With our Explorer reaching the 200,000 mile mark and sporting a roof leak preventing the installation of a 2nd car seat, we knew it was time to search for a better "family" vehicle. We decided to keep the Explorer for Jonathan to drive as it is 5 years newer than his truck, and we prepared to say good-bye to our old Drive-In friend, the Chevy pickup. We cleaned it up, researched a fair price, put a sticker in the window, and parked it in the church parking lot (which is on Main Street in town). After 2 days, Jonathan got a call from a potential buyer and we started praying... praying that Jonathan would stay cool and collected (as we were anxious to sell and get something new before the baby arrives) and to receive an offer for our full asking price. God delivered on both accounts! Jonathan handled everything beautifully, the buyer was super excited about the truck, and we had a check in hand that afternoon.
We immediately began research on the "Mom-mobile." Contrary to my previous thoughts and expectations, I realized a minivan would be the best option for our family...after 2 Jeep Cherokees and a Ford Explorer, I decided to be okay without my SUV hat.
After careful research, we landed on the Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey and spent every evening scouring the internet for a good deal. We found a stellar situation in KC, which was to our advantage because my dad could test drive the vans for us (and he knows WAY more about vehicles than we do). He test drove our top choice first thing on a Monday morning and called Jonathan right away--there was another family very interested but Dad didn't think we should let this one go, and he had first dibs. We had prayed to find something in our price range, made in this century, with under a hundred thousand miles. This was a 2003 Sienna with 93,000 miles. We called, made the offer, and got the paperwork going immediately. Within 6 days we had sold our truck and purchased a minivan, and my sister and brother-in-law were going to drive it here 2 weeks later when they came for Christmas. A perk on top of it all--I've always liked navy blue vehicles with leather interiors and sunroofs...this was never a necessity for us, just a preference. Our new minivan is navy blue, with leather interior and a sunroof...and it was the best deal in the country. Seriously. We only found one better price for the same thing and it was in California. The plane ticket to pick it up would have made it second to the van we ended up buying. We were satisfied to say the least.
I once heard a pastor preach that God doesn't care about the little details of our lives and we shouldn't bother Him with them. What I have to say to that pastor is this: If you haven't seen God working in the small things in your life and showing how much He cares for His children by being merciful with these little things, then you are missing out, my friend! Start presenting all your requests to God! If answering your prayer in the affirmative will bring Him glory, then He will take that opportunity to be glorified, no matter the size of the request.
