More Lessons Learned

My Brethren, Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3

For those of you who have not heard yet, we were broken into last week. Amazingly, I am not nearly as anxiety ridden as last time. Those of you who are praying for me...keep it up, it is working! The sermon at church on Sunday was also a great reminder to give God the glory, even through hard times. Also, I was able to put our recent events in perspective and realize that worse things happen. My family is safe, and you get a reminder of how much you care for the people in your life. The struggles of daily life really don't matter!

Here is a summary of what we think happened, along with the blessings of God's hand in it. The kids and I headed out to take JJ to preschool. On my way out the door, I was talking to my friend about our plans for the day which included heading to the mall area.

LESSON ONE! Don't be saying you are leaving the house for while where anyone can hear you! The pattern of crooks recently has been to watch your habits, wait for you to leave and then hit your house. They also knock on the door to see if anyone is home and if you are say something like, "Have you seen a small black dog?".

Due to driving logistics, I almost decided to come back home and wait until JJ was out of school to go to the mall. GOD'S BLESSING...I was not home when they decided to visit. I know some of you would prefer to be, but I care more about the safety of my loved ones than to fight off crud! There have been a string of burglaries lately, and yesterday they caught the guys...and their guns.

Back to the story...After dropping JJ, I had realized that I left something at home. I parked in the front, left the 2 buckled and locked in the car, and ran into the house. For those of you who know my house, it took me about 20 seconds to grab something in Ryn's room and something in the bathroom. Within that period I stopped twice hearing a strange sound. I figured it was the floors or hospital construction and went on my way.

GOD'S BLESSING... I am fairly positive that they were in the house at that time. The noises I heard were pretty much the same as the floor board creaks from our room, one of the rooms they took some time on. I am so thankful that I did not need to go anywhere else in the house where I could have met them face-to-face.

LESSON TWO...I do wish that I had been more observant. I never glanced at the side of our house when we pulled in, where they most likely parked and had the fence open. Also, I may have seen our IPOD Dock missing. I know I still would have headed out of the house (which is later in the story) but possibly been able to catch they guys. (Well, let the police catch them!)

So...we headed out to do our errands and then picked JJ up from school. We were going to meet friends at McDonald's but had an hour to kill. I decided to run back home to grab shopping stuff. This time I went through the front door towards the kitchen (again leaving the kids buckled and locked in car...GOD'S BLESSING!!!) I first noticed our Ipod dock gone and then the back door was open, which I was positive I locked. I glanced down to the basement and noticed more light than normal, meaning that the downstairs door was open. I ran back out to the car while dialing 911 and drove away. Like I said, I like to flee! I drove around the block and then noticed the side gate left open. The boys were worried about our "guard dog", Maggie, who was still in the yard.

MORE LESSONS...The cops wanted as many serial numbers as possible from the items stolen. Most stores don't keep record of this, nor do the reciepts. This is a good thing to have listed somewhere else in your house. Keep tax files somewhere other than a file cabinet. They rifled through ours, we are assuming for numbers, etc.

MORE OF GOD'S BLESSINGS...As the cops arrived a neighbor of ours was out in her yard. She came down to check on us and waited with the kids by our car while we examined the house. Thanks, Louise! Also, Heather and Kara were both available to help us with child care, and others offered, too! Kara and my mom were both able to spend time here the next few days as I dealt with the aftermath. Thanks to all of you for your helpfulness and prayers!