Praise

Captivating Retreat
I'm not really sure where I should post this, as it's a praise, a prayer request, and a testimony of God's faithfulness, all in one...as well as a thank you. *smiles*

Shortly after the last Captivating retreat, someone anonymously offered to pay my way to the next one, since I had expressed a desire to go. All I had to do was get there, which in itself took a huge step of faith, as I'd been unemployed since September, and was living on even less unemployment benefits than the year before. I prayed about it, and felt that, yes, I was supposed to go. So I gratefully accepted the offer.

Over the months, every time I thought that I had the money to go, something would come up that would take what I'd saved. I did have an emergency savings, as I'd been afforded the opportunity to attend a Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey, and had used my income tax refund to set it up. I was able to pay my bills, pay my tithe, and provide food and shelter for my son and myself, but there wasn't any "extra" to put towards my flight to Denver. I continued to trust that God would provide, however.

I was called back to work the middle of June, which was bittersweet, as my job was packing up and shipping off the Battle Lab where I worked. We weren't offered the chance to follow our jobs south, as Lockheed didn't have the contract at Ft. Benning. Lockheed closed the doors to our facility at Ft. Knox on August 27th. I was so thankful for the work, though! During that time, I had the opportunity to travel to Ft. Leonard Wood for a project which brought in extra money via per diem. Once again,I thought I was all set to go to the retreat!

But, God had other ideas. There were things that I'd put off during the time that we were living on unemployment benefits that I needed to take care of. My car broke down, and I had several car repair bills because of it. My 2nd car (the one that will be my son's, someday), had been in the shop since February, which was fine with me, since I didn't really have the money to pay for the necessary repairs, nor did I have the parking space at my house. Lol.) I received a call from my mechanic in August, telling me that they had to clear out the lot as September marked the end of their fiscal year, and they needed to settle accounts. We had agreed on a maximum amount that we were going to put into the car, but it was going to cost quite a bit more. I needed to get it back, though, and so I okayed the necessary repairs. Then I wrecked my car (the very last day of work, (on my way to work!), and had to pay a $500 deductible to get it fixed. My son needed counseling, and although our insurance picks up most of the bill, I still have to pay a co-pay. Little by little I saw not only the per diem money I'd made slip away, but my emergency savings, as well.

I still had $500 in my ER account, and as the time got closer to where I would HAVE to purchase my plane fare, I thought that if the Lord didn't provide another way, then I would use it. The fare was $238 a month before my departure date. I figured that even if the tickets doubled in price the last week, I would still be able to use it.

And then the Lord made it clear that I was NOT to use my savings. It wasn't an emergency, after all. That was SO hard! I had to get to the place where I could trust Him whatever happened. If it were His will for me to go, then He would provide the funds. If not, then He wouldn't, and I wouldn't go. I almost couldn't bear the thought that I might not be supposed to go, after all. I'd just told Brian a couple of weeks earlier that I was definitely going! What would Brian think of me? I hate to let people down, and hate even more the thought of disappointing them. It's a character flaw that I have. I kept thinking about everyone that would be affected if I didn't go...the person that had so graciously offered to pay my way...the woman that could have gone in my place, had I said no...Brian... But I knew that I had to trust God, and the thing that I want most in this life is to do His will for me. That is my ultimate goal...and I had to get to the place where that's what I'm going to do, regardless of who I let down or whether or not people understand. It wasn't my responsibility how they reacted. My responsibility was to do the will of the Father in my life.

And so, I did. The two week grace period came and went, and the money still hadn't arrived. I continuously had to turn it over to God. We did a lot of talking about it, He and I. Well...I didn't a lot of talking about it to Him. I even kept reminding Him of the time that was passing. Hahaha! *blushes* And yet, I had peace, as well. I knew that He was going to take care of the details, whatever happened.

Then, the Sunday before last, I walked into my class at church, and one of my fellow Sunday School members motioned me over. When I approached him, he asked me if I'd gotten my tickets yet? (I'd put in a prayer request about the retreat the Sunday before.) I said, no, and he said that he wanted to provide them for me, then. I was so surprised! He said that he had quite a few skymile points, and wanted to use them to get my tickets for me. Price wasn't an option. So amazing.

When I went to choose my flights, I discovered that the cost of the tickets hadn't doubled...they'd quadrupled. My emergency savings wouldn't have covered the cost of the flight after all!!! How good is God?!?

I'm not going to be able to take the shuttle, as the only flight out on Sunday to get me home leaves at 3:36 p.m., and the shuttle doesn't even arrive at the airport until 4:00. But, God has provided the money for my car rental, as well.

Please pray for me, as well as all of the women attending the Captivating retreat this weekend. Pray for safety in travel, and for the Lord to meet us all where we are.

Thank you so much, my anonymous angel who has provided for my way to go. Thank you all for your prayers.

~Penelope
Penelope 09/29/2010 14:57

Replies:
Penelope 09/29/2010 18:16
I've just got to share this extra bit of news with you.

I was about $100.00 short on the car rental fee, but cleaned at friends' that I've been helping last Friday, and so had the cash. The only thing is, I’ve been using that money that I make once a month to pay off a debt using the snow-ball method taught by Dave Ramsey. In the back of my mind, I felt that the Lord wanted to provide the fee for me another way.

Tonight, as I was going through some back-packs and suitcases, trying to find something that I could use as a personal bag as well as my carry-on, I discovered some cash. We’ve had this suitcase forever, as it was my Mom and Dad’s. It's been in a closet for years. I counted it…and there was $95.00 in the bag!!! I’d been given a gift of $50 to put toward my trip, and so now the entire fee is taken care of!

I am humbled and amazed and grateful and blessed and totally blown away. God is so good! I cannot give Him enough praise. I feel so loved...

Jenna in Austin 09/29/2010 20:01
That is really cool Penelope! God is so amazing. He is an awesome provider. Praise Him! I will pray for you and for the other ladies at the Captivating retreat. Have a wonderful time and I hope someday I can go too! :o)
Helga 09/29/2010 22:54
Praying for you all
John T 09/29/2010 23:03
Wow, that's an amazing story! It is awesome how God often comes through in amazing ways! God bless you on this trip!
Leslie 09/30/2010 07:05
Penelope! You haven't even left and you are so blessed by Him! He has His fingerprints all over you going....Praying too. Amazing things in your heart, amazing things in you...will be revealed this weekend as you spend this intimate time with Your Lord...He loves you! :)
Calico 11/04/2010 15:32
Amazing!

Penelope, please, fill us in further! What's happened since?????

Hugs to you,

Tom
Kelley 11/04/2010 15:37
Yah! I wanna know too! 0.0 I completely missed seeing this when you posted it!
Bonnie 11/05/2010 19:54
I agree, Penelope! Please post more about the retreat...I know that it (Captivating) initiated some lasting impressions on my heart. I know God went before you in preparing the way for you to be there.

Blessings!
Bonnie