Click. Click. Click. There's No Place Like Home… There's No Place Like Home
All sorts of news happened over the weekend. Here’s a quick rundown – first we received the horrific news that a dear family in our church was making a hasty trip to NC after her mother and her mother’s friend were brutally attacked early in the morning while they were volunteering from their church (as they did every morning) for the Meals on Wheels program. The mom (Eve) is in the hospital and it is hopeful she will recover, however, her dear friend died from the knife attack. The man who did this was caught. I know they would appreciate your prayers for everybody involved. Here is a link to the report Over the weekend I also got an email from my friend Linda I (who is also a friend to many of you) asking for prayer for her son, Tristan, who has just been diagnosed with Leukemia. If you get a chance, please head over to her page and encourage her! Also over the weekend we had another little adventure of our own. Our van died. This was not good for us, especially since Coie and Geoff have three jobs between the two of them and Coie’s little Saturn is not equipped to drive to two different locations at the same time. Yet, happily for us, we are surrounded by people who love us and within 48 hours a dear friend from our church turned over the keys to his car for our use while we try and figure out what we’re going to do. So Geoff and Coie are still able to make it to their jobs (thank God!), but, if any of you have a dear, rich, old uncle who finds joy in gifting perfect lunatic strangers with new mini-vans, please feel free to give him our contact info. Actually, we are thinking about trying to just purchase another little economy car, like another Saturn, and just drive two vehicles if we need to go somewhere as a family. Is anybody out there selling a reliable, workable car for super cheap and willing to take payments? Anybody? Anybody? Anybody? It’s just been one thing after another since January. Maybe I should take Kristina’s advice and start tithing more … (yes, she was only joshin’) At any rate, I started feeling better on Sunday afternoon after remembering how futile it is to invest too much energy conjuring up a sense of hope, security and/or real ‘happiness’ in anything offered from the world. It’s not our home. We’re only passing thru and for the Christian, we are promised eternal life – an inheritance that will make the “momentary problems” we face now, well worth the trouble. And we are promised trials (so why are we always so surprised when they come?) I have a Father who knows well what I (and my friends) need and is infinitely capable of sustaining us through any sort of malady. And the knowledge of *that* is a source of joy and comfort which runs far deeper than any of the dumped sludge we may encounter. Trials are bound to come… the question is, how will we react when they do? We all, every one of us, have access to the same great power and strength that was granted to every great Christian hero and saint that went before us. Incredible when you think about that… isn’t it? |
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October 22nd, 2007 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 0 Comments No Responses to ' Click. Click. Click. There's No Place Like Home… There's No Place Like Home 'Leave a reply |
on October 22nd, 2007 at 4:17 pm
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We are in a similar position as you, with only one vehicle, and we can in no way afford to by a new one. Not even to make payments at this point in time. And we don't all fit in the car we have so we are pretty much stuck. I am also wishing some crazy rich uncle will appear out of nowhere and gift us with a new car.
Anyway, my brother is moving to St. Louis sometime before Thanksgiving. He needs to sell his car by then. It is a 1990's Toyota Corolla, 4 doors, I forget the rest of the specs, but he is asking $4300 OBO. I'm not sure if he will take payments. But he could probably deliver it to your door, because when he moves, my parents and my 2 oldest sons are all going to help him, and they are all stopping in the Knoxville area to visit with our relatives there. I know it's a crazy idea but I thought I'd throw it out there. I'd buy it from him but like I said, "I ain't got no money"!
Blessings ~ Diane
on October 22nd, 2007 at 5:23 pm
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the completely senseless crime that you linked to just made me sad. People serving others and then killed while doing it. Just gross.
sorry about the van thing. If I had a nickel for every vehicle problem we've had….I could buy you that newfangled minivan.
but there's not nickels given for bad luck. 🙂 dang.
Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com
on October 22nd, 2007 at 6:28 pm
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Thanks for those words… I needed each and every one of them. Even the terrible news of friends- it reminds me to keep a proper perspective of my trivial problems, because that's just what they are… trivial. Just five minutes ago they were looming quite large. Thanks for your blog.
on October 22nd, 2007 at 7:16 pm
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scouring my brain for some obscure rich uncle and coming up with NOTHING. So instead I will continue to pray that a van 2005 or newer, in excellent condition turns up in your drive way in the next 17 days.
when can I come over and play?
on October 22nd, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Your van
Dear Jen,
This is the Susan of the other day who posted regarding the book Ishmael (which, by the way, I enjoyed, along with Self-Raised).
