I was on my way to our ministry house from a friend's house 9:30 this morning, driving on a two-way street, speed at around 35-40 miles/hour. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday - blue skies, weather was not so hot, the streets were clear, very calm and quiet, and I barely see any other motorist in front or back. I was just enjoying my drive while listening to my favorite Christian radio station K-Love. Praying and talking to God while driving is just part of my daily driving experience. I was thanking the Lord for this beautiful day as I always do and I was looking forward to another Sunday service, to sing and play music, to worship and thank Him.
But suddenly, the "enemy" just couldn't stand the scene. He found one guy on a Jeep Wrangler to use as his instrument to ruin a simply beautiful day. I was driving on the left lane (close to the center lane), the guy, middle-aged white man, was coming out from a CVS pharmacy parking lot (on my right). Probably the "enemy" put in his mind an idea that "Hey, there is no traffic, the street is clear, and you are in a hurry. Turn Left! Now!!!" Probably he didn't look at his left side to see if there was a coming motorist before he floored the gas. I saw him coming so fast towards me, and it was too late for me to hit the brakes. Good thing I didn't because if I did, I could have been the one collided to the side of his car head on. I tried to avoid him by going to the center lane. But then I already realized it was inevitable, he's going to hit me. In a split second, all I could do was cry out to God and trusted He was in control. Next thing I heard was a deafening thud, then I felt myself instantly being pulled to the right and then pushed to left, then up and down, I saw broken glasses from the right side windows flying towards me, I couldn't do anything more but close my eyes and pray.
Few seconds later, it was so quiet, then I opened my eyes and noticed I was touching as if to shield my right side ribs, they hurt probably because of the seat belt. Then I saw this man came out from the Jeep Wrangler, peeked through my window and asked if I was okay. I was in shock, I couldn't speak right away, I felt my entire body was shaking, I tried to talk but all I heard at first was low mumbling sounds. Then I heard him called emergency. A civilian guy stopped on the other side of the street, walked toward me, introduced himself and said he was a doctor. He asked me if I feel any pain or anything, before I could even answer him, another civilian lady stopped in front of my car, introduced herself, another doctor. And I said to myself, "Wow! Thank you Lord for sending these people instantly!" I checked myself, touching different parts of my body to see if I feel any broken bone or whatsoever. Good thing there was no upcoming traffic or else I could have been hit both sides, and it could have been worse. I was still shaking but I guess there was a rush of adrenaline that surprisingly I wasn't feeling any pain anymore. I said, "I don't know...I think I am fine."
Few minutes later, ambulance and cops arrived. Interviewed me, checked my vitals but I refused to be taken to the hospital because I thought, hey I was okay. I went out of my car, filled out some papers. I lasted about an hour under the heat of the sun, surprisingly, since I know myself I could barely stay out, with no shade, during the heat of AZ summer, waiting for the towing service to arrive, answering to cops' questions, calling a few people....then it was over.
An hour after the accident, maybe adrenaline wore off, I started to feel pain on my neck and shoulders and back, my arms and legs became so heavy, headache slowly coming in, feeling sensory disturbance on my arms and legs, I started seeing little halos at my right peripheral view, typical whiplash signs and symptoms, so I decided to be brought to the ER and be seen. They did some tests. Thank God, aside from bruises, cuts and body pains, and headache, I didn't suffer from any other major things like broken bones and whatsoever. I was only given tetanus shot and some pain killers, but still I was advised to watch for any other symptoms of other conditions that may arise from few days to few months after the accident, and whiplash injuries vary from simple to serious. And if it happens (God forbid), I should and I WILL go back to my doctor to be sure I'll be okay.
I came home few hours later, so tired, so hungry and so heavy, but I still managed to answer texts and calls from concerned friends and relatives, then after that I was able to sleep. I woke up feeling a bit worse, headache, body pains especially neck, shoulders and back worsen. Right now, I feel like I'm catching flu. I hope and pray that sooner I will be fine and it's nothing serious.
I am just so thankful to God that I'm safe at home now. He has shielded me from serious injuries. I know angels have wrapped their wings around me because I didn't get any cuts on my face or eyes despite all the broken glasses. To all those who emailed, texted and called me, to those who have breathed a prayer for me, "THANK YOU SO MUCH!"
Here are some photos:
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
