For Want of a Banana, a Purse Was Lost

Every morning I deliver my bank deposit to our 'head' office across town. Most mornings I also get a few errands done before the craziness of the business day begins. Today was an 'Walmart' day. I needed to start some Thanksgiving-feast shopping.

On the way back from Walmart, I delivered my deposit and got my company-gossip fix. The bookkeeper had just finished telling me that a patron at the company-owned car wash had been robbed at gunpoint. She also happened to mention that she'd run out of the house without her morning coffee. Of course I immediately felt sympathetic and offered her a packet of my instant Starbucks from my handbag.

When I went to the car to get it I couldn't find my purse anywhere. My mind immediately jumped to the possibility that it had been stolen from the car, but after looking for it in the office and the car trunk, I realized I needed to rush back to Walmart to see if I could find it there.

I told my friend what had happened and sped off, praying all the way. If I lost my purse it was my fault for being negligent, but 'Lord, would you please help me get my purse back!'

Arriving at Walmart I checked my shopping basket, which was still sitting where I'd left it. My recollection of the chain of events was fuzzy. I paid for the groceries, so I knew I had the purse at the check-out counter. However, when I got to the car, I was ravenously hungry and tore into the closest bag for a snack. Nothing else was clearly in focus until my blood sugar raised a little bit.

Having determined the purse was no longer in the  basket, I rushed inside to Customer Service. I asked an employee if I was in the right line for 'Lost and Found'. He asked me if I'd lost a purse and I said, 'Yes'. He said a customer found it and brought it inside. My spirits soared and I began to feel hopeful. The woman behind the counter took my name and went into the back room, returning a few minutes later with MY purse. 'It was just like this when it was brought in,' she said.

 I pawed through it. 'Cash? Check. Credit cards? Check. Cell phones? Check. Keys? Check!!'

 Praise God, everything was there and intact!

My low blood sugar had clouded my judgement as well as my thinking processes, but our faithful and loving Father was in control - as He always is! I had little cash, but replacing the credit cards, ID, cell phones, etc. would have been a major hassle. 'Thank you, Lord, for once again giving me what I didn't merit or deserve!'

On my way out of the store, I stopped to pick up a freshly-brewed coffee for my friend - who is also a believer - and when I delivered it and recounted my adventure, she could rejoice in more than a caffiene rush.

Sometimes it's GOOD news!

Christ at the Center: Dr. Horton Interviewed by CT

Christ at the Center: Dr. Horton Interviewed by CT

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Show-Offs

Esther, Hendrik and Pancho help Charity show off her new cap

Esther and Hendrik show off their considerable 'hanging' skills

Rick and Judi show off progress at Discount Storage

Potty Training: Extreme Measures

Pardon Our Dust!

The first expansion phase at Discount Self Storage is now underway. Seems like yesterday we were nearly overwhelmed with the prospect of filling 385 vacancies...today we're 98% occupied and the expansion will add 282 additional units.

That Used to Be Me

After work today, Rick and I were shopping at Sam's Club, and we ran into some friends from church. After greetings, one of the group told us she just lost her job. She'd had it less than a year, but when she accepted it,  she was hopeful the position would provide job security and retirement benefits. Her position has been entirely eliminated, so she has neither at this time. My friend is a single gal - intelligent, capable and a consummate professional. She has lots more potential - humanly speaking - than I did when the same thing happened to me nearly six years ago. But, nonetheless, she's feeling pretty devastated, I'm sure.

I won't tell the story entire story again, but my experience was devastating to me as well. At the time, I was bringing home 2/3 of the family income, and we were in major financial difficulties too. The new job I was so hopeful about - and so sure were we of God's Hand in the employment when it was first offered - turned out to be a major nightmare.

And I had prayed for deliverance. When it came in the form of 'termination', I wasn't really shocked or surprised. A chain of events was put into motion - like carefully placed dominoes when they begin to fall, 'Click, click, click'. God insulated me and gave me grace to endure. He took my hand in His and led me through the valley of the shadow, and it was a dark, dark time in my life.

That was six years ago. And sometimes I'm still in the valley of the shadow, but much of the time the skies are bright, and sometimes I'm journeying in full-on sunshine. The constant is the faithful Shepherd who continues to lead.

I'm praying with good confidence for my friend, He's her Shepherd too.

Kindermusik Day with the Aggie Pride Band

Too 'yowd', he's not covering his ears, but it's what he's thinking...

Junior Color Guard, Esther

Great stuff!

Not so much...

Not Quite Facebook

Quite suddenly - mostly on a whim - I decided to go Facebook 'free'. I've deleted my FB profile and am trying to get back to blogging. I've really enjoyed keeping in touch with family and old friends through this particular social utility - I still love (most of) you :-) and I'd still love to hear from you, but my expectations aren't very high.

Facebook makes it SO easy to find out what 'friends' are up to and how they're feeling about what they're up to. Our culture seems to live moment to moment, and if you can't tell me in a few words 'how you are' and what you're doing I'd just as soon not be bothered. In fact, I've had the experience of writing a newsy-but-lengthy e-mail to a loved one only to find out it hadn't been read because it was 'too long'!

I've heard from my still-Facebooking daughter that some have asked for me...I love hearing that I'm missed. I didn't quit Facebook because I want more attention (although I DO). I just DID it...and now that it's DONE, I'll be hanging out here instead, so surprise me - stop by...or send me a long e-mail...or (shock, horror) call me on the phone..

BTW, I got new glasses this week