May I offer you as encouragement our story of a broken van? About three or four years ago, on Christmas Eve we were visiting my husband's dad – about an hour from our home. Heading home, just outside of the city limits of f-i-l's town, our van gave a brief indication of dying, only allowing us enough juice to pull to the side of the road. We sat there not knowing what to do. After praying, my husband got out to walk to a farmhouse for help. As the rest of us (myself and 6 kids at the time) waited, I prayed for safety and a way home. Suddenly, one of my children called out that there was a car slowing down. Well, now, I was torn between hope and fear, because this was at night and my husband was not with us at the moment. It turned out to be my husband's brother, who had left his dad's after we had. They saw this van pulled over that looked like ours and came to check it out. With their help we managed to get back to f-i-l's and then family volunteered vehicles to take us home. What a blessing! God had arranged for our safe arrival. That was the last time, by the way, that we ever saw the van. It had irreparable engine damage and was towed to the dump.
Now what? Here we were with no transportation for our entire family (husband had his work van, completely filled with tools, and a pickup truck). I wondered how I could manage during the day with no transporation. What if a child needed to be rushed to the emergency room? What if we were out of diapers when a child suddenly had diarrhea? etc. During those moments of fear, I reminded myself that God knew all about our situation and that if I suddenly needed to get somewhere, then He'd provide a way. We found we could get along during the week without a van, but what about church? First we borrowed my husband's brother's van. Then a family that we were acquainted with, but did not know well, offered us the use of their mini van every weekend, indefinitely. Each weekend we traded our pickup for their van. When needed during the week (mostly for monthly prenatal doctor visits) we again traded. They let us do this for well over a year, until someone offered us a free van. Needless to say, that family has become our good friends, the wife one of my very dearest friends. Again, God's blessing in providing for our travel needs, for not ever needing emergency transportation, for cementing my friendship with H., and ultimately for leading us to this family's church as our church home, where, by the way, the Word is faithfully preached.
Interestingly, I almost never felt the real loss of our van. The Lord provided a contentment in staying at home. With nowhere to go, I consistently focused on homeschooling. With one less vehicle, we had lower insurance premiums. With less travel, we spent less on gas. If I had known beforehand that we'd be without a van, I'd have thought we couldn't make it. How amazingly far from the truth that was! We not only made it, but flourished. This time span of not having a van encompassed the birth of a child and the beginning of another pregnancy.
Be encouraged . . . your situation will probably not be like ours was, but we serve the same God, and He has a way of providing in wonderfully unique and precious ways.
Susan
on October 22nd, 2007 at 11:42 pm
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Does the fact that you are in good company make you feel better? Probabloy not, but we are in a similar boat (notice I did not say car) right now. We have two cars and were just trying to figure out how to get my husband's working before winter, when yesterday he announces that the newer car's clutch is going out. I know in some countries they fit entire families onto one motorcycle. I think that is where we are headed next. Anyone have a side car and five helmets they would like to donate?
on October 23rd, 2007 at 9:53 am
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Jen,
I needed to hear all that you posted today to put things into perspective. This reminded me again this is not our home and my true source of contentment needs to be our Lord and Savior. He will provide our needs and work all things out. I do not need to fear or worry for the Lord is with me.
I can be a worry wart and I am constantly thinking of what ifs. I need to cling to the cross and to my Savior and know that I have nothing to fear.
The stories in some of these comments just shows how God will work things out for us. He may not do it our way but He will do it. He will provide and make a way. We need to open our eyes and see His hand at work.
Blessings,
Ruth
on October 23rd, 2007 at 1:15 pm
In our trials He reveals His glory
Jen –
Talking about trials reminds me of John 9 where Jesus says that the blind man was born blind so that God's glory could be revealed. When I went through breast cancer treatment after my first daughter was born, He brought this to my heart that we suffer so that He can be revealed. I pray that this brings you comfort that through this life, as you suffer and struggle, He is revealing Himself in you, through you, and through those around you! And your blog is evidence of this. you reveal God to us all.
Much love,
Joanne
on October 23rd, 2007 at 11:30 pm
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I totally understand the car situation. Been there – done that. I know the Lord will bless you all with the perfect car that will work perfectly for your family and be within your budget!! I'm praying for you, Jen!!
Praying for the other situations you spoke about, too.
God bless you ~ Julie
on October 24th, 2007 at 6:52 am
How boring of you!
Jen, you don't need a new car. You need a horse and buggy! Think of how entirely appropriate you would look rambling up to the Barn Dances like that! Talk about arriving in style. And besides, how environmentally friendly.
on October 24th, 2007 at 9:30 am
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Dear Jen,
I will pray for your family re. the need of a new vehicle. God has enough money! Our last 4 vehicles have been gifts (one from my parents, 3 from different friends). Now, these have all been old vehicles, but they have each seen us through. If we lived closer, I'd give ya'll rides.
God bless you as you wait to see what He'll do,
Stacey
on October 24th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
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Please say you can still make the barn dance!!!
on October 24th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Amen, Dear Sister…
…what more is there to say?!
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
on October 24th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
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Lynan: yes! we'll be there, and i'm looking forward to seeing you!
on October 24th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Indeed!!
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Isn't He good?!
on October 25th, 2007 at 12:39 am
Praying that God
will provide you just the right vehicle at just the right price. Love your blog!
-Jennifer