We anticipated the day for weeks. A couple dozen women from church planned to go to Chicago shopping. We’d encountered a few issues while planning, including not being able to find a driver for the people mover vehicle. I can’t say I was too disappointed. It’s not very comfortable, especially when every seat is taken. And where would we put our purchases of the day?

Several of us offered to drive, including me. This was the first trip the “Dynamic Duo” planned for women’s ministry. I’m not releasing their names. They know who they are, and while they likely don’t mind me sharing their story of adventures in the Windy City, it seems a bit more exciting to identify them as the Dynamic Duo, composed of DynaOne and DynaTwo.

They worked really hard to get the trip planned to the smallest detail. They’re the perfect pair to plan our ministry’s fellowship events and trips, because their enthusiasm is contagious. They use planning events as their excuse to get together. In fact, they had a “meeting” the night before we left for Chicago even though we were leaving the church at 5:45 a.m.!

They were in a car together with two other women. They’re inseparable. We didn’t try to follow each other, since keeping four vehicles together for four hours is a bit difficult. We all knew (pretty much) where we were going and would likely see each other shopping throughout the day. I connected with the Dynamic Duo’s group shortly after arriving in Chicago to make sure there had been no problems. Since they were in the same building, I met up with them and chatted for a few minutes. A couple of the women said they’d had to hike super far from their parking space. Someone else said it wasn’t very far at all. I asked where they parked, but they couldn’t remember the specific street. No one thought much of it.

I checked in with them again mid-afternoon. They were tired of walking and planned to drive to Navy Pier to explore for a while before heading home. Then I got a phone call over an hour later.

“Susan, where are you?” (I answered.)

“Do you see the visitors’ center?” (“Yes.”)

“Can you meet us there?” (“Sure. Would you like to share what’s going on?”)

“Not really.” (End of phone conversation.)

I soon found them huddled around a map of downtown Chicago with a visitors’ center employee trying to identify parking garages in which they might have parked.

Yes, they lost the car.

By the time I reached them, they’d been searching long enough to get frustrated, tired, and very confused. I tried to put their clues together, but the more they talked, the more contradictory the clues became. All the “facts” they remembered couldn’t possibly fit together. However, we had little sunlight left, and I had a pair of fresh legs and a (somewhat) clear and logical mind, so DynaTwo and I set out in search of the car.

We ran in and out of several parking garages, checking the second level, which they all agreed upon. Several parking attendants asked if they could help. The conversation was pretty much the same wherever we went.

“Can I help you?” (“Yes, we’re trying to find a car and we’re not sure which garage it’s in.”

“Let me see your ticket.” (“The ticket is in the car.”)

“Are you sure you’re in the right parking garage.” (“We’re not sure of anything except what the car looks like and that it’s on the second level.”)

“Oh. Well, good luck.” (“Yes. Thanks. Well…Merry Christmas!”)

The search continued. The sun went down. The parking garages darkened. And we got cold. It was time to consider other options.

After a brief discussion with DynaOne, whose car it was, and the other two women in the group, we decided one of the women would go home with another group and the Dynamic Duo and their sidekick would spend the night and look with fresh eyes and legs in the daylight. I encouraged them to have a fun slumber party, since it really wasn’t going to help them to worry all night.

Well, they definitely had fun! They jumped on the opportunity to have a girls’ all-nighter, making the best of a tense situation. Oh, the stories they’ve shared about their adventures! As they calmed down for the night, they identified the most likely parking garage and found the car first thing the next morning. They learned a few lessons about parking in Chicago, but the most important lessons they learned were about friendships. The three of them laughed until they cried through the night…or cried until they laughed. Probably both!

During the height of the crisis, someone said we’d all laugh about it someday…if the car was found. It didn’t take long for the laughter to begin. What else were we going to do? It turned out well. Everyone was okay. The car was fine. And the Dynamic Duo and Super Sidekick found an excuse for an impromptu slumber party they’ll never forget!

How do you handle crises in your life? Do you throw a pity party, a tantrum, or a slumber party?

Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened. Matthew 7:7-8