God's Sense Of Humor

Just when I thought I couldn't take another day, I had a total and complete meltdown letting the 'F' bombs fly at will. While they feel good at first launch, the aftershock isn't so sweet. 

Rather than communicating what I feel or making peace with it through prayer or meditation, I let it build and build in hopes that maybe it will work itself out. And then it doesn't. And then I crash.

And the very next day, once it's out, those little 'signs' show themselves, God's little jab to say, 'Chill, rest in Me' (a la Psalm 46:10, my favorite Scripture).

Pain Points Us Toward Faith

God will allow us to wander and stray on our own and we can cruise along loosely thinking we're good until something happens.

Our 13 year old Golden Retriever is starting to show her age and we know a hard decision is coming soon. She has moments of falling down, lays around the house for much of the day and the responsiveness and alertness is fading.

She'll have moments where the energy returns - rolling in the grass, playing fetch as best she can - but those moments are getting farther and farther apart.

Driving to work this morning I just couldn't listen to my usual shuffle of songs and specifically put on some Israel Houghton, songs that have a specific context of worship in church, and while I didn't break down and cry I could feel the release coming. 

There is something about worship that does set us free, something that sets our spirit higher.

I know what's coming soon and it hurts as much as it has for the four other dogs that have been a staple of my life over time since the day I was born. 

As Robert Pirsig in his book Lila wrote, with a line that has always resonated with me:

…They were all walking down the road … when one of those raggedy nondescript dogs that call Indian reservations home came onto the road and walked pleasantly in front of them … [the woman] asked John ‘What kind of dog is that?’. John thought about it and said, ‘That’s a good dog.’… The woman …wanted to know what genetic, substantive pigeonhole of canine classification this object walking before them could be placed in. But John Wooden Leg never understood the question. He wasn’t joking when he said ‘That’s a good dog’.

A Light Peers Through

Work done on the sinkhole and the downspouts on the side of the house. 

Picking up some documents today for the other issue in play, updates to follow.

Learning to just breathe.

Fumbling Toward Insolvency, The Terms Have Changed

Thanks for those who have offered up support and prayers. It really does make a difference.

A month goes by quickly! 

I ditched the 203K idea. Couldn't see rolling a mortgage that will be paid off within five years into a larger balance with the repairs into an interest rate that is nearly double my current mortgage. It didn't feel right and I put it on hold.

Within a week I stumbled across a review on Yelp for a local plumbing contractor and called. They did not do the work I needed but recommended someone who did. The company came out and quoted a bid that was half of what the other two had quoted. I almost fell out.

With a handshake we called it done. Still waiting for the work to be done but I've verified the company as my electric company has them on their recommended list. Even if it isn't the permanent fix, it will alleviate the situation from worsening.

Made a visit to our attorney in Detroit which led to a phone call with our local attorney and we may have found the removal for the blockage as it pertains to immigration. Will add details of this once the news is in.

At some point in the future, we'll put our journey into writing in an effort to help others with not only the process but the mental and emotional stress that it adds. 

Thanks again if you're following this story as it unfolds. As rough as it seems we are also abundantly blessed with a daughter and three beautiful grandchildren who add unfathomable joy (and chaos) to our lives. Can't imagine life otherwise. Plus, it's what keeps us goin