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14 June 2015

Overcoming a Horrible Week by Jen Turano

Author Jen Turano

My Horrible, Miserable, Very Bad Week
     When Carrie asked me if I’d like to submit a blog post to Overcoming With God, I must admit that I hesitated in giving her an answer because I was in the midst of one of those weeks – you know the ones I’m talking about – something goes amiss, and then something else, and before you know it, it seems like life will never turn rosy again.
     Because of all the disasters that were flinging my way- one right after another – I was fairly certain I wasn’t capable of penning anything of worth because I was, for lack of a better word…grouchy.

      You see, it all began on Memorial Day when I was paid a lovely visit by a raccoon – and one that just happened to gain access to my kitchen by using the dog door – a door that’s been around for over thirteen years and a door that can only be accessed if a critter scales a six-foot fence, scurries across a rather long expanse of lawn, tiptoes up a steep flight of steps, and then scoots around various pieces of outdoor furniture before being able to get near a rather small door that leads into my kitchen.  All I can figure is that it must have been one very determined raccoon, and one that ended up making a very large mess while I slept through its visit, completely oblivious to the fact my kitchen was being destroyed.  When I came downstairs the next morning, I wasn’t certain I was truly awake.  Food was scattered all about, mixed in with my dog’s joint medication that goes for over fifty dollars a bag – and while I did smile at the thought of a raccoon zipping back to his home feeling in fine form with joints that had been well medicated, it took me hours to clean up the mess.  Add in the pesky fact that I now have to close off the dog door every night with a special Plexiglas door because the raccoon has returned night after night, scratching to get in, and I’m dealing with an ancient Cattle Dog (Sasha) that’s incredibly displeased with the situation.  She’s never been unable to go out whenever she wants at night, and has taken to voicing her displeasure, howling very loudly at the strangest of times (as in midnight) to make certain I’m aware of her annoyance.
      One would think the raccoon incident was enough trouble to be getting along with for a while, but a day and a half after the raccoon event, my son was set to leave for Florida to fetch a car from his grandmother’s house (we live in Denver,) and a car that his grandmother would only stop driving if her grandson would come take it.  She’s eighty-six, and while my son doesn’t actually need a car, he thought this sounded like a grand adventure and would get her off the road, so we booked him and his friend tickets.  The problem was that the weather that week was treacherous throughout the country and his flight got canceled.  

At four in the morning, we fired up my computer, and while I did find him a new flight – I clicked on a fake link for that particular airline and got…a virus – and not a virus that can be fixed, but a virus that encrypted every file on my computer.  Now, if I wanted to hand over $690.00 to the cyper-criminals who were responsible for my virus, they’d kindly give me a special code to unlock my files – but I’m not really keen on extortion – so after spending hours talking to various people, including the FBI, I realized my computer was toast, so took it off to a computer company that would wipe my computer completely clean – losing all of my files in the process.  Thankfully, my manuscripts and important documents had been saved elsewhere, but I’d been working on research for an upcoming series and that research is now gone forever.
      One would think that would be the end of my woes, but…no.  My web guy contacted me the day after my computer debacle, asking me if I knew my website had disappeared.  Numerous calls and dollars later, my domain name was back in good standing and my web was back up, but honestly…I’d just about had enough and then…
      Dominic (son) arrived back from Florida with the car.  It’s a Lincoln Town car with only 30,000 miles on it, but it’s over fifteen years old and the roof is one of those ragtops – and…somewhere in Kansas Dom hit a bad storm and – that was the end of the ragtop.  The car looked a complete and utter mess, and when I forced myself to go look it over the next morning, apparently hoping that the horror I’d seen the day before would have vanished in the night, I was met by the sight of a flat tire.  Flat tires usually don’t have the power to send me over the edge, but when my insurance company sent a guy out to fix my tire, and he forgot his air-compressor, I knew events were probably not going to go smoothly.  He ended up putting on the spare, but when I pointed out that the spare looked a little low on air, he immediately took to arguing with me, said it was fine, spare tires were supposed to look that way, and bid me a good day.  As soon as I tried to drive the car, the tire popped, so I had to have it towed to a shop to get it fixed. 
     By this time, you’re probably wondering why I decided to write this blog since everything that could go wrong did, but there is a good ending to all of this.

