer and took out the power in the block. I found out later a tornado had touched down only a few miles away. After many long minutes, the wind died down and I drove off. Very shaken up.

I have dozens of large dents on the car from the rain of hail. I never got them taken out because it is a constant reminder of God’s protection over me that day. As I look back on my life, I realize I’ve had several near death experiences, from a canoeing accident to knowing I probably would have died if I kept driving the night I was arrested. When I made my list yesterday, I left out a big one – there is a reason I am still here on this planet. God has things for me in this life. Whether it’s through my writing, creating a business to help others travel without going into debt, or just being a helpmate to my spouse.

So take heart friends, let the little, silly things remind you of the big things. And excuse me while I go cry over the hood of a car.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel