Provision, an Unexpected Miracle

 Uncategorized  2 Responses »
Oct 242011
 

So, the car.

Yeah…that thing. Well, the shop it was at (ShopA) is no longer getting our business…

The car got towed there on Thursday evening last week. The keys were left in the drop box and HubbaHubba called them up first thing on Friday morning letting them know to what car the keys belonged. We were told that there was a car that was scheduled for that day that they had to do first, but it wouldn’t take long and then they would get ours in and call us with a diagnosis.

Friday drags by…I start to get more and more concerned with each passing hour and no word. This couldn’t be good at all. Finally, HubbaHubba calls them about three in the afternoon…

The car ahead of ours was giving them some problems, but they were still going to get ours looked at . O.K….

At four, HubbaHubba calls again. The guy he talks to says he took the cover off the shifter and it all appeared to be intact, so on Monday, they’ll have to totally tear apart the transmission to diagnose the problem. At this point, I see dollar signs before my eyes like on slot machines twirling. This really can’t be good.

So all weekend long, we go without a car. Spent Saturday at home. We arrange for a ride to church on Sunday.

Today, HubbaHubba goes to work way early with a co-worker. He runs around in a company truck half the day. Finally at noon, he calls ShopA. No, the car hadn’t been looked at yet…But they will have an estimate at two. Two rolls around, and still no estimate. When HubbaHubba talks to them again, they say it was looked at, but they don’t have an estimate as the guy who looked at it went home sick and didn’t tell them anything. So, HubbaHubba has it towed to ShopB.

Within  a half hour, he gets a call saying that the cable broke, it will be about $375 to fix including the tow over and it will be done on Wednesday afternoon (being as the car is a first year ever Ford Focus, each part is proprietary and has to be ordered from Ford, hence the delay).

Well, you see, that was a bit of a concern. We don’t have a spare $375 sitting around. Things have been tight, especially with the added costs of living in this town since the tornado. Hubba told them to go ahead and do the repairs.

Then, the money was provided. Not going into details but let’s just say that God is good.

I was so stressed over getting the car repaired. I was struggling greatly with how much this was going to cost and the fact that I saw absolutely no way to pay for it. And yet, my God was more than faithful in providing. I kept hearing that still, small voice telling me that it was going to be alright, to be patient and to have faith. I was terrified when HubbaHubba had me write the check for tithe on Sunday, knowing how much it was and how that would detract from the funds to pay for the car. And yet, God came through again. One would think I would know better than to fret and worry. I really should know better. May this stand as a testament to how awesome the God we serve is, and as a reminder to me that God does care and He has a way that far exceeds our thoughts and plans.

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Thursday Started Out Normal Enough…

 Crazy Life, finances  3 Responses »
Oct 222011
 

So, Thursday started out fairly normally. We took HubbaHubba to work like we do every-other-Thursday so we can go grocery shopping. I did a light trip to Wal-Mart because I was planning on going to Aldi’s grand re-opening today to really get groceries.

HubbaHubba then informs me that he will need the car about 3:30 to drop a bid off for work so the girls and I go to drop off the car. Turns out the bid didn’t have to be in until Friday so he got permission to leave work a bit early because he had worked two very late nights in the last two weeks. We go to his chiropractor appointment, then before running back home to get his gui for Judo and to change the girls, we stop at a newly re-opened fast food restaurant for supper.

Half-way back to our home across town, HubbaHubba was shifting from second to third gear when there was a popping feeling in the shifter. The car then wouldn’t go into gear…The stick moved all over the gear box without the clutch engaged at all. We get pulled off onto a side street and call AAA (so thankful his mom pays for us to have it). After explaining the situation to the dispatcher three times, she finally puts in a call for a tow truck. Our favorite towing service in town is used by AAA and they have always had a very quick response time so we thought it wouldn’t be too long. Mind you, this was about six thirty in the evening when this ordeal started. Of course on our way to take the car to HubbaHubba, we stopped at Sonic’s Happy Hour for drinks. And of course I had to get my usual. I hadn’t had a vanilla coke in ages, and I wanted a BIG one. Then, I had a pretty large drink at supper, and I hadn’t used the bathroom since before we had left the house. Of course we were in a neighborhood that I wouldn’t go knocking on doors in either…

Time passes. And passes some more. HubbaHubba called his boss to let him know what was going on while we were waiting and to see about working from home on Friday. His boss then decides to come and retrieve us (thankfully we also attend the same church so we are friends anyway). However, he had already gone home for the evening and was watching the Cardinals play. He shows up about eight. Along with the tow truck. Turns out, he was over at the Extreme Home Makeover Build a few blocks away on a keys locked in the car call and then got blocked in. Fun.

So, Bossman took the girls and I home while HubbaHubba hitched a ride with the tow truck. The tow truck driver and Bossman seemed to think it was the shifter/stick having come unattached.

