My Christmas Story: Miracle at the Mall – Pt.2

It almost didn’t happen.

After dad’s passing in 2007, it became my honor and responsibility to accompany mom home, to Minnesota, for school reunions, family reunions and “down time” every couple of years.

We made two trips home – in 2009 and 2011 – and we were supposed to make a third trip home in September 2012. However, disappointingly, due to funding issues, that trip fell through.

We were bummed.

“So, now what do we do?”, I asked mom.

From time-to-time, in the years leading up to September 2012, we tossed around the idea of going home during the holidays for Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Of course, mom was always nervous we’d get stuck in a good ol’ fashioned Minnesota blizzard. However, I loved the idea!

I always thought it’d be a cool adventure to get stuck – for a time.

In any case, the question was, was 2012 the year ?

And, we still had a funding issue – with only about 2-1/2 months to go, could we save up enough funds to go?

We decided to pray about it.

Part of my prayer was something like this, “… and Lord, as a sign You want us to go, let the airfare drop to about $100 one way”. I had not seen airfare that low in a long time – and, with airfares far above that – it would be a real stretch. As a result, I was believing God was going to say, “no”.

But, I prayed anyway.

Then, a miracle!

While checking airfare two weeks later, in October, a major airline was having a sale.

Goosebumps ran down my spine as I looked and realized oneway airfare had dropped to $90!

“$90!?”, I asked.

Then, I got a bit cocky and asked God, “Well, I prayed it would go down to $100?”.

God, asked me, “How much is the ‘early bird check-in’ fee?”.

“$10”, I said, then stopped, “wait. $90 + $10 … Oh, you are good!”.

Our prayer had been answered and it was abundantly clear, God wanted us to go home for the holidays.

Mom and I purchased the airfare, and we were on our way!

Well, we had the airline tickets anyway. Now, what about the rental car and lodging?

In the middle of November … Stay tuned for part 3. 🙂