Some of you reading this may not even know we had a truck. We bought it cheap from our pastor because his family had outgrown the vehicle with six children and the condition of the truck had some features to be desired. But after the sudden death of Carry back in October, we were very grateful for a second vehicle so I could continue teaching without interruption. Andrea blessed Helga with her name for two reasons. One was because it was so much larger than any of the automobiles we've owned previously. The other is because "Helga" means "holy" in Norse, which makes sense when you remember we bought it from our pastor.
Helga wasn't used too much travel as we knew she was fragile. However, she still served us well. When it came to moving mattresses or transporting building materials for Mission Group, Helga was reliable and very appreciated At greatest moment though was her faithfulness in bringing five of us to and from Taughannock Falls in Ithaca, New York. The five of us packed in there and enjoyed what ended up being one the best days this summer. A vehicle is remembered and valued on days like that.
However, Helga's fate was sealed last month when Andrea was driving home from Vestal when the SUV started making "strange noises and jerky accelerations." When I told the story to the mechanic, he confirmed what I had already expected - a busted transmission. Although he noted, that she was lucky to drive the vehicle so far without getting into an accident or having it fail completely. We usually call it God's grace.
After sitting in our driveway for two more weeks, we finally made the decision that it was time for Helga to join Carry on the Big Highway in the Sky. So even though her time was short, her legacy will not be forgotten nor her service in vain.
very sad. Our first four children came home from the hospital in that car. My dad bought it in Michigan on our family vacation after our old car bit the dust. It had all the bells and whistles. I remember thinking it was the most awesome car in the world. He gave it to us on the eve of our honeymoon. Lot of memories in that car.
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