Unexpected Blessings

I couldn't decide what to title this post....

God Moment or Unexpected Blessings.

It is truly heartwarming to see God do things that 

build faith in your children.

Last night was one of those times.

You see, this week Chelsea calculated what 

she needs yet to get to her YWAM mission

and BACK.

That being the more important part to me.

She already has her ticket to go, 

the down payment has been made

and money is in the bank for the majority of the 

curriculum.

Still, her outstanding amounts involve

the return flight and the outreach to Thailand.

It looks a bit daunting when you see the number

but knowing that she has already earned that much

through her job and gifts 

you just know that if it is meant to be....

it will be.

So, back to the story.

Last evening we went to the far end of Lancaster County 

to pick up our van which had been held hostage

THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JANUARY

for emissions problems.

I.miss.my.van.

Hopefully this week it will be mine once again.

It now has to go back to the original garage

but that is another story.

You see, the first time we took the van to this 

distant town they were supposed to replace two parts.

They, in their infinite wisdom, simply replaced one 

and said to bring it back if the other one was bad.

The other one was bad.

However, perhaps it wasn't "their" infinite wisdom

at work after all.

For because we needed to come back events took

place that led us to the right place at the right time.

Dinner.

We needed it.

Hungry people like to eat dinner.

Hungry people who enjoy seafood 

(not me and not Chelsea)

enjoy buffets for $14.99 where you can 

eat all of the little (and big) shrimpies,

stuffed clams

 and crab salad

one wants.

So we stopped.

In the same building there is a Christian book store.

Chelsea loves, loves, loves 

Christian book stores.

They hold music.

Lots and lots of music.

So, of course, after dinner we browsed the bookstore.

Chelsea saw much that she would like to own.

She was reluctant to spend a penny.

After our date with the garage for the second time

we weren't exactly in a good place to feed her need for music.

We did get her dinner however.

Because we are nice like that.  

Warren and I told her that she should go ahead

and get something.

Music is so vital to her happiness.

It literally was one of the healers while she struggled 

with the depths of anorexia.

So, she reluctantly went back to that section of the store 

to see if she could decide on something.

While she was there I chatted with the young woman 

at the register.

I explained that Chelsea was saving for her mission

trip to Australia and Thailand and that she was 

hesitant to spend even for something she loved.

Turns out this young lady has a brother serving

as a missionary in Thailand and that she, herself, has

visited a home for women in that very country 

run by YWAM.

Coincidence?

So, Chelsea finally made the hard decision on an album

and came to the front of the store.

When it was rung up and the total given

it was less than half of what Chelsea was expecting.

$5.30.

She questioned the cashier who said it was "on sale".

Wow.  Cool.

Then as the bag was on its way to Chelsea's hands

this young woman slipped a white envelope into 

it and said that she felt led to give it to her.

Now, as far as I knew this young woman had only

talked to us and dealt with a very cranky lady

in the time we had stood there.

I was feeling badly that she had to deal with that 

other woman....

but apparently she had found the time to 

slip some bills from her purse into this envelope.

We thanked her with tears in our eyes

and headed to the car.

When we got there I asked Chelsea to look and see 

what was in that envelope.

$170!!

Really?  

From a stranger?

Who just felt led?

So far from our home?

On a trip I was grumbling about?

Yep!

In God's appointed time and place

HE used this complete stranger to build 

Chelsea's faith and allow her to say,

"I think I am supposed to go on this trip!"

Chelsea ran back in and gave her new friend

a big hug and then we both shed 

tears of thanksgiving as we drove from this place.

A God Moment.

Indeed.