Thanks for participating in Delurking Week! That was really fun to see who is reading and not commenting. I will get those pictures up for you soon. But first...I have a story for you.
I think someone must have been praying for Rhys, Owen and myself as we traveled to NC on Friday. When I got in the car, I thought about my friend Jen and her daughter Story who had been in a horrific car accident on the interstate the week before- and miraculously walked away unhurt. I paused and asked the Lord to watch over our car and help us get there safely.
About two hours into the drive, the boys were sleeping peacefully in the back and I was into a David Baldacci novel on CD when I noticed smoke coming from under my car. I was right by a sign telling me that an exit was in one mile and I just prayed that I could make it to the exit. I was petrified of being stranded on the side of the interstate by myself with the boys. I made it up the exit ramp and to the stop sign before I lost all power from my transmission. Thankfully I was at the crest of a hill so I was able to drift onto a large shoulder on the side of the road. Right up the embankment there was a BP gas station. A man was changing his son's diaper at his van and he ran down to help me get the boys out. He started looking at the car and another young man stopped and looked at it too- both concluding that it was something with the transmission/transmisison fluid. A bunch of phone calls later, a tow truck was on its way to take my van to a local mechanic's shop.
The whole time, the twins were being entertained by the wife and two kids (5 and 2.5 years old) in the van. The dad bought me cold water at one point and another time went inside to get hot water to thaw the frozen breastmilk I had with me to feed the boys. We couldn't fit two infant car seats and me in the front of the tow truck so they volunteered to drive me and the boys to the repair shop.
We rolled into the repair shop about 5:15pm on Friday afternoon. Eddie doesn't normally work weekends but he said he didn't have anything to do on Saturday so he'd come in and try to get our van working again. He was not very optimistic about the transmission. Sarah was going to pick us up when she came through but my new friends refused to leave us alone! In fact they were heading to Raleigh/Durham too so they convinced me to let them take me on to KT's house. They were amazing- angels really. What are the odds of someone being at that gas station that had room for me and two infants and all our stuff, that wasn't in a hurry, that was headed the same way and that was just willing to take care of strangers they met on the side of the road? Really.
My new friends dropped me off and their two year old cried when the babies left. They were wonderful. Eddie called and said he couldn't believe my transmission hadn't burned up since there was no fluid left in it. He replaced the thermostat and put more transmission fluid in, Mark (bless you Mark) drove us 1.5 hours one way and we picked up the car at 7pm on Saturday. And then the boys screamed most of the way home. :)
We got home Saturday night- safe. And thankful. And fully aware of the Lord's protection all over us this weekend.
7 comments:
God is so good! Do you know the names of your good samaritans?? :)
Stories are almost as good as pictures-- but not quite. :) Even better than pics was to see you all in person this morning--- watch out Joanie, next playdate I'm gonna get my hands on one of those sweet boys. :) Love ya! Jenn
ok you're right, the way you tell it it's not sketchy at all. But let the record show that your friends awaiting your arrival here in the triangle were simultaneously entertained and HORRIFIED at the idea of you riding all that way with strangers. Who were very very good-hearted and turned out to be a huge blessing in an unexpected place. :)
And you're also right about how awesome Mark is. Not just saying that cause I'm married to him. He really is awesome and helpful and kind.
WOW! That really is a story that shows how God was watching out for you!!
Yes- I have their names and numbers and have been instructed to come see them next time I'm in the area!
If you're up for another roadtrip, we'd love to have you visit us in C'burg. Jonathan says there are lots of gas stations along the way. Glad you are okay and hope you had fun!
And I was just praying you wouldn't have to stop and go the restroom and all the trouble that entails! Guess that would have been a walk in the park.
O my what a story. So glad for not only His protection but His grace in sending you that family. Loved all the new pics, and while the one posted for us was great - the feet shot was amazing! so glad u shared that one.
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