Testimonial of Faith and Trust

As you all know, this week we've been talking about faith and trust. Well, the Lord let me know exactly what it is all about today. I was put to the test to see if I'm listening to His words as I write them or not. I failed miserably. But this is a testament to God's love and faithfulness.

Today I looked up flight and car rental plans. Hubby had found one that sounded a bit high, so I went through the program I always do, Expedia.com. They've come through for us every trip we've had to make. If any one needs to book a flight, get a car rental, and/or a hotel, they are the ones to go through. It's so handy.

So I found a good deal for us, book the flight and reserved the car. We are headed to San Diego later on! But only for a couple of days. :( Wish it was a week or two, but hey, it's better than nothing. Anyhow, I got the flight booked and car reserved and found out a few minutes later that we would not be there in time for our nephews graduation.

All the graduations we've been to have been in the late afternoon, early evening. Oh no, not this one. It is in the morning. Scheduled 17 minutes before our scheduled arrival time. I told hubby not to worry that I would go back in and change the date. We decided to leave a day earlier. I get on there and it reads that the airlines would charge us 150.00 per ticket for any changes or cancellations plus Expedia would charge up to 30.00 per ticket for the same thing.

Okay, panic sets in, hubby is upset big time, pacing the floor wondering what to do. So he says, go ahead, we'll have to pay it, but that is a rip off. So I see a button where I can go change it, and it would show me what our extra charges would be. So I click on it and start over. Hubby comes in the room and says, "somethings not right. You are re-booking, not changing." I tell him not to worry.

Hee hee, the joke was on me. I get it all done and nothing came up with the charges, so I start to sweat it out...anyone catching the mistakes here? So I go into look up my itineraries and low and behold, we have not two, but 4 tickets reserved. The original booking and the changed date booking. Auuuggghhhhh. Okay, I'm in a major panic now, and tell hubby to call and ind out what happened, as we sure aren't going to pay for the tickets and all the other stuff.

Okay, now here's where I went wrong. First off, I didn't read everything carefully like one should, mainly because I had read it all before many times. Second and most importantly, I didn't pray about it and seek help. Instead I instantly thought we were screwed and was going to have a high bill that we don't need. Will I ever learn? Or should I say will hubs and I ever learn? hehehe

Hubby calls Expedia, explains what happened, gave them the itinerary numbers for both bookings and walla, it's all taken care of, no extra charges, they were great about it. We both looked up and said, "Thank you Lord." Is He good or what. Then He says, "What have you been writing about?" I'm like faith and trust. I start chuckling. Hubs asks what? I told him here I've been doing a series on faith and trust and did I use it today. No! Yet look what He does, He took care of us! He just let me know that I need to practice what I preach. (Blushing deeply now).

So I thought I would share my story with you all as it is a great way to show what faith and trust is all about. Whew! I love how He takes care of us. I just remembered; when hubby got off the phone he said, "Someone sure is looking out for us! No extra fees, they cleared the first booking and said, 'No problem since you just booked it tonight just a little bit a go." Oh yeah, He was looking out for us alright. Praise God.

Another testimony here that I just realized, Thank You Lord. I just love how He works with us. Hubs business has really slowed down to the point where he may have to lay off his partner. He doesn't want to have to do that, I may need to go back to work, and still take care of the kids. He may have to work a second job. Wow! How did we get to this point. It happened so fast. Well hubby has been worrying over that. Remember the verse from Luke about worrying?

Well today he sat down and figured up all the costs of the business and their pay, and Praise the Lord, the pretty much have what they need to pay it all! We just need to keep the faith and trust. One way or another, no matter how glum things may get and look, He comes through, He provides, He takes care of us!

With the days of economic tough times, it is more important than ever to have faith and trust in the Lord. Pray or should I say P.U.S.H. Believe! For those not in the Lord, learn about Him and give your soul to Him. He will take care of you. Be the tiny mustard seed that was planted properly and grow!

Life's Trials and Tribulations

Well, needless to say, the past few days have been rather interesting. It all started with our daughter not passing the emissions test on her car. So of course her registration was revoked. She couldn't afford to have it taken in, so we took care of that. What ever the problem, the vehicle has to be ran for a few weeks before it will pass. So she's driving without registration, and her fiance is driving one of our vans for now (we have two, my hubby's for work, and mine for hauling kids). ;) Omah's taxi hee hee.

