Provision

So about 4 months ago, it became apparent that we needed a bigger vehicle.  Or would need one, shortly after the arrival of NLS.   I know, we’re pretty observant like that…

But, at the time, for a number of reasons, it just wasn’t one of the highest priorities.  After all, we had months before NLS arrived, and our current cars worked just fine for what we needed.  So no use rushing into something (including a car payment), right?

Okay, I’ll be honest, I was a little more nervous about it than that…at least some of the time.  I mean, we can squeeze 3 car seats into the Jeep (which was the plan for now), but it wouldn’t be ideal for any length of time.  But we have been without car payments for a long, long time.  And going back into debt to get a good minivan just wasn’t a comfortable idea either.  

So, I decided that I just wasn’t going to worry about.  I couldn’t change the circumstances.  And God knew we needed a good vehicle.  So I would wait for him, pray about it (at least when it was starting to bug me again), and see where things went.

Then, in the summer, my sister’s friends in Michigan let it be known that, as they are moving to England to work with the youth there as missionaries, they would be selling their van.  Karen filled me in, and she mentioned me to them.  And then…nothing.  So I figured either they found someone else (closer to them) to sell it to, or they still needed it while they were making final preparations to leave.

And things returned to our non-van normalcy.  I continued to just let it go.  The right van would come at the right time.

Apparently, this week was the right time.  The friends in Michigan mentioned their van again.  Karen mentioned it to me.  I mentioned it to Eric.  He asked for other details.  So last night, I sent a Facebook message to ask if the van was even still available.  

It is.  And it’s perfect.  No, it’s actually better than perfect.  It’s just so far above what I was expecting, it’s amazing.

Things like this…

• Perfect timing – This is their last week in the states, and we’re 2 weeks (or so) from NLS’s arrival.  And, though they live 6 hours away, they’ll be in Ann Arbor (3 hours away) for the rest of this week, leaving just enough time for us to get up there to buy it from them before they head back home. 
• Perfect connection – I know of them from college and my sister; they know me the same way.  We both know enough to be comfortable to make a deal like this.  In fact, he had an appointment set up for today with a local car dealership (as a backup plan), but he wasn’t really comfortable with selling it that way.  They wanted to sell it to someone who really needed it and would love it like they have.  (Ooo! Ooo! Pick me! Pick me!)
• Perfect van – They love this van and wouldn’t be selling it for years, except that they’re moving.  It’s loaded with extras for a price that is just right for us (and won’t require a car payment).  And it’s a Sienna, which just don’t fall into people’s laps, right? 

And so, as of this weekend, assuming we can totally work out the details of meeting them in MI to actually buy it (which seems to be happening…no surprise there), God has provided exactly the vehicle I wouldn’t let myself hope for.  He’s pretty amazing…

Happy Tuesday!  

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