MIRACLES--Just when you think it's the end

Two years ago my husband and I tried to buy five Curves franchises. We were very excited, until we found that no one would loan us over a million dollars that they were asking! So we gave it to God and waited. In the interim, my husband's job of 22 years was outsourced to India. That same year, around Christmas I had to give up my teaching job which I loved to go on disability because of a PD flairup. Suddenly, we were without the comfort that have dual incomes provide. BUT, we trusted God and prayed. We knew His promises.

A year later, two more franchises came located available 2 hours north of us. They showed much promise on paper; however, we were lied to! Both were catastophes which sent us into a financial pit. The man who sold us the clubs was a "devote Christian" and deacon of his church. However, it wasn't long until we became aware that he had misrepresented the clubs figures and outright lied to us about the financial state of the clubs.

At first, we did not understand. We had prayed and prayed before going into this venture. We asked God to slam the doors closed. Yet, it was as if a tractor beam (yes, we are TREKKIES) was pulling us into the deal. We walked through the door of the financial opportunity and was ambushed by financial nightmares!
We did not understand then, but we trusted God. We knew we had sought Him. We knew we asked him to STOP it if it was not His will. We prayed and fasted and prayed and fasted. Why would He send us into disaster?

But, we stayed faithful...remembering His promise. We let one club go back to the original owner, and we had to close one club. Unfortunately, we had lost $35,000+ from it. We have many more bills left to pay from it and will for another six months. We had spent all savings and used up all credit. Due to medical bills, insurances, taxes, etc, we did not have anything left, and our credit was ruined.

About a month ago we realized we have nothing left. There is no money for taxes, for starting my kids in school, for shoes for my son, nothing. My husband's work had really slacked, renters are late with rent, and we have one rental house without a renter. Unfortunately, we have more bills than income!

Funny thing about being God's child--He always takes care of you! In fact, some days bills would be due, no money in the account to pay. Yet, before the bank closed that day there would be enough to pay every bill! Inexpicable to those who don't know God or who rely on their own wealth!

One Monday last month I was filling in for my daughter for a short while at the Bartonville Club. The phone rang. It was the owner, Vicky, of the clubs we almost bought 2 years ago. She explained that she and her husband wanted to retire from the business. They had sold one club a year ago. However, now they were tired and had prayed for a buyer. Instead, God laid on their hearts that they were to "GIVE" the clubs to us! I was astonished. Fear from the past experience with the northern clubs made me say that I was afraid to take them, but I would call her back after talking to my husband. In my mind I thought, "AINT NO WAY!"

When I got home, I forgot about it. I didn't think my husband would EVER again want to embark on such a venture. The past experience had been excruciating. My oldest son was having lunch with us that day, and as everyone was getting up I nonchalantly, and expecting to get a laugh said, "Vicky called me today at the club, and guess what? She wants to GIVE us all four of her Curves!" I then laughed and carried dishes to the sink.

The room got very silent. "What did you say?" my husband asked. I repeated it and laughed. Except, he and my boy did NOT laugh! "Get her on the phone," he said. "This may be the financial miracle we've prayed for!"

Shocked was not the word for what I felt. I was flabbergasted! "Could he really want to embark in this adventure again? " I questioned. Sure enough, he did! And we ARE! We are actually only taking three of the locations, the fourth we are giving to our dear friends who also own two Curves!

After a month of running figures, talking to accountants, bartering with landlords, and PRAYING we feel once again God is directing us in this venture. It is scary, but He is with us. He has helped us to clear every hurdle so far. We take over operations on September 1, 2009.

Just when we thought it was the end...It is a financial MIRACLE! God is not the God of the eleventh hour...He is the God of the 11:59th hour!