     The rain stopped, at least in the mornings, a few days ago, and stuffing my feet into my neon-green running shoes, I hit the trail, not really feeling like getting any exercise, but knowing that the fifteen pounds I still need to lose wasn’t going to evaporate on its own.  As I rounded a corner, I saw a raccoon ambling along, carrying one of its babies in its mouth.  Stopping in my tracks, I watched what I’d only recently decided was my arch enemy disappear into the shrubbery, and you know…raccoons aren’t so bad, in fact, they’re quite adorable – when they’re not in my kitchen, that is.  
   
      Continuing forward, I ran into all sorts of wildlife – deer, rabbits, birds, and I also ran into many of my friends I hadn’t seen in a while, given the rainy season we’d been experiencing.  These friends were accompanied by many of their furry friends, and I’m sorry, but a person just can’t stay grouchy when greeted with a wag and a lick on the face. 
     With the sun shining down on me, I began to realize that life wasn’t really so miserable after all.  The raccoon, although making a mess, hadn’t done any real harm.  My computer, while now completely file-less, has now been scrubbed and is running better than ever.  My web-site is up and running again, and…I found a lovely gentleman who works on old cars and is even now putting a new roof on the Lincoln.  The flat tire did not happen out on the open road, but right outside my house, which means my son was not put in danger on some desolate road in Kansas. 
       God, it seems to me now, was watching over me the entire time, and quite frankly, I do believe He might have been teaching me a bit of a lesson.  We tend to take our mundane, ordinary days for granted, not taking the time to appreciate furry friends, computers that work, cars that don’t lose their roofs, and tires that retain their air.  But, when we experience troubles, ordinary days begin to seem downright extraordinary, and that, my friends, is exactly what I think God wanted to remind me of– which is why I’m now off to sit in the sun, enjoy the quiet of my day, and perhaps, just perhaps, begin to plot out my next story. 
     I wish all of you your very own ordinary, yet extraordinary, day!
~ Jen ~

QuestionHave you ever had a horrible week where everything seemed to go wrong?

GIVEAWAY: We are giving away a paperback copy this week of Jen Turano's brand new release In Good Company, plus another copy, winner's choice of format, for any of Jen's books.



93 comments:

  1. angelachesnut246@gmail.com would like to win.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you have a fabulous week!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  2. Some weeks are definitely better than others. Last week multiple phone calls/facility visits and "mom-sitting" as I had to place my mom in a new Alzheimers unit. This week sunning in Florida with my 2 daughters and 5 of my 9 grandkids. Can't ask for much better. :)
    Thank you for sharing. Here's hoping to be a winner!
    anne at rightler dot com

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    1. Thank you for sharing, Anne! The beach sounds delightful, although I can certainly sympathize about your mom. My mom had dementia before she died, and it was so very difficult.

      Enjoy your daughters and grandchildren!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  3. Wow! Incredible testimony on perspective. God is good all the time!

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    1. He certainly is good all the time, Karen!

      Thank you for stopping in, and I hope you have a wonderful week!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  4. Yes the week that my dad died! Shelia Hall sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your dad, Shelia. I've lost both of my parents and those were definitely horrible times.

      Wishing you the very best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  5. I am so sorry you had a crazy week, but you have an amazing gift with words. I am glad you are able to God's hand in all of the aftermath.

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    1. Thank you so much, Tammy. It was definitely a crazy week, but now I'm back to normal and gearing up for another series - I've decided my first heroine's name is going to be Wilhelmina, and she'll run into her first love, Mr. Wanamaker - and well, I just couldn't resist - Wilhelmina Wanamaker will then drift through all the books in the Wallflower series - mostly because that name just makes me smile:)

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have a great week!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  6. Jen, thank you so much for sharing your testimony of His Faithfulness. He does work in ALL things for our good.

