cal-trans driver or angel?

so today . . . we left ashland at about 2:30 a.m. we knew we might hit snow and ice in the mountains (and we did) so we thought if we left really early at least the traffic would be light (and it was!) so our plan was a good one--until 4 a.m. when rollie awakened me suddenly and said, "we have a problem!" i could tell by the urgency in his voice that we were in trouble. i opened my eyes and saw that it was still dark and the road was covered in snow and ice, and we were coasting to a stop as far off the side of the road as we could get (there wasn't much of a shoulder because of the snow that had been plowed off.) fortunately there wasn't much traffic. unfortunately we were 40 miles from the nearest town, our car wouldn't go into gear, and did i mention it was 4:00 in the morning?! so while rollie was trying to think what could be wrong and what to do about it and if we should call AAA, and i was thinking, "oh great! major car repair in a small, isolated town which will undoubtably be expensive and take several days," our daughter says from the back seat, "i think we should pray!" so we did. and about two minutes later a cal-trans truck pulled up beside us AT 4:00 IN THE MORNING!! rollie told the driver what our problem was, and he suggested that we check to make sure the 4 wheel drive hadn't partially disengaged. when we checked that, we found that our problem was solved! and when we pulled back onto the road, we found ourselves right behind a snowplow/gravel truck, which we were able to follow for the next several miles until the roads were once again clear. coincidence? i suppose it is possible. but the odds of a cal-trans truck pulling up behind us at just the time we needed help at 4 a.m. on a remote stretch of road seems pretty slim to me.

in our family we pray, because we believe that God hears us and cares about us and has the power to make a difference in our lives. and there have been many, many times over the years when God has clearly answered our prayers. but not like this! this was one of those times when i know God intervened. we had a plan, but it would have been expensive and time-consuming and, as it turns out, unneccessary.

i am so thankful for my family--my husband who was carefully driving us home in terrible conditions and had the wisdom to say, "let's leave early," and my daughter who still has faith even though her life has taken some unexpected and difficult turns. our trip home could have been very different, but thanks to God's intervention we made it home safe and sound and are back to enjoying the california sunshine!

***this is the kind of snow we battled all week long!***