Sorry for the lack of updates this week – our family experienced some residential burglary and online identity theft in one swoop this week.
We were gone to a funeral this week and our house cleaners let in some friends who took all of my wife’s jewelry, a little cash and her iPod. Then that night after filling out police reports, I was out getting some new deadbolts for the house and my credit card didn’t work either. Unrelated to the real-life theft, someone full-on stole our identity and was issuing cards in our name in other states.
Lovely.
So, this week has been about damage control in the family. The kids are young enough to escape most of it, but my wife is still processing and I definitely feel like a failure as the protector of our family. The key is that we’re all fine and totally have each other, but it is such a bummer to be violated like this and lose a wedding ring and a purity ring you would eventually give your daughter. About $3,000 worth of stuff and priceless at the same time. Argh.
The same night all of this happened we got a letter from our World Vision sponsored child, saying that “the starving season is over. We have food again, so no one is dying.”
Maybe ‘stuff’ is far less important than we think? Testing that out this week.
JG
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Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 15+ years and serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. [
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Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
Sorry all this happened. Will be praying for you and your family.
Dude,
you’ve helped/inspired/encouraged/cared for/loved SO many people (me included). Please know that there will be TONS of people praying for you and offering help. Me included!
Love you dude.
Wow! Super sorry to hear that. I can’t imagine how unsettling that is. I’ll pray that your sense of security/safty will be restored. Yikes!
Love you man!
Josh, I’m praying for you. May God grant you a peace that will pass all understanding. Be encouraged.
Blessings,
ugh… that’s tough to hear.
It’s always scary when it happens at home. Our family has experienced it, too — thankfully b4 we had kids. Lifting you up, man.
john 10:10…claim it!
Sorry to hear this, but thank you for your willingness to be transparent and share this with everyone. Give us all something to think about. Will be thinking of you.
Dude..
After reading the other posts.. I have nothing left to say.. Every one else has taken my words (.. thanks!!)
Just know brother that we are standing with you through this time. Man, this is what Youth Ministry is all about.. coming together and supporting each other.
Thanks for being an encouragement and mentor to us all.
Cheers Bro!
Wow, that’s nuts! Both in the same week!!! I could loan you a few AK-47s and maybe my 50 cal Desert Eagle. That would help you out for the next possible robbery. And you should consider http://www.lifelock.com/ for identity theft. Our prayers go out to you man.
Sorry to hear. What do you need?
Sorry to hear. What do you need?
I know I am not known to you but you have always inspired me and there are countless others like me. I am praying for you and your family after these acts of violation.
Keep your head up and take care of your family. We will do our best to survive as you guys deal with it.
Sorry to hear that Josh. You are such a good guy and your post seems nicer than I think I would be able to express under these circumstances. Thanks for being a class example and I will pray the police will recover the priceless items at least. This also has no reflection on how you protect your Family. I would recommend Lifelock also since I have that and they have stopped criminals from stealing my identity.
God Bless!
Man, that’s a lot to deal with in such a short time. Especially coming off Easter weekend, mission trip, PDYM…. I will pray for you, your wife and kids. Praying for justice and healing and that life returns to normal soon.
Hey, big bro–so sorry to hear. It does shake you up pretty bad. We had our card stolen twice in the past three months and I think Dad’s gone through five separate rounds now… it would be much worse with an actual home assault. Love you and praying for you–glad the kids are so young they won’t be affected as much. Just stay close to home for a while. Kiss those sweet babies for their fave auntie… Lys
I am SO sorry to hear about this! I will be praying for you and your family at this time. Praise God for your sponsored child and the starving season being over! God always knows how to put things in perspective!
Love and Prayers,
Nicole
I am truly sorry for all of those issues–nothing like a robbery, identity theft, loss of valuables, and the stress to go with it to make you feel vulnerable. I’ll be praying for your family.
Hi Josh,
I am from Manitoba, Canada. I was very touched by how you wrote this post. Don’t sell yourself short though. Worlds away people are experiencing different levels of loss, but unfortunately that is relative to where they live. What you have experienced maybe one of the most difficult things you have faced. You are allowed to be shacken. Jesus said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” God had a plan. He is preparing you. I know that you will trust him and be an example that we all look to. We sorrow with you over your loss. Look up the poem “Footprints”.
How frustrating, I like your attitude and how
this challenge has appeared to be just clanging gong
in this starving world. Kudos, keep up the
encouraging work.
Ughhhh….. sorry to hear that. Prayers for you and the family to recover.
DUUUUDE! I don’t know what to say! Will be praying for you guys in the next few days.
Great attitude, Josh!
God is good, even when life is bad!
Josh, I know there is nothing more I can say to change or help things but I pray that justice will be served and that these people will be touched by the love and grace of God.
I’m so sorry for what had happened. But what’s important is that you’re all okay and no one’s hurt. With trauma you’ve experienced, it’s so nice to know that you were able to stand up again. Just be more careful now a days and ask for somebody’s opinion before hiring and trusting house cleaners again. I may recommend you the fort collins maid services , which I trust the most. A satisfied customer like me shares to you one of the best cleaners there is. If interested you may just click the link provided above my statement for more information.