... God. The blessings have been ongoing throughout this time of trial. Many people have helped out, some out of abundance and some sacrificially. Some from the church, some not. Some with cash, some with friendship, and some with prayer support. Whatever the case, we are extremely grateful to all who showed their love to us. We are most grateful to our Heavenly Father for His love and for moving on the hearts of others to help us through these tough times.

... Those who had us over or took us out for meals. Those times saved on the grocery budget.

... Those who provided us with restaurant gift cards. We were able to enjoy a date night as well as save on the grocery budget.

... The church for picking up the cost for me to attend the annual Men's Retreat on a scholarship.

... Those who picked up the cost for us to attend the annual couple's Valentine's Dinner.

... A couple from church that visited and dropped off a grocery bag of eats as well as a gift card to Cub Foods. This sure came in handy and was greatly appreciated. The fridge gets a little bare when the funds dry up for 1-1/2 months.

... A blessing from the benevolence fund at church was greatly appreciated and came just in time to keep the phones on and finish off our shortage on a house payment.

... Another large gift that enabled me to not rush back to work early during March. I know now that damage would have surely been done to the repaired area had I rushed back to work too early.

... Someone at church who said they wanted to shake my hand. The person pressed cash into my palm. On the way to church I was looking at the low fuel light wondering about how to fuel it up so my wife could get to work and stuff in the upcoming week. Timing is everything as I was able to fuel up on the way home. Thanks to the person for being a compassionate and caring Christian friend.

... Someone at church who pulled me aside, concerned about my financial welfare, asking for details and looking for a way to help out so I wouldn't have to rush back to work too early and risk re-injury. I appreciate the compassionate concern and brotherly love.

... All for the prayers from many that have been offered on behalf of me and my family have been and will be treasured. Our faith has grown, seeing how God responds to the needs and cries of his children.

... God for the wisdom on how to juggle the limited finances and the obligations we had with minimal blow back. I am likewise thankful for the wisdom and discipline to limit the wants early on so the funds would stretch out for the needs.

... Our families who stepped up and supported us financially and emotionally at various levels and times.

... A person who supplied a substantial sum to be paid back whenever possible. No rush, no schedule.

... A person who supplied a substantial sum as a gift.


The greatness of the need arose from the severity of the damage. The expected 2 month recovery grew to 5 months which was completely unexpected. We are very grateful to all who stuck with us throughout the ordeal.


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Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6 That doesn't leave much wiggle room. Yet, we continue to try to get right with God on our own terms rather than submit to Jesus Christ.

Funny, as I was driving around yesterday, considering the ongoing need as we continue to dig out from the accumulated deficit, and asking God about help and groceries, an envelope arrived in the mail with a $100 bill from a friend. Thanks to that faithful friend and to God who is also faithful to provide for us in our time of need.

Last weekend I responded to people who asked how things were going, "It's one of those weeks to choose 2 of 3. Gas for hot water, electricity, or groceries." Monday I was wondering if I had exaggerated a bit, but when I got on line and checked all the numbers in the bank and with the creditors, I knew that I hadn't.

I paid the utilities and told Sue that we would just have to trust God for the groceries. We didn't starve this week, and today we can go to the grocery store.

God knows our needs and is faithful to take care of us. Again we are thankful to those whom He uses to bless us, for being willing to follow His leading.


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Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6 That doesn't leave much wiggle room. Yet, we continue to try to get right with God on our own terms rather than submit to Jesus Christ.

... for last Sunday. Some folks had more cash sent our way helping to relieve the stress of being two months behind on everything. The house and car payments are not an issue today.

... for resolving the car issues for Sarah. Even those few days affected our household, what a fragile state we exist in. We are all learning to lean on God rather than ourselves. Now prayers for Sarah to get caught up on those bills and loans. Also prayers for a smooth transition from schooling to paying clients for the massage therapy. She'll be working out my back and shoulder stress kinks later.

... for my meeting at work yesterday. I was stressing about what if the truck payments reappear, what if we don't agree on the numbers, and any other scenario that would help my tension grow throughout the day. Not only did the truck payments not reappear, but the lease sales tax numbers went away and they were working from the sheet I turned in at the last meeting. I had prepared a list totaling up the numbers as I saw them and had a substantial disagreement with their approximation of the amount at the last meeting. This was a major blessing. Once again I had spent time worrying about something that God had already taken care of.

... for me being in good spirits this morning. Best in weeks as I can recall.

THANK YOU LORD!


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Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6 That doesn't leave much wiggle room. Yet, we continue to try to get right with God on our own terms rather than submit to Jesus Christ.

My shoulder surgery was 11December07. I was out of work 20 weeks recovering from it. The past 8 weeks I have been driving my Toyota Corolla for work, delivering small packages and envelopes for the local courier company that I contract with. Monday, 07July08, I will be getting back into the big truck, perhaps a bit early, but the opportunity is there now. It is a Kenworth T-300, a dock truck or straight truck. You see these trucks on the highways everyday, just shorter than a semi, the cab is attached, not separate. I will just have to remain cautious about pallets that are too heavy or working overhead. The truck is available now and appears to be a reasonable deal. Also driving the decision is the budget. The 20 weeks of nothing and the 8 weeks of coming up short by $200-$300 have affected many things in our life. So here is the opportunity to jump the income back up while hopefully the summer remains busy. If not for the generosity of friends and loved ones, in excess of $7000 I believe, I don't know how we would have ended up. I thank God for people responding in such a positive way as he moved on their hearts to help us through this, both financially and emotionally. Thanks also to all those I have met at SparkPeople who have been such an encouragement to me, helping me to persevere through the physical portion of this recovery.

As the motto in the movie, Meet the Robinsons, says, Keep Moving Forward!

Sarge


_________________
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6 That doesn't leave much wiggle room. Yet, we continue to try to get right with God on our own terms rather than submit to Jesus Christ.