We Fit! (Or How God Got us a Van)

I have been witness to many wonderful miracles in my life. I've seen people healed in amazing ways, I've seen homes provided when it seemed there was none, I've seen broken relationships restored. Yet and still as I mentioned in a previous post, I was having a hard time believing that God could come through and provide a car for us so that we could bring home "lady" and "little man." But I picked up my little mustard seed and we continued to walk forward hoping for more than we could ask or imagine and God truly delivered.
Three weeks ago we were pretty stuck. We knew that we didn't have the money for a new car, or another car payment. We knew that cars typically don't just pop up out of nowhere. We knew that we couldn't bring the kids into our home without a car that could seat everyone safely. We had several members of our church who stepped up and put the word out about what we were trying to do and everyone hoped with us and everyone prayed. We have been completely blessed beyond measure by the support our friends, and family, and even occasional strangers have given us.
That being said even with a huge outpouring of support we had raised about 690 dollars. Then two weeks ago I was told that the parents of one of my students was selling a 2004 Ford Explorer that seats seven. I decided to give her a call and she forwarded me the information. They were selling the car for 9000 dollars but would be willing to pass it to us for 8000. It was a really great deal. All of the things we had prayed for. A reliable car, 10 years old or less, less than 90,000 miles, it even has the four wheel drive. The only problem was that even though it was a great car and a great deal...
we still didn't have 8000 dollars.
I spoke with (We'll call her Darlene. She wants all of this to be as anonymous as possible.) on the phone again and asked if she would be willing to set up a payment plan with us. I briefly explained the situation and why we would be unable to get a loan at this time. She offered to talk it over with her husband and get back to me. When she did she told me that he was uncomfortable with that arrangement. I understood completely. There is a LOT of risk getting into and type of lender situation. Not to mention insurance issues and so on. I decided that this must not have been the car God had in mind and continued looking.
The next night I was sitting in my room when my phone rang again. It was Darlene.
"Hey Christy." She said "My husband and I talked it over and we were just wondering how much you have raised so far?"
I told her about the fundly site and that we had raised 690 dollars. "That could be our down payment." I said.

She paused for a minute and then said "You know what, you can have it for that."

I honestly didn't even register what she was saying at first. I thought maybe she was agreeing to a payment plan and I had to ask her to repeat herself.

"You can have it." She said again. "We want to give it to you. Us doing this is nothing compared to what you need it for. I don't want it to be weird or awkward and once you have it I don't want you to feel like you ever have to mention it again. We want to do this."

I was so speechless. I think I mumbled a thank you and an I don't even know what to say. We made arrangements to meet up and sign paperwork and then that was that.

I am a crier by nature. It doesn't take much to make me well up but in this situation I was beyond tears to the point of stunned giddy giggles. Had we just been given a car for 690 dollars? I was so stuck in my "little faith" that I couldn't even write a praise report until all of the papers were signed.
I have this whole time with my mouth said "God can do this. God will do this." and yet obviously by my complete confusion and wonder at the reality wasn't really taking those words to heart. My God is so big, he can heal the sick, he can provide shelter for the homeless, he can repair broken relationships and even so he cares in all of that about a car. He cares among a billion people about these two little lost children who honestly have had more backs turned on them and homes ripped out from under them than any two and four year old ever should. Or any person for that matter. He is their Daddy eternally and he has given them a car which means so much more then a car. It means a home that will always be open to them. A door that wont be shut behind them. I am praising him in a monumentally huge way because he is so big and yet cares so deeply for those so small. I can't wait until the day that these two can understand the miracle of the van and what it means for them.

When we started on this journey only three short months ago we prayed and decided that we would just keep walking forward unless God shut the door. This feels like he has unlocked and blown open a whole hallway of doors and we are happy to go through knowing full well that he has the plans in hand.
The trials are far from over. We know that foster care his many trips and falls along the way and that it's easy to get tied up in red tape and court dates, and appeals. We even know that while we love these two little ones already God may still have a different plan for their family than for them to stay with us. As heartbreaking as it would be on our end He could work wonders in the lives of their parents and reunite this family. What an amazing miracle that would be to witness! I don't know what the next year, months, or even tomorrow will bring but even with so many unknowns we can walk with certainty knowing that our God is with us. Who can be against us?

