A couple of reasons that we needed to be home early!

Well, unfortunately, Ken is feeling a bit "puny" (as he would say).  Yes, he is under the weather.  He had a slight fever and some tummy troubles and just wants to lie on the couch and rest.  So the immediate thought I had was "Thank goodness we are not trying to travel today, or sitting in a hotel somewhere!"   I was just so thankful to be home.  And I know that Ken was thankful also.  It's not so good to feel icky, but it is really bad to feel icky and be away. 

So while Ken was resting, I decided to proceed with my scrapbooking.  I was happily sitting at my scrapbook table, when my cell phone rang, with an out of area number.  It was a shocking call, and another reason why we had to be home.  Our credit card number was lifted in Canada and there were fraudulent charges made in the last couple of days.  Needless to say the card was canceled.  But now I have the tedious job of going over every charge on the account.  And because this was the only card we used in Canada, there are lots of charges.  To complicate the situation, now that the card is canceled, I can't access the account on line.  So I will have to go to the bank and get a paper copy of all of the charges.  They recommended that I wait until Monday to be sure that all charges have posted.  This is very upsetting!  The interesting thing about this is, that Ken and I talked about credit card fraud a lot while we were in Canada.  Our first charges in Canada required assistance.  They actually bring out a small credit card machine and YOU slide the card and input the charges.  And then you add on the tip and process the transaction yourself.  Then, on the last day we were at Niagara Falls, we were at a small street café.  They took my card inside to process the transaction.  It was the only time in Canada that this happened.  Ken and I talked about it as it happened!  And it was apparently exactly what we feared....the chance for our number to be lifted.  We are hopeful that we will not have any charges associated with this event.  But it is not the way I would like to spend my time.  It is making me really a bit nervous about using a card ANYWHERE!  And here is another reason in this whole thing to be very happy to be home.  When we were in Canada, we did NOT have our phones.  So had they tried to call us, we would not have gotten the call. 

Boy, does something like this change the way you think about safety, security and fraud. I am so thankful for the credit card companies that monitor things like this.  All of the people that I dealt with today on the phone, were so kind and helpful.  They made a tough situation, so much easier.   But it is a picture of our world today.  There are things that we have to contend with, since we live in this fallen world.  But as we contend with the trials and troubles, we can use the discernment, power, and insight of the Holy Spirit.  I will be carefully checking all of our cards for any unusual activity.  But I refuse to "give in" to the fear of using a credit card.  It's just like the terrorism thing.  If we become so fearful and walk in that fear and live in that fear, the terrorist have already won.  Even without any direct violence.  

I know that Jesus is a God of peace and health and joy!  So, in spite of these unsettling things, in spite of a vacation cut short, in spite of small illnesses, I will chose to take a deep breath, close my eyes and rest in the joy and peace of Jesus.  I know that is what Jesus would do. 

Jesus, thank you for who you are!  Thank you for being my peace and joy.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your discernment and wisdom as we walk through life.  Give us courage instead of fear, peace instead of unrest, and joy instead of sorrow.  Bless all those who work to prevent fraud and terrorism.  Thank you for your provision and your plans for us.   Amen

PS  I finally finished my 2012 scrapbooks! So now, on to 2013!