After our first trip to Russia to meet Z and sign our petition to adopt, we figured we really needed some relaxation and some family time. We had worked so hard to get in all that paperwork and we also had been painting our house, adding some flower boxes around our windows and planting flowers. We spent a few days playing with D & L. Then a serious situation arose in the extended family that we felt we needed to be there to help with. So off we went on the 14 hour trip to Groveland, CA.
We had to start after church and we drove until about 3 in the morning and stopped at a rest area outside of Selma, CA. We woke up about 5:20 and got back on the road. I was driving. About 3/4 of a mile out of the rest area, after I had just gotten up to the highway speed of 70 m.p.h., I saw some kind of debris on the road ahead. I tried to get over in the other lane but there was a car approaching, so I looked to get over on the shoulder of the highway but it was to late. I was already on top of the debris. It looked like a metal pipe but I really wasn't sure. We immediately started hearing a clunk and metal dragging along the ground. So I started to pull over as soon as I could slow down. As soon as I stopped Trent opened his door and we could smell gas and both Trent and I said to the kids, "out of the car now!!!!" We all ran from the car. Trent had his cell phone and called 911.
And we waited and waited and waited. (Meanwhile pacing back and forth wondering how much damage was done, how we were going to proceed on our trip---which had an urgent reason behind it in the first place-- and what would happen if any spark came close to our van. And we prayed and sang and tried to stay positive. We even tried to find as many positive things in the situation as we could.) And no one came for some time. We were expecting any minute there would be flames but nothing happened.
Finally after about 45 minutes, a Selma city police stopped and asked if we had called for help. We told him we had. He called the CHP and found out they were confused where we were. This police was very helpful. He called a tow truck for us. Finally after another 30 min. a CHP officer stopped by. But we didn't need help at this point. The truck came shortly after and towed us into the Toyota Dealer in Selma. Because it was Sunday and the next day was July 4, it was closed until Tuesday. And the tow truck guy took us over to the car rental and it turns out it was closed until Tuesday! We prayed about what to do.
I suddenly remembered that Trent's Uncle and Aunt lived within 20 miles of that place. Trent called Aunt Ruth up. She called up their son, Bruce and he cheerfully came and picked us up and took us into Fresno. We went to the airport to rent a car. So we rented a car and stopped to get food at WinCo. Then we drove on to Groveland. We ended up being about 4-5 hours later than we expected but still got there with no injuries or death. PTL!!!!!!
While Trent was taking the pictures, I went in to pay the bill. The Customer Service man was so in awe. He told me straight up that he could not fathom how our van did not catch on fire. After all the gas tank had a huge hole with that had had gas gushing out, while the pipe was stuck there and being dragged along the pavement, most likely causing all kinds of sparks to fly. Yet the gas didn't catch on fire. Sure it is not that easy to get gas to catch on fire. But I believe that our guardian angels made sure that it didn't. And the Customer Service man said he had to agree with me there!
So what is this recurring theme I have read in adoption blogs?
The day that people commit to adopting a child, things begin to go haywire at a much faster rate than usual. I mean that Satan goes on the war path. Things begin to break down, accidents happen, problems with paperwork and with uncooperative people at many diverse locations and businesses, health problems and much more.
Why do you suppose this is the case? What is it to Satan anyway?
Stay tuned for my take on it next time. :)
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