Sunday, July 3, 2022

Miracles With Car Trouble

Miracles happen still. About two weeks ago I had my 36 week doctor visit. It was a really quick visit everything looked good and I think it was extra fast because the previous week I had just seen the high risk doctors and had gotten a growth check on baby girl, so really all I need was a strep B test, but it was still good to go. She is head down, which is great and according the ultrasound done at the high risk doctor’s office they estimate she would be about 9.5# if she goes all the way until the due date. Anyway, I finished up my appointment and went out to the car. Started it up, called Gaupo to let him know everything checked out good, and then I went over a little bump in the road and my dashboard lit up and the battery light stayed on. I didn’t know what to do. Gaupo said, told me to find a place to pull off to try and turn it off and on again, but I didn’t know where to do that. I had just turned onto an unfamiliar road to head to Costco. Well, he said just keep going then, so I did. I got all the way to Costco turned it off and then turned it back on. It started up fine and so I was like now what.

 Gaupo said, “go ahead and just go shopping. “

Me: “What if it dies while I am in there and it wont start and I frozen stuff?”

Gaupo: “Call me.”

Me: “Ok.”

So, I go in and get the shopping I need to done. I load it in the car and start it up. It starts, so I head home. I was so nervous because I needed to take the interstate home and my car dying going 75miles an hour seemed scary. I took it a little slower. On my way home, Lindsay who had the kids for me called and said to just take the groceries home and then come get the kids. I don’t know why I didn’t tell her about the car trouble,  but I didn’t and instead said okay. Then I hung up and silently pleaded, “Heavenly Father, please just let me get home.” I got home without any problems. I shut off the car unloaded my stuff, grabbed some lunch, quick deboned the rotiseree chickens, and then got back in the car to go grab my kids. The car started again, so I headed out. I got to Jack and Lindsay’s house and rolled up the windows and locked the car and went in. I visited with Jack for a bit and then got the kids. It was now raining outside so I let the kids kind of play in it and then said we should go see if we can go home. Well, I went to the car and it wouldn’t start. Like nothing, super dead. So, Jack pulled his car and cables out and gave me a jump. It started when connected but died and soon as we took it off. Jack worked with it a bit and got it to stay on, but by the time I loaded the kids it was dead again. So, we decided to hangout until Guapo could bring a new battery and be with us. The kids had a great time. The twins and I laid down for a nap and the big kids played. Then we all played and enjoyed until Gaupo got there. He and Jack put the new battery in and it started. The light was still on, but Gaupo figured it just needed to be cinched down and would do it when we got home, so we loaded up and headed out me and the kids in the van and Gaupo in his truck.

 We were headed out and I started smeeling something kind of funny, so I told Gaupo that the car was smelling weird. We pulled over and he smelled it and said it would be okay. So, I drive on and hit a little bump and the dash just lights up all over again. I call Gaupo and tell him I am not going to drive home he can. So, we switch cars and head home. We get about 1.5 miles from our house and Gaupo pulls off. The car was completely dead. I pulled up my State Farm app and ordered a tow truck. It was so slick and fast I could hardly believe it, but so grateful at the same time. Once the tow truck loaded the car and towed it to the dealership for repairs we got in the truck and headed home.

Getting a tow.

It turns out a valve had leaked onto the alternator and ruined the alternator. So, we got that repaired and as of Monday afternoon it seems to be working fine. I sure hope so. I really like my van and am not ready to replace it so hopefully this keeps us in good shape for a bit.

 This experience just reminded me how miracles still happen. I was able to do everything I needed to do that day. We were safe. The car didn’t die on I-25. It didn’t die while I was driving it. We were able to have it safely on the side of the road not in a turn lane or at a light or something like that. We had relatives who we could spend an afternoon at their house and it was more fun than a worry. The tow truck was quick and responsive. There wasn’t more damage than there was. My pleading prayer was answered. I made it home and more so I made it off I-25 home and to my kids which is where I really wanted to be.

 I know Heavenly Father looks out for us. Things happen. Today I read in The Friend that life is suppose to be an adventure. We are here to have experiences to learn, grow, and do. The Lord is with us through it all, so though things may not go as planned for may not be what we wanted them to be they are here to bless us and if we keep the commandments and stay true to our covenants then we can know for certain that the Lord will use this life to help us become what we need to be.