Have you ever read the book of Job in the bible and thought, "poor man, I'm glad the Devil doesn't have an interest in me like that!", then you go about your life unaffected by what you've read; it seems far removed and unrealistic?  

Well....I'm not Job but I feel that what I've been through this last year is worthy of recording.  I do not want to forget what the grace of God can do for me or anyone else in the midst of multiple trials.

I've been saved for 35 years.  My children only know me as a woman of God. The life that I have lived has been like living in a fairy tale... until the Devil began to take notice!

My marriage ended in divorce after a six year separation just before our 32nd anniversary. Miracle number 1
I did not even begin to feel like a single parent until the seventh year after we separated when my 2 middle children went off to college.

My 5th child was enrolling in jr. college so I decided to take classes also making good use of my time since I had to go back and forth with her.  By this time I was working a part time job to supplement what I was expecting to make on a real estate transaction. I just rented out a property that I owned as a rent-to-own.  I had great hopes for the future.

Then it began to happen.

A $2,000.00 check from my tenant bounced.  College needed additional $5,000 for tuition.
Collected $1,000.00 of the bounced check.  Took loan for the school bill. Whoa.  That was close...question: Lord, what's going on.. Did I lean to my own understanding?  I thought this was the right person to rent to, what's going wrong?  No answer.  God must want me to learn something.  Be still.

College again, need money for medical insurance.  Oh no,   I'm not the one to see on that talk to your Dad....  Mom. I tried.  No answers,  I need the insurance.  
Lord,  what's going on!  I don't have all this money!  I can't let him down.  Every child deserve a chance and in some cases a second chance in life.  Ok... I 'll pay.  $504.00

Oct 19, 2007
Court date:  Tenant lied and said, "My attorney couldn't make court, I need a continuance." 
Just like that, she gets to stay without paying rent another month; next court date Dec 3rd.

In the midst of transacting a business deal.  Everything looks good.  Very Encouraged.
I'll make the money I need to continue on and recoup some losses.  Moving Forward.

November:  Radio news reporting a slump in housing market and slowing down in the economy.... I hear this not realizing that it would affect me personally.

December 3, 2007 
Court date: trail set.  Tenant says:  Lawyer couldn't make it.  Judge says:  trials will still go on the attorney know the procedure. He can't miss 2 times in a row.
We proceed. 
Tenant declares that she paid me all the rent. Judge request proof.  She says her lawyer has all the proof with him.  JUDGE LOOKS AT ME! She knew it was a lie. but she had to continue the case so the "proof" could be brought in. She warned t not to come to court without her proof.   Continued to Jan19th, 2008. No rent  SEPT, OCT,NOV, DEC, JAN
I'm sinking.
Miracle 2:  No hatred or ill will toward my tenant. Able to smile

Leaving the court and going to my van to sit, pray and think.  God said to me "Fret not thyself when the wicked prosper for they shall soon be cast down.  Your life consist not in the abundance of the things you possess. Take no thought for you life what ye shall eat or drink or put on for your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of these things, but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you." Thank you, Lord.  I don't know how I'm gonna get through this, but thank you Lord.  
Then my cell phone rings.
The deal fell though.  You said what?  The deal fell through.  The bank backed out. The industry is changing, banks are getting cold feet. I'm so sorry,  I know you were depending on this...  Oh, I'll be Okay!  God knew about this before we did. He said He'll take care of me.  Thanks anyway, bye.
Oh God!!!   What 's next.  I broke, I cried. But I Thank you no less.  You will make all things beautiful in your time.

December 20, 2007
Phone rings.  Sister had a stroke.  Oh... this hurts.  Heart heavy.  She has no movement on right side.  Memory and speech affected.  She don't look good.  But she had good attitude. Thank God.  She gave God something to work with.  Visited her on Christmas at the rehab.  I felt confident God was telling me that she'll walk again.  So I prayed with her and left her that encouragement.  She embraced it like God himself told her.

December 28, 2007
Phone rings.  My brother in Indianapolis is in the hospital.  Passed out at home, looks like cancer.   Does Moma know?  I can't hardly take this.  How can mama?
December 29, 2007
Phone rings.  Are you sitting? ...No why? ... Sit down.  
Our other brother called and said he's going for surgery in  week.  Lung cancer.  don't want to upset the family now that so many are sick but he thought he should tell somebody so he tells me.  I can't handle it so I'm telling you. (why do they think i can handle so much)  Don't call him and tell him I told you.  I don't want to upset him.
...Ok,  I want tell him you told me but  I will call so he can tell me himself. 
Lord.... are these things happening for real?  It seems like a story in a book. I can feel your grace.  It's thick like I can touch it.  There so much pain but yet I'm not overwhelmed by it.  What would I do without you.  My life would not be worth living.
I call a dear saint and tell her what I'm feeling.  I cried again.  I feel better.  I love my family and don't want them to be lost.

January 4, 2008
Brother has lung cancer surgery.  It  is a success, Thank God.  The cancer was local and did not spread.  They got it all.

January 16, 2008
Brother in Indianapolis has surgery, much more dangerous. Almost lost him. Praying and Fasting was not in vain.  God spared his life.

January 19, 2008
Court Date:  Tenant didn't show up.  Won the eviction.

January 27, 2008
Went to Indianapolis to see my brother.  Needed to know how he was for myself. Found out he was given only 3-6 months to live.  Life and death is in the hands of God.  I'm not careful to repeat that often else we start believing it. God has the first and last say.

Feb 2008
File eviction paper work in Sheriff's office.

No contact from sheriffs office. Finally a postcard saying a motion to stop the eviction was filed.  Another court date had to be scheduled.

I have no more fight in me.  No desire to go to court again.   I tell God about it.  I asked him to fight this battle.  I've done all I know to do, the rest is on him.  Lord don't let her rest well in that house knowing what she has been doing to me.  I can't fight any more. You promised to be my husband.  I need you now.

March 2008
Mailed my brother a prayer cloth.  Put him in God's hands. The load is getting to heavy.

April, 2008
School coming to a close.  Beginning to fall behind financially. Never known things to be worse.  Chidren problems starting to surface.  Divorce hurts children.

May 2008
It got worse.  No more child support.  Found out that the childrens father lost his job and the direct deposit never appeared.  I can only Thank God that I had a little money in the account to prevent a massive chain effect of NSF checks. This knocked the air out of me.
I know God's ready to do something because before morning is when night is the darkest.

In spite of it all, God is still blessing.   In spite of it all, My God still cares.  He is still changing lives, He 's working miracles each day. In spite of it all he answers prayer.
Miracle 3
I haven't lost my praise!


.....to be continued.