Well, another rainy day in southwest Virginia. Worse in southeast Virginia! This morning we woke up to a flooded room in our basement. Thankfully, the water stopped at the door leading to our carpeted finished basement rooms. We finally think we have figured out where the rain is coming in - hard to tell when the entire floor is covered. Now to get our builder to come and fix it before it does damage in a future rainstorm.

Life has been a little tough recently. Overshadowing the joy of having family here with us are all the "bumps in the road" that keep popping up. First, a problem with our refrigerator. Still keeps things cold - just no ice. That's manageable. Then the car starts acting up - new steering column, brakes and wheel bearings. You can imagine what that bill came to. As we prepare for the Moody family's visit, we find that there is no water pressure. Another call for service - another bill. The flooded basement is the most recent in a week of troubles that have taken away all we had set aside for Christmas and so much more.

Still - we are healthy and warm and well fed. Can't ask for more than that, can we? God is with us protecting us from serious harm. I have to wonder why all the attacks at this time. It seems in times past we were attacked when God was preparing to use us in some way. As in times past, we will not be discouraged or change our direction. He will lead us where we are meant to go and we will follow.