Saying goodbye & a week of blessings

On Tuesday, we said good-bye to our van. We had driven it for the last time. We had been having issues with it and took it in to the shop only to find that fixing it would be more than the van was worth. After having a few consults on the situation we decided that we were better off getting rid of it. We didn't have the money to fix it, we don't have the money to replace it, but we know that God has a plan for this.

So, once Jason got home from work on Tuesday, we headed to the shop to get everything out of the van. The kids had been sad at different times on Monday and Tuesday...Ethan was crying while we were talking to the shop owner. Of course, he chose Tuesday to name the van...bad timing!

We had the kids join in on the clean-out. They had seat pockets to empty...lots of little treasures to be found. It took us about 20 minutes to go through and to make sure we had everything. This would be the last time the kids would be in the van.

We took one last picture before pulling away.

As much of a tragedy as this has been, we have experienced a week of blessings! We have a very dear couple in our Christ Group who has loaned us their car for two weeks. (I'm scared to death to have the kids in it because it is a very new car to them and has more bells and whistles than I would ever dream of in a car. This leads to much curiosity for the kids and I am constantly reminding them to not touch any of the buttons.)

Today was filled with another blessing, we were blessed with a very special gift and feel very loved! We also got some encouraging news on replacing the van. I don't want to go into any details but I know one thing...THIS IS ALL A GOD THING!

This past week has been nothing but a great week of teaching tools for the kids. Yes, I had my moments of tears over the van but I assured the kids that I 100% trust that God is going to provide for us. What mom wouldn't be upset over losing her wheels for getting the kiddos to and from school, after school activities, etc. Yes, I've been able to borrow a car this week but it's just not the same.

I'm just so thankful for the people that we have in our life and that they love us enough to want to help in the tough times. I'm thankful for a Lord and Savior who has promised to take care of us and is doing so as I type. I'm not sure why we are having to go through these tough times but I do know that they are making us stronger.

I would ask that you continue to pray for us as we are going through this "stuff". We just made our first mortgage payment for the modification process. We continue to try to put together a budget that is going to work. A little tough to do with fluctuating work right now. We did list the van on CraigsList in hopes to get a little more for it than what the scrap yard has to offer so pray that it sells quickly. And, as we begin the search for a "new", to us, van. We want our attitudes to remain positive and be reasonable in what we look for. We don't need all the bells and whistles but yet have some requirements for seating, etc. It's a hard thing to balance.

We will keep you posted on our journey!