About 40 miles east of the small town of Twin Falls Idaho, is an even
smaller town called Burley. There sits a blue 2000 Neon, with a not
so big engine with a compression ratio ("the single number that can
predict the performance of any engine") of zero. It was supposed to
be one of the more reliable cars in our price range (and Anna liked
the tinted windows and a fancy sound system), but I guess it doesn't
take a very big hole in a piston to cause the demise of a vehicle.
We had several friends offer to drop a used engine into it and bring
it back to life for us, but no one within shooting range of Burley
Idaho. So, there it sits. For the cost of the repairs they had done
so far (water pump, timing belt, and a few other minor repairs), they
took it off our hands.

I don't think the car repair place wanted us spending another couple
nights on their couch, because the owner was doing all he could to
figure us a way out of there. Three tickets on an airplane and you
may as well buy another car. Bus would have taken days (and nights!)
that we didn't have, and renting a car would be cheaper than bus
three tickets anyway. But, he warned us, as he was calling various
places to find us a rental, the Twin Falls airport rental agencies
never have one-way rentals—just their own franchise fleet cars. We
thank God that one agency had one small car free for one-way rentals.
I think we've seen WalMart parking lots that are bigger than that
entire airport. But no matter, they were willing to let us drive the
car one way to San Jose. We were thankful!

This week Andrew and Emily are away, freeing up their car for us to
use until we leave the area next Sunday. Another thanks.

Anna had planned to use the car to get back to school in LA this
coming weekend, and to drive back and forth to work and for her
internship this year. If you know of a small, reliable, inexpensive
car for sale in the SF Bay Area, or in the LA area, she would
appreciate knowing about it. Her cell phone number is: 408-821-9240.

This week there are many things to care for, some basic, some very
small. Pray that we will discern wisely. Give thanks that we
arrived safely and have a big God who is good all the time!

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