Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Finally


Last Friday night Steve and I finally bought a van. We found a fabulous deal on a Honda Odyssey that has a ton of optional extras and only 19,000 miles. To be honest, I can hardly believe we own this van. For those of you who may not have been reading my blog for long, I have been trying to get my DH to buy a new vehicle for several years. It has been such a long, frustrating trial. Here is a brief time line of the van drama:

2003 - We purchased our Grand Caravan (used)

2004 - Started having regular problems with the engine

2005 - Had a terrible overheating experience on a trip to California. Although it was repaired, the engine was never the same after this and there remained thereafter a constant dinging sound whenever idling. I started making $250 pretend car payments to a savings account as a way to save for a replacement vehicle.

2006 - Had $1000+ in repairs

2007 - Had $1000+ in repairs

2008 - Had $1000+ in repairs

2009 - Van stopped working in late spring. I put my foot down and refused to let my husband get it fixed.

Honestly, the purchase of the Odyssey has been a real answer to prayer for me. I admit I was not all that patient during this trial, but I am extremely grateful to the Lord for His blessings. I had wanted an Odyssey more than any other vehicle, but for 99% of the time we looked at cars we were not looking at Odysseys (or even Hondas) because we did not think we could afford one. Additionally, this van is in my favorite color (navy blue) and is nicer than anything we would have ever thought we could get. So, in a way, I can tell that the desires of my heart were known and my prayers were answered.

Scripture of the Day: 1 Peter 3:7

9 comments:

  1. I am surprised you didn't get one sooner! It looks great.

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  2. I'm SO GLAD that you were able to get this! It's true that the Lord blesses us.
    You are such a smart mama to have started saving so long ago. You are my idol. ;)

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  3. Congratulations!! I have been reading your blog for about a year and a half now and I have read several van stories. So I am celebrating with you today!! I am so happy for you.

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  4. Those Odysseys are so nice. My SIL has one and I love it. I can't believe how much storage they have. That's great for you!!

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  5. Hurray for a new van! I can't wait to see it!

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  6. Hurray for a new van! We've been talking about what kind of car to get next, and I'm thinking minivan too. This baby will fit into the existing car, but that's the end of putting more carseats in. I'm so impressed with the saving you did!

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  7. Isn't awesome how things turn out so wonderfully sometimes, not that you didn't put in enough patience to deserve it:)

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  8. You really persevered. I'm impressed. We are saving right now for a new family vehicle. I'm hoping the Suburban lasts another 2 years, but every time we have a problem I feel the desire to just replace it now.

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  9. That's a gorgeous van! Good for you. When's the next roadtrip?

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Comments are much appreciated!