Coffee Pots and Western Union

While Gary has been gone I haven't had my early morning coffee. That's because I don't know how to use the coffee pot! Yep, you heard it, Gary is the coffee maker in the family and our coffee pot reminds me of a space ship. What ever happened to the coffee machines where you put the little while paper filter in the top and you scooped the coffee out of the big metal can that you later used for bacon grease.

Today was long and complicated, just like my coffee pot. I started the day early this morning, as it is day time in the Philippines while we are sleeping. I got up early, really early, so I could make contact with Gary while he was still up. I was able to connect with him and he updated me as to the events and plans for the next few days. I started getting ready for church, a most needed time of fellowship and worship, God had other plans. As I was preparing to leave I received a telephone call from the Western Union Fraud, seems  someone hacked into Gary's email account and a hold was put on the much needed funds sent to Gary. I had to answer 10 or more questions, and while I am doing that I am wondering how does Western Union know the date on my house deed? I mean the questions were complicated and had me scrambling. Once they were satisfied I was who I said I was, while I was wondering if they were who they said they were, they finally told me to go to the local Western Union and withdraw all the money and resend it to Gary. Then they gave me a new transaction code over the phone as people are hacking into emails going in and out of the Philippines. By now its 7:45 and it didn't look like was getting to the 8:00 service. I was hoping maybe the second service. Can I tell you I arrived to the Western Union agent at 8:45 and left at 12:30. Yep you heard me after talking to eight Western Union Agents on the phone, the store manager calling on my behalf and two hours later, I stood in the store with cash in hand wondering what am I going to do, Lord. For some reason my name was tagged and I was being told again that the money would be on hold, Gary needed it today.

As I drove home I asked the Lord to show me His  will in this situation, I had purposed to stay kind all those I was dealing with and believe that God was in all things. I was also sad that it wasn't looking like I was going to get the much needed rest and I was wondering why God so much faith that I would be ok, I wasn't so sure. As I was driving home I received a call from the local Western Union Agent who informed me that he believed the last transition I attempted to send really did go through and he wanted me to bring the cash back to the store and give it to him. I couldn't believe it, I just got home. I telephoned Western  Union and spoke to several agents, all of them whom told me a different scenarios, the transaction was completed and there was a hold, the transaction was not completed and the best is yet to come, the transaction was completed but not traceable. Anyhow, it was almost 5 pm, and it turns out the transaction was not completed and the money was not sent.

I had two of my friends send the money in their names, really we felt like were under cover agents, slinking up to the Western Union Phone, they gave their personal information and hoping and praying the agent's didn't know they were my friends! Seemed like a bad idea to have connection with me. Finally a conformation, Starbucks on the house!!

My head and body ache for rest and I don't really understand why I spent the whole day dealing with a transaction that usually takes 15 minutes to complete. I will admit that I was keenly aware of Gods presence and His insistence that I show love each and everyone I was in contact with, that He is strong when I am week. I know that when I think I am going to break and wind of Holy Spirits strength come through me and I am able to complete the task before me. That worship comes in so many forms, so today I worshiped the Lord through obedience and keeping a glad heart when it just didn't seem possible.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings, I just needed to vent. I need a cup of coffee!!!!!

Today Gary and I find that we have a week or more of this marathon to complete, both of us are exhausted and would ask that you would remember us in your prayers. Caleb and Cris Ann are resting and the tests they have been running on Caleb will be completed at 7:00pm their time Monday.  It seems that Caleb was exhausted and malnourished before the storm, his seizure hit right before the storm. He is struggling emotionally with many issues and healing is needed. We thank you for your prayers and would ask that you would continue to lift us al up in prayer.

Blessings, Dawn