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    1. Thank you, Caryl, for stopping in. Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have your very own extraordinary week:)

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  7. Oh Jen, I am so sorry for your terrible week. How frustrating. I have found myself in those types of storms and it can be really difficult to change my perspective and not wallow, but I am so glad that we have a God who is so much bigger than all of that. Thank you for sharing and I will pray for less frustration for you in the upcoming week. Oh, and thanks for the giveaway as well.
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. Thank you, Loraine - I appreciate any prayers anyone wants to pray for me, especially since I'm just starting a new series and that can be a little tricky - all of those pesky characters who just don't want to do what I need them to do on the page.

      Have a delightful week, and good luck with the giveaway!

      Wishing you all the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  8. I relate to the situations in your inspiring post, Jen. I've witnessed the destruction caused by an ambitious raccoon, although it was on my carport instead of inside my house. I've contracted viruses which shut my computer down, but none as severe as yours. I also recently, inexpensively, purchased a 17 year-old car from my 91 year-old aunt - which only had 13,000 miles on it and a body that looks new (my "repair" was in purchasing 4 new tires due to the age and danger of dry-rot in the others). We won't even discuss the inconvenience of some of my airline flights. While these incidents didn't occur within the same week, there have been ongoing serious health issues for a couple of years now - involving Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and others - for myself and 3 other members of my immediate family.

    However, I sit here with tears in my eyes - after reading your post - as each of these situations, large or small, have taught me the same lesson as you. I am extremely blessed - God has it all under control and working things to my good- and every day is an extraordinary ordinary day, not to be taken for granted, because of Him Who gives me strength, peace, and His beautiful world to enjoy. I am so thankful to Him!! Thanks, also, for this reminder with your post - I'm glad He blessed you with this lesson, also, and that your situations each turned out well!!

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your own beautiful post, Bonnie. I think health issues can be the most difficult to deal with, but it seems as if you're doing well in that regard.

      Prayers to you and your family, and here's to another extraordinary week!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  9. It tends to only last a couple of days but sometimes those days feel like a whole week!
    -Kelsey P.
    tunababe_3 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Indeed they do, Kelsey. I found myself shaking my head so much I'm surprised I didn't get a bit of whiplash:)

      Good luck with the giveaway, and thank you for stopping by.

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  10. Oh my, have I had one of those weeks all too often. Fortunately, I know that times like these won't last and God will see me through it all.

    Thanks for the chance to win Jen's latest book. I love, love, love her writing style!

    Cindi Altman
    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you so much, Cindi. I'm delighted to learn you enjoy my writing style, and hope you have an opportunity to read my latest book. I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but Miss Millie Longfellow...:)

      Good luck with the drawing, and have a wonderful week!

      All the best,

      Jen

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  11. Yes I have ....suicide loss twice. I don't wish this journey for anyone without the grace of God to get through the years of destruction.

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear that. I've lost a few family members and friends to suicide, and it truly is not a journey anyone should take without faith.

      I wish you peace in the future.

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  12. Yes I have ....suicide loss twice. I don't wish this journey for anyone without the grace of God to get through the years of destruction.

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  13. What a week! a personally terrible bad 'week' My son was in a motocross cycle wreck and was hurt badly & that was 6 weeks.. with a year long recuperation. He is fine and it was a long year.. Here's to the next one being a wonderfully exciting week :)
    dkstevensne AToutlookDoTCo M

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    1. Wow, Deanna, that was a terrible, very bad...year. So glad to hear your son is doing fine now, but I do have to imagine his accident took its toll on you.

      Here's hoping you have a very drama-free rest of the year:)

      Wishing you all the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  14. So very sorry for your terrible week! I am quite sure I have had horrible weeks, but somehow they have all been forgotten. I firmly believe it is because I know the Lord has it all in control. Do I get discouraged at times, yes, but the Lord always finds me there and draws me back out. I have learned to 'Choose Joy' in all circumstances.
    I would love to win - bettimace at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing, Betti. What a wonderful attitude toward life you have!

