Cars, warranties...

Sunday morning we got up, had a lovely time together getting ready for church, headed down to the car and although it started the dreaded engine light came on. Now, the car sounded fine and it started but I don't know about you all if that light comes on I am NOT driving it. I mean, who knows what that means, right?
Fortunately, we are very blessed to have two cars. So, we hop out of one and get into the other to head to church (for which we will now be late) but we head off anyway. It's Sunday. It's lovely. It's God's day... but are you kidding me? We don't have the money to have the car fixed? We don't have ANY extra on a monthly basis right now?!? Oh, and did I mention the sermon series is on Finances. Trying not to be completely depressed as we walk into the nursery, we drop LG off and head to the sanctuary.

People are friendly, it's great worship music... and then it happens. The reality sinks in like a warm blanket after being out in the cold. The car is not mine. It's not my money to pay to get the car fixed it's HIS! We spend the next hour letting this truth sink in. It's not ours, it's HIS. I'm not mine... I'm HIS. My job, our life, my son, the car... all HIS. He has only entrusted me with the care of these things.

Let's backtrack a bit... when I was pregnant for some reason I really felt this fact. I really felt the humility and honor of carrying this little life that I knew that we had little to do with the miracle of making him. Even after he was born, I would sit up at night, rocking him and cuddling him, and just thank God that He gave me this little life to love and care for... and then I would spend a LONG time asking for HIS HELP in doing it! God blessed us with him... but then why, only 16 months later does it seems so hard to live this out. Not only with him but with so many other things - like the car's engine light.

Why do we do this? I mean, I don't think I'm alone here. I believe that Jesus is my Savior. I believe He is the only Son of God who came down from Heaven and was made man. But, why then am I totally freaked out about this silly car???

So, I have been thinking about this since Monday when I took said vehicle to the car Dr. It was, as we were dreading... not something tiny or minor. The first question, do you have an extended warranty on this car? NO, we are in grad school and when thinking about buying a warranty or moving your family for your husband's career, you do the move and not buy the warranty. Right? Well, in theory, yes. But, come to find out if we had bought the warranty (or one like it) it would have now practically paid for itself. GULP! So, what to do?

Cars are of this world... and like all things this side of heaven they are in a constant state of decay. With this in mind and thinking about that servant with his talents... I called a couple warranty places and talked to a few people that I trust (hubby, parents). The warranty we are looking into seems really good. But, warranties are like life insurance. You pay for them in the hopes that you won't need them, right? So, are we being the wise servant who invested their talents and made money... or are we burying it? We have 30 days to decide and will be praying about it...

And, as for why things like this freak me out - I think it goes something like this: The world tells me it's all mine! All I have to do is charge it and I can have it now. The world says cars say something about who you are. This world is always telling me things... and sadly sometimes I listen. Bottom line: need to hear less of this world and MORE of HIS! His Word says that He cares for the lillies of the field. He says that my treasure in his kingdom, not in this world. Mat. 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

And, he says, you are mine and I love you and I gave my life for you and I don't want you to worry about your car!

The magic cup!

I have been meaning to write about a great little invention that I have been utterly in love with for several months. In fact, when I originally sat down to create this blog, it was one of the initial topics I thought I would post. But, other things have popped up here and there and my list is growing... so I need to start crossing those older ideas off the list.

Here it is... the FooGo Thermos! So, I live in the desert, where up until 3 days ago the average temperature had been in the 90s (and the first 6 weeks we lived here, when the sun was up it was not BELOW 95). So, it's hot and we need to keep hydrated. Water and water bottles become close and fast friends out here.

Well, before we moved out here I heard about these FooGo things and read that they keep items cold for up to something like 12 hours. I have admit, I was skeptical but I knew LG would need something to keep him cool during this ridiculous summer heat (it is not really as bad because it is dry but hot is hot).

With 12 oz Foogo in hand, we headed to day care on the first full day. I brought the cup with me and forgot to bring it inside my office and LEFT IT IN THE CAR! Ok, so, it's early August, in the desert valley, although I am parked under a small tree there is still a pretty solid chance the car reached upwards of 120 deg., right?

Well, at 3PM I head to pick up LG. Water has been in car for approx. 6 hours. And, yes folks, it is STILL COLD!!!!!

So, I can personally attest to the fact that the Foogo is really quite wonderful! I highley recommend it and I am just really bummed they don't seem to make them in larger sizes. LG will drink two or three a day because it's only 12 oz.

Love the Foogo!

West, east and back again

One week ago, I spent the evening packing my small bag for my business trip back east. I checked the weather online and it was supposed to be in the low 70s and at night in the upper 50s. It was going to rain a couple days but... when we landed I had to call my friend to bring a fleece! It had been about 10 degrees colder than anyone expected -- especially me! I stepped off the plane wearing cas black pants and a nice fitted T. I was sweating when I got the airport in the Valley at 6AM! When I stepped off the plane, chills went up my spine... it was COLD!

Not really, it was actually beautiful. I never really thought I would think rainy and chilly was beautiful but I think because it was such an extreme contrast to the Valley, I really appreciated it.

Wonderfully, the trip back east was for work but I certainly took advantage of being in town to try and see EVERYONE I could. I still feel like I could have stayed for another week just to spend more time with some really dear, dear friends! But, on Monday, I was so missing my boys I was almost in tears. I just missed them so badly and had another whole day and a half.

I cannot end this posting without especially thanking A, PW, & KD, my dearest, sweetest ones for all of their love, hospitality and GAS! I also have to say how much I love Va Piano, Irish pub until 1:00AM, and sleeping in on a rainy Saturday until 10! So, even though I missed my boys it was the first time since LG was born that I went out to a bar past midnight and then slept in until after 10! It was wonderful and RAINY too! Yes, I have to mention again about how the contrast of the rain and wet to the sun and dry was just refreshing.

I love you all back east! I cannot wait until Christmas. I think we will back there for about 4-5 weeks!!!! WAHOO! Only about 11 weeks until we get to be back home.

Yes, today it was over 100, again.