What a day!

First of all.  I am blessed.

Our van has been falling apart bit by bit for a while - first we discovered there was no heat in the front (this was 2 winters ago).  We dealt with that by covering ourselves with blankets, cranking up the heat in the back end, and eventually, buying a dashboard heater that shorted out the fuse for the lighter.

Last winter it decided it didn't like cold weather anyway and gave us an immense amount of trouble when it came time to start up.  Or drive... we made it through the winter and figured we would look for something new when we had the spare cash.  

What is spare cash anyway?  Where do people get "spare" money?  It seems like when we save money for something - like the chimney that's falling apart - we end up needing to do something else - like fix the van.  We cope with that and push things farther back on "the list" than we want to.

Anyway.. today..

This morning I drove with Randy to work, then the boys and I went to church to do just a little work and be part of a meeting.  I noticed that there was some smoke coming from the van and assumed it was fluids burning where Mr. Crum had spilled them yesterday.  I didn't think too much about it.

This afternoon I had my "incision check" at the doctor's office.  On the way I noted the van was smoking again.  I thought it was kind of odd, seemed like it should be clearing up, not smoking more.  Well, it got worse - and quickly.  I made a wrong turn and ended up on a highway I don't usually travel.  I was ALMOST to the doctor's office and the smoke turned into smoke and loud knocking.  Then it happened.. the oil light came on... and then.. the power steering quit on me.  Right there on a busy highway - with all 3 of my boys, at 3:30 in the afternoon.  I was stuck.  We only have 1 vehicle and I was in it.

Again, I am blessed.  We had 2 friends do all they could to try and arrange rides/childcare for their children so they could help to rescue us.  One was able to do it.  Thank you Mrs. Clifton and Ms. Rockett for your help/attempted help.  Forester Rhodes also helped us out, he picked Randy up at work and helped us nurse the van off of the highway all the way to the mall (where it sits).  

We were able to get everyone home by 5:30 (2 and half hours after I left on this journey).  We were greeted by Mrs. Schroeder, who had brought an excellent dinner.  We have been given a generous offer for a newer van - with heat (but no AC - I don't care so much about AC).  

Blessed.  Thank you God for your many blessings.  Thank you for your faithfulness even when we struggle.