Week of Troubles Overcome by Blessings

It's been one of those weeks.

I haven't written for two weeks for two good reasons: I spent one week preparing for a house closing and all of the attending paperwork; I spent the second week trying to endure a lot of the Murphy's Law problems that make life so interesting.

Working my way forward, last week -- exactly seven days ago -- I came down with a stomach virus after a day of learning how to can vegetables with Betty of Bible.com (not that there's any connection.) So I was laid up for two days and still didn't feel great on Tuesday. Then on Tuesday afternoon, my car overheated and had to be towed that night. Luckily, Bud of Bible.com was able to pick up me, Andy and our dog Lucky and take us home. We were disappointed because we weren't able to go to the premiere of our friends' movie. It's a Christian film that was being shown at Scottsdale Bible Church. We'll have to see it later and I'll report on it.

Then on Wednesday, Bud drove me into town, but I wasn't able to get a rental car until Thursday. There's some Cowboy Poet convention or something in Prescott this week.

On Friday, I drove to Scottsdale and met with the charming group of people who operate Sunbelt Vacations, a house rental company, to talk about the guide that I will be writing and editing. That was the bright spot of the week -- and having a scrumptious lunch with the head of the company, Chad Sullivan.

Today started out well, but quickly went south when I went into the vegetable garden, wearing mules on my feet -- as most gardeners do -- and was stung on both feet by the prodigious number of bees there. I am recuperating today and counting my blessings that I am not allergic to bees. My Epi-pen, which I use for reactions to food that contains unknown amounts of shellfish, is actually in my car at the garage (that is unable to diagnose the problem with it). I will be moving it to the Chrysler dealer on Monday. Also, some incredibly loud lightning struck somewhere up here in the mountains and made us wonder if something or someone was a victim. So far, no casualties reported.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to overcoming the minor setbacks of the week and moving on to the house closing on Monday (yea!) and working on many various and fascinating projects that are in the offing. My dog Lucky is relieved that I am OK now, and is laying at my side to protect me from further lightning. Dogs are a blessing, and I think that the primitive history of them as helpers for humans was ordained. They are our companions from long ago, and they are mentioned in the Bible as creatures that console and heal. I am thankful for Lucky.

I missed church services last week, which always is disconcerting, but Andy and I prayed this week and counted our blessings, as always, and are prepared for whatever major or minor calamity is to come. Hallelujah, Jesus. Thanks for always being there.