A little word, turned into BIG blessing!

WOW!!!!

Talk about a GOD who knows how to take care of DETAILS! 

I moved from Florida in March 1994. At that time I owned a 1990 Ford. I moved back to Florida in June 2014 and now own a 2012 Ford. 

I went to finish the Florida registration process for my car today. (I had to wait for FL to get my title from the bank in IL.)

The song playing on the CD, as I pulled into the Driver's place, was "He's Been Faithful" Damaris Carbaugh. 

As the lady was working on my information, the system would not let her give me a handicap plate, even though I qualified. Come to find out, I was STILL in their system from 20 years ago with the 1990 car. The lady and her manager tried to merge my accounts, but that wouldn't work. So the lady helping me called Tallahassee. They got the accounts merged. Come to find out back when I bought the 1990 car, it was entered in the system as a "lease" rather than "buy". So, my record stayed in the system...... for over 20 years! 

Why is that LITTLE detail so important? Because, since I owned a FL car.... I was able to get the Florida DISCOUNT.. and we aren't talking just a few dollars..... My Heavenly Father, the God of Details, used the little world "lease", to save me $229.00! WOW!!!! 

And when I went to leave and turned on the car, I heard.... "He's been faithful, yes, He's been faithful to me. Yes, looking back His love and mercy I see....." 

So thankful that MY GOD is a God of Details, and continues to take care of me. He's so awesome! 

God is so Creative!

One thing which I have enjoyed over the past 11 years, since my injury, is seeing all the creative and fun ways God uses to supply my various needs. This week, once again, God supplied in a very fun and creative way. 

Since February of this year, I've lost 56 pounds through a diet program offered by my Chiropractor. Therefore, all the clothes that WERE in my closet were too big. I needed to buy smaller sizes. YEAH!

A local thrift store chain was having a 50% off sale, so I visited several of their stores in the area. WOW... the deals I found! 

I was able to buy: 5 cardigans, 6 dress shirts, 3 pair of dress pants, 2 pairs of jeans (green/black), 1 pair of shorts, 3 light jackets, 1 windbreaker, 1 fall jean jacket, 1 winter jean jacket (lined) and 1 winter coat (with removable liner). And the best part of it all—was the price! All this for UNDER $75.
When I see what I was able to buy—and that a new winter coat would have cost that much—WOW!!

Very thankful that God provided a SUPER SALE, so that I could buy some nice clothes and coats for the coming months. The sale was one way God used to supply my needs.

But God was NOT done supplying!

God had a VERY special
SURPRISE waiting for me! 

As I was sorting all the "new" clothes for either the laundry or cleaners, I went through all the pants pockets. And that is when I found the surprise God had waiting for me! In one of the pockets there was a $20 bill! 

I had to stop and realize all the DETAILS that God had to work out, so that He could give me that $20! 

• the person who donated the pants, had to leave the $20 in the pocket. 
• each person who inspected the pants at the thrift store, had to "miss" the $20. 
• not sure if anyone else tried on the pants, but if they did, God had to "keep their hands out of the pockets". 
• I had to pick that pair of pants to try on... and buy. 

Just thinking of ALL the details that God took care of to give me a surprise of $20 to help me buy 'new' clothes—once again shows His awesome care and love for me. 

When I think of all the creative and fun ways

that God supplies my needs,

it is VERY easy to CREATE a POSITIVE day!

God's attention to details makes a blessing-filled day!

Sat., July 21, I was given two Grandstand Tickets for the NASCAR Nationwide Race at Chicagoland Speedway by Make Motorsports and driver TJ Bell. God's attention to details made Sun., July 22, an amazing blessing-filled day!

1. Blessing One: A very dear friend

When I was given the tickets, I called a dear friend and she graciously was willing to go to the Race with me—even though she's not a big race fan. God has blessed me with a godly, caring, and fun friend! Very thankful for her friendship.

2. Blessing Two: Truth-filled Sermon

Sunday morning, I listened to a truth-filled sermon on Fulfillment in Life (Ecclesiastes 10:1-20). One truth that stuck in my mind was making wise choices based on God's truth found in His Word. That thought stayed with me throughout the day and I think had a big impact on God supplying the amazing blessings.

3. Blessing Three: Parking

I met up with my friend after Church, and we drove to Chicagoland Speedway. Having a handicap placard provided a parking spot near the Main Gate. And as we got out of the van, a Season Ticket holder couple, parked next to us, provided some helpful information and even a coupon!

4. Blessing Four: Ticket Adventure

The tickets provided were to be at the Will Call window—Main Gate. At the Will Call window, I showed my ID, and waited for the tickets. However, they couldn't find the tickets. I was then told that the tickets were at another location (back by Gate 5). Okay, how do I get from the Main Gate over to Gate 5—walking that distance was not really an option.
One Info Booth told us to take the "tram". So, we headed out to find the tram. Found another Info Booth which got us a Courtesy Golf Cart.
Our Driver, Peggy, drove us to the location and was wiling to wait to drive us back to the Main Gate. We went into one trailer only to learn that they did not have the tickets. They directed us to the next trailer. We went there and... "No, we don't have them. Should be at Will Call or next door." I waited in this trailer while my friend went back to the 1st trailer to check again. While waiting I enjoyed talking with the Staff and learning more about the "behind the scenes" working of the race. It was a very enjoyable time.

