I want to share with you a miracle: as you know Bryan and I are in the middle of new careers. Well, this hasn't been easy..in case you think we just up and decided to go back to school and work full time jobs at the same time for fun...you're mistaken! But this all came about after several things...the daikin explosion being number one..but when we finally did discover what it was we wanted to do..we had to do a lot of things to prepare. One was leaving our family and friends behind..that was the hardest. And even though they're miles and hours away..they're still very near in our hearts and this is evident in our miracle story. You see, we lived a very comfortable life in Tuscumbia..a nice home, big yard, nice cars, basically we bought whatever we wanted...but we weren't living our "calling"..we felt like we were missing out on "something" thus began the journey of self-discovery...this shows you God is in this because we did this at the exact same time. That's how He works...his timing is perfect ..anyway when we felt the call to go..we had to sell everything to finance this journey..there went the home we loved decorating...we loaded up the cars and headed out to Tuscaloosa. After four years there our "new cars" were not new anymore especially after we had driven many many miles to jobs and night school. SO....God sent us car miracle number one in the form of a gently used but loved Lumina...from Bryan's parents. Our family has been our main support through all of this..never questioning just quietly supporting us when needed with groceries, canned goods, extra $$ when we needed it but wouldn't ask...that's how God loves you in person..through Mom's and Dad's and other family members. So to bring you up to speed...after the NEXT move for this adventure...our "gently used" car started to slowly fall apart one piece at a time...it didn't help matters that I wrecked it three weeks before we moved...that was the catalyst to start the falling apart. Bryan has "lovingly" worked on the lumina each weekend and limped to work and school every day until it finally went to that big parking lot in the sky last week. That's when I had it: I was so worried...we were car pooling every day and I would pick him up after school late at night exhausted after work all day...sometimes falling asleep on the trip back home. SO: last Sunday I prayed- God please bless us with a car..I don't care what it looks like...where it comes from....it just needs to run and be safe..that's it. And guess what? He did! Two days later Bryan's parents told him...don't worry..we're going to help you and by the next Sunday we had a new car..and it's beautiful!..the best part is that is runs!!!! It's a beautiful smokey gray ford taurus..and did I mention it runs! And are you sitting down? Here's God's signature...the dealer's name where it originally came from? Miracle Ford! There you are..miracle number two. Our Pastor Jay Wolf recently said we should pray like Jabez and ask for God to bless us and in return we should bless others....he's right. God wants to bless us..we're His children and He wants us to depend on Him and to come to Him for our needs. So when we're faced with difficulties we should always go to Him first because He has everything already in place...we just need to ask.. When I asked for a car...I never dreamed it would come from Bryan's parents..I just expected God to provide us with another job or something but He chose to use people ...that's how He does things..And to someone out there and you know who you are..if you're reading this..No, I still don't have any lottery numbers....
We are forever grateful for the help from our family. Thank you ...you are helping us live our dreams.
Finally, we're not finished with the journey it's a long process and there are many curves in the road I can't see around but I know who the Driver is and He's in control...in case you're wondering..God is not my co-pilot...He's the driver!
God Bless,
Janie

I heard about this poem earlier in the week ...stopped me in my tracks. Then yesterday Cicely Tyson read it at the funeral for Civil Rights Legend Johnnie Carr. It sums up this journey Bryan and I are on...so...what are you doing with your dash? It's not easy..but think about it...

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth…And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars…the house…the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard…Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?