March 2011 | Amber Colon

Often times we don’t realize how powerful our lives can be until we reflect and share our experiences. That is why I took some time to write. Here is the story of our New SUV and this is the short version!

After months and months of trying to sale our van getting excited and then getting turned down I'm happy to say that we no longer own a ugly van! Now time to shop for an SUV! I thought it would be fun and exciting I knew everything I wanted in an SUV and had narrowed it down to a few makes and models all I needed to do now was find the right one! I prayed and ask God to help us with finding the right one and to give us favor with sales people and the bank.

We spent hours online and at dealer ships looking. I had a few sales people laugh when I told them everything I wanted (I'm sure I sounded like a spoiled brat!) They told me it was near impossible to get everything in one SUV in my price range and that I should lower my wish list or up my spending price by thousands of dollars! But I was determined they said ''near impossible'' to me that meant it could be done!

We went to Buford, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Alpharetta, Duluth and everywhere in between. After a week of looking we finally decided on a black Tahoe that had everything on my wish list and in our price rang! We were happy to be done looking it was a very long stressful week and we haven't been able to going anywhere as a family or grocery shopping since we only had Chris's truck and we all can't fit in that.

The night before we went to sign the papers we all prayed together as a family thanking God for allowing us to find this SUV it was everything we wanted, once again we asked for His favor to make it ours. Excited we got up the next morning to head up to the dealership to do the paper work. The whole ride there I kept reminding myself of the Bible verse '' be anxious for nothing'' Trying to tell myself not to worry and trust God it would all work out and if not I wouldn't be upset knowing God knows best and we would find something.

We sat down to do the paper work only to find out that they would not approve us even with money down and a co-signer. Once again I was advised by EVERYONE to settle for less and look in a much lower price range. So we left disappointed again! Okay Honestly I was more than disappointed I was pissed and tired and I hadn't seen my kids much all week. I was just ready for this to all be over! We couldn't give up even if we wanted to . We were in a crunch with only a three seated truck and Chris starting training in Alpharetta soon. We climb back in the truck not knowing what to do or where to go we had looked everywhere we knew to look. I guess it was time to take everyone's advise and look cheaper . So on the way home we stopped at a few buy here pay here places. Everything was dirty or smelled like a smokers car we found nothing! On the way home at the light next to us I saw this family in a horrid rusted run down car with rope and duck tape holding parts of it together. They were all laughing. Wow I felt very small and selfish but very blessed in that moment. The husband looked up and saw me staring at the car he smiled but you could see he looked embarrassed for his family. I smiled back and as they drove away I ask God to sent them a new car and to send me a new attitude.

By the time we got home I was okay with any car that was in good shape and would fit our whole family in it. My dream SUV would just have to wait. Back to the drawing board I started my search for cars in a much lower price range We found a super cheap Cadillac SRX leather heated seats and a DVD player and 3rd row seating. Surly we could get that and I could keep a little class right?....Wrong the miles were too high to finance. Honestly it felt all wrong anyway I'm not sure how that car qualifies as SUV I've sat in cars bigger! So I was glad it didn't work out.

The Next day we decided to try one more time at a dealer ship right here behind our house before buying something old with high miles that we hated. We went in expecting nothing but to get turned down again, all I had was the belief that God wants to give His children good things, Just as I want to give my children good things. Not because I deserve them but because he loves me. So I gave it over to God knowing it might not be what I wanted but it would be safe and smoke free.

God gave me more than I asked for that day. Not only Did He Give me a Tahoe with heated seats like I wanted but the back seat is heated as well, not only did He give me a DVD player but also a built in touch screen navigation system with voice activation, leather seats, and more buttons than I know what to do with, a sunroof, Back up assistance, boss sound system, side steps that open and close when I open the door, I can push a button and my seats fold up , my trunk opens and closes with a push of a button. And for those cold winter morning I can start and warm up my Tahoe from inside my house! And just because He knows I love little details my turning signals are on my mirrors something I've liked but felt silly asking for because it wasn't a big deal. You can say it was luck but I know God made away where there was none, and if for no other reason just to teach me some life lessons.

