The weather outside is frightful, but the mall is so delightful,
So if you'll let me shop all day, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
That was the plan. Thursday, Peggy and I headed to Spokane to go shopping. She had to pick up her exchange student at the airport in the afternoon and we both were WAY BEHIND on our christmas shopping. WE drove david's car (rear wheel drive---he said we'd be fine....) and headed to the city. It started to snow about Ritzville, the snow was coming down and the roads were packed with snow and ice. It took us over 3 hours to get there. (Should have been our first clue). Second clue-all the semi's pulled over on the side of the road, chaining up. First stop was 'Toys R Us'....but there was a hill and lots of snow and the car began to spin and slip. Two nice gentlemen stopped to give us a push.....20 minutes later they pushed us into a gas station. They asked us where we were going and firmly told us we should stop for some wine, wait out the storm and that we would NEVER get to the airport. So we changed our direction and headed down to the freeway (the nice men thought) but really to the Valley Mall. The car got stuck again (clue number 3) and the men pushed us through the intersection through the light. We drove down the hill to the mall. We decided we would park, go in the mall, try to get chains at Sears, do our shopping and hope the storm would lift. (We decided to forego the wine, even in an emergency). As we headed into the mall we noticed the gates down on many stores....turns out the mall was closing in 10 minutes because of the storm, so was the theatre and the restaurants. What are the chances of being stuck in a mall? Nowhere to go? But its closed!
Out to the car we went (no gloves, no snow boots, or hats--I had a coat, Peggy did not). Sears was closed, no chains, we got in the car and got stuck again as we pulled out of the parking lot. I tried pushing.... A news van came by and was filming the snow and cars and asked if he could give us a push. He and I (okay, mostly him) pushed the car back into a parking space. We asked for a ride to the closest hotel. They gave us one and then an interview and we checked into one of the last rooms at the hotel. They offered us a toothbrush and thank heavens some light appetizers in the evening. We WATCHED lots of TV and two movies, and laughed and talked. I had come prepared with a bag of mint m & m's. We slept in our clothes and and hairdo's and our make-up.... The hotel shuttle gave us a ride back to the mall in the morning when it opened. Reid and James came up and took David's car's home and we shopped all day and drove my suburban home. It was an adventure and I was so glad to be with such a good friend. People at the mall were recognizing us from the news story the day before---"Was it the same clothes? or the bad hairdo's? Who knows....?'
And to all my Molahiettes that have been praying all week for a snow day....just remember that Heavenly Father answers prayers in ways we never expect...Friday, no practice, an answer to a simple prayer.
Greetings from Elder Baker in Tanna Vanuatu!
