Scavenger Hunts and Car Batteries

I am a fan of surprising my wife. I like to send her on excursions, take her places, and buy her things that she is not expecting. It is really neat because she really does not expect anything from me that way (that she expresses, I guess). I had this elaborate scavenger hunt planned for my wife on August 1st. I won't go into all of the details because, like I said, it was elaborate and it would take too much time. I will just focus on one part of trying to make the scavenger hunt happen.

As a prelude to this story, you have to understand my car situation. I have a 1992 Toyota Camry. I love it! I don't need much. It runs and plays music. It gets me back and forth to church meetings and work and that is all I ask. It has its quirks to say the least. Again, I don't mind. April always wants me to get a new car, but I love mine and usually it runs pretty good.

However, as of late it has not run so well. It has been a little picky about when it wants to actually start. This pickiness has caused some inconvenience at times but I have been able to nurse it along so far. Well, the week in question, my car had really been having some problems starting. I had a really busy week and was not able to get it looked at.

Friday came and I had a laundry list of things to do: Go to the store in the morning and buy items for making clues (no suspicion from April because she is asleep when I leave), run errands at lunch to plant clues and buy supplies (again, I had been really busy at work so April was still not suspicious when I said I would not be home for lunch), and some final errands to run after work to plant clues in two other parts of town (I told April I would be late because the first of the month is always busy in my line of work). I successfully avoided any suspicion that could have been brought on by my actions.

When I got in my car, I realized that I needed some gas in my car to drive around town. So, I went to a nearby gas station to get some gas (I only put in about $20 at a time in case my car does not last). I had just finished pumping and went to start the car. It would not start. Keep in mind that I am at one of the cheapest stations in town (was there any doubt?) and I have a line of cars behind me on a Friday night. I tried again. And, again, And, again. And, some more times.

I had a couple of problems. I needed to move the car out of the lane. Even if I could do that I would still need a jump and probably from my wife who thinks I am working late. Hmmm. What to do? I put the car in neutral and released the emergency brake and was able to coast to where the air and water pumps were. Whew! One problem taken care of. I tried to start the car again and I could not. I decided I needed to call my wife and ask her to meet me there. I knew part of the surprise would be given away but I could be secretive still to preserve the fun.

She was there within a few minutes. She was still really curious about what I was doing at the gas station when I should be working. I was able to get her to help me without asking too many questions and was able to start my car. I was just about to leave when a man came up to me and started moving his hands like he needed his car jumped as well. I noticed his car that had been right next to mine the whole time. That is how well I was paying attention. We were having a hard time communicating because he was speaking Spanish and I was talking in English. Then, it hit me. I speak Spanish. Why I am doing this? We then talked in Spanish and he told me he needed a jump. I kept my car running and jumped his car as well (by this time my wife had left). He was extremely grateful. I was extremely happy that I could have helped. I started wondering if my car would not start, in part, so I could help him out. Before he left I was able to share a pass along card about my church with him and invite him to call the number on the back and meet with missionaries to learn more. I don't know if he will, but it was a neat experience.

Isn't this the longest post you have ever read (rhetorical, please do not leave your answer as a comment)? I would love to say that I had everything work out great from there but I cannot say that. My next stop was the Concord PD. One of the clues was going to be picked up there (Thanks, James). I dropped off the clue and headed back to my car not realizing that my car may not start. Guess what? It did not start. Again, I tried over and over and I was jsut not having a good day with the car starting. I was realizing that I would need to call April again and have her come see what I was doing again! Man, it is hard to keep a secret.

At this point, I will say that I have often prayed that my car will start. Like I said, this had been happening quite a bit. I felt like I was out of that blessing and I had neglected my responsibility to get my car looked at. It was nobody's fault but mine. I called April and let her know that I may need a ride. I was devastated. I had a thought that I should try the car one more time. April was at Target with the kids and I asked for something I would not usually ask. I asked her to gather the kids and say a quick prayer with me that the car would start. When we had all said our silent prayers I had this feeling come over me that the car would start. I had no doubts and I turned the key in the ignition. The car started up right away. I thanked my Heavenly Father for this tremendous blessings. I don't deserve it.

At this point I was really excited and humbled. I had one more stop before I could go home. This was the stop I was unsure about it. I had to leave a clue in the Jack-in-the-Box parking lot. I knew I would also not be able to shut my car off while I searched for a good place for the clue. When I arrived there, I also realized what time it was. Dinner time. The parking lot was packed and several people were facing the window that put the whole parking lot in view. I began to sweat.

I could imagine people calling the police to report an unusual person placing an envelope in the bushes and then driving off. But, that was my task if I wanted to pull off the awesome scavenger hunt. I got out of my car and left it running with the doors unlocked. I started pretending I was just walking down the street to get a look at the layout of the parking lot. I decided on some bushes but realized several people would be looking right at me. At this point, I really was starting to not care who saw me. I walked towards the bush that was near the drive thru lane and placed the envelope in the bush. I then turned and headed to my car trying to act as if I did that every week. I think I did a pretty good job. I said hello to a gentlemam who was in the parking lot before I started driving away. Mission accomplished. Clues planted and my car was still running.

I was exhausted when I got home from my very long and stressful day and still had one clue to plant. I took out the trash and took care of that one. It was planted in our car. I was then able to relax mostly.

The scavenger hunt would lead April to Barnes and Noble to get her copy of Breaking Dawn that I had reserved for her previously. She also would receive a letter I wrote her about how much I care about her. I loved writing the letter. April and I have known each other for many years and I was able to share some memories with her, about her, that I don't think I had previously. She enjoyed it immensely. She also read Breaking Dawn all night and stayed up until 8pm on Saturday night when she finished it.

I wouldn't have traded a moment of it. Sometimes it is when everything goes wrong that you realize everything is right. I am thankful for a wonderful family and a Heavenly Father who loves me despite my weaknesses and imperfections. If you made it to the end of this - you are a person of amazing patience. Have a wonderful day!!