While up visiting my parents, we received a call from my middle sister. Her daughter who is either 14 or 15--pretty sad, I can't remember for sure--has become suicidal and is in a mental hospital. The doctor can not figure out what is going on with her. She is having a really rough time. I got a call from my sister on our way back that my niece attempted suicide again while in the hospital. This is why I could not post last night. I met them at the hospital with our family medical history on depression etc. So I am asking for prayer for her and the family. My sister and her husband is having a really hard time with this, naturally.

The stress has done a number on my parents as well. My mother has been having problems with getting dizzy spells and then passing out for a bit. Well she had a bad spell Saturday night. So if you could all pray for her as well. The doctors have ran so many tests and tried so many medications that she has given up. My dads health is going down hill real fast as well. He has heart problems.

Then to top it off, I just got a call that our future son-in-law (who works mid shift) is stranded at work and cant get our van started. He works 30 minutes away. It's a fun situation. He gets home, helps our daughter get the 5 kids ready to go, I take the boys to school 30 minutes away and then come back and drop off the oldest girl at school then take the other two home or stay at our daughters and help clean up. Well, now we have to work it out to where my husband can get to work (at his bosses house) and hopefully find transportation to city hall where his other office is. We can't get our son-in-law until I drop the boys off.

Of course daughter is stressed because there is no one to help her get the kids ready for school and take care of the baby while she gets ready. Son-in-law won't be able to drive home by the time I get there (dropping boys off then go jump the van). So our son has to go and drive that one back, as son-in-law won't be able to stay awake to drive.

So everyone is pinging right now. Hee hee. Does us some good. To me this is a way to wake son-in-law up to finding a new position that will give him the money to get them a new vehicle (his no longer runs and needs a whole new engine) grrrr. Let them all see and appreciate all that we try to do for them, and all that they have. Although I know our daughter is very thankful and he seems to be as well. I honestly think the Lord is trying to wake them up to some things that need to be done. As for the message to us, haven't figured that one out yet. I'm not asking for sympathy, as this is all going to work out. I'm just writing to vent I guess and the main thing is a prayer request for my niece and parents. The rest is minor. I do find some humor in the whole vehicle part, but it is also a bit overwhelming at this point as it is all coming at one time, and during the holidays.

There are so many out there though that are in much worse conditions, I guess that is why I can find some humor in all this. You have to laugh. If you don't, you allow the enemy to attack. Sure don't need that happening. The Lord has been good to us, and I know He will take care of it all now too.

By the way, thank you all for your wonderful comments. After reading them all, I told my hubby and son how blessed I am to have come into contact with such wonderful people. You really made my night last night. The comments were so uplifting and reminded me, despite the dark cloud hanging over the family right now, just how pure and wonderful the Lord is with the people He brings into our lives.

God Bless you all, and thank you so much.

P.U.S.H.

Beautiful Vision

I just had one of the most beautiful visions. I thought I would share this one. Hubby, son, and myself were sitting here listening to Third Day (I'm terrible with song titles) some of the words were: "I will lift my voice up to worship you my king." Any way, I was sitting in my chair with arms stretched up, singing with my eyes closed and this vision came to me.

Sitting in a sandy area with a small pit fire burning, there stood Jesus talking to us. I thought "yes Jesus, talk to us, give us direction, guide us." It was so real. Then the song came to me, "I Can Only Imagine," It is one of my many favorites. I could spend my whole day worshipping and talking to God. Well, basically do the talking all day, with half the day worshipping or listening.

Speaking of which. It is amazing how Christian music can take and turn an ugly, moody moment the kids are experiencing and turn it into a beautiful day. When the grand kids are down and out and just augh, we will turn on Christian music and they will calm down, start singing and dancing and then they are a blast! God is good! In fact, God is Good all the Time is their favorite. I turn that on and all you hear is giggles, singing, and running around the living room and spinning and dancing. I absolutely love watching them come to life with the worshipping of God. When I do play that one, it's play it again, play it again, play it again. Yup, 3-4 times. Here I am to Worship is another that they want to hear over and over again.

Oh the innosance of babes. Isn't it great! Could not imagine life without children. They are the joys of our lives even there are times you wonder how in the world you are going to get through the day.

"God is Good;
All the time;
He put a song of praise in this heart of mine
God is Good;
All the time;
Through the darkest hours, His light will shine;
God is Good;
God is Good;
All the time.
When your walking; through the valley; there are shadows all around.
Do not fear, He will guide you; He will keep you safe and sound.
For His love; Is never ending; and His mercy, it will never end."

Those words hold a lot. I'm sure the kids pick up on those words too and think about it. I know there are many different versions of the song, but this particular one is our favorite thus far, as the beat and tune is so catchy.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Just wanted to share which brought up other thoughts. Have a wonderful blessed week all!