Follow Up to Last Week's Disappointing News

So, for those of your who read the disappointing news from a few weeks ago and about our car problems from last week, will remember that things were not looking very good for the Tank family.

We've had a bunch of blessings since then, but I didn't want to write about them until everything finished (so I didn't count my blessings before they hatched). I'm glad I waited though. I can't even describe my gratitude for the things that have occurred.

So, first of all, on our car.

I told you about how we needed a new catalytic converter and it was going to be mega-bucks. They were looking at about $700 plus, just for the part itself. We asked if they could get a used one, and they said it was illegal to do so. Then, we told them that we wanted to wait to repair the rest until our tax returns came. They told us that it would be cheaper for us to replace the front display while they already had it open. So, that day we just had them fix our check engine light, which ended up needing our whole front lights display replaced too. It took a couple days to get our car back (which was okay. They just had to order new parts that hadn't arrived yet).

They were very kind and as we went to pick up our car, they informed us that they had found a catalytic converter that was only $225. We were amazed! They didn't have to do that, but the blessings continued to come.

We got our tax return the next week, so we took the car in last friday. They replaced the thermostat, our catalytic converter, and all of our brake pads. We were expecting it to take a couple days, but they called us at 4:00 p.m. and told us our car was done. Amazed we went to pick it up. The total price?

$837

I don't think we're going to be going to any other car repair shop from now on.

After that, we stopped quickly and replaced our front tires at Les Schwab, because they had treated us so well the time before. They had a special sale going on front tires as well.

At the end of the day, we spent only $75 over the thousand we were hoping for. It was a miracle! I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for saving us so much money and guiding us to an honest place.

Then, Saturday morning we took our car back to the place where we'd gotten the safety inspection. If you bring it back within 15 days, you don't have to pay to have the inspection again. Saturday was the 15th day. We quickly passed safety, and aside from a small hiccup with emisions (where we had to drive the car around a bit before the new parts would engage,) we passed emissions as well.  Last week I cried from frustration. This week I nearly cried in gratitude. Grig and I had a special gratitude fast Sunday morning.

The other good news is that Grig found out that his job is planning on keeping ALL of the full-time employees if they can. He may not need to look for another job after all! That is very exciting news. We've had some amazing things happen.

Havelock, Grig's brother who lives with us, has been looking to move into his own apartment. WE thought he'd found one last week, and we were excited for him, but sad he was going to be moving. However, he found out afterward that they had signed him up for a fall contract, not an immediate contract. So, he's still looking, but that's okay, because we like having him here.

Thank you for your suggestions and prayers for our family and Grig's job. We appreciate it and have seen the Lord's hand in our lives. We can't believe how much he loves us and how much money we were allowed to save.

So, faith does pay off. Even when it seems that things are looking awful, keep believing. Later, you'll look back and realize how many blessings you've really received! The Lord's timing is perfect, and as you try to follow his commandments and do what is right, you will receive the promised blessings.