Today started with a funk in the air.  After restarting the dryer twice, it finally occurred to me that last night’s final load did not simply need a few more minutes.  Lo, it was no longer drying.  But just to clear things up, the funk in the air was clearly my attitude.

I toyed with the idea of laying in bed all day and pouting.  And then I decided I would cast my cares and co-dependency on my dryer on the Lord.  And then I called Mr. Rankin.  He not only restored the dryer we now own but apparently resurrected our previous dryer as well.

My father-in-law informed Joe that Mr. Rankin not only had the flu but he was also among the many locals who were evacuated recently due to a chemical explosion last week.  Suddenly a broken dryer didn’t seem so tragic.  Besides, a halt in the enormous daily laundry load seemed kinda’ nice.

Meanwhile, I had a chat with my deployed son-in-law, Trey, on facebook in the midst of my trying-to-find-the-purpose-in-this-funk day. My heart has been heavy for Trey as he carries out his duty in Iraq away from his Bride and baby boy.  Please keep him in your prayers.  He is going on little sleep nightly.

During our chat I informed Trey that Cammie bought a WebCam that sat on the computer armoire awaiting installation. Here on my desk next to my computer sat the capability of communicating via video messaging with our Soldier.  While his son and three-year-old sister-in-law slept, I determined to follow the necesary steps to install said WebCam and download Scype. Tens of minutes and several failed microphone connections later, and Trey, his newly wakened son and sister-in-law and I had our first video message.  I think that’s what it’s called.

Amazed! There’s just no other word to describe what it was like to see him. To hear his voice. What it must’ve been like for him to see Gavin.  So amazing.  I had just fed Gavin before we connected. Yes I was multi-tasking and can I tell you it’s not easy typing with one finger while following instructions for downloading and installing and checking YES, I agree to the ridiculously long list of terms applied to this software that I HAVE NOT READ. I suppose after juggling that bottle, nearly 17 lb four-month-old baby and keyboard I shouldn’t have been shocked that right after I told Trey about Cammie starting Gavin on a new formula for acid reflux and that it seemed to be working because he hadn’t spit up much at all since he started it—HE SPIT UP ALL OVER ME!

Nice!  Spewed on during our first video message.  In the midst of a halt in the enormous daily laundry load! But one final look at  Trey’s face before our good-bye and I was reminded of the sacrifice my son-in-law is making.  The only funk in the air now came from my clothes.  But trust me, as funky as that spit-up formula smells it’s not nearly as bad as a funky attitude.

Not long after our chat with Trey the doorbell rang. It was Mr. Rankin. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you sick,” I scolded.  He was. But he explained that he had another call and stopped by to pick up my dryer. There was no running him off. So I cleared my laundry room and helped him take away my left arm. Or the machine I methodically use daily—almost hourly. And Mr. Rankin insisted that he would have it fixed by tomorrow despite my pleas for him to not rush. Now, before you start thinking I played on his kindness you should know that I totally played down my co-dependency on the machines that wash and dry the multiple loads of laundry in this household.

Mr. Rankin and I stood outside talking about the recent chemical explosion that resulted in his evacuation. I mentioned that I had first heard about the explosion on facebook.  Wouldn’t you know his wife is on facebook. Within minutes he had her on the phone giving me her email address.  After a brief conversation with this woman I knew we were going to hit it off.

She accepted my friend request.  And then. . . This just in on facebook. Woman discovers that her new friend is aunt to another facebook friend, A.K.A her daughter’s friend, A.K.A. her photographer, A.K.A. the woman who photographed this:


Chasity Pierson of Picture My Life, A.K.A. Kidtography

I suppose I’m not all that surprised. Chasity is not only an amazing photographer, she has a heart of gold and a desire for God to use her through her talent.

Good folk.  At the end of the day, that’s what it was really about. No material possession could ever replace the blessing of relationships. First, with Christ. Then, His people.

Today I was truly blessed.  By Mr. Rankin’s generosity.  By my visit with my son-in-law.

Thank you, Lord.