I had my interview out in Cleveland this week to defend my doctrinal statement after several weeks of hard core studying. I have to say, I'm super thankful for that experience, as nerve-wracking as it started out, because even while I was answering questions and giving verses, they were helping me see in a practical way how the different doctrines apply to my life personally. For example, we were talking about the Holy Spirit, and one of the pastors had me looking at Romans 8, and they showed me how the verses could be additional assurance verses regarding salvation (I had shared earlier about how I had doubted my salvation some growing up). Wow!
As if my interview wasn't enough excitement, I had some serious drama on I-80, about 2 1/2 hours from home. I was driving happily along, thinking a lot about my interview and different things that were said. I had just decided to turn on something to listen to when I saw some flashing lights on the side of the road and then saw trucks starting to put on their four-ways to alert people to slow down. I didn't realize at the time that there was construction ahead, with a seven mile stretch of one lane, instead of two. Anyway, as I am slowly driving, I suddenly start to see some steam coming from my hood. It was just a tiny bit, but then it continued to pour out. I was in the left lane, so I looked up at the trucker next to me, and since he was looking down at me and my car, I was able to wave to him, and motion that I needed to get in front of him so I could pull over to the road side. He was kind enough to allow that, and I pulled off the road and turned the car off.
I was on the phone with my dad at this point, since I had no idea what was wrong, only that steam pouring out from my engine was not a good thing! It had to be cool and slightly rainy, so I was standing outside, looking at green fluid leaking from my car and trying to relay what I was seeing on the phone. I happened to look up and noticed a police car, lights flashing, headed down the berm towards me. I have to say, I have never been so relieved in my life, as I was when I saw those flashing lights coming straight up to me and stopping behind my car! Blessing #1.
At this point, I hung up on the phone and went back to my driver's door to pop the switch to unlock my hood. The officer got out and asked what was wrong, and then he came over, helped me open up my hood and then started looking around in my engine to see if there were any broken pipes or what. He even got down and was trying to peer under my car. He couldn't see what was wrong and told me a couple things it could be. He went back to his police car and wrote down the state police barracks number and told me if I called that the lady on duty could get the information for the towing service and send someone to come tow my car. He told me about an exit a few miles back where there was a garage and a motel there where I could spend the night. At this point, he told me he had to go, since he had to stay with the traffic; however, he told me he would come back and check on me if I was still there when he came back through.
My dad asked me to try pouring some water in my reservoir, to see if maybe it was just low (the policeman had looked in there and couldn't tell how much fluid was there). With that, I then saw that the thermostat gauge showed my engine as cooled down significantly. I got back on the road to see if the extra liquid would be a fix; however, I only got about a half mile down the road (passing my policeman) before it was almost back to totally overheated.
Back to the side of the road again, I watched as the police car again pulled up behind my car, lights flashing. I got out of the car, and his first words were, "You didn't make it very far, did you!" He then asked if I still had the phone number he'd given me and told me to go ahead and call her, that this was my best option. I am so glad for this. Shortly after, I had a tow truck on the way! I waited for the tow truck, and 15 or so minutes later, I looked up and saw a police car again with flashing lights behind me. At the same point, my tow truck pulled in, right in front of me. I thought my officer was there again, but when I looked back, there was a different officer standing behind my car. He was also coming to check on my and make sure things were okay, but he said he could see my help had just arrived.
