Miracle at the Mechanic

This post has absolutely nothing to do with my boys or my 30 minutes or the boysturf. Maybe more like daddyscarinthegarageturf.

Over the weekend we had a comical round of vehicles deciding not to start. We joked that our garage had some sort of virus causing dead batteries or something. That's why we buy the vehicles we do -- reliable with few issues. We keep them well maintained.

Saturday morning, 9:30, on our way to Middleson's 9:40 basketball game. The van sputtered. We made a mad dash to stash this family of five into Daddy's car including a quick carseat installation. Crank. Sputter. Nothing. Woudn't start. After several attempts we made it to the game. No problems coming home.

Daddy quickly jumped the van. Ready for the 1:10 basketball game for Oldest. After brunch with friends we repeat the above scenario. Every bit of it. The sputtering van, transfer of family and carseat.....and no start to car. Repeat. Drive to game just in time.

By Saturday at 4pm we have ZERO working vehicles. Nice neighbor takes Daddy and van battery to auto parts store. Bad battery. Stores fault. Exchange. Replaced. Working van.

The car issue was not so easily remedied. After ruling out that the battery was in good working order, talented Daddy continued his diagnosis. Starter. No big deal. Okay, it was a big deal. In this particular car the starter is located underneath the engine or that is how it has been explained to me.

This job is for a real mechanic not my can-do-just-about-anything husband.

Neighbors come to the rescue with a call for a tow truck. Tow man starts the car after several (X several more) times. We immediately deliver the car to the mechanic to begin his work today.

I choked when I heard the estimate today. We all did. It wasn't that the part was sooo astronomical. It was the many hours of labor. There goes my dreams for my new dishwasher and refrigerator. Out the car door they go. (Get it? Out the door. Out the car door. Ha. Ha.)

We, as a family, decided to rejoice in our trials (James 1) and trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3). We prayed for a miracle.

Mechanic calls hours into the morning "repair",while I paced and prayed for the quick, but wise/thorough mechanic. He tested the starter and it works perfectly. There is absolutely NO problem with the car. He started it twenty times.

"It's a miracle!" hubby said to the mechanic without receiving a reply.

$30 later our car is ready for pick-up.

Oldest, Middleson, and Babyboy dance with excitement. "God healed our car!" Middleson wisely stated, "Mommy, it was a test of faith."

Today I am thanking God for answered prayer, childlike faith, and the miracle at the mechanic.

LoVe DaY

Valentines Day 2012 captured a wonderful memory for me. I noticed a flurry of activity on the 13th. Oldest, Middleson, and Babyboy constructing cards, whispering, and planning. I overlooked the spilled chocolate chips. I won an award for acting when I walked by Babyboy's room and pretended I didn't see paper scraps and hearts.

Daddy and I had our own share of secrets, devising a first-thing-in-the-morning Valentines Party complete with candles, decor, and pancakes. I cheezed it right up by wearing a heart-shaped bear pin that says, "Have a Beary Happy Valentines Day." It was given to me by my Grandma when I was a little girl. It isn't me, fashion speaking. But, I knew Babyboy would eat it up. He did. He loved it! The pink heart napkins, heart stickers, and red shiny hearts thrilled Babyboy to pieces.

MeeMaw, as if on cue, sent cards and games to be enjoyed by all smack in the middle of our festivities.

While partaking maple-syrup drenched pancakes each boy (sticky-fingered) retrieved the cards he had attempted to keep a secret.

I realized later in the afternoon how UNselfish my children had been. Love was in the air! Oldest was given a single piece of Beef Jerky. Knowing how much Daddy loves beef jerky and how rarely he eats it, Oldest saved it and insisted that Daddy eat it.

My pastor preached a sermon recently stating that HATE is not the opposite of LOVE. Selfishness is the opposite of love. It is true!

Yesterday was a proud mommy moment for me as I experienced selfless acts toward one another. THATS what Valentines Day is all about!