September 21st - Life and Death...

Sometimes there are days that we are reminded just how short life is and how blessed we are to have a Savior. Being a parent, you tend to always pray specifically over your children and cover them with protection, and always ask the Lord to shield them from harm... I do that daily.

Having lost a sister of my own, I tend to always pray that I don't have to go through the same situation as the parent. For those of you who may not know, my sister, Wendi, was killed one rainy day on her way to an Indian Princess camp out. She was riding with a friend. My dad and Christi were in a different car. Wendi was the only one in the car that was killed. My dad never saw the accident. My mom was at home with me. Wendi was 6 years old. At that time, I was only two, but I remember parts. Growing up in the wake of that experience has been one of the things that has kept me and my family close to each other, kept us fully dependant on Christ, and what led me to surrendering my life to Christ. Some have wondered why a "loving God" could do something like that. Let me just tell you.

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whosoever would believe in Him, would not perish, but have ETERNAL life." (John 3:16)

Two weeks before Wendi was killed, she prayed and asked Jesus to forgive her of her sins, and to be her Savior forever. She surrendered her life to Christ, and asked HIM to be in control of it.

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that Jesus was raised from the dead, you wil be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Because she believed that Jesus died on the cross to save her and forgive her from her sins, she is now with him in Heaven.

God is God, and I am never going to question WHY he chooses to allow things to happen in our lives. BUT, that said, "God works all things together for good to those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."

My mom and dad, from the time Wendi was killed to now, have always said. "Never ask 'why' or 'what if.'" There is absolutely nothing you can accomplish in asking those two questions, AND there is NO verbal answer to those questions that can fill the void that has been left.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5)

God was glorified in that event. You can ask anyone in my family. God used her death to bring so many who may not have been willing to listen, to confessing their sins, and asking Christ to be their Savior.

"All things work together for good, to those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

I say all of that to tell you about my day today...

This morning was a normal morning of playing, watching TV, visiting with friends, paying bills, and dealing with the every day. We all got dressed and dashed off to Grace Camp (my weekday-afternoon job).

On our way there we were rear-ended by an 18-wheeler on 635.

I was trying to change lanes to exit, and while I was changing lanes, another car was changing into the same lane I was, but was coming towards me. At the same time, the car in front of us threw on their brakes. In order to miss the two cars, I swerved back into the lane I was in the process of leaving. At that point the 18-wheeler hit me from behind. I remember watching the back hatch glass break as I looked through my rear-view mirror, and I saw the truck directly behind me. I don't know why, but while all that was happening, instead of throwing on my break, I accelerated. I drove a ways and didn't even pull over. I was in shock. Finally, I came to my senses and pulled over to the HOV lane (I couldn't get to the other side because of all the traffic). I sat in my car for about 5 minutes or so, and just sat there. I made sure the kids were okay, and they were wondering what was going on.

I immediately called Grace Academy, and told them, in hysterics, that I was in a wreck and they needed to find a sub for me. (I freaked my friend Shelley out). Then, I called the office, and asked for anyone in my family. Finally, I heard Eric's voice on the other end. I told him where I was, and he, and our friend Chris, were there in minutes. Mr. Clarke, my boss, called to make sure I was okay, and then came to the accident to make sure I was okay. It was really nice to know that others were there.

Now there are several things you need to know. One is that before we left for Grace Camp, I remembered that my newly fixed vacuum was still in the back of my car, so I thought that I should probably take that out. AND, just before I left the house, I also was on the phone with State Farm (our car insurance company) asking them to fax Eric a copy of our new cards because I couldn't find ours. So, the Lord gave me the insight to remove the vacuum from the trunk that could have flown and hit the kids or me, and had it perfectly set up so that we already had our cards for insurance ready for the accident! I think that's cool!

One more thing you need to know, is that while I was waiting on the side of the road, the truck driver told me that is was good that I didn't throw on my breaks because the outcome of the wreck would have been very different. I will try to attach picture of my car and you will see that my car really isn't that bad considering I was hit by an 18-wheeler going about 40 mph. Because I was accellerating with the hit, the impact was not great on us. The Lord has truly blessed us and protected us in every way!

You may think that I am strange, but I have had a strange feeling for several months that I may be in a wreck, so I have been asking the Lord to please keep the children safe and let no harm come to them, and to not let them be in the car if I were to be in an accident. Well, the kids were in the car, but God just showed how amazing he is...The big glass window that broke directly behind them dissolved -- literally. That was the biggest question everyone had was, "What happened to all the glass?". There were a few tiny pieces of glass that flew into the front seat, and a few were in the very back, but not ONE SHRED of glass was to found anywhere near Evan or Emily! Is our God amazing or what!!!! We couldn't even see where glass was on the highway. The window literally DISSOLVED!

We finally got everything squared away and the Police stopped all traffic on 635 for us to get off. (That was cool too!) Before we got in our cars and parted ways, the truck driver mentioned that he may get fired because there were kids in the car, and that even if they don't fire him, he will be out of work and under suspension for a few days or even weeks. So, if you guys will please pray over this truck driver and ask the Lord to let him keep his job, and to provide for him while he is on suspension. He was a very sweet man, and, in my view, did nothing wrong.

After that, Eric, the kids, and I all went to the Purple Cow for ice cream, and I stress ate. I ate an entire brownie sundae and two cups of coffee within minutes. Then, when I took Evan to the bathroom, I bent over to help him with his pants, and as I did, I felt everything coming up and... Luckily, I made it to the toilet!

We went home, got the kids and ourselves settled, and then off to my other job!

WEDDINGS! I had a rehearsal at 7pm downtown at First Dallas. Everything went great!

I left as soon as it was over, and walked out the St. Paul Cafe exit. As I walked down St. Paul to my car, I noticed that a car was following me and getting closer and closer. Out of the corner of my eye I could see that it was a Navy Blue Explorer (1995 or 1996 model), and there was one white guy with a baseball cap driving, and another in the back seat with the window down -- sitting next to the door closest to me, and both of them starring. They stopped, and as they did, I turned towards them. Just as I turned towards them, they peeled out and were gone in a second. I turned back the way I was before, and there about 25 yards in front of me was a cop just standing there. I walked up to him and thanked him for being there and told him what happened. He wanted to know if I got the license number, and I am sorry to say that I did not. Fortunately, he got me to my car safely, and I drove home in shock. The whole way PRAISING GOD our SAVIOR for saving me and protecting me and my family all day long. I feel as though I have seen miracle after miracle today. How truly blessed I am to have a Savior!

Now I am safely at home. The kids are having a slumber party at Grammy's house, and Eric was studying, and now is watching my favorite movie -- "Pride and Prejudice!"

"As for God, his way is perfect, the word of the Lord is flawless, He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and make my way perfect.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. (Psalm 18:30 - 36)

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6)

So, in the days ahead, I am going to cling to one of my favorite verses,

"I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you-- the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
(Psalm 121)

PRAISE BE TO GOD OUR SAVIOR!

The outcome of today could have been so different. And, even if it had been different, the Lord STILL would be glorified, but I am so thankful that he chose for today to be just the way it happened!

It is my prayer that you will be blessed in reading this, and that you will praise God with us over his protection today! He is to be praised!!