It's amazing how I asked for earthly things and He gave me heavenly things. Here's a recap of the things I've learned:

1. We've been trying and praying to get rid of the van for 2 years but really trying the last year.

Lesson: God does things in His timing not yours just because He doesn't answer right away doesn't mean He's not listening or doesn't care or that the answer is a no.

2. Two weeks of looking at dealer ships and hours of looking online some nights till 2am.

Lesson: You have to put in hard work as well as prayer. You can't just pray for something and then expect He will drop it in your lap.

3.Everyone told us it was impossible to get everything I wanted and in my price range. But I did.

Lesson: While it's good to listen to advice from others always make sure it lines up with the word of God and what He wants to do in your life. Nothing is impossible with God.

4. When we all prayed as a family.

Lesson: I'm sad and embarrassed to say but it's something we don't do enough. We pray our bed time prayers with the kids but we should get them more involved. Where two or three are gather in His name He will be there too. What lessons I could teach my children!

5. Having my Dad co-sign and our friend David help us look for a new car.

Lesson: God will send help along the way.

6. Being turned down time after time and waning to give up. Going to buy here- pay-here places.

Lesson: Sometimes right when it gets the hardest is when your victory is right around the corner, don't give up! And don't settle for less than Gods best for your life! How many times have you given up when it's hard and settled.

7. Seeing the family in the old car.

Lesson: Joy comes from the Lord not in having nice things!

8. Finding the cheap SUV. But It just didn't feel right.

Lesson: This is the car I would be driving right now if I would of given up. Why play in the sandbox when God wants to give you the beach? If it doesn't feel right don't do it.

9. Going into the last dealer ship not expecting anything but God to show up.

Lesson: I think I thought I had given this car thing over to God this whole week but I don't think I truly did. It wasn't until I knew we couldn't do it on our own that I gave it all because I had no choice. The stress I could of save myself if I would of given it ALL over to God from the start.

10. We've had some people make comments about us getting a new car that were not very nice!

Lesson: When loved ones, friends, or even strangers say and do hurtful things, many times it is really not about you. People in this world have some serious issues. And, because they don’t deal with their issues, they project those issues onto you. The mother who thinks she is the worst mom will project and tell another mom how bad their kid is. People who think they are ugly or don't like themselves will make fun of another people. The boss who can’t manage his team will try to micromanage your work. So the next time someone does something hurtful to you, remember two things, they act like that towards other people as well, and it’s not about you!!

11. I should share my stories.

Lesson: This is one I am still working on because I am a pretty private person. But I have to believe that when you go through things, one of the main reasons is to help others at some point in time. The problem is that everyone wants to put on the mask that their life is grand, secretly hiding away any perfections. If no one knows your true journey, they can’t seek you out for help. It’s not an easy thing to do; it’s not like you want to shouts out to everyone all your weakness, Everyone, I’m screwed up and have no clue what I'm doing.’ BUT, if you did, you would attract others that have been through the same experiences, and it could change a life for the better. As I write to you, I write to myself because what comes out of us either verbally or in the written form is often the thing very thing that we (ourselves) need to work on. I'm sure there are more lessons if I sat and pulled this experience apart but this is what I felt lead to share

Thanks for taking the time to read. While I love the fact that I was able to share my Story with you this simple list has helped me put my life into perspective and it has raised my awareness to areas that I need to constantly work on and pray about. What are things you've learned from everyday experiences? Is it only in your mind and easily forgotten and overridden? I believe God wants to teach us things everyday are you willing to let Him teach you? I hope you are blessed by my story.

I also want to Say a special thanks to My Dad, for co-signing with us, thank you for having faith in us. And to David Taylor for taking time out of not one, but two days to ride around and help us look for a new car.

Here are some pictures of our new SUV!