Testimony 100,062 :)

Now can I give yet another testimony??

In 2006, EP was jetting off to New Mexico for Midnight Clear and we had a dilemma. We had two Honda Accords at the time. My college Accord that I had ran into the ground and the ‘new’ Accord that we had purchased shortly after getting married (when we got rid of EP’s red truck –PTL!). EP was driving the old accord but unfortunately it wasn’t in the best condition to be driving across the state in. It was either me drive the old-we-don’t-really-know-if-it’s-safe-to-drive anymore car with baby SB so EP could drive the good car to his job or we buy a new car. So, without any prayer, we ran out and bought a car from a guy that EP knew from personal training. I liked the car and it was affordable, but nothing else.

That wonderful Nissan Xterra didn’t last long before it started having some trouble. AC, over heating, etc. We both knew that we rushed the decision but there was nothing we could do about it. I wouldn’t say that car was a bad car, but it wasn’t the right car.

Right before Starlet was born, I put both car seats in the car and very quickly realized we had no space. None. Even moving the front seats back was hard because of that big old rear-facing car seat. The four of us fit pretty snug in there with all of our gear. So, we started looking at bigger cars. The obvious choice, the Tahoe/Yukon. Besides, this was in the heat of the GM crisis so we though we could score big. The sales guy said, “Have you seen the new Traverse??” He went on selling me on the point that this car had the same interior space but basically had flat folding seats rather than removable seats. I fell in love, but not with the body style. Luckily, the Traverse is also the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and the Saturn Outlook. All Lambada (?) body styles. ANYWAY, in April 09, EP and I test drive an Acadia and LOVE it.

We walked away from the lot (well, I waddled) talking about what a great car it was, etc…Unfortunately, neither of us felt good enough to buy it. I was sad but knew we had better trust our Spirits. We were waiting for the contract he was working on to be renewed and decided once that was done THEN we could move forward. But, it never happened. All summer we discussed a new car, especially since it was so hot and precious Starlet was facing the rear of the car getting no AC…but not once did we feel the time was right.

Over the last YEAR many times I have referenced my new car. Mainly after my Xterra’s ceiling started to sag. I even got SB on it that every time he saw a GMC he’d yell, “GMC” and when he’d see an Acadia he’d say, “look mom, there is your car.” I kept telling him how even mommies and daddies have to be patient and wait for things and that we were asking God to give us a new car. Now, I’d could go on about confession but this post is already too long as it is. The point is, I knew what I wanted (as opposed to before) and I was reminding myself it was mine. This may seem silly to you, but trust me, it isn’t.

One of the biggest reason we hadn’t moved forward (besides just knowing it wasn’t time) is that we never really know our next step. It’s kinda hard to really change the financial situation you are comfortable in when you don’t know what’s coming down the pipes. And we knew it would change our situation because we wanted a bigger more expensive car.   

Let me say, in the last year there have been numerous times as I scanned Yahoo! Autos and Auto Trader that I thought we could do it and every time we didn’t have a peace. But as I began to pray and meditate on it last week…and after having seen so many different times where God provided, it was almost as though God was saying to me, “I can never move if you don’t give me the opportunity. I have faithfully provided for you time and time again. You can move on this now.” I just felt released to buy. I went to EP and he absolutely agreed it was time. I think his text said, “I’d absolutely love to buy my family a nice car.” (Melt –he is such a great husband!)

So, I started looking. We each had a few things we wanted. I wanted an Acadia (for the space). EP requested leather and captains seats for the second row. We preferred a 2009 or above….$20k miles used, possibly new. You have to write the vision (we did this with our house as well!) we didn’t want to compromise on what we wanted. We looked a few times out of our lines but always moved back.

Keep in mind, I have been searching the ads for almost a year, every two weeks or so so I have an idea on what we are going to pay and the numbers gal in me is using every Edmunds calculator out there to determine what I could afford etc. It keeps rising up in me to get anxious and nervous “Oh my gosh, can we really do this?” “What if we don’t get any jobs?” “What are we thinking?” …but I keep just praying and going.

I guess I should just sum this up (since the backstory took so stinking long). We ended up finding the exact car with more bells and whistles and better model for below True Market Value price. We had them add all the additional features I wanted (extra tint, ipod dock, etc) for free. Walked in and got an outstanding rate and a monthly payment almost $100 less than expected. WE GOT MORE THAN WE ASKED GOD FOR!

If you know me at all you know how frugal (ahem-cheap) I am. I return almost everything I buy, seriously, because I get horrible buyers remorse. ((I think I skipped the female gene for shopping)). Going into this I was never more confident. Confident that it was the right time. Confident that it was the right item. Confident that it wouldn’t effect us financially. I went to bed the night after signing my side of the papers (yeah, so the car still isn’t “technically” ours yet) with ease….usually I’m freaking out. Because we waited and prayed the ENTIRE ordeal went smooth and without hiccup.

I cried the whole way home from the dealership. (and you know I’m not a crier) It’s amazing to me every single time how awesome God is. How he loves you and wants for you. God wants to give us the desires of our hearts and He wants us to have even MORE! Abundance.

Praise the Lord!

And I might add that when we walked into the garage today SB exclaimed, “It’s our GMC! We finally have an Acadia.”