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have a wonderful week!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  15. Oh my! Yes, I've had a week like that, well, not like THAT!, but you know what I mean. Thanks for helping to put a smile on my face and keep things in their proper perspective, and thanks for the giveaway, too! Danandlyndaedwards (at) msn (dot) com.

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    1. I know exactly what you mean, Lynda, although I am hoping you haven't encountered a raccoon in your kitchen:)

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have a fabulous week!

      All the best,

      Jen

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  16. Oh Jen, I am sure you wondered, What In The World!!!!!!, at times but I love that through it all you went full speed ahead and in the end you were able to look passed the yuk and you saw the beauty in every bit of it. That is what makes the wonderful you, You!

    Times when we have days or weeks that one thing after the other goes wrong is no fun, that is for sure. I just always keep thinking that this is going to pass and things will be better. We are never alone and that is such a comforting feeling.

    Through sharing your post, it has made me reflect and smile. Thank you, Jen!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you, Melanie, and it's lovely to hear from you this evening:) You made me smile!

      Good luck with the giveaway and thank you again for stopping in. You have a great week!

      All the best,

      Jen

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  17. Oh my! Yes, I've had a week like that, well, not like THAT!, but you know what I mean. Thanks for helping to put a smile on my face and keep things in their proper perspective, and thanks for the giveaway, too! Danandlyndaedwards (at) msn (dot) com.

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  18. I am having one of rise weeks too lol. Can't wait to read your book

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    1. You seem really cheerful even though you're in the midst of one of those weeks, Rachel:)

      Here's hoping life returns to normal soon for you.

      Good luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      Jen

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  19. Sounds like most of my weeks. Love your books.

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    1. Thank you so much. Here's hoping nothing too dramatic happens to you this week:)

      Good luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  20. I'm sorry about your terrible week, JEN. The computer virus especially made me wince. Those things are almost as awful as having a physical virus! Terrible weeks - we've all had them, but after they are all over with we do realize it could have been much much worse. Thank you for being with us this week on OWG and for sharing that even authors have bad weeks and get grouchy. I thought you all had it made. (wink)

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    1. Thank you so much for having me, Diana. I love your blog and adore all the readers who stop by to chat!

      All the best,

      Jen

      As I wink right back at you - have it made....snort

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  21. I haven't really had a bad week just a bad day and that was yesterday. It seemed like it started out ugly when i first got up and continued on through the day and finally to beat all, I wound up with a migraine headache at the end of the night
    Now as I look back at yesterday it all seemed silly really. God is good all the time and I'm so happy He is with me all the time even through my bad days

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    1. Sorry to hear you're prone to migraines - I get those all the time, and I'm afraid I tend to get rather self-absorbed when I have one - As I've gotten older, I normally just go to bed so I don't spread my less than pleasant self around.

      Glad you're feeling better.

      All the best,

      Jen

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  22. I think we have all had weeks where nothing seems to go right. Everything is eventually put into perspective though.

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    1. I think you're right, Mary.

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have a delightful week!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  23. A bad day, bad week, bad month, a bad year - we are set back for many reasons. Like you they serve to remind me that I take so much for granted. So a prayer of appreciation and gratitude goes with prayer for solutions, motivation and perseverance. You inspire and remind, and encourage us. Thank you! hharra at BSU dot edu.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you have a inspired week!

      Good luck with the giveaway.

      All the best,

      Jen

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  24. I have had so many but the recent one happened 2 weeks ago and continued. I found out the they decided to promote someone who is part time to full time ( Management) after telling me I could not do it. A customer's 24 yrs old son was killed in the line of duty. I had an MRI to check the if was still cancer free on the day of the funeral. As I was leaving the MRI encouraged his funeral procession was passing by and Sonnetta who never cries was bawling on the streets. The one thing I held on to was Proverbs 3:5-6. I did not understand my emotions that week but God reminded me of his promises. I have a job interview on Thursday, had an all clear from my oncologist and got to spend an amazing weekend with women who were diagnosed with different types of Breast Cancer under 45. We were all trained by Living Beyond Breast Cancer to be Advocates for Breast Cancer to remind the world that young people do get cancer. I love how God reminds us to live life to the full and the only thing that mattera is to be known by Him.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your story, Sonnetta. I have a feeling God has some extraordinary things in mind for you - starting with a different job.

