the snowstorm

this made me smile today.

what a nice story, and quite appropriate for some of you who are actually in a snow storm right now

It was snowing quite heavily when Cathy went to bed.* "I'm so glad I don't have to go to work tomorrow.* I'm really tired, and it will be a good time to
get some extra sleep," she told her mother.

Cathy went to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.* She did not awaken until she heard the phone ringing.* I wonder who that is so early in the morning?
she thought as she turned over to get some more sleep.

"Cathy, it's the hospital.* Some of the nurses are snowed in and can't get to work," her mother called to her daughter.

"I'll take the call," Cathy said as she crawled out of bed.

Cathy went to the window as she pulled on her robe.* It was snowing so hard that she could not see anything.* When she got to the phone, her mother said,
"We're snowed in.* It's like an old-fashioned blizzard."

Cathy took the telephone and talked to Linda, one of the night nurses.* "We can't leave until the day nurses get here, but only one of them will be able
to make it.* She lives a couple of blocks from here and can walk," Linda said.* "Is it possible for you to get here? One other nurse and I have offered
to stay for the next shift, but it would be good if we could have at least one nurse who's had a good night's rest."

"My mother just told me that our road is closed and that we are having a blizzard out here too," Cathy told the nurse.* "I don't think I could get there."

When Cathy heard the nurse groan, she said, "I just thought of something.* One of our neighbors has a snowmobile.* He used to work on a rescue team in
the mountains.* I'm sure he could get me there.* I'll call him, and then I'll let you know."

In a few minutes Cathy called the hospital back and reported that her neighbor would be glad to take her.* "He also said that if you wanted him to bring
other nurses in to work, he'd be more than happy to help out."

"Thanks a million!" the nurse said.* "I'll call some of the nurses and see if I can get more to come."

When Cathy got to the hospital and checked in, Linda hugged her and said, "You and your neighbor saved the day for us.* By the way, where is he?"

"He went to the cafeteria to get some coffee and a snack.* I got him out of bed this morning, and he didn't have a chance to eat breakfast."

When Cathy returned to the desk, Chuck, her neighbor, was standing there, writing down some addresses.* "Two of these live on the same street.* I think
I can get them on the same trip," he said.* "I'll call a couple of my friends who have snowmobiles.* I'm sure they will help."

"Thanks so much for being so ready to help out," Cathy said.* "You really are an answer to prayer."

"I'm always glad to be an answer to someone's prayer, especially when it's a pretty nurse," Chuck replied with a huge smile on his face.* "Call me anytime."

Chuck made several trips to bring nurses to work and then to take other nurses home after their shift.* Each time he got back to the hospital, he came
inside to get coffee or tea and to warm up.* Although Cathy was very busy, she tried to chat with him while he was there.* She did not know Chuck very
well.* He had been away at college for several years.* She had learned from a neighbor that he was a Christian and had worked part-time on a mountain rescue
team while in college.

"You don't know how much it means to the hospital and staff to have your help today," Cathy told Chuck one time when he was warming up.* "It's pretty hard
for nurses to work extra shifts, although some of them do it occasionally."

"I'm glad to help," Chuck told Cathy.* "I miss Colorado and the work I did on the rescue team.* We almost never get a snowstorm like this here, so I don't
get to use my snowmobile very much.* Dad wonders why I don't sell it."

Cathy had a busy day, trying to take care of uneasy patients.* Some of them were concerned that their doctors would not be able to come to see them.* Others
were unhappy because their families would not be able to visit them.

"Don't worry about the doctors," Cathy told them.* "We have a young man and some of his friends who are bringing staff members to work so that all of you
will be well taken care of.* As for your families, the roads should be open tomorrow, and they will be here to see you."

Cathy offered to work two or three extra hours, since the hospital was still understaffed.* It was late in the afternoon before she could go home.* Chuck
had assured her that whenever she was ready to leave, he would be there to take her home.

"How did you know what time I was getting off work?" she asked when she came out of the nurses' lounge later and found him waiting for her.

"I've been in and out much of the day, so I was able to keep tabs on you," Chuck answered.* "The other riders who've been helping me have volunteered to
be on call for the rest of the day and night, since I was here so early this morning.* Besides, I spotted a nice little cafe that's open, so I thought
we could stop for something to eat."

"I'd like that," Cathy said sincerely.* "I'd like to hear more about your work rescuing people.* I'll call my parents so that they won't worry about me."

There were not many people in the restaurant.* Cathy and her escort were able to find a booth away from other diners.* The owner waited on them and asked
about the snowmobile.* "I've been picking up and delivering nurses and doctors all day," Chuck said.* "This is one of the nurses."

"That's a great thing to do," the owner said.* "One hardly ever thinks about what happens to our hospitals at a time like this.* Thank you both for helping
out."

After Cathy and Chuck ordered their meal, Cathy said, "I want to hear more about your work in Colorado, as well as what you'd like to do in the future."

Chuck's face was beaming as he told of the rescues he and the other members of his team had taken part in.* "My parents were not happy about my work, but
I finally convinced them that someone has to rescue people who might die if no one reaches them in time.* I had several opportunities to pray for the people
and even to witness to them.* They seemed to calm down and allow us to do the job we were there to do, without getting so agitated that is hindered our
rescue efforts."

After not saying anything for a few minutes, Chuck said, "As for my future, I haven't received my marching orders from God yet.* I've been reading about
the compassion of Jesus and how He continually reached out to people in need, like a shepherd who takes care of his sheep (cf. Mark 6:34).* Sometimes I
think I'd like to be a minister, other times a missionary.* I do want God's will for my life."

"I'll pray for you, and I do hope you'll pray for me since I am not sure about my future, either.* I love nursing, but I have felt that I could be used
more to reach people for Christ as a missionary nurse," Cathy said.

When Chuck stopped in front of Cathy's house, he said, "I'd like you to go to go to church with me Sunday and then have dinner with me so that we can talk
more about God's will."

"I'd like that very much," Cathy said with a smile.

Very touching story - thanks for sharing. Volunteering can be a path to things unimagined.