Saturday, January 1, 2011

5 Mile Adventure

December 30th was a night of miracles! The Lord certainly had ways of blessing and reminding me of His constant attention in my life. A dear friend and I went and saw 127 Hours in Salt Lake. If you don't know anything about this movie it is all about the experience of Aron Ralston--the man who had to cut off his arm in Southern Utah to get free from being pinned for 5 days by a boulder. It was an amazing movie (they kept it real to what he experienced) from the angles, the music, to filming in the actual place he was pinned, it was spectacular. Once the movie ended, I was just in awe and began to be grateful for all the small and simple things life brings me daily. I then began to thank the Lord for some of these simple things.
After the movie we went to 711 and got some hot chocolate and drove around in my car, Daphne. We were able to discuss many things that both of us needed to get off our chest to a person we trusted. So, we drove around for a good 45 minutes until I parked Daphne so that we could continue talking and I could stop killing the environment. We stopped driving at the U of U institute parking lot.
I put my car on the spot where all the electronic bells and whistles will work but the engine is not turned on. While we were sitting there I got the thought prompting me that I should go and drive my car back to where Scott's was. I ignored it, thinking back to myself 'I am enjoying this conversation, I do not want him to think I am kicking him out'. A couple minutes after this the thought came to turn my car all the way off. I yet again ignored that with the rebuttal it was 16 degrees outside, I am keeping my heated seats on. 
Then. . . 
BOOF.
Daphne's battery died. Since she is an automatic we were in a bit of a pickle. Thanks to technology of smart phones, we learned that my friends car was 5 miles away from where we were. AGH!! I was not about to walk that with no gloves and trendy (not warm) boots.
As I mentioned, we were stuck at the U of U Institute parking lot. We left his car on 300 S. He then has the genius idea for us to have an adventure-- we'll coast all the way down to State Street.

I initially thought there is no way we can get that far, but I decided that was better than nothing. I figured even if we only get a little ways it will be better than where we were.
We spent a while trying to get the car out of the parking lot and onto the street without hitting snowbank or falling on our faces. Since this was his genius plan, I gave him the wheel. He knew how to get to his car better than I did, and I felt safer being the passenger. Once we were on a the main street we ran and then jumped in. With a prayer in my heart that we would not get pulled over, or in an accident by our plan to just go through any red light that we were faced with we began to drift down toward State Street.
We were coasting Daphne down well. We were going fast for a vehicle that was not running we were going normal speed.
Miraculously, we had no red lights. I wish that I could express into words how amazing this was to experience. It was as if God had changed all the lights for us to make it down. Even when we were coming up to a red light, one-two blocks prior it would change to green. We made it all the way down to 400 so and State Street. My friend ran to get his car and came back to jump start mine. After all our panting, pushing and pulling the car, and our silent prayers, it was fixed in a matter of seconds.
The Lord was truly listening to our silent prayers in our hearts and helped protect us. I feel very humble from this experience.I saw in so many ways the Lord's hand impact my life even though I was being stubborn and prideful and did not listen to the promptings he offered to protect before any scenario appeared. I am grateful that He is merciful enough to forgive my for my pride. Though we traveled 5 miles to get down the hill and close to his car, I took a big 30 foot leap into understanding and opening my eyes more to the power and influence God has on/in/through my life. 
I feel electric from this experience. It just reiterates to me that no matter what He is always there ready to listen and help in anyway He can in our lives. This was something that was simple, but means so much to me because it helped me to be humbled and have a greater appreciation for His hand in my life! This experience has not only humbled me with God's hand in my life, but the whisperings of the Holy Ghost that I need to listen to and not think that I know better. This was a small thing that has tested my faith to not understand but just do. Though I had not done so, this experience cleared my clouded mind to make it so I will do better in the future.
Happy New Year!!