Vapor Lock... What?

Sounds like something drastic and scary, right? Well, when your car doesn't work and you are stuck in a canyon on the side of the road (barely) and have no cell phone service - for MILES - it is scary and drastic.

So here is the story: On my way to Estes Park, about 9 miles up hwy 7 because hwy 36 is closed due to an accident, my car starts sputtering and I'm losing power, so I pull over. My engine light is on and I'm concerned that there is a seriously huge (re: expensive) problem with my car. The only one I have. I wait a few minutes with the hazard lights on, cars blowing past me and no one stopping. I start the car and it seems to be happy to be moving again.

Then the engine light starts blinking, which my great-uncle, the car man, says is bad, so I pull over again. Barely off the narrow winding road. Again. Where cars are blowing by... Again. And no one stops. Again.

I wait for a break in traffic and get out to put the hood up (international signal for "my car is broken!!!") and get back inside.

I can't deal with the no cell signal so I figure some kind soul will stop if he sees a pretty girl standing by a car on the side of a road with the hood up. Annnnddddd no. Not until I wave down Steve and his lovely girlfriend, who were outraged that no one stopped for me before I waved them down.

Steve and his lovely girlfriend took my insurance information, cell and my friend's number we are visiting so they could call a tow and my friend once they got into cell range.

I get back in the car. Play a couple of games of scorpion. Lose. Can't take it anymore and get out of the car. Tell the boy to stay put.

I walk to the front of the car and look up at the sky, so far above and whisper, "God, I kinda need a miracle here. I can't afford an expensive repair and You are literally the only person who can hear me right now." I stood there a few minutes longer, waiting to see if He was going to answer loud enough for me to audibly hear Him. I didn't hear anything.

I walked around to the driver's side to get back in the car and see I didn't need to hear the answer so much as wait for it to get there.

Boulder County Sheriff's Deputy pulls up behind me and turns on his emergency lights. I wave. He calls something in on his radio. He gets out of his car.

He greets me and asks what the problem is, and I proudly tell him I believe it is the alternator -silently praying it isn't. I explain the symptoms and he asks if I knew what vapor lock was. I tell him I had alternator problems with another vehicle and am confident it is the problem. NOT this vapor lock thingy. He looks at me and asks again. I say no, I don't know what vapor lock is.

I still don't know what it is, but apparently it happens in the mountains and has to do with gas overheating.

So, my hero, the sheriff's deputy, opens the gas tank and sticks his finger in, explaining he is letting out the hot gas.

Now he wants me to start the car, and doubtful, I do. Holy cow!!! It started right up.. And no engine light!!!

I made it to Estes Park. I have a hero in the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. And God does hear my wee little voice in the midst of all the chaos.

Which means He also hears my other prayers. In the midst of this week's painful happenings, He still hears me. And while I hope my prayers are answered the way I want, He is the one who knows what I truly need in my life. I don't need to fret, worry or be anxious, because God's got this under control.

Thanks God, for hearing me on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. You are my REAL Hero.