I was not bothered that the tickets couldn't be found. It wasn't a problem in my mind. I knew that they were somewhere and in time, they'd be found. I was just enjoying each step of the journey. (Remember that Sermon: Make wise choices? One wise choice is to remain positive and allow God to take care of ALL the details!)

My friend returned and still no tickets. The NASCAR/NNS Staff (Ted & Georgette) continued to search for tickets and contacted Make Motorsports to see where the tickets were located. The Staff then decided to give us PIT PASSES! We completed the necessary paper work, and were granted PIT PASSES! Then just as we were walking out the door, we were told the tickets WERE at the MAIN GATE Will Call—but we could still use the Pit Passes! HOW COOL!

Our now "personal" Courtesy Golf Cart Driver, Peggy,  returned to take us to the Main Gate to get the tickets. The Tickets were there (the problem: a "W" looked like a "V O" so was missed as they looked for my name). After getting the Grandstand tickets, Peggy, drove us to the Garage and Pit areas. 

5. Blessing Five: Surprise Meeting

We arrived at the Garages and found a Make Motorsport's Team member who told us the Pit number. We went to that area and stood behind the Pit fence watched the Race. Due to car problems, the #50 car ended the Race early and the car headed to the Garage.

I walked over to the Garage area and after a short wait, TJ Bell came out of the Trailer. I was able to talk with him. I would have rather TJ finished the Race, but it was very nice to meet him. A very UNEXPECTED and nice Surprise!

6. Blessing Six: Up-Close

After meeting TJ, we headed back to the Pit area, and with our Pit Passes were invited INTO the actual Pits. We enjoyed walking up and down the Pit area, watching Teams work and watching the Race. Watching a Pit Stop UP CLOSE is amazing! WOW! And being so close to the cars as they RACE... again an amazing experience.

7. Blessing Seven: Ride provided

After watching a majority of the Race and enjoying the entire experience, and knowing that my friend had a previous engagement that night, we decided to leave the Race before it was over. We walked back to the Security entrance of the Garages and asked about a Courtesy Golf Cart. "They don't run until 20 minutes AFTER the race is completed. But maybe one of the buses might drop you off near the Main Gate." Okay, that would work. But once again, God did NOT miss a SINGLE detail. He had James drive up in a Courtesy Golf Cart and the Security Guard waved him down and arranged a ride for us! James did not just "drop us off NEAR the Main Gate"... but directly behind the van! Couldn't get ANY CLOSER! Again God's attention to DETAILS is AMAZING! 

8. Blessing Eight: The entire experience

As I think back over all the Specific details of the day, I am overwhelmed at God's goodness and the blessings He showered on me. Nothing escaped His attention.

* The Grandstand seats would have been great... but getting to my seat and sitting would have been difficult. God knew that and provided Pit Passes where I could stand and walk around.

* I didn't think I'd be able to meet TJ Bell, and since God provided the Pit Passes, I was able to be in the Garage area.

* God knew how far I could walk, and provided the necessary rides at the right time (even though we were told several times that there was a "driving ban" in place!).

Creating a positive day

is more than about enjoying an experience—

rather, it's about noticing God's hand

in the details that makes

that experience EXTRA-Ordinary!

2012

It’s December 31, 2011, and I’m thinking about my goals (some call them resolutions) for 2012. Oh, there are the “normal” goals which everyone makes, and not many keep: lose weight, exercise more, etc.

But what are my goals?

What do I want to accomplish
throughout 2012?

Okay, that’s not right—they shouldn’t be “MY” goals, rather the question should be:

“What does God want me to accomplish throughout 2012?”

That’s a much better perspective. Since God has a purpose and plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11) each goal I set, needs to fit into His plan. As I move forward in my life, I also have to look back and see all that God accomplished. Over the past eleven years, He has taught me amazing lessons, and has demonstrated His love in the most creative ways. I never would have imagined that a back injury in October 2000, would change my life so dramatically and at the same time present so many different opportunities.


So, as I reflect on the past, and prepare for the year ahead, the main thought which I can’t seem to ignore is “writing”. Oh, I mean more than on my blog. Perhaps it’s time to write a book: “It’s all in the details.” Even if I only write it for myself, I think it would be a wonderful blessing to see how God took care of each and every detail in my life.

As I think of where to begin on the details, it’s hard to know where to start. For so many of the situations, God worked years in advance to make sure everything was ready for me at the right time. But since I need a starting place, why not start in October 2000. For me, that’s when I began to personally notice how detail oriented God is. 

As of today, December 31, 2011, I believe that God’s 2012 goal for me is to WRITE.

If you have favorite stories, either from my blog, or from being part of my life, I’d like to hear what they are. You can email them to me, or comment on this blog post.

It’s all the details.

I'm looking forward to seeing God’s attention to details during 2012. And knowing that God is very detail oriented, He won’t miss a thing!

And that, my friends

will make 2012 a VERY POSITIVE year!