Many manly lessons learned

Almost 2 weeks ago, I pulled into the institute parking lot and my car sputtered a bit. I thought it was strange, but then again, I'm not a mechanic(please remember this fact as you continue reading this post). As I departed my meetings, my car wouldn't start. Now, I've had car problems before. Luckily, my father and uncle's knowledge of vehicle maintenance far surpasses my own. But this car calamity could not have occurred at a less than opportune time! I was in the midst of planning a huge she-bang for the Young Single Adults for my church. I needed a vehicle all day Friday to run errands and it wasn't looking good. However, my father took his day off and drove from Ville Platte to help fix it. About 4 hours, a good $200, some choice words, and 4 middle aged men later, my vehicle was up and running. My uncle said that my fuel filter needs to be changed out at least every other oil change. My oil needed to be changed that day, but I waited. The problem existed because my fuel filter was clogged and it over-worked my fuel pump and it died. Needless to say, I'll replace the $10 fuel filer as apposed to the $120 fuel pump.

This past weekend, I went to my parent's house for Easter. We enjoyed ourselves. My main reason for going out there was the shoot guns. I own two rifles, a .22 and a .270. I've shot the both a few times, but not in the past 10 years or so. I really wanted to feel comfortable with them since they are mine. I'm not an NRA member, but I definitely feel it's my responsibility if I ever have to provide for my future family, how to shoot. So, we drove out to a gorgeous park by the Atchfalya River where a shooting range is. We shot my .22 and my dad's 9mm. It was enjoyable. I felt a little scared at first, but more confident as I learned how they worked. After we returned home, my dad showed me how to clean them. Not only did it make me feel better about myself, but it also was a nice bonding moment with my dad!

Now, back to my car. I changed my oil Saturday. This is the second time I've done it by myself-remember, not a mechanic!! But I did so and asked my dad to change my fuel filter and show me how. He did so. On my way back home today, I glanced down at my gas gauge and noticed it was decreasing quite rapidly. In a matter of 3 miles, I lost about a 1/4 tank of gas. I pulled into a gas station, put my car in park got out to notice that gas was spilling out of my the location where my fuel filter is. I immedeately turned off my car and said a prayer. I've learned praying is a lot more effective than cussing, try it! I put my car in neutral and rolled it forward so I didn't have to lay in gasoline. I looked under where the filter was and notice that a clip was not tight around the filter. I tried to fix it myself, but later down the road, realized it wasn't completely fixed. I called my dad to help out. He walked me through the steps. Even though I was smart the first time, frustration took over the second and I laid in a small pool of gas. After several minutes of playing with it, I heard the magical "click". It was in place. As I drove the rest of the way home, my eyes were glued to the gas gauge. I thanked my father in heaven that something more serious didn't happen and I was able to replace it.

Prayer works, my friends. And thanksgiving must follow!