Moving forward

Part of the process of moving forward in life is letting go of the things that hold you back from your purpose. Fears, hurts, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, doubt, etc. It is a difficult part of the process, but I feel the most rewarding because it seems there is instant emotional reward or freedom. I have been praying for the last 23 months that God would open my eyes. He has done so in the most amazing ways. And anytime that I have doubt, I pray and He opens my eyes as to where that doubt is formed. It is not from Him, but from me and I need to then repent of the doubt and again tell Him that I trust Him with my life, no matter what He has planned for me. The doubt is removed instantly! Does that mean that I don't ever doubt again? No, I do. And I pray, and God in his unending mercy and grace, shows me again that my doubt is from me, not Him. Thank you Lord for your patience. For showing me that fear, anger, hurts, bitterness, unforgivess, doubt, etc. come from within my heart and mind and not from you. That you have a better plan for my life. "For I know the plans I have for you," declare the "Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) What is there to be doubtful or angry or bitter or resentful or fearful about when you read that promise from God?! Nothing. He has opened my eyes and He will open yours if you ask Him. But be ready to see the world in a different way. Be ready for Joy and Hope. Be ready for an adventure. I still don't know where God is leading me. I feel like I am packing and preparing for a journey with an unknown destination and departure date, but it will be the journey of a lifetime. "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God" Psalm 42:5

Well, we got the truck running after replacing the carburetor, fuel pump, water pump, generator and the fuel filter. Watch the video so you can hear it and see the enging at work. Starts up like a champ! I will post some more pictures and another blog later tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for following along on this journey.

Bud called me Saturday morning, February 21, and said that he was coming up to figure out the carburetor, it had been on his mind and he wanted to see if he could get it installed. So he came up and worked on it most of the day and he got it figured out! It was a happy moment. He had picked up a carb that had an electric choke vs. the one that was on the truck that had a manual choke. But it just didn't seem to fit. Well, it does fit and it is looking good. I can't wait to get the refurbished radiator (thanks Burt at Inlet Connection!) put back in and get some fluids in the truck, including fuel, and then starting it up. That is the plan for this coming weekend. And we are going to start on the new wiring harness. I am nervous about that. It looks like it would be very easy to mess up. But, it's gotta be done and I guess I will say a prayer and then go for it. Step out in faith.... For I can do everything through Him who gives me strength (Ph 4:13). In this journey that I am on I am learning that even though I can do many things, I can do nothing in my own strength. I just cannot. I get discouraged, frustrated, angry, resentful and I just cannot accomplish what I want to accomplish. Until I stop, turn it over to God, and ask for His strength and knowledge and wisdom. Then it seems that the burden is lifted, I can think clearly and I have a positive attitude.... then I can accomplish that which I set out to do. He gives me hope when I feel hopeless. Thank you Lord, for loving me and telling me that I do matter, that I am enough, even though some people have told me that I am not. God is good!!
Don't forget to click on the February 21-22 link to see some new photos.

Bud came up this weekend and we got a lot done on the truck. Last time he was here (January 17-19) we put in a new fuel pump and Bud removed the fuel tank and got it cleaned up, painted and ready to put back in. The seat was removed and I tore out a lot of the bed. Using a hack saw to cut through the bolts just wasn't working so I waited until we had access to a reciprocating saw. That sure made the job a lot easier! Before he left we made a list of the things that we needed for the engine and I got everything ordered so it would be here when he came up over President's Day weekend. To start, he put in the new fuel pump and alternator and I sanded and painted the bell housing and fan. When we put all of that back on it sure looked nice. A new fan belt and we were done with that part. Bud then took out the radiator and fan shroud. We took the radiator down to Inlet Connection, a local radiator shop and the guy is going to take a look at it. He has two old chevy trucks in his shop, a couple of years older than mine. Hopefully he can rebuild it, otherwise we will buy a new one. They're spendy! After Bud cut all of the bolts, we lifted off the bed of the truck. It gives us a lot more room to work and it will help when we re-wire. I put in new shocks to replace the old air shocks that were there but had seized up. Bud tore apart the old steering column to see if he could fix it but he ended up installing the old one that I had on hand. The process went real smooth and the new column is much more stable. Just need to get it painted to match and get the old GMC steering wheel back on until a new one can be ordered. The old one is kinda beat up! The carburetor that Bud picked up to replace the old one has an electric choke, but when we went to put it on, we found out it will not work. The linkage doesn't line up. We are still hoping to find one that fits that has either an automatic or electric choke, but so far no luck. A manual choke isn't that bad, but on cold mornings . . . I am having the time of my life with this truck. I am learning as I go and finding out that I can do more than I thought. My hands hurt and I have grease under my fingernails, but when I go out into the garage and I see how much we have got done, none of that matters. I feel a great sense of satisfaction for what has been accomplished and excitement for what still needs to be done. I am amazed at what we have got done so far, in what seems like a short amount of time. I am looking forward to when I can start it up and take it for a drive. It's not all about the truck, but it is all about having a goal and doing what it takes to accomplish that goal. A dream, an adventure, a journey. Just like life. Taking the time to make it better. Investing, learning, and having the confidence to try to do something that I have never done before. It's invigorating! Stay tuned . . . the next major step is to install the new wiring harness and get the new bed installed. We will also install the fuel tank, the seat, the new carburetor and the radiator. Click on the link above to see some pictures. I will take more on Tuesday of the work that was completed on Monday.

The journey of restoration....

I have owned a 1965 GMC long-bed pickup since about 2004 and I am just getting around to restoring it, or at least getting it to run well. It is mostly in good shape, though the wood bed is rotted and it has some body rust. The engine is a straight 6 and runs great. The electrical is trashed and so I am saving up for a new wiring harness. As I rebuild this truck, I feel like I am rebuilding my life at the same time. Fixing what does not work, removing what is not needed and restoring to beauty that which was once beautiful. It is a journey that does not have a schedule and I am not sure where it will take me, but I am looking forward to the journey nonetheless. Come along with me as I travel this road......