If at First You Don't Succeed...

(I wrote this entry two days ago but my computer froze up and all my thoughts were lost. So here we go again. If at first you don't succeed.....)

The alarm went off at 3:45am. We pulled out of the driveway at 4:30am. We were pulling back into the driveway again at 4:45am. That was a short trip!

It wasn't meant to be that fast. We were on our way with a trailer loaded with our Taiwan bound belongings to Indiana. There we were to unload our trailer and then reload back onto a seafaring container. Sounds easy, but it wasn't.

As we traveled down the dark country road,  a car, driven by some poor soul on their way to work, came up behind the trailer. As they passed, Carl saw smoke. Somehow he found a place to pull over. The tire was hot. Not good since we had only traveled 2 miles. Not sure how ( I had my eyes closed), Carl got us turned around and back home we went.

Greg Wolfe, who was coming with us, immediately crawled under the trailer to diagnose the problem. The offender? Part of the fender was rubbing on the tire. The next  hour was spent pounding, pulling, tugging, and praying. Thank you, Greg!

 At 5:30 am, Greg and Carl decided the tire needed to be removed. Unfortunately, our floor jack had already been sold. But thank goodness for loving, compassionate, forgiving neighbors. A call was placed to Ann Grissom. Soon David's floor jack was in our possession.

At 6:30 am, we pulled out of the driveway again. I am so thankful for that car that came up behind us during our first attempt. Without its lights, Carl would have never seen the smoke coming from the tire. In just a few minutes we would have been on the freeway. It doesn't take an over active imagination to think what might have happened! Thank you Jesus for your protection. What we saw as a hinderance was your way to keep us safe!

Peter Goes For a Walk

I can't tell you how many times I have read the passage of scripture where Peter jumps out of his safe and somewhat comfortable boat to walk to Jesus. What faith! Jesus said come and off (or maybe over would be a better word choice) went Peter. At first Peter was fine, and why not, he was walking on water. Then he started to notice the wind blowing on his face, the waves crashing all around him, and the aloneness of his situation. Suddenly, he wasn't having as much fun as earlier. But yet, his Lord and Savior beckoned him on.

I now have a completely different understanding of that passage! God has called for us to step out of our boat and follow His leading.

 But Lord, my boat is comfortable (and almost paid for).
 But Lord, my children would have to step out also.
But Lord, my husband has 29 years invested in a good solid job.
But Lord, our parents are older and may need us.
But Lord, my eyes, remember you created me, my eyes are failing.

Yet, He beckons me. I feel the wind. I see the waves. I sense the danger.

But where He leads me, I will go.

July 25, 2012 will find the Dingus family at the Columbus airport boarding the plane that will take us to Taiwan! After a 19 hour flight and 2 hour drive, we will be home- right where God wants us!