      I wish you continued good health and peace throughout the year, and good luck on that interview!

      All the best,

      Jen

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  25. I am having one of those weeks. Sorry on your computer. I would love to win.
    Becky
    ohiohomeschool at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you, Becky. I've finally gotten everything set up again - although my office floor is still a bit of a disaster, what with all the little pieces of that plastic stuff computers are wrapped in these days - but, I can get back to the business of writing, so that's cool.

      Hope your week improves, and I wish you luck in the giveaway!

      All the best,

      Jen

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  26. Sorry you had a bad week Jen, but glad to hear you saw Gods hand in it all. I cant even count how many bad weeks I have had but I know God is always there. He is the Light at the end of the tunnel. We just have to call upon Him. Last week I was in the emergency room for a blood clot and then 7 days later I was back again with a horrible reaction to the med they gave me. I know there is a saying that sometimes the Lord lets the storm rage while he calms His child through the storm. Thats me lately. Would love to read your book.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

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    1. Honestly, Merry, you have had a tough time of it. Blood clots are incredibly dangerous, so I do hope your health is improving, and that the clot is dissipating.

      Prayers sent your way for continued healing.

      All the best,

      Jen

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  27. Yes, I think it was about 3 weeks ago. My computer at work got the black screen of death while my external back up (personal one, not work) was plugged in it. The Computer fried the back up and now I am trying desperately to get it repaired. But don't know if it's possible. Then a day later one of my home computers quit working. And my dad got sick yet again (very sick) and so it went. But I am praying that I will be able to restore my back up because some things were no place else. Lots of work lost. My dad is a bit better and I guess it could always be worse...somehow.At least I am coping with the losses and hoping that things will get better.

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    1. I see you've been having the same troubles I've been, Sonja. Computer viruses are the worst, and losing data is so frustrating. Sorry to hear about your dad. I lost my dad over seven years ago, but well remember how difficult it was when he was sick.

      Praying things really will get better for you!

      All the best,

      Jen

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  28. Well, at my age I have had many weeks like this. But most recent was week before last. First my computer was doing all sorts of things except what it should, with no one around to fix it. And, my home phone wasn't working . I was sorta liking not having all of the political calls until a policeman came to my door and said they had a 911 call from my number. I told him I hadn't called and he ask if I was having phone trouble. I said yes and he said some lines had crossed. So, called the telephone company and they couldn't get to it till Sat. and I had a piano to attend for my 10 year old great-grandson. I missed it and they didn't even come. Then a neighbor came to tell me my brake lights were on. He tried to fix it, but a tiny part had broken and they don't have it anymore. and a little later I flushed a commode and the part inside that fastens to the handle broke. Then later, I passed the washroom and heard this drip-drip-drip. I opened the washer lid and it was dripping into the tub. I checked the faucets, etc and could not find a way to stop it. And, then it rained, and I found a leak from the ceiling of my bedroom. I was getting so frustrated just wanted to cry. Had a reunion coming the coming weekend, and praying to stay well. Well, my son finally came from Lynchburg to see what he could do. He had to make do with a screw in place of the original broken part to make my brake lights work. Then bought a part for the commode and fixed it. When he got to the washing machine, he had all kinds of getting the back open enough to reach the part was the problem. Oh yes, the store didn't have it, so he had to order it online and it's fixed. And, the leak still not fixed and had lots of rain and nor a storm coming in tomorrow or tonight. In the meantime they started working on the street where we to go out of the trailer park. I have to take a long detour to go around to the Beltway and back to the street I should have come to in just about 5 minutes. just to go to the grocery store that are close to me. So just wanted to lay down and cry. No telling how long it will be like this.But, my prayer was answered to stay well for the reunion and 90th birthday. It was a big success, with around a hundred there, and so many I hadn't seen in years. and then this week some other relatives from the other side of our family came from Colorado and Oklahoma to my son's house that I hadn't seen in years. So, I'm going to make it after all. Thanks to GOD. Would sure love to win Jen's book. Thanks to the OWG ladies for inviting you Jen. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. I'm sure you have seen more than your fair share of bad weeks, Maxie - but I certainly hope I'm up and about when I'm 90. So glad you were well for your reunion and that you were able to see so many family members.

