Blogging Ottinger (tim)

Well, this has been one heck of a month. In addition to the surprisingly difficult upper-respiratory drama (now in week 3 for me and my wife,) we also have had automotive woes and refrigerator failure. Sadly, it’s the time of year when we most want to participate in giving and we are having to set the most severe spending limits. On the other hand, we are making it through and still holding together.

Today’s crisis was that he rear glass of our van spontaneously shattered. Earlier in the month we lost a battery and had to replace tires, and there were a few other fixups. The car also needed a new battery and a little fixup. We had to buy a new refrigerator when ours suddenly stopped working.

The good news is that we don’t live in Oklahoma, that we didn’t lose much in the way of groceries, and that we weren’t stranded far from home at any time. Also, this whole respiratory thing, however grotesque and unpleasant, is not really a serious illness. None of our troubles are troubles that will hurt us in the long run. We have new tires, new batteries, a new fridge, and will soon have a new rear window. We managed to get presents for all our kids, though we have been more conservative than usual. We have had far worse Decembers in recent memory. I just hope that we’re done with surprise expenses for now.

Our friends and family have not been so lucky. One colleague has suffered the power loss in OK. Some of our extended family are suffering much more serious problems, things that a few hundred dollars or a thousand won’t solve for them and that won’t leave them better off. It’s sad that there’s not more we can do, being limited and distant as we are. Still, whatever little we can do we will do even if sometimes it is little indeed.

In the midst of this, our children are doing well. They are ethical people, and increasingly good students. They have good friends, and have good relationships with us. Each of them is growing in so many ways. They haven’t gotten in any trouble, they don’t have any serious illness, they don’t have any citizenship problems or issues with teachers. They are in a good school where their safety is not a constant concern and they can learn and grow.

Our church is healthy and well-led, even if little challenges may sometimes need tending. There is good music and good teaching there, and good people to know and to spend time with. We have many friends there. As far as I know, nobody there has anything against me and I’ve no hard feelings toward any of them. We are at peace.

In addition, I’ve been learning a lot in the past two weeks or so. I know many times more Java (the programming language) than I knew before, and am getting used to working in Eclipse. I’m more capable there than before.

Where ever you are, and how ever you are doing, I pray you’ll have the wisdom and means to meet your problems well in this season. May your troubles all be small, and your blessings be great. May the Christmas season find you warm, well, and in loving company.