It's pouring car repairs

Oh, when it rains, it pours.
The Johnsons seem to have bad luck with vehicles.
As you know, we had to replace the engine in our van just days after we arrived here.
Since, then, we've had it back in for minor glitches a couple of times.
Today, it is sitting at the garage again.

The driver side window got stuck in a crooked, partially open position, which we would have lived with if it hadn't been below zero and blowing wind right in Noah's face. We probably could have stuffed something in there and made it work, but by the time they called me, they had already fixed it.
$234.84
The headlights quit working; kind of important for safety reasons:
$63.29
The incessant squeaking that we've been trying to ignore, turns out to be a leaking water pump that is dripping onto the serpentine belt. The water pump and the belt have to be replaced. We could keep driving it until we raise the money, but Corinne has to drive to Michigan next week to do more repairs at the Scottville property, and it could go at any time, which would not only be leaving her and the kids stranded somewhere, it could also destroy the engine we just put in, soooo
we decided to fix it now
$419.84
The windshield has a pretty big crack in it - another $262.94 - UGH! We are going to wait on that one for now. He recommended several other things, but by that point, there wasn't any more room on the scratch pad to write down all the other suggested repairs.

We're thinking of encouraging the children to pursue auto mechanics as a career; they could probably just take care of Mom's car and stay in business.

On a more positive note: We have been blessed with many financial gifts over the past month and we had saved up enough money for Don to take Hebrew this summer. So, we can use that money to pay for the repairs. And, although the student loan money is pretty much used up, we are expecting a substantial tax return to help get us through until September.

The Lord continues to provide for us in a great many ways and we are grateful. We have everything we need, and there are only a few places we have to drive to; we could get by without a vehicle if we had to. It is convenient to have though, so we are praying that it makes it through seminary. We are trying to be good stewards with it and keep up with the little repairs before they become too big to fix.

January Newsletter

January 2010 is nearly over and the Johnsons have been in Fort Wayne for 6 months now. If you are wondering about this months newsletter; we just didn't get one made this month. The days seem to be flying by and there is so much to do, and we're barely keeping up with this blog.
As we mentioned in the December news, Don is taking 18 credits this semester, so his time away from studying is very limited. The city of Fort Wayne offers many interesting activities, and we are constantly trying to find a balance between time at home and time on the run.
Corinne is taking an online class at IPFW called "Journalism: Reporting, Writing, and Editing" This class is a perfect match for her interests and has her running around town covering events. She is also taking a Visual Communication (aka Photo-Journalism) class at the college, and that one has her running all over taking pictures of the news. This coming Saturday, the entire family will be attending the Fort Wayne Pro-Life Rally so that mom can 'report' on it. Well, everyone except Summer as she will be on a youth group trip this weekend.
We have started to inquire about houses that might be for rent next year, and we've even begun packing up some things (mostly books that we want to keep, but won't be reading in the next few months).
We are rewriting the business plan for our Ebay store, as Ebay presents a new fee schedule to begin in March.
We still struggle to find and keep good renters in our Scottville property, and are now offering it for rent with an option to buy. We are hoping to have it sold by the time Don is finished with his studies at CTSFW.
Fort Wayne has been particularly cold recently - it is physically painful to go outside. We've been trying to stay inside, but there are some things worth going out for. Like the kids singing in chapel this morning. Of course, Don has to go out every day for class, but the rest of us are trying to stay in and stay warm.
Sorry we missed the print version of this letter this month, we'll try to do better in FEB. :)

Help CTS Help Haiti

While the primary function of CTS is training the next generation of Pastors, there is much more happening within that context. Concordia Theological Seminary is working in the name of Christ throughout the world, and is therefore directly affected by the catastrophe in Haiti. Currently, CTS has a Deaconess serving in Haiti with her daughters, and one of Don's classmates has just returned to his home in Haiti to be with surviving family members.
Here is a link to a report on the situation from Deaconess Intern Alyssa Stone in Les Cayes, Haiti.
ALYSSA'S REPORT
We encourage you to visit the CTS website as they post updates on the situations of friends and family connected to the seminary, as well as plan to send a group of students on a mission there this spring
CTS SITE

Fun in the Snow!

Lots of fun for everyone except Noah.
Momma wouldn't let him out to play.
So, Jacob came and played with him.

Cool Cardboard box trick

You've all heard the expression, "kids have more fun with the boxes their gifts come in ..."
Well, here is a perfect example of one kid (Jacob-age3) making great use of his cardboard box.


Big Girls Rock Too!