      God bless you, and good luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  29. I am so glad God triumphs! My husband has been ill for nine weeks and what we thought we were going for a gallbladder check turned out to be Stage 2 Large B-Cell Lymphoma in his stomach. So thankful for everything being in place now ~ we go to the City 85 miles West of us this Wed.-Fri. with the hospital giving us a hospitality room while an IV port is inserted and two other tests to check containment. We go back Mon.-Wed. (night before both times because of early beginnings, after they found out the travel time we had) to begin chemo Tuesday morning ~ six sessions three weeks apart with a check half way. So thankful for the Lord's provision. Here is the Scripture we are living: Psalm 27:13-14 "I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." None of it is a surprise to God and He will see us through. Continually, we both have had peace and calm that is beyond extraordinary! (Two of us at exercise class caught bronchitis from a lady we knew to be a smoker and didn't think anything beyond that when she was coughing. After two regiments of antibiotics and a trip Friday for two shots, an antibiotic and steroid, my sore throat was gone overnight and my barky cough quieter. Need to be healthy for my dear man.) Blessings to each of you, and our God reigns. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. I didn't know your husband was so sick, Kathleen. I'll be sending prayers your way and I do hope his treatments go well. My mom had cancer and it's such a scary diagnosis.

      Blessings to you and yours.

      Jen

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  30. Hi Jen, I am sorry to hear about all your troubles and unfortunately I can relate! Our Memorial Day started out bright and cheery, with a fridge full of food while we waited for family and friends to arrive for our annual picnic followed by the parade that routes right in front of our house. As I mopped, my husband came through, saying he was feeling unwell. Minutes later, I was calling 911 as I realized he was having a heart attack. Thank God, he is going to be ok, but we have had some scary moments in the last 3 weeks! In addition to that, our basement flooded due to an old sump pump, and our riding lawn mower stopped working. Our middle child told us she needs to move back home after her boyfriend broke up with her on the day of my husband's heart attack, my granddaughter (who we have custody of) told us she wants to live with her mother. There are also a few other major issues with other family members that we are struggling through. It is only the grace of God and the prayers of His people that have lifted me up over the mess and I know that in the end, if we turn to Him for strength in our time of great weakness, that by His help, we will prevail. I will be praying for you and yours!

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    1. Wow - you have had a tough time of it, Vicki. My brother-in-law has had quite a few heart attacks - starting back when he was in his early forties, and it's incredibly scary. Glad to hear he's doing better. Hope everything else works out for you. I'll be sending some prayers your way!

      Wishing you better days ahead.

      ~ Jen ~

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  31. Ohmygosh Jen, a third of the way through your bad week I was laughing.. sorry 'bout that... but then I continued reading about the virus extortion and I felt bad that I was still smiling from the racoon's home invasion... And that wasn't even the end of that disastrous week! How great that after all that you could see God's hand in it all. Often we don't take the time to do that, but I believe God has His hand in a whole lot more than we even realize! I've had bad days, weeks, and even months, but rather than share the gory details lol, I'll just say the Lord has brought me through and then some and I'm so completely thankful to Him for that! :-)
    Wonderful having you here with us for the week Jen! Looking forward to sharing my review of 'In Good Company'... loved it!!!

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    1. No worries about laughing, Noela - it got so ridiculous after a while that I started finding it downright amusing:) Thank you for having me on your blog. It's always a delightful place to visit!

