Free?

6:52 p.m. Today's project, after a lovely time at Bible study, was to come home, pick up Steve, and head down to Staples with our computer tower for their "Free PC Checkup." The two of us figured out how to doisconnect all the cords and doo-dads, and Steve seated himself in the passenger side holding the computer. That thing is probably heavy, but I didn't try to pick it up, and am so grateful that Steve was able to take care of that aspect!

Our first stop was to drop off a couple of Bible study lessons for a member of the group who doesn't have a printer on her computer. The we arrived at the eye doctor where I needed to deliver a Mary Kay product to my friend Sherri the optician. She was totally slammed with patients, and I felt a little guilty for waiting because Steve was out in the Jeep with the computer--we couldn't leave it out in the car unattended. He had windows down and a door open, but even a decently shady spot was probably getting a bit warm over the time span. Unlike me, who can't stand any time sitting in the heat (unless it's at the beach!) Steve was quite relaxed when I returned. All his years in plastics manufacturing, with machines generating incredible heat as molten plastic took shape into products, must have inured him to normal summer temperatures!

At Staples, we placed the tower on the technology center counter, told the young man what we needed, and yes, he could give the free tuneup--simply blowing out the dust inside it. But no, the Free PC Checkup wasn't an actual diagnostic that would tell why the machine is revving up and then running slowly. That costs $69.00! Am I slow or lame, not knowing what the words "checkup" or "free" mean? I've certainly had my share of doctor appointments! Maybe I'm not aware of the PC vernacular. I was certainly not going to spend $69 at this point, so I asked how long he would need to keep the computer to blow the dust out of it.

If I had dropped it off this afternoon, I could get it back on Monday, due to the backlog. Well, that would not work for us, especially since most of the people I know tend to communicate by email and/or facebook, even when making arrangements for ministry events. Cellphones are still an option for now--a more attractive option if the data package allows online access to emailand/or Facebook! What nerds we have all become!! But at least we are pretty competent typists these days...

We finished up at Vons, where Steve was able to sit at the shady lunch tables out front while I ran in for necessities and a Dark Cherry Mocha Frappucino to share. I used a gift card from VBS leader Veronica. That way, the computer wasn't unattended in the parking lot. What a hassle! We normally don't carry around valuables, as you can tell!

The Lord did redeem the Staples effort, because when we got home, Steve attached a small blower to his air compressor, removed the outside panels from the computer, and delicately blew the dust out of it himself!! (He's still the ingenious fellow I married 29 years ago!) So we took advantage of the information we received, hooked the computer back up, and it does seem to be a bit more efficient.

I am always amazed as God finds ways to bless and help His people. Psalm 103:1-5 says,

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits;
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Whether in small matters or overwhelming trials, I will bless the Lord!