Trials and Tribulations

Well, this week has been an adventuresome one for my family. First dad's thing (and he is doing better by the way, was able to get the wheel fixed and made good progress the next day, but keep praying). Mom's water heater broke, my brother has been having various and sundry struggles and today, I tested for my driver's license and failed the parking part. And I'm on my way to a speaking/church engagement this weekend! In Pennsylvania. I'm in Ohio. Ahem. So busy making arrangements frantically to get there and back now.
Would appreciate your prayers for us all and esp. for me as I try to speak this weekend and try again next Friday to get my license.

Pray for my Dad!

Just wanted to pass this on. For those who don't know, dad is in the midst of biking 2700km (about 1700 miles) through Russia. He is on the final stretch and only has about 10 days to complete it before his visa runs out. Mum sent this prayer request out today after she talked with dad.

His travels have gone well and he has been feeling good about his progress etc. he is on the last stretch (so to speak) from Khabarovsk to Vladivostok which is about 500 miles. But he called and asked for special prayer for safety on this stretch as the roads are narrow, rough, and very busy with traffic. He was “hit” by a car, although with minimal damage, nor did the car stop. He has cuts and bruises, mildly, but his back wheel is bent, so he has to find a way to repair that in order to go on tomorrow. So…this is a matter for prayer over the coming week. Part of the concern with the cars is of course drinking too. He just needs God’s hand hovering over him making him clearly visible, and guiding cars around him. he cannot ride on the shoulder as that virtually does not exist, definitely not in a rideable form for sure.

Pray esp. that he is able to get his wheel fixed quickly as he can't go further until it is and he is on a short timeline right now where he needs to be out of the country on Sept. 2.

Arrived?

I'm in Ohio now. At least, I'm pretty sure I am. Jet lag and time change have been rough this go around. I'm still trying to decide which way is up.
Thankfully, I have a great place to stay with wonderful hosts; I'm being well-taken care of, so life is pretty easy.
On the down side, I went to get my driver's license renewed on Friday and found out that because it is both expired and out-of-state I have to start all over again. So, here I am with a car, people to see and places to go, and a learner's permit! lol
Thankfully, since I am staying right in Alliance it isn't too much trouble for people to come pick me up or drop me off, but it does make me feel like I am 12 again. And handing a learner's over for id is embarrassing too. "No, really, I didn't lose my license, it just expired while I was out of country!"
The earliest they are able to get me in for the driver's test is Friday, which happens to be the day that I need to drive to Johnstown, PA for a weekend of speaking engagements and visits. So, while I wouldn't otherwise have any qualms about doing the test, but just that little bit of pressure makes me nervous. So, although I feel silly for asking, I would definitely appreciate prayers for my license test.
Thankfully, I don't have any other pressing errands and not being able to go out "window shopping" will certainly keep me from spending money! lol

Packing up the last few days before I left went fairly well. I did manage to finish Ellie's quilt before I left and will post pictures soon. My poor roommate is left with the task of finishing packing up. There were a number of things that I didn't get to because of time or because she would still be using them for a couple of weeks after I left. Julie leaves in just one more week as well, so now she has to finish tidying up the apartment and packing all those last minute things. So, I'm sure she would appreciate your prayers too for her last few days and all the last details that need to be wrapped up.

I'm in Ohio for the next 3-4 weeks technically, but out of that time I'll be on the road, Lord willing (and driver's license pending), for 12-14 days. After that I'll head out west via Minnesota and Canada, hopefully arriving in Oregon around October 10.