More than We can Handle on Our Own

                      This past year has been nothing short of eventful, even so, neither one of us was prepared for the turn of the proceedings. Things finally seemed to be going more smoothly, we had a plan for the upcoming year and we had finally started to accumulate savings in the bank. Everything was right where we needed it to be. We had begun planning and preparing for our move to Colorado in the upcoming future, in fact we had a meeting with a friend to discuss our plans that very day- the day that changed our hearts and plans, and could have dramatically impacted our lives more than we ever though possible. There is no doubt or argument that God had His hand over us and the accident. Saturday afternoon, the first Saturday of the month Alex was on his way home with a friend when a car smashed into them from behind. Our car was launched across the road into a field entirely and completely destroyed. Our friend was stuck in our car but both men suffered minimal injuries, a miracle considering the gravity of the accident. Needless to say though Alex wasn't hurt and our friend was only in the hospital with a concussion, we had still lost our one and only vehicle which was essential for our 60 plus mile daily commute between our two jobs. Our car was fabulous; a Subaru that saved their lives, with great worth and quality, completely paid for, which would have easily lasted us another ten years with diligent care and upkeep.  We were beyond frustrated when we found out that we wouldn't get enough for our car to buy another car out right. Even more so, when dealership after dealership wouldn't give us a loan without a co-signer. After much prayer and seeking we were pointed to Auto Solutions where we were given a loan on a car that is fairly new with few miles, and great gas milage. Even through we now have monthly car payments, we do have a new car where we don't have to slap the cup holder for 10 solid minutes to get it open to place our cups in, we also have a CD player now and a remote lock, no longer to I have to stand at the door trying to finagle my key in the lock to get it unstuck and open.

                Although everything ended up working out with our car, it did set us back on our moving plans. We were still trying to make it work, until we sat in church that following sunday. It is amazing the simple things God uses to wake us up and point us in the right direction. Sitting in church that morning Alex and I were touched by the work God was doing in the midst of the congregation. Suddenly an overwhelming desire to be involved and part of this body of Christ imposed and challenged our motives for moving. We came away that day convinced that we were supposed to stay and get involved in this congregation. The next day we made the final decision that we were going to stay with the understanding and faith that God would provide. Since then we have had some ups and downs but we are excited to see where God leads us through the next year. Our church is amazing and we are looking forward to getting more involved and watching God work through others and through us.

            It hasn't been easy, and there are days when everything feels like it is going wrong but we have had too many days of God working miracles to give up heart completely. God is at work and He has broken us down, but He is building us up too.

To whatever waits around the corner.

Leah