      All the best,

      Jen

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  32. Oh Jen,

    I want to hug you, because honestly it has been a year of hard weeks for me. Inside I'm plagued with migraines and side effects of the meds trying to minimize them, outside our house's foundation is slowly sinking in the middle busting plumbing and encouraging the month of rain we had to flood our living room 4x in May. It's crazy how the enemy comes against us all at once. I find my little refuge of peace in intercession. I'm reminded my problems aren't that big and that they are temporal and a tool in the hand of God if I allow them to be. I wish I could say I handle them with grace and joy in the moment but more often than not it is like you that I only see afterward that God's hand was there in the midst of the trouble. I pray that He keeps our eyes open to His presence, our ears open to His voice that we may continue to pen His heart in words that encourage people to see and hear Him too.

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    1. So sorry to hear about your migraines, Jessica. I've been plagued with them as well, although the older I get, the less I have them - We've been having a crazy month of rain as well out here in Denver, but fortunately, we live on a hill so nothing has flooded as of yet, but we did lose half of a cherry tree because of a freak snowstorm right about Mother's Day -

      Good luck with the giveaway, and here's hoping things improve for you soon:)

      All the best,

      Jen

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  33. I have had some hard weeks. I just try to take the time to stop and pray. I also like to focus on the good and the blessings in my life. It helps get the focus off the negative.

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    1. What a lovely attitude to have, Stephanie.

      Good luck with the giveaway, and I hope you have a delightful week!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  34. Totally have been there. You feel like everything is against you, but in the end things work out. Thanks for this giveaway. What fun!! :D

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Sydney, and I agree - giveaways are fun:)

      Have a fabulous week!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  35. Yes some weeks are better than others.

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    1. Thankfully the good ones usually outweigh the bad ones, Kim.

      Good luck with the giveaway, and have a great week!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  36. I think that topped my worst week ever! Mine usually revolve around a sick child that I just took to church and exposed everyone. And that child had strep but by the end of the week another child is sick with the flu. Because my kids are good like that and don't want me to get bored :)

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    1. I well remember those days, Danielle. In fact, I think my son was still getting sick on a regular basis all the way up to middle school. Oddly enough, I saw that whole sick pattern come back this year while he was away at college for his Freshman year. Those pesky dorm rooms are just filled with germs.

      Enjoy your little ones - I occasionally miss those days, but only occasionally.

      Wishing you all the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  37. Always. Good days are few and far between. jrs362 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, and I wish you luck with the giveaway!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  38. Ohhhhh, that was a terrible week! A couple of years ago I was arrested at the airport for unknowingly having brass knuckles in my backpack! After 24 hours of jail time including handcuffs and shackles, I was released and went to court the next year. My policeman son in law had put them there and I remember him saying something about them but never thought of them again! He was worried about us being in Mexico and Nicaragua (we're missionaries) - forgot to tell me they're illegal and wouldn't that look good if we had made it across. Long story short, I led 2 ladies to the Lord but I'd just as soon do it from outside the pokie, than in!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. Your story gave me such a delightful image, Melody - and forgive me, but I did have to laugh. I can just see it now, lovely missionary lady, brass knuckles...jail...It's too bad I write historical because that would make a most marvelous scene.

      Stay out of trouble!

      All the best,

      Jen

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    2. If you ever want a copy of THAT story, I can send it in an email. Now that I've been in the pokie, I get asked to speak at conferences and get to include our mission work. Guess it was a good thing!

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  39. I am so thankful I have never had a week like that one! Gosh!!! I love your books! Thanks for all the effort. Blessings, like really!!! ; )

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    1. Thank you so much, Chris! Delighted to learn you love my books - that's exactly what an author enjoys hearing:)

      Good luck with the giveaway, and have a wonderful week!

      All the best,

      ~ Jen ~

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  40. Oh my, Jen what a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week you've had!! (To quote a famous children's book). Thankfully if I have one of those, it's usually just a day or so...but it still feels like an entire year or something! Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong (Murphy's Law)....even just a simple thing, like tearing the bag inside the cereal box to shreds, feels like the worst disaster!
    I know that's when maybe God has a lesson for me in all that....I just can't see it in the moment. But He reveals it to me in time....I sure wished He would use some other way to get my attention though, lol! I just trust He knows whats best :-)
    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Hi Trixi!

      Glad to see there are other fans of that children's book - where I readily admit I might have taken some of my title from for this post....

