OUR STORY Part 66: A VERY KIND MAN NAMED GEORGE

Today was a long day for us. It was our first attempt at pulling the travel trailer and Michael did an excellent job!

We did some work at the house and then ran around for approximately seven hours dealing with the trailer in preparation to get the title and registration under our names.

We hauled it on over to Pep Boys in Lake Worth to get a new tire, the wheel bearings packed with grease, and the state inspection. The gentleman at Pep Boys who took care of us was the kindest man.

We made it clear from the start that we were novice and didn't have a clue what we were doing. I should state that the young man who sold us the trailer has been helpful as well regarding communication about the trailer; answering texts and phone calls. He even installed a replacement light assembly for us.

But today, George H. at Pep Boys went above and beyond the call to provide good customer service; extending kindness, patience and compassion in helping us to make sure we were safe and secure in our towing assembly before traveling any distance.

The first thing he noticed was that we didn't have a weight leveling equalizing hitch; and although it wasn't a must, he explained the importance of having one to distribute the weight of the trailer and ensure it was level with the truck receiver. They didn't sell this assembly at his shop, so we left the trailer at Pep Boys for them to take care of the wheels and we headed on over to Tractor Supply looking for the equalizing assembly which they didn't have in stock.

Next we contacted Jeremy, who sold us the trailer; and he suggested we make a call to Northern Tool & Equipment. We did, and after sifting through a new shipment they had just received; the guy over at Northern called us back and told us they had located the hitch assembly we were looking for and they were holding it for us until we could get there.

We picked up the assembly and headed back over to Pep Boys. George looked at the box and confirmed we had the right hitch assembly. But this is where George went from simply providing wonderful customer service to that of true human kindness and compassion. He looked at the box and knew more of what we were in for than we did. He then told us to back the truck into one of the mechanic's work stations while George grabbed a mechanic and had him put the little beast together for us with an impact wrench.

Once this was done George showed us how to properly hitch the truck to the travel trailer. He then had us walk back away from the setup to check out the level. When George wasn't happy with how the trailer was sitting in height behind the truck, he pulled the unit off and took it back over to the mechanic to have the height adjusted. Moments later he was back once again re-hitching the truck to the trailer going over everything carefully with Mike to ensure that he knew how to safely  unlatch the stabilizing bars without injuring himself.

Because of the kindness that George extended, we will be able to travel with a much greater sense of security. Moreover, George's kindness encouraged and warmed our hearts during a very difficult time. He cared about us.

George, if you are reading this blog, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. You have exhibited more Christ-likeness than many church goers who wear their Christianity on their sleeve. God bless!

Matthew 25:34-40

 ³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
 ³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
 ³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
 ³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
 ³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
 ³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
 ⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

We still don't know our tomorrows. The exhaustion is enough that we just get through our today's as best we can. It feels much different driving through the neighborhood lately; some of our neighbors already have begun to hang their head or conveniently turn the other way in what appears to be an effort to avoid us.

OUR STORY Part 62: A DAY OF NUMB ANTICIPATION

Today seemed an unusually long and physically exhausting day; and one best described as a one of emotional numbness. The estate sale is approaching quickly and it is a surreal experience to say the least; in a couple of days our life as we have known it will cease to exist. The dogs are anxious as they can sense something major is going on in our home. Items being moved and boxes piling up. Dixie has needed a lot of extra TLC over the past few days.

This has been a particularly hard time for Mike since his priority, aside from that of serving his LORD has been to make every effort to provide me my first real home; that of peacefulness and safety. I observed him throughout the day and suddenly began to notice him frequently just stop what he was doing and gaze around; sometimes focusing on a piece of furniture, a clock hanging on the wall or a special picture that we purchased together. At one point he shared how special it was building a home together. But for the most part there was no conversation, just silent pause and reflection.

We finished clearing out the garage and setting aside things for the estate sale. Mike sat on the living room floor for a period of time going through his tools and garage knick knacks (screws, wires, drill bits etc.); trying to organize and segregate out what to take with us. And while he worked on his projects I spent the day dusting, vacuuming, washing sheets to be sold and setting things on shelves for the crew to begin pricing.

We have cleared out a closet; putting everything we are taking with us aside, which isn't much.We will be traveling very light, just some tools, our clothes and a few personal items (Bibles, hair dryer, toothbrushes, books, etc.). Everything else is being sold in order to generate enough money to live on until something breaks.

We still haven't worked out the details of what we are going to do with our lives; but not for lack of tenacity in searching out avenues of opportunity and much prayer.

Yesterday was a very awkward day. We found a 1994 travel trailer that we believe will meet our needs and have had some communication back and forth with the couple who own the trailer. Last evening I sat and listened as Mike spoke on the phone with the husband, brother in the LORD. Mike shared a little about our situation and went on to beseech the man for help, asking that he consider reducing the sale price of the trailer to number $500 below what it has been listed for on Craigslist. The gentleman said he would think about it and get back to us; but we haven't heard back as yet.

What the gentleman doesn't know is that; aside from the fact that we are clearly in a crisis financial situation, Mike is asking to purchase the trailer for the exact amount we received through the sale of my wedding ring.

A few nights after the ring was sold Mike had made a comment; "It sure would be easier dealing with you losing your ring if I could tell you that your ring at least provided us our home." I know he has really struggled with the fact the ring is gone. He never once asked or eluded to wanting to sell the ring; he just wouldn't ever do that. Michael Daniel is a very loving husband and a very hard working and selfless individual who cares dearly for me. My husband doesn't deserve what is happening to him, especially just weeks before his 60th birthday.

There is this little piece of hope we hang onto; perhaps some miracle where we will wake up from this nightmare to find the judge filing a Final Judgment overturning his earlier order. Mike just hugs me each day and says "Honey, I don't know how but God will restore our lives."

I love you Michael, you're my hero!