Day 19: Hollywood

Today we drove up from San Marcos to Hollywood. We'd spent the early morning at San Marcos Lutheran Church for their tradional service which lacked one thing- confession of sins and they also changed the order to be like those contemporary services where the announcements and welcome of newcomers are placed in right smack after the first hymn.

So as we drove on the freeway (I think it was Highway 5), we faced a near-death encounter. An old car driving in front of us, 1-2 lanes away suddenly lost control and spun around till it was facing us horizontally. Both Chris and I were shocked and our lives literally flashed before our eyes. But we really thank the Lord for his grace and mercy for Chris was able to act fast enough and swerve to the next lane on our left and thank God there was no car behind on that lane or we wouldn't have made it.

Also, thank God that the car that had lost control was still driving very slowly, though still perpendicular to the road and she ended up hitting an island on the side. I remembered distinctively that the car was smoking. After the car passed us, we were so grateful to God and just could not stop thanking Him for His protection. Our hands were still shaking for the next 5 minutes after the ordeal ended and I was near tears.

I could not believe this had happened and it was only at the start of our journey along West Coast. It was traumatizing and I am so glad Chris was able to act on it fast enough or we would not be able to enjoy our holiday but will end up in a hospital or worse, not even survive.