07/15/2026
When God Redirects the Journey: Our Two‑Day Adventure to See Big Boy 4014
Most of you know that since he was a baby, Jacob has loved trains — not just loved, but absolutely adored them. He could identify steam engines by their whistles before he could even pronounce half their names. So when Union Pacific restored the legendary Big Boy #4014 for America’s 250th birthday and sent it across the country, we knew we had to try to get Jacob in its presence. This wasn’t just a train to him — it was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime dream.
Day One: The Heartbreak in Fostoria
We woke up at 6 AM Tuesday morning and made the long drive to Fostoria, Ohio, where Big Boy would be on display from 9 AM to 3 PM. We arrived at 1:30 PM… only to find traffic backed up for miles. We inched forward for nearly three hours, crawling through a three‑mile stretch of cars.
By the time we reached the train yard, it was almost 4 PM — and the exhibit had just closed.
We explained Jacob’s situation. We explained the long drive. We explained that he has ALS and that this moment meant the world to him. But there was no empathy, no exception, no “let’s see what we can do.” We were simply turned away.
To make matters worse, even viewing the train from a distance was impossible. A large white tent had been set up for an employee event, completely blocking any view of the massive locomotive.
We drove to our hotel an hour south of Fostoria, and the van was filled with disappointment. At one point we looked back and saw tears rolling down Jacob’s cheeks. That sight broke us. We knew we had to find another way.
The Community Responds
I posted a short message on Facebook about what had happened. Within minutes, messages started pouring in — people trying to help, offering ideas, making calls, doing whatever they could to help Jacob see Big Boy.
We decided to drive another hour northwest to Continental, Ohio, where the train would stop the next morning for 20–30 minutes before heading to Fort Wayne.
I called the mayor’s office and spoke with Cindy, who was incredibly kind. She couldn’t guarantee anything, but she told us the bank across from the tracks had handicap parking and that if we arrived early, we’d likely get a spot.
I posted that update — and immediately got a call from Joey Stevens, our youth pastor at Winfield Baptist Church. Joey was thrilled we were heading to Continental… because he used to live there. His wife Christie worked at the bank — with the mayor, who was also the bank president.
Within minutes, Christie made a call, Joey made a post, and suddenly we had a guaranteed handicap spot as long as we arrived by 10 AM.
Day Two: God Opens a Better Door
We woke up at 5:45 AM and arrived in Continental at exactly 8 AM. Our spot was waiting for us — reserved, protected, and perfect.
And this town… this town is filled with some of the most wonderful people we’ve ever met. True salt‑of‑the‑earth folks. We instantly fell in love with them.
We met Joey and Christie’s family — her parents, her sister, her niece — all of them came out to meet Jacob and spend time with us. We met an older couple from North Carolina, and a gentleman originally from Poca, WV. Everyone was kind. Everyone was excited for Jacob.
The police told us that if we stayed under the shade tree, we wouldn’t be able to see the train because the street would fill with spectators. They encouraged us to move right up to the tracks — and we did.
But the heat was brutal. Jacob’s skin is extremely sensitive now, and we were worried about sunburn. Around the corner was Okuley’s Pharmacy & Home Medical Equipment. They were closed for the train’s arrival, but the door was unlocked, so I stepped inside.
A gentleman told me they didn’t sell umbrellas, but he thought they might have some old ones in the back. A young lady went to look — and came out with two very old umbrellas, probably from the 1940s. They gave them to us with a smile.
We strapped one umbrella over Jacob’s torso and one over his legs, and his little battery‑powered Menards fan kept him cool in the 93‑degree heat.
The Moment God Had Waiting for Him
When the train was close, someone up front shouted, “Let’s move aside and let this young man up front!” And the crowd parted like the Red Sea.
Jacob had a front‑row seat to the greatest, largest, most powerful steam locomotive in the world.
He saw it arrive. He heard that thunderous whistle — multiple times. He watched it depart, pulling its full consist behind it.
I filmed the entire thing so he can relive it anytime he wants.
God’s Timing Is Always Perfect
Looking back, it’s clear: God closed the door in Fostoria because He had something better waiting in Continental.
He used His people — Cindy at the mayor’s office, Christie and Joey, the folks at Okuley’s, the Continental community, and yes… even the ones who turned us away. Because every step led us to the moment Jacob was meant to have.
God loves us more than we can ever understand. And He always has a plan — even when we don’t see it yet.
“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
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