After we arrived home, HubbaHubba and I realized neither of us was feeling all that well and we ended up taking turns running to the bathroom all night long. We concluded it must have been food poisoning. Fun. Thankfully the girls didn’t get it. I’m still feeling yucky somewhat but I am getting better.

So Friday we wait and wait for the garage to call us about the car. All while praying it was something cheap and easy to fix. They didn’t look at it until going on four in the afternoon. And then only took the cover off the stick/shifter and peered down it. The guy concluded that it looked like it was all attached so on Monday they may start taking apart the transmission to find the problem. They’ll call with an estimate…

The girls wanted to go here, there and everywhere today. I wanted to go to Aldi’s grand re-opening (I have it from a friend that it was totally a mad house and it is probably a good thing I didn’t go). And we had been thinking about going to a pumpkin patch with the girls today. All plans of which got cancelled due to a lack of transportation. Oh, yeah, we are a single car family. At the moment, I’m not sure if we are going to find a ride to church in the morning. HubbaHubba has a ride to work on Monday morning as he has to go on a service issue.

The girls and I apparently will be at home. Again.

Honestly, I am so frustrated at this point I could scream. Thursday when it happened wasn’t too bad. Friday, the frustration built all day as we kept waiting on word of the car. Today, I am ready to just explode.

It seems like every single time that we finally start to get our finances on better ground, something happens to the car. Every.Single.Time. And it is always expensive. HubbaHubba got some good commission on his paycheck this week, and he just nailed his first very big contract earlier this week which will be on the next or the check after. We were finally going to be able to get the girls something for Christmas this year. Not something cheap off the dollar aisle either (mind you, we weren’t going to blow it on something outrageous, but something nicer and hopefully something they would have really liked). And right now, it is looking like it is all going to be either sunk into fixing our car (or depending on how much it will cost to fix, looking at a newer one). We aren’t in a position right now for car payments (ours is paid off and we wanted to save and pay cash for the next vehicle we buy. The amount you end up paying in interest is just stupid).

So please pray for us. Pray for a way to handle this financially, wisdom in the decision as to what to do and for temporary transportation in the meantime. And that while we are basically stranded, I don’t go too stir crazy. And if you have a cheap vehicle for sale or would trade for web design and hosting, let me know…

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Jeremy Riddle’s Furious, Review and Giveaway

 Propeller Marketing, Reviews  8 Responses »
Oct 222011
 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

The winner is comment number 3, Katherine Aitken. Thank you all for entering!

I was so thrilled to receive a new album of worship music to review recently. This time, I got Jeremy Riddle’s album Furious.

This album was transformational to listen to. The words are convicting you to seek God in all things. Every place, every situation, every circumstance. It doesn’t matter where you are in life, you should seek God with your whole heart.

Mr. Riddle’s vocal range is easy to sing along with (for me at least, I do have a deeper female voice…). The songs have a great tempo to put the album in and do housework to (yes, I have found that occupying my mind with worship while doing housework alleviates a lot of the drudgery of it). The music is engaging and upbeat, yet still full of praise.

I’m not sure how many of the songs could be arranged into non-instrumental songs (we attend a non-instrumental church, so I think in terms of music and making it to be able to be sung without offending some of the congregation. Personally, it doesn’t matter to us if the music we sing in church is backed up with instruments or not. HubbaHubba’s degree is in music and worship actually….) So, if you are a strick non-instrumentalist, this isn’t the album for you.

The Press Release:

PRESS RELEASE:

Vineyard Worship artist and worship leader Jeremy Riddle has announced the release of his new studio album entitled, Furious. The album is set for release on September 20 via NewDay Distribution.

Riddle began production on the album nearly a year ago with Dove Award winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, David Crowder Band) at the helm. Cash’s contribution forms the backbone of the album which also features production from Bobby Hartry, a long time Riddle collaborator. The project follows Prepare The Way: Live, an album recorded in front of a live audience in Corpus Christi, Tex., earlier this year from Vineyard.

Riddle describes Furious saying, “It’s hard to come up with words that depict the magnitude of Christ’s love – the depth and width of it. Furious doesn’t work outside of the context of love; we tend to translate the word as angry, but I see it as a super-powerful force; stronger, deeper, broader than our vocabulary can fully describe.”

Four years on the road as a touring worship leader eventually took its toll on Jeremy, so in January 2011, the former jr. high youth pastor came on staff as worship community pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, Calif. Working under pastors Brian and Jenn Johnson, Jeremy facilitates a worship community of over 200 people within the church.

“My wife (Katie) and I have always had a heart to serve the local church and never wanted to do the full-time travel thing for very long, so it felt like a good time to transition into something different,” Jeremy says. “I’ve developed such an appreciation for the fruit that has been sowed from my life – personally and artistically – by being part of a local community.”

Consequently, several of the tracks on Furious are also featured on Be Lifted High, the most recent album from Bethel Church.

