Celebrating irritations 65/366

Sometime between Friday evening and Sunday morning I lost my car key fob in Cincinnati. It also held all of my house keys.
What did I do?

I looked for it.

In my computer bag, in my suitcase, in my car, in Beth's van, in my coat pockets, in my jeans pockets, in the window sills, on the floor, in my car. More than once. No luck.

What did I do?

I thanked God that I'd thought to take my extra car key with me so I could get from point A to points B and C.

Monday morning I went through my bags again. I looked everywhere I knew to look, even places that made absolutely no sense. I even went through the trash. No luck.

What did I do? 

Resigned myself to the fact they are gone. Ate lunch with Beth and went to point B.

I did another bag check before I came home Wednesday. They did not miraculously show up, even though I'd prayed they would.

What did I do when I got home? 

I grabbed the extra house keys from their safe, hidden spot. I had 15 minutes to unload my car, make a supper I could take with me and get to Outreach Team Training.

I remote started my car, partially opened the door to go outside, turned to grab the house keys out of the bowl they go in and experienced a moment of panic. They weren't there! I don't have an extra, extra set. Where in the world had I put them? I checked the top of the washer and dryer, the counters, the table. Deja vu. I opened the door to see if I'd lost my mind and set the keys on the bench and found the keys. Hanging from the lock. The same lock I'd engaged for safety when I came into the house. 
What did I do?
I shook my head at my carelessness, thinking "a lot of good it did to lock the door since I left the keys in the lock!" I needed to slow down a notch. I was thankful I was on my way out, otherwise they would have hung there all night and into Thursday.
I needed a pen for the meeting and was proud I'd remembered to grab one. As I carefully slid into the driver's seat, gently placing my mug of soup on the passenger floorboard, I heard something fall. I placed my notebook and pen on the passenger seat and realized my pen was scattered.

What did I do?
Shook my head, yet again, found the pieces, put the pen back together and went to my meeting.
During our prep time I sipped my tomato soup, drank my water and ate my apple slices dipped in peanut butter.

Usually I unpack immediately. Not this time.

This was my view last thing before I went up to bed and first thing this morning when I came down the steps. It's enough to make me twitch.

What did I do?

Ignored it and made my breakfast.

First priority this morning after a cup of coffee, oatmeal and time with Jesus:
Visit the Chevy garage to find out how much a new fob would cost. Decide if I should invest in one, which really was not a decision at all. Of course I needed to invest! Paying whatever a spare cost is definitely cheaper than not having it if I need it! 
Next:
Replacement house keys.
These two businesses are side by side so I walked to the locksmith's building. When I went to hand Roy my credit card to pay for the house keys he said "oh, we don't take cards." It was only $8.48, no big deal. Except I only had $6 in my wallet. 
So what did I do?
I apologized for not having enough cash and walked to the car to get what I needed. And I wasn't embarrassed!
As I drove away from Chevy garage I glanced at the mileage sticker for my next oil change and pushed the button to check the oil life according to the car. The first "thing" on that diagnostic tool is tire pressure. It's not supposed to look like this.

What did I do?
Finished the one minute drive to get birthday cards for Bre and Abe, then went across the street to Clay's Tire. Late lunch was better than flat tire. In a few minutes one of the guys rolled my 31 psi tire into the waiting area. A nail was sticking out of it. 
What did I do?
I said yes to getting the tire patched and sat in the shop while I waited. Thinking about my daddy, (he was a mechanic and sitting at Clay's always reminds me of him), and thanking God that I made it home from Cincinnati safely. I paid for the work and went to lunch. 
After lunch I walked about 9,000 steps at KCU going from building to building and back again, recruiting ministry help and ate supper there. There was no time in my day to clean up. I had small group this evening.
What did I do?
I didn't fret, worry or stress by the chaos that is my kitchen. I simply told the girls, as they came in, that the house was a wreck. They responded "It looks lived in..." I love my girls.

Why all this minute detail?
Because I am celebrating the victories of what I didn't do.
I did not get
discouraged
distracted
frustrated
depressed
by these irritations. 
Any one of which not long ago would have been enough to take me out of the game, make me lose my focus, or threatened my peace of mind.
I have been able to correctly react, easily make decisions and prioritize.

What is different?
I think someone(s) out there is praying for me. 
No, I know someone(s)out there has to be praying. 
Thank you. 
Your prayers are more valuable than any other gift you could give me. 
I covet them as I 

• live every single day, the ordinary and extraordinary ones
• prepare for the Ladies Event I am sharing at next Saturday, March 14, in Tolleboro, 
• participate in the  Leadership Book Club 
• I continue to develop and implement plans for the ministry opportunity that has opened up for me.

Thank you for investing in my life and in Kingdom work.