Our Move and July Fourth Weekend

We were robbed.

Ten days ago we moved to a new city, a new state, a rental house on a cul-de-sac. Two days ago, while we were out visiting my family an hour away, someone broke a panel on our French door and stuck a dishonest hand through the jagged hole to unlock the deadbolt and let themselves in to my house. Completely uninvited. While we were enjoying hamburgers and homemade macaroni and cheese at least two people were pilfering through my bedroom drawers looking for anything they could pawn for a quick buck.

I know it was at least two people because they carted off my husband's reward (besides three diplomas) for eleven years of college: his 61" flatscreen TV. Guess they got pretty excited when they saw that thing. Brian said, "I hope they dropped it on the way out." My insurance claims rep said, "Was that thing on wheels?" Ha.

And yes, we have renter's insurance. As of FOUR DAYS before the break-in. The Lord was gracious and merciful and reminded me to get it last week. And so far, USAA, who we have renter's insurance through, has been great.

Now, I wasn't quite as impressed with one of the two officers who came to our house once we discovered what had happened. We had to charge our cell phones when we arrived home that night before we could even call the police. After they arrived the guy who was dusting for prints turned around and informed me to watch carefully where he was dusting and clean it later or I would "go out with black powder all over and not realize it."

"Um, like you have on your face right now?"

"Do I?"

Yes, he did. He looked like one of my kids after a long day of playing in the dirt pile. A little humor in an otherwise upsetting evening. He was a pretty good sport about it.

Later that night my sister, her husband and my dad showed up to keep us company and bring comfort. It was so nice to have family around to fill up our house and keep our spirits up.

Our kids awoke the next morning, being oblivious to what had happened, and asked if they could watch a movie. Sure, Brian said, go set it up. And then they came back. Where's the TV? Bad guys stole it. So we have been talking about the bad guys who stole our things. They seem to have a pretty good grasp of bad guys vs. good guys.

Last night and this morning the Bad Guys have been on a shopping spree. I forgot that we had stored a couple of credit cards in one of my handbags that they dumped out. This morning we stopped checks and cancelled cards.

And the thing I am the most irritated about? They took one of my pillowcases to put our things in. The nerve. We have had those sheets for seven years. You know how things fade slightly when you wash them. Think I'll be able to buy a pillowcase that looks like the other one? Or that matches the sheets? Does it really matter? No, but it bothers me.

I am very thankful for several things. One, that we weren't there when they decided to invade our house. Two, that they took nothing that we can't replace, although Brian's computer had current work papers, some of which he will have to re-write. Three, that we had insurance. Four, that they did not open the top of my jewelry box and take my wedding ring. It is of some sentimental value to me. At least a little.

We still have boxes to unpack and a baby to prepare for. But that is sort of in the background right now as we sift through this event. We do feel God's grace on us even in the middle of such an inconvenience. But it isn't very fun.