Stolen Backpack Update

Yesterday morning started out in a wonderful way. Shortly before that I had sent out a prayer request about my immediate needs and I had asked a few specific supporters to help me. When I checked my Pay Pal balance it was much more than what I had requested.

Then shortly after noon I was working in the community college library and I went to use the bathroom. I took my laptop with me like I had dozens of times before since I began this part of my adventure in July. But when I returned the backpack was stolen. The campus police video noticed the man that took it but he had on a cap and his head was down. So his face was not recognizable. He was long gone by the time the video had been searched.

The charger for my laptop and cell phone were taken. The most painful part of this whole time was worry that I could no longer go online. After my laptop battery ran out I would be unable to access the web.  Note that I use the Internet about 10 hours a day and 6 days a week. I rarely go online on Sundays.

Thankfully the additional money that morning allowed me to buy another charger for my laptop and cell phone. After I had secured those the shock and worry had worn off. I began to feel loss. I made a decision to not ignore or stuff that feeling least it come up again later in an inappropriate way. So I sat on a park bench and just felt my feelings. Gradually I visualized each item in the backpack. I thought, felt and said that I let go of that thing. Afterward I felt released and at peace.

Also what was taken was my computer headset. I bought a replacement at Radio Shack. But it does not work on my laptop and after 90 minutes of trying every trick I gave up. I went to the store to get a refund. I had my receipt but I had thrown out the packaging because I expect it would work. The clerk said I need to come back tomorrow morning and then the manager can refund me.

Next door at Office Depot I found a name brand computer headset instead of the off brand at Radio Shack. It is just a little more expensive. With my refund and the little money I have left I can afford it.

This incident has reinforce to me that I really am a geek. My most important possessions are electronics. The computer headset is needed for my emotional health as I take breaks watching videos on You Tube and Hulu. Also the mic on the headset allows me to make online videos.

I greatly appreciate all the prayers and email replies. Some people had offered to pay to help replace the things that were stolen. That is a huge blessing.

I want to take great care to learn the lessons the Lord has for me related to this event. The bottom line is that I need to redouble my plans and bold action steps to move out of the homeless shelter and into another residence that is suitable for the next season of my life.

This afternoon God pointed me to a direction that I had not considered for a long time. It is not fund raising to launch the nonprofit ministry or get any job. Instead it is a very workable path that will take a while, I will enjoy, it will lead to my helping others and it will be sustainable long term.

Pray for God to confirm or correct this new direction for 2015 and beyond. Pray for God to grant me wisdom and focus as I change gears. I plan to share a sketch of this in an update tomorrow.

I will also share what things I hope will be replaced that were in the backpack plus there is a dirty little secret about my finances that I will need extra special prayers about that I will reveal.

Shalom

John

P. S. Many years ago I was mugged at knife point and my wallet was taken. Later I was burglarized when a person forced open the locked door destroying the frame while I was running an errand during the day. Yesterday many of my most valued possessions were taken.

I never felt angry at the people that did that to me. What is upsetting these days is the time, energy and bother to replace it.

Mostly I am a very even keel kind of guy. The time of feeling loss was a big deal for me and it lasted less than 3 minutes.