Saturday, July 30, 2011

I'm surrounded...

It's a fact I don't forget very often. The truth is I'm surrounded by girls. Wonderful, beautiful, loving girls. Today, I had two very real reminders of how much I am truly surrounded by girls.

1. The biggest conversation around the house right now has been what princess everyone is going to be for Halloween. I'm not sure where I'm going to fit in to these plans?!?

2. As I was watching an animated show tonight, my oldest daughter commented on how one of the characters boots didn't match her pants.

It's true I'm surrounded. But I am happily surrendered.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Blown Away....again

SO, of course I should not be surprised by the fact that God shows up in huge ways.  We all hear the stories in others' life, but when He does something so apparent, directly in my life, it still gives me chills.

Here's the situation:
Summer-time, lots of free-time and vacations.  Weird Escrow with our new house has our house note increase by almost 50% for 12 months starting in June.  Weird accounting procedures at Amy's job has her salary cut by over 50% for 2 months starting in July.  Some of this we knew, some of this we didn't.  No big deal...in addition to our normal savings, we had been putting back a little to cover for the summer.

One week before our annual trip to Port Aransas, I took my truck [insert-Tow Vehicle for travel trailer we are taking to Port Aransas] into Discount Tire to get them to fix a slow leak.  When they called me to let me know it's finished, they also ask if I have had any trouble getting my truck into reverse.  I had not, but after they backed it out of the bay, it wouldn't go in reverse at all...just sit there and whine. I filed an incident report with Discount Tires Corporate office and then 'limped' my truck to the mechanic...on Friday afternoon...of 4th of July weekend.  The next Thursday at noon [the day before we left for vacation], I picked up my truck, with rebuilt transmission and picked up our trailer.

Amy and I were a little 'shell-shocked' by the $1700 repair bill.  Talk about put a damper on the start of a vacation.  We had not heard from Discount Tire, but were not counting on them.  I mean, my truck is 9 years old with 125,000 miles on it.  We did have $1000 in an account ear-marked for auto repairs, but this was still a big hit to our tight summer budget.  We both decided we had done all we could do about it, so we prayed that He would show up, and then we let go of the burden.

We had an amazing vacation at the beach.  Enjoyed time with the girls, ate great seafood and got plenty of Vitamin D [insert-SUN].  When we got home today, there was a stack of mail.  In it was a large envelope from FEDEX which contained a letter from Discount Tire, and a check for.....guess how much....$700.

For those like me who might be 'mathematically-challenged'.

    • $1000  +  $700  =  $1700
                                        OR

    • Auto repair account  +  Check from Discount Tire  =  Truck Repair Bill

Throughout our marriage we have always committed to put God first.  This is not always easy and doesn't always happen in every part of our lives; but when it comes to finances, we have been very faithful.  This is just another example of how God will provide in the areas of need.  I think the important thing is to understand who is in control, then let Him do His thing!

 

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Lessons from the Rose Bowl

Tonight I was watching the 2011 Rose Bowl - Wisconsin vs. TCU. In the first half, lots of the TCU offensive players were slipping all over the field. The announcers kept talking about their cleats and how they were going to have to overcome the issue. Just before halftime a "sideline report" told the story of TCU's specially designed cleats by Nike for the turf at the Rose Bowl. The team had received the shoes on Sunday but had apparently not tested them. The reporter asked the TCU Equipment Manager about replacing the cleats and they replied that they did not bring any backups.

An interesting scenario: How quick are we to abandon our old ways that got us to where we are, for a new and improved 'shoe?

I'm all for innovation, improvement and technology. Just a voice for not totally throwing out the 'old' until the 'new' is more proven.


In the end, TCU pulled out the 'W'...so maybe my thoughts are for not.

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