A few days a week I get to load up my car with two handsome men and drive to the elementary school where Eli has preschool. Today was one of those days, and let me tell you, that in and of itself is an adventure. We have to make sure lunch is eaten and cleaned up in time, then E. gets slathered in sunscreen, backpack checked for stowaways and strapped on, sippy cup filled, socks and shoes on, one last stop in the bathroom, and then into the car seats with both the boys so we can be on our way. All systems were go and we were even a few minutes early, when all of a sudden my car started to sputter and then died. Yep. For only the second time in my life, I had run out of gas. (Ironically, the first time I had two other great kiddos in the back. Coincidence? Bad luck? Why??) Luckily there was a nice stretch of gravel that I was able to pull over into on the side of the road, and after putting on my hazards and taking a deep breath I got out of the car and proceeded to unstrap the little men. After all, we were literally yards from the preschool, and even though it would still take us several minutes to walk there I decided it was best if Eli got to school and then I could figure out the car situation later. A few things to note: I brought along two big gallons of apple juice to deliver to Eli's class, and yes folks, it's still 104 degrees outside. Just so you get a better picture of this in your head. So here I am, the baby on one hip with my wallet and keys wedged between us, two jugs of apple juice in my other hand, and little Eli with his sippy cup and backpack next to me, preparing to cross the street so that we can get to school on time. I'm sure we were quite a sight to the cars driving by. We had been standing there at the side of the road for probably less than a minute and I was waiting for one last truck to pass us so that we could cross, but in stead it pulled over behind me. Alright, I thought, that works too. So I walked back over to the other side of the car so that I could tell whomever these nice people were that I had run out of gas, and we were just going to walk to the school since it was so close. Out of the truck came two guys who looked to be in their early to mid twenties who were on their way to a job site when they saw me and the boys and decided to stop and lend a hand. I said a silent prayer asking Heavenly Father to help me know if the boys and I were going to be safe, and if we should accept a ride from these guys. Even though I was extremely nervous to have Eli strapped in without a car seat, and Brax just riding on my lap, it seemed as if this was our best option, and I did feel the reassurance of the Spirit telling me we would be okay. We first stopped at Eli's school so that he could be on time and we could get rid of the apple juice. While we were waiting for the teachers to unlock the gate, Eli pointed out their church building just across the street. "Look that's my church!" he said. The young man we were with saw that it was an LDS church building and said to me, "I'm LDS too. What ward are you guys in?" I told him that I was just the silly nanny who ran out of gas and that I went to a different singles ward, but the boys went with their family to the ward here. I had a feeling before that we were in good hands, but I felt even better knowing that these men were also members of the church.
After Eli went in to his class, we proceeded to drive to our friendly strangers parents home where he said he knew they had a gas can we could use. The house was literally only two minutes away from us so it was a quick ride. On our way to what I thought would be a gas station so that I could pay to fill up the gas can we stopped back at my car, and I realized when the man lifted it up that it was already full. The guys quickly poured the gas into my car and we were back in business. I told them I hadn't realized they already had the can filled up, and asked if there was anything at all I could do for them, but they said that they didn't need anything and that they were happy to help. I thanked them profusely and then we got back in the car to head home. (Well, to a gas station first to fill up the rest of the way, then home.) I was overwhelmed as we drove away by my gratitude for such a huge blessing. These people stopped to help us mere minutes after I had run out of gas, and just as quickly as they came they were gone. Somehow they already had a filled gas can to use, and their home was just down the road for them to get it. I absolutely believe in miracles, and I believe that this was one of them. I cannot even express in words my love and gratitude to my Father in Heaven for his watchful eye over me and the boys today. Angels are among us, and I got my very own visit. :)
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