Looking for the blessings

Well, I don't really have very much good news, today. We're in the "when it rains, it pours" stage right now.
Don't read this if you are depressed! This isn't going to help.

Our jeep started acting up last week. So, I promptly took it into the repair shop & had both front axles replaced & bought 2 new tires (2 had screws in them! and were totally bald). That, plus labor, was a cool $700.00. It ran great for about 24 hours. So, I took it back and they fixed some crazy noise (for free!) and then told me I needed a tune up. We just paid $350.00 for a tune up 4 weeks ago, so I politely asked them to check again. They proceded (for the rest of the day!) to do a complete computer diagnostic. They couldn't find ANYTHING wrong. (This test was only a mere $75.00) Meanwhile, my jeep has issues going faster than 55mph... but they said that they can't find ANYTHING wrong. So, as I am on my way to bring Kelli to get some cheap maternity clothes, the jeep freaks out on I-595 and starts to smell like burning oil. I pull off at the next exit and PRAISE GOD, there is a Good Year tire & Car repair shop right there. After waiting about an hour we get the diagnosis: for about $920.00 our jeep will be back to normal. (And Midas put in an extra QUART of oil when they did the oil change - thus causing our engine all KINDS of issues! AND the place who replaced my axles didn't put on - or put on wrong - the axle seal!!) Well, we don't have the $920.00 to put down, so I ask for them to prioritize the work - basically, so we can just get back home. The person at the computer was a woman (yes, this may be sexist, but I DO trust them more!) and she was also a mechanic who had once owned her own shop. She talked to me like I was a person & didn't jerk me around with a lot of mechanic lingo she knew I wouldn't understand. So, the $920.00 went to $395.00. I walked out paying $319.00. That was a blessing! Thank you Jesus! And Kelli was with me, so I didn't end up breaking down into a teary mess who had given up hope. Four hours later, we were on our way. Of course, on our way home, we had to pull off the highway and go on back roads so we wouldn't go over 35mph. But we made it home all in one piece. Now our dear jeeps gets a vacation.

After all of that, I woke up with an annoying head cold... at 1:22am.

I LOVE being pregnant. I LOVE our baby Aria. But I DO NOT love having to get up to pee EVERY hour! At night, it takes me FOREVER to get in just the right spot, where I am able to breathe, my back AND my tummy are supported, and I'm not burning up or freezing cold. Then, just as start to slip into a regular breathing pattern, I have to get up & pee! WHY??? Never mind, I don't really want to know. And if I'm even the slightest bit emotional (which is just about all the time right now), I start to cry. Not sob - just a few tears. If this was just a release, I really wouldn't mind. But with this cold, it makes me all stuffed up & I can't breathe again! So now I have to start all over. But at this point, Aria is awake & wanting to show off or let some energy out. Either way, she's kicking up a storm. So I concentrate on relaxing breathing (after I get up to pee & blow my nose), rub my tummy in a soothing way, & try to relax. This usually settles her down so I can then search for my new "spot".

I know that God is our provider and that He sees what is going on. I know that a running vehicle is not synonomous with freedom or peace. I know that I will one day breath normally again. I know that I am OVERLY emotional right now... due to lack of sleep and being pregnant. I know that I will not be pregnant forever (only 7 +/- more weeks!). I know that the end of the world is not this second. However, I really would like to see the other side of this mess soon! Please, Lord, strengthen me so that I don't fall apart under this light & momentary trouble. And please help me to see YOU & your faithful love, provision & care in the midst. Amen.