      Thanks for stopping in, and I do hope you have a most delightful rest of the week!

      All the best,

      Jen

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  41. Hi JEN!! It's so good to have you on OWG. Thanks for making me smile reading about your mishaps! I'm glad you had a good ending to all that! :-)

    I don't think I have had a good day since my dearly beloved hubby passed away on May 7th. I know things will be better and I will once again see the good things in life!

    I can't wait to read your latest book; you know what a big fan I am of your work. I have loved every one of them!

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    1. Thank you so much for having me, Teresa, and I am so very sorry about your loss. Your husband always seemed to be such a wonderful gentleman. I'm sure it hasn't been easy since he left.

      Thoughts and prayers are with you.

      Love,

      Jen

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  42. I have friends that complain about their "boring" lives...And I wish so badly that I could switch them sometimes. Our 14 month old son had a bone marrow transplant a year ago and we are still dealing with all of the aftermath of that trauma. But we have overcome with God's strength. There is absolutely no way that I would have survived without His guidance this past year. We have good days and bad days, but I know that He is faithful and that He will never desert us. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for the encouragement you bring in your posts, and in your books.

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    1. Praying for you and your son, Rachel! God is faithful. I pray your son is fully healed!

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  44. Oh Jen, what a week you had! I have had experience with a racoon. One got in our attic a few years ago and it was horrible!!!! That thing made the worst racket. I couldn't sleep at night because of that silly thing. We tried and tried to get it out of the attic and finally had success only to be met with a snowstorm. The animal people told us we needed to take Mr. or Ms. Racoon at least two miles from our house or it would come back. Since it was snowing so bad my dad and husband could only make it a mile from the house and released the racoon. Guess who came back a couple days later?? Yep! We called in the pros then. (By that point it was calling in the pros or a divorce lawyer.) Thankfully the racoon left the night of the animal guy's visit and I was able to get a good night's sleep for the first time in weeks! And it was wonderful!!!

    Now, I must admit I've never read one of your books but after reading your story I feel that I must. You told of a most horrible week with a charm and attitude that I am sure comes across in your characters. Can't wait to meet them!!!
    kmorgan518 [at] yahoo (dot) com

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  45. Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that the raccoon had the nerve to come back and scratch at the pet door again?

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  46. Thanks for sharing, I needed this today!! I've been battling various health issues the past 11 years, one right after another. It's been a very long journey, but it's also been a huge lesson in trust and patience. I know that I can celebrate that I'm still here!

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    1. Every day we get to serve Jesus is a blessing, Abby! Praying for you!

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  47. Hi Jen! It's a rule, I;m sure you've heard about it...when it rains, well, it really does pour! Sometimes you just need to smile and tell yourself what I told one of my sones when a downpour came when we were on a family outing at Six Flags. I was carrying him and we were all soaking wet to the bone and he was crying. I told him, "Gregory, sweetheart, you cannot get any wetter now, so enjoy the rain on your head!" Pretty soon, the thunderstorm passed, and there were virtually NO LINES!! Most of the visitors had given up and gone home. We had a great rest of the day and a made a memory! Love and hugs to you and Carrie!

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    1. Love and hugs back, Caryl, and that is a great story!

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  48. Oh dear! Yes, I have had weeks like this and sadly one was during a county fair week, but oh well. I totally agree with you Jen! God allows those things to happen to make the blessings all the better! If we, as His children, only ever had blessings what a bunch of spoiled children we would be! :) This way we grow in our faith and learn to recognize and enjoy His gifts all the more!!!

    Many Blessings and may we all survive the hard times and enjoy the blessed times even the more! In and through His grace,

    Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) Chavez
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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  49. Hi Jen, I hope this week was better for you. For me I feel like I'm having a bad year. Last year my Dad died suddenly and we are in the process of having our house for closed. I don't know how more I can take but I put my faith in the Lord that this is happening for a reason and just try to go on.

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    1. I am so sorry to hear this, Tammy. Praying for you! Hope the copy you won encourages you this week. One day at a time is all we get.

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