62 ~ Parking Spot Prayer

By Kay Heitsch

While we were still waiting for our house to sell, I enjoyed working with Ruth Ann and the youth group.

During my last summer with the group, I had the opportunity to attend a youth camp at Lakeside.

Before we drove to Lakeside, we spent the day at Cedar Point Amusement Park.

Ruth Ann and I were exhausted when we left Cedar Point.

As I stated before, I have no sense of direction. Evidently, Ruth Ann didn't either, so we had to stop and ask directions a few times.

Ruth Ann had been at Lakeside many times. Since we were so late arriving, she was sure we would never find a close parking spot near the hotel where we were staying.

We had a van load of kids with their stuff, along with Ruth Ann's and mine.

Ruth Ann was surprised when I started to ask the Lord for a close parking spot. I added that it needed to be big because I can't parallel park this big conversion van.

Ruth Ann thought I had lost my mind, but I was exhausted, and so was she. We both laughed, but the words were out.

As we were driving up to the hotel, we were delighted to find two parking spots right in front. One was handicapped, and the one behind was perfect for us. Easy for me to pull into. My prayer was answered.

In my last conversation with Ruth Ann before she died, she mentioned this parking spot prayer.

God was showing us both that He cared, even about a double-parking spot for two weary travelers.

61 ~ Rose and the Homeless Mission

By Kay Heitsch

It was amazing watching God work in this store while we waited for our house to sell.

Bill asked if anyone did community service. Rose spoke up and said her church provided clothes and help for the needy and homeless. Bill told her he thought I would like to help her.

I certainly did! I contacted churches and other organizations, and once a week, I stopped by each church to pick up any items they had. People also dropped off bags of items at our home.

Bill would take these things to the store, and Rose's husband would take them to the mission.

Rose and I became friends even though I seldom drove to the store. We both prayed for Bill's safety and for the store. Rose gave me a video of the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir with testimonies. I loved it and still have it.

Rose had worked in this store for quite a while. She expressed to me how things seemed more peaceful since Bill was the manager. I think we both thought that if it was God's will, Bill would turn this mess around.

Bill's old store was finally closed. They were getting rid of clothes racks. We rented a truck. I rode along, and we drove to the mission. Rose's husband came too.

I had been saving a snowmobile suit that Todd had outgrown. It was like new. I had saved it for Brandon for years, but decided to send it up to the mission.

Much to my surprise, when we pulled up to the mission on a cold, winter afternoon, a small, toothless guy ran over to help with the biggest smile.

Lo and behold, he was wearing Todd's snowmobile suit. My eyes filled with tears.

I felt God was letting me know that I thought I was saving this snowmobile suit for Brandon, but He had me keeping it for another one of His precious children.

Rose came to Bill's office the following day. She told Bill there was a story about that snowmobile suit. She said this suit fell out of the bag at the homeless man's feet. He asked if he could have it because he had always wanted one.

As you can see, God was bringing more good out of Todd's death and this unfair situation.

60 ~ 20-40-60 Plan

By Kay Heitsch

We had moved many times, so moving was nothing new to us. We contacted a friend who was a realtor and listed the house.

I was attached to this house because of Todd. I knew he wasn't walking through the back door, but still, I didn't want to leave.

We had never lived this long in any area. We had made many friends here. We were happy. I thought for sure Bill would be awarded this large new store. But that was not the case.

This ghetto store Bill was sent to was rough. Crack vials outside on the sidewalk. Homeless and drug addicts in and out. A fire was started inside the store. A truck backed into the plate glass window to steal merchandise. I could go on.

Bill had a couple of employees who had been working there for a while. They teased Bill, calling him Mr. Rogers. He was one of the only white guys there. However, this wasn't an issue for him or his employees.

The company thought Bill should turn this store around or face consequences. The last manager had a complete breakdown; he never returned to retrieve his belongings.

We couldn't understand what was happening. Later, we learned that Bill was part of the company's 20-40-60 Plan. Any manager who had been with the company for over 20 years, was over 40 years old, and made over $60,000 was wanted out. Bill fit into this category.

This seemed like a nightmare at times. But God had His plan to use even this situation to bring good out of it.

59 ~ That's Not Fair

By Kay Heitsch

It was very soon after Todd's death that Bill was offered another transfer to another state. Bill had never turned down a transfer before. But he did this time.

Usually, we liked to move. The company paid everything and gave a moving allowance. But now, Todd had just died.

Bill's store was doing so well, thanks to the employees and wonderful customers, that the company decided to close Bill's store and build a larger one. Bill helped find the right people to assist the company in locating the land and other necessary resources. Everyone was excited!

Bill's employees were happy and felt confident that Bill would be offered the new store as the general manager, given the job he had done.

But, no, that was not the case. The company was not happy that Bill had turned down the transfer to another state.

Instead of giving Bill the new store, they told him on his 25th anniversary of working for them that they were offering it to another man.

Bill was moved into a ghetto store over 2 hours away. This was heartbreaking and seemed unfair. Now Bill drove over two hours every day to work. We put our house up for sale.

When the new store had its grand opening, we attended. I saw former employees with tears in their eyes. It was sad, but we wanted to show our encouragement to the new store manager and Bill's former employees.

This was a tough time, but God saw us through and brought good out of it.

58 ~ Secret Room

By Kay Heitsch

I was overjoyed that the empty void was filled; I wanted to share what I had discovered.

First, I began buying the paperback "Have a Great Day" books, because this was a book Todd read every morning.

I enjoyed the condensed edition of The Power of Positive Thinking, so I bought those for the high school kids.

Sometimes, I received donations when I shared my testimony, so I used all of this money to buy other positive booklets by Dr. Peale.

My prayer was that people would find a personal relationship with the Lord, just as I had.

After "In Loving Memory of Todd" and "She Surrendered to God" were published, they sent me copies to give away.

I was still going to the nursing home every Thursday. There was a resident at the facility who made it clear he had no use for God. However, he was so excited that I had my picture on this PLUS that he wanted some to give away. I had to smile.

One day, he asked if I would come over in the afternoon because he wanted me to walk downtown with him. He said he wanted to introduce me to someone.

A week or so later, I dropped by in the afternoon and stopped by a family-type video store. I was introduced to the owner, and he started to show me around. The next thing I knew, we were in the back. There was a secret room where men were renting movies that should never have been in a family video store.

I was so disgusted that I wrote a letter to the editor, informing the public that this room was located at the back of the store.

I expected to hear from concerned churches. But no! I had nasty calls instead.

We had moved from the area when I received a very sad phone call.

Two high-school girls were at a video store, and a man had asked them for a ride. One precious girl was killed, and the other lived.

The mother of the girl who died heard my testimony before her precious daughter was killed. She said it helped her to write a book and go out and speak.

God was taking another tragedy and turning it into a triumph.