“These songs are a reflection of being part of something bigger than just me,” Jeremy says. “Through some significant growth in understanding and living out humility from a very independent place, I’ve shifted into a place where I can’t even claim this record is completely inspired by me. There are so many elements of the album that could never have flowed from me had I not been connected to people walking out life with me.”

You can find Jeremy at:

Now, I have one copy of Furious to give away. To enter, leave me a comment telling me you would like to win. For additional entries (leave a separate comment for each please), follow my blog on Google Friend Connect, follow me on Networked Blogs, 3 for liking my Facebook Page (leave 3 comments for it) and there more for following me on Twitter. I will choose a winner on Tuesday November 1 at 9:00 p.m. CST. I will then email the winner and they will have 48 hours to contact me with their mailing information or I will have to choose another winner.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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The Mercy, A Review

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Oct 222011
 

Ok, it is really no secret, I love Beverly Lewis’ writing. Have since she started years ago with the The Shunning. So I was thrilled to get to review the third book in The Rose Trilogy, The Mercy.

Hen’s husband is living with her again in the Dwadi Haus since his accident on the day they were to start divorce proceedings. His arm is broken and he’s lost his sight due to a concussion. Can Hen prove to him that she still loves him and wants to respect and honor him, despite his desire for a divorce? Can Brandon finally understand his need for a Savior and give up his worldly desires for the sake of their daughter? Can they both learn to compromise and to seek the other’s wellbeing above their own?

Rose finally is able to move on from loving Nick. After breaking up with Silas so he could pursue the girl he truly loves, Rose figures she is destined to be remain single. However, that changes when Isaac starts to court her. Can Rose finally let herself be loved by another? Can she finally give up her childhood dream of being married to Nick since he is no longer a part of the community? But is there something that isn’t right with Isaac too?

I love the themes of family and faith that abound in Beverly Lewis’ books. I love how she shows instead of preaches that what we do affects others, even if we think they won’t. That faith is the most important thing followed by our family. Reading this book I was struck with how we forget such basic things so often. We forget Who sustains us through all things, and that we do have the support and love of our family to draw on also. We do need to be reminded that we need to seek the Lord first and also seek the good of our families.

I highly recommend the entire Rose Trilogy to read. While fiction is a great diversion, these books also remind us of what is truly important in life.

I received a copy of The Mercy by Beverly Lewis from Bethany House in exchange for this review. All opinions are mine and mine alone, and no other compensation was received.

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A Most Unsuitable Match

 Book Reviews  No Responses »
Oct 202011
 

I first discovered the talents of Stephanie Grace Whitson while browsing through my local library stacks about a year ago. So I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review her book A Most Unsuitable Match.

Taking place in 1869 and 1870 in the upper class suburbs of St Louis and points west, this was a welcome diversion into a time period I can only conjure up in my mind with the aid of history books and such.

Fannie was born into privilege. She lived in a very nice area of town, had a housekeeper for most of the work, a groundskeeper for the outside and everything she could ever want or need. Well, at least she was lead to believe she had everything.

Much to her society’s chagrin, she keeps turning down a prospective suitor due to her distaste of him. Well, everyone except for her best friend and Hannah, the housekeeper. Most everyone thinks it would be a most suitable match while she insists it would be quite unsuitable.

When her mother dies, she inherits the family’s fortunes. Or as the case turns out, misfortunes. Turns out, her family is about broke, there is no money for anything extra and even perhaps the salaries of the groundskeeper and Hannah. Upon hitting a brick wall with the family’s banker Fannie takes matters into her own hands after finding out that her mother had an identical twin sister. Fannie insists on going out West to find her and seek answers from her. Turns out, her Aunt Eddie had written many letters over the years but her mother hid them all from her. In fact, the discovery of the letters is quite the shock to Fannie who had no clue she ever had an aunt, let alone her mom had an identical twin sister.

Hannah decides to go West with Fannie and the adventure begins. Fannie finagles passage on a steamer headed West piloted by a man who is supposed to be the best at navigating but is the crudest man she’s ever met. The trip is fraught with danger and accidents happen. Fannie meets Samuel Beck onboard the steamer. He is a mysterious man who is searching for his lost sister. After several events, Fannie and Samuel find themselves headed West together, both in search of relatives.

Will they find their relatives? Will they survive the trip? Will hopes be dashed? Will the answers to their questions be answered or will they end up with more? Will Fannie and Samuel end up together? For according to society, that would be a A Most Unsuitable Match considering  the fact he has nothing. Or does he have everything?

This book was a riveting read. I loved the pace of the story, and I never knew what was going to happen as I flipped each page. In fact, I had a few surprises as I read when I can normally see what is coming. I loved it.

I received a copy of A Most Unsuitable Match from Bethany House in exchange for my review. All opinions are mine and mine alone and no other compensation was received.

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