Yesterday boasted a little more action than we planned for!! It started snowing around 5pm right as the boys and I were leaving karate. We had to run home, get ready, make a quick dish and then turn around and head back to the church for the Branch V-day Party. Long story short, the difference between the 5pm snow and the 7pm was phenomenal! Before we knew it we were driving 15 mph in a bit of a snowstorm. Now, I do have an SUV, but it is neither all wheel, nor front wheel drive… the thing is a nightmare to drive in the snow. Had I realized when we left how bad/dangerous the roads were, I wouldn’t have gone, but just 2 hours before they were fine, so we decided to head out anyway.
So there we were trekking along as slow as possible, trying not to freak out. It didn’t help that my windshield wipers are apparently on it’s their last legs and I was having trouble seeing out the window. Anyway, about half way there, I hit a patch of something and started sliding. I was in the right line… we slid left, then back right (It’s all slow motion, but I think I remember lighting trying to turn the wheel and NOT slam on the breaks). From there we did a full 360 and then started another one as we spun into the median/ditch in the middle of the road. We ended up stuck in the ditch facing on coming traffic. I couldn’t move the car and I was trying to stay CALM!! No one was hurt; the boys were fine (though Braden was worried that we were going to get a ticket).
What happened from here on out, I consider an absolute miracle and godsend!! I called Blake (at the church) and he left immediately, but was still a good 20 mins. away. He told me to stay put… I couldn’t really move so that was fine. A few minutes later, my neighbor Kelly called and asked if I was home… I told her I was actually stuck in a ditch on the 521. She said, she was afraid I would say that!! They had just passed me on the road and saw the white ENVOY. Here’s the kicker: she was driving by but wasn’t sure if it was me stuck in the snow. At the moment she turned her head back I turned my interior light on and she saw my hair. I had a feeling to turn on my interior light at that moment and I’m so glad I listened. She called and sent her husband back to help us AND here’s why having Jason help us was such a godsend. I would’ve stayed put, but Jason decided to start backing us up (parallel to the road) to see if we could get a little more traction somewhere else. After we backed up a bit, he got out to survey the area. Literally moments after we had moved, a mustang came flying off the road and spun/landed in the exact spot where were before we moved. Ahhhhhh… can you even imagine. I am beyond grateful that again, no one was hurt. We left the car there last night, but managed to get it out this morning once the snow melted a bit. Everything’s fine, but it’s got me thinking.
I know we were blessed, watched over and protected and I don’t ever want to take that for granted. There were so many little ways the Lord watched out for us last night… It was not a big accident or anything over traumatic, but something happens when your car starts spinning and things start happening in slow motion! I am beyond grateful for all my blessings – little and big. I feel foolish for having expectations of the shape and form of blessings; when in fact little tenders mercies and being safe and protect exceed all else. By sharing this, I don’t want to make it more dramatic than it was… I just want to be able to have the reminder that the Lord truly is mindful of us and loves us all.
Happy Valentines Day… I am definitely feeling the love.
I happened to have my camera in my pocket... grabbed it right as we walked out the door for the party. I took a few pics of the car after we backed up! CRAZY!
We first landed right were the mustang was...
