Thankful Thursday

I am thankful this week for a van that runs!

Sometimes I get so involved in being thankful for the *big things* that I forget to be thankful for the *mundane things*....like transportation! God reminded me of that this week.

Several weeks ago, our red van...the one Billy drives to work...died. It was determined, after much poking, prodding, and generally laborious work on Billy's part that it needed a new fuel pump. Since we were saving for our once-a-year out of town trip at the time ;-), we decided that we would park the red van for a few weeks until the new fuel pump fit into the budget better. The kids and I don't go out that much during the week when Billy is at work anyway, and we have spent much of our married lives as a one-car family, so we would be fine.

The plan was that Billy would replace the fuel pump a week from Saturday...after his November 9 payday.

So Tuesday morning, Billy goes out to put gas in the white van (otherwise known around here as the *good* van, despite its 210,000 miles ) and then comes home, finishes getting ready for work, and leaves again. Three minutes later, he is back. The van won't start. Now we have *no* running vehicle. *Not* good.

To make a (very) long story (a bit) short(er)...it was the fuel pump. Only the fuel pump for the white van is $40.00 *more* than the fuel pump for the red van. *But*...the red one has a serious power steering problem and Billy doesn't think it's safe for me to drive with the kids. *So*...we bought a new fuel pump for the *white* van Tuesday night and he and a neighbor fixed it.

I'm thankful...
1. For a handy husband who is able to fix things!
2. For a neighbor who was willing to give up his night off to help.
3. For $$ in the account to buy the fuel pump.
4. For extra work this weekend for Billy that should *replace* that $$ before bills are due next week!
5. For my mom who was willing and able to get Billy to work and back Tuesday.
6. For my friend who offered to go to the store for me or take me to the store (we were completely out of several necessities of life like milk and dog food ;-)), and who ended up taking me even though the van was fixed by then. After the stress of the day, I'm not sure I could have driven to the store and back if I had had to!
7. For a van that is running fine now!
8. For continual reminders that God does meet *all* of our needs.

To see what others are thankful for this week, visit Crystal at "God is in Control".