A mini van as a part of God's plan

Sometimes God just needs a little bit of faith and a willingness to move forward. With that he can do greater things than we could dare to ask or imagine. My family and I are currently engaged in an act of faith that is testing on may levels.
Around Christmas time our family became aware of two little ones who need a home. Since then we have been doing all that we can to become that safe and stable home and family. However, the biggest test of faith has not come from the mountains of paper work, the emotional stress, or the steady ever presence of a foster care agency in our lives and home. We trust him with our family and our future and we know we aren't walking this alone. Nor is it in that God loves these two kids more than we ever will and has a loving plan for their lives. No. We know our God is in this and we trust him with those big things. The real issue of faith has come in our search for a mini van.
Back in August my husband Robin and I purchased a new car with financing. We have been married five years and in that five years have had five cars come and go. We decided that it was time to buy something that would last us for many years and wouldn't cost us more to maintain than the car itself. We started as a lease back in 2011 and switched to a purchase plan in August of this past year. All things considered we were very happy with this decision and it's been a great car thus far.
Then December came and all of a sudden we were faced with a big need. Two kids without a home. They have been temporarily placed with a wonderful family in our church but are awaiting a permanent place to stay. We prayed and talked and considered and came to the conclusion that God wanted us to move on this. To walk forward and that he would be with us through the journey wherever that journey may lead. We began taking the necessary classes and assembling the paperwork needed to become certified foster parents. We've painted, built walls, and prepped rooms as we get our home ready for two new arrivals. We have been moving forward in almost every conceivable way except...
The car.
The great car that we purchased not six months ago is now not a viable option. It's too small.
Now we are weeks away from the end of our certification courses and the chance to bring these kids home but this stumbling block still stands in our way.
We have had a friend offer to let us use their van in the meantime but very shortly after their offer the van met its end. I have been trolling craigslist and speaking with dealerships hoping that someone will be willing to work with us but nothing yet. Who wants to give new financing to a person who literally just bought their car and is not even close to paying it off yet?
I have started to feel discouraged and decided to do a widespread post to ask for prayer. That is when I realized where my heart was.
A few friends suggested fund raising and so I decided that was the way to go. I spoke with a friend who has done this sort of support raising before and she asked,
"Well what are you looking for?"
I told her we needed a van big enough to transport four kids. I said, "I would like it to be a reliable newer car since we just put money into a reliable car but you know...If it's something that lasts us a year or two we will go from there."
Her response was, "Why would you put a limit like that on God?"
I was a little bit confused. I didn't feel like I was limiting God. I felt like I was asking for something reasonable that would be sufficient for the time being.
"What do you mean?" I asked
"I mean that the my God made the heavens and the earth. He created and formed you AND these two kids so you think it's unreasonable to ask him to help you complete his work in a van that wont break down every week? I don't think that's too hard for him at all."
I mulled this over a bit. I mean, she was right. Maybe God would place us in a "time being" car and that would be great. But why would I set limitations on the God who created this situation and is bringing it all about to his glory?
She asked me again "What are you looking for?"
I thought about it and responded, "A reliable van that will last us at least five years...and maybe has four wheel drive so we can get up the back driveway and down without getting stuck."
"Ok" She said "That's what I'm praying for and that's what God can do."
That conversation is why we began our fund raising site and why we have set the goal where we have. Maybe we wont reach it and maybe God has something else in mind entirely but I don't think I need to put my ideas and limitations of what I think God can do on my limitless and all powerful God.
The response has been tremendous. People from all over are praying for us and sharing our story. We have now started a fund raising site to help bring money in and hopefully bring these kids home soon. I'll include the link on this page as well as add a button to the blog site page. Thank you for your shares and prayers. It's amazing to know so many voices are being lifted up on our behalf.

To make a donation or support our fundraising site click
Here