I always wanted to be MacGyver (part 2)
Note: If you don’t care about MacGyver, skip to the bottom – today was a good day!
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A few days back I posted about how I used duct tape to annihilate an army of ants. Well, I got a few emails (as well as some comments on the website) regarding other uses that many of you have found. I hate to play can-you-top-this, but today I’m going to indulge myself.
I have three stories for you. All true. Here they are:
1) I used to play out a ton with my band. We got a gig doing a half time show at a semi-pro football game. I showed up without a critical piece of equipment: my guitar strap. It wasn’t 5 minutes and I have a brand new strap made of duct tape that not only lasted me the show, but stayed in my case as a backup for years.
2) The least impressive of my stories…but critical to establishing my daily dependence on the product. I had a pair of sandals where the sole had completely ripped off. Instead of purchasing a new $10 pair from walmart (the 24hr store of choice in college) I taped them. With 2 or 3 re-applications to the front toe area, those babies lasted me many more months.
3) Lastly, perhaps my proudest moment… It was summer after freshman year in college and I was going to head down to North Carolina with Misty’s family (it’s a 12hr drive from my home – that’s an important detail). It was the eve of our lovely trip and my car starts overheating. I gave it a once-over and found that the coolant was low. No biggie…fill ‘er up and I’ll take off in the morning. Well, morning came and she was low again. I found a good size tear in one of the coolant hoses. With no time to repair, I pulled out my trusty roll and began some ad hoc automotive surgery. Needless to say, 12 hours later we were safely in North Carolina. (yes…I got a new hose before coming back..haha)
Misty Update:
Today began like it was going to be tough. Misty was discouraged; I had a hard time figuring out a few things she wanted to say; Olivia was a bit cranky. Time changed that though. Afternoon was nice; Dinner was fabulous (thanks to Mrs. Brown!). We had another date while Olivia went to church with my mom. We picked up Strollo’s Italian ice and drove down the beach. There were 2 different places that we pulled over and rolled down the windows to enjoy some live music while feeling the ocean breeze on our faces ( I love NJ). Anyway, that was nice, but the nicest part was that Misty added a few words to her vocabulary today. She said:
- I don’t know
- Sure
- I love you
- Yea
- I like them
and at least 2 other things that I can’t remember. A big improvement over her one word vocab of the last week or so after that seizure. I’m going to focus on praying for her speech tomorrow. One step at a time.
I hope you have all had as lovely a day as I have.
19 Comments so far
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Congrats on the vocab and absolutely wonderful-sounding day! (A date with the ocean, live music, Italian ice: can life get any better?)
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Geeee……to think I used a stapler and scotch tape for MY guitar strap! (to fix the end that tore). LOL
GO, MACGYVER, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, duct tape was a staple in the horse industry too. You can temporarily fix fencing, and can duct tape horse blankets to patch the rips a horse puts in them (I relied on that for over 20 years in horses!).
And I OWNED four horses!!!!!!!! (yeah, duct tape is a great invention!)
Darren, totally praying for you and your family. Like a lot of people, I too check the site morning and night.
Vicki from 1st AG
God Bless your Family. A wonderful choice of words, “I Love You”. I have been meaning to write but time goes quickly. I read your site every week day. I pray for more wonderful days for you all.
Hey Darren –
Sorry, not into MacGyver, but I enjoyed reading what you have to say about being him. :o)
For awhile now, the song that comes to my mind when I hear about the love and devotion between yourself and Misty is this – it came to me the day you posted a picture of her in her wheelchair – this song just popped into my mind, and hasn’t left it:
“How Beautiful” by Twila Paris
http://search.playlist.com/tracks/%22How%20Beautiful%22
Sorry, not sure how to make a link here – you’ll have to cut & paste into your browser – I’m just pc-literate enough to be quite dangerous! :oD
Sheree :o)
Sorry! After posting, I saw that it automatically becomes a link – duh! Praise God! :oD
Glad you had a good day!!!
So glad to hear about your lovely day and the increase in vocabulary. Those words must sound so beautiful to you. It is crazy to stop and think of the things that I take for granted…like hearing my loved ones say “I love you”. Still reading your posts every morning so that I can know how to pray for you. Thanks for keeping us so up to date.
BTW: My uncle used duct tape to seal up a crack in his shower and it has held for years and years with NO leaks!
Duct tape, what an invention! Is there anything it won’t fix? It was nice to hear you had a good day, I will pray for many more of them for you and Misty. I’ll also join you in praying for her speech. Afterthought: If you are not already familiar with the Steven
Curtis Chapman song “I Will Go There With You” check it out. It is off of the “Great Adventure” cd. It is a song that has helped me during some dark times in my marriage. Keep on!
When you start telling stories about NJ you just make Chuck miss it more. =)
Glad it was a good day. Prayed again this morning.
Thank you Lord for Misty’s wholeness. Thank you that she is completely whole in you. Thank you for her well being.
Thank you that she’s your precious daughter that you delight in. Thank you for all your blessings.
What a beautiful day. Praise be to God!
We are praying for healing!
PS love the Jersey shore. What a perfect spot for healing.
Darren, this is great news! I liked you MacGyver stories! And you made me miss NJ even more…. Glad the day turned into a wonderful day! hope today is even better! Much love to you, Misty, and Olivia! ((hugs))
Wow!!! First, I am way impressed with your ducktaping skills. LOL…My DH is not nearly as handy like that. LOL…God love em. Anyway, I am THRILLED that Misty added to her vocabulary!! It was great to “hear” the uplifted spirits in your post today. God is great! You are in my prayers as well as everyone I am sharing your website with. Your family is loved by many, most you have never met.
Glad you had a nice day. The beach sounds nice. Colorado is a little to far inland for that.
Praying for Misty and specificly for her speach.
Sarah
Darren & Misty,
About a dozen times I’ve thought to leave a comment wanting to say something encouraging. Ultimately, I need to thank you both for encouraging me. I regard you and Misty as very active missionaries, furthering His kingdom, in love with our Lord, despite the physical and emotional warfare you face every moment. Thank you both. You are all in my prayers daily. I look forward to the day my family bumps into you, Misty and your children getting ice cream in town one day – restored.
On another topic, I too tried duct tape for automotive repair – sadly it was a hole in an exhast pipe. It worked great for about 5 minutes. I think I passed out after that from the fumes of cooking duct tape.
Hey, that’s so funny you still like Macgyver every time I see Macgyver I think of you and Justin as kids. I myself probably never sat through an episode. You can’t tell me that duct tape alone is what got you through your mishaps. I am sure alot of prayer helped along the way. Its not working very well on my lawn chairs perhaps I have store brand and its not worth praying for. I am so glad Misty had a good day and you made me laugh. My favorite new words were I love you. we also love all of you and pray for another good day.
Rejoicing with you for increase in Misty’s vocabulary. Besides the seizure itself, that was what saddened me the most! Praying and lifting her to the throne! You are fighting FROM victory!
Hi Darren,
Along with so many people I check your website alot. I’m spiritually drawn to it. You and your family are a blessing to me. I’ve learned so much by your example of faith, hope & love. As hard as this is for you. You truly are a blessing to me and I thank God everyday for introducing Misty and You into my life. I still have your family in my prayers. I did feel the presence of your peace I hope you still feel it too.
I also read how Olivia got her name. how beauitful