February 25, 2004

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  Last night was a night full of mixed feelings.  I was driving to the fitness center to workout and had noticed that dozens of police officers were in downtown (in support for the Mardy Gras celebration - a often times routy event).  Cops had pulled several vehicles over and had given them tickets.   One of these motorcycle cops that had stopped another car all of the sudden, made a u-turn and flashed his lights behind me pulling me over..

  
  

  "Sir, one of your headlights is out.  I need to see your license, proof of insurance and registration."

  
  

  I had no idea that my driver's side headlight went out.  My passenger side light was very bright and it seemed that both lights were on.  It was totally my fault for not checking.

  
  

  That was the first whammy..

  
  

  The second whammy was when I tried to find my proof of insurance..

  
  

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  Where is that piece of paper?!   I was dressed in my workout clothes and didn't bring my wallet.  I DID bring my license, but failed to bring the insurance card!  BAD-BAD situation that turned out to be! 

  
  

  nope, I didn't get arrested..hehe

  
  

  I found a copy of my insurance AFTER he gave me the ticket..BUT it was expired in August of last year!  Somehow, I know that I'm insured, but somehow I had forgotten to place the updated card in the glove compartment.  how sad..

  
  

  So, I was given TWO tickets..non-moving violations..

  
  

  "Defective Headlight" = $101

  
  

  "No Insurance Proof" = $538!!!

  
  

  Yes, you've read that right...$538!  Not $5.38 or $53.80..(I wish)

  
  

  Tip: Never leave home without your drivers license AND your proof of insurance! 

  
  

  Guess who's setting up a mitigation hearing?  Here I go again, this will be the fourth time that I'll be seeing the judge in my lifetime..all of them have been for parking citations until now..this is my first headlight/insurance case to deal with.  

  
  

  As I was handing my license to the officer, I asked him if this was classified as a "moving violation".   I don't believe that insurance companies like that type of stuff on their clients' records.   The officer replied, "No sir."   Thank God!! 

  
  

  Pemco insurance company is the best place for auto insurance in my opinion.  They have a strict record and will not insure anyone at fault with an accident or traffic violation for the past five years.  If you get around that, their rates are really good!  

  
  

  Talking about insurance.. I've had one accident where this person changed lanes from my right-hand side and ran right into me.  This person kept going and tried to do a hit and run on me.  I discretely (I think) followed her and caught her as she was going back to her car from a convenience store and she became nervous and furious at me stating that she wasn't involved in any accident.. she quickly went into her car (with LOTS of dents from previous accidents I presume) and drove off.  I called the police and filed a report.  So it turned out from the records pulled by the officer taking my report, that this lady has a history of accidents with NO insurance!  

  
  

  Pemco was so quick on taking care of my claim and gave me a check for the total cost of fixing the dents!  I didn't have to pay any deductible!  That was pretty cool.   This Pemco insurance agent had indicated that the lady at fault would not return any of their calls.  Interesting.  It's illegal to drive without insurance in Washington state.  I wonder if that person has a valid drivers license. 

  
  

  So here I am, with two expensive tickets left in my car as I enter the fitness center.   Man, the relief that a good workout can bring is amazing!  Working out certainly takes some of the stress away.  I felt great afterwards and have come to realize that God is STILL good, regardless of the circumstances that life brings before me.   Who knows but God whether or not the devil is mad at my training for the half-marathon (or full marathon depending on how I feel this September)?   Well, regardless, these negative events try to derail me but it's only causing me to be in prayer more and to seek Jesus for peace!

  
  

  
  

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  "I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid."  (John 14:27)

  
  

  "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:1-5)

  
  

  "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
  

  
  

   

  • 12:57 pm
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