This is one of those stories that is better lived than told, but I will tell it to bring glory to God and allow us to look back in the blog, as we often do, to remember God's goodness.
Our newest vehicle (1996 GMC Suburban) was a government vehicle and doesn't have the third-row seating. There is rubber floor thoughout and hand crank windows (things we love). As we looked for a different vehicle online, we found ourselves praying about and considering a minivan around the price range of $10-12k. We let this sit in our minds for a day or two and it didn't feel good. The thought of putting that much money into a vehicle just felt like too much. We do like our Suburban, too.
Two days ago, we started looking at 3rd Row Seating for the Suburban and on Ebay, we could find used ones for about $300 plus shipping and new ones for $1k+. A little steep, but cheaper than buying that minivan.
Friday night at about 9:30-10:00 (1-2 hours past my bed time), killing a half-hour before bed, I decided to browse the free stuff on Craigslist. At roughly 9pm, someone posted a 3rd row seat for free for a 1996 Suburuban and lived 15 mins away from us. This may not seem like a big deal, but this was amazing to us. These things are not exactly as available as ipods and honda civics and for it to be for a 1996, and so close, and for FREE! God seemed to be pointing us in this direction.
Though we were up at 4AM, I decided not to call right away and waited until 9AM. When I called, the gentleman said that it was sold. I was pretty disappointed because it sure seemed like God had appointed this seat for us because of the timing and "coincidences." After about a short while of praying and remembering that "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 I had gotten over the disappointment. God is good - 3rd row seat or no 3rd row seat.
Accepting the situation, I had gone about the day. I took Kayla and Carter (and Kayla's friend) out ice skating around 3PM. As we were packing up to go in the warming house, my phone rang. It was the guy with the seat. The person who had called earlier did not come to pick the seat up. PRAISE GOD!
I immediately left the kids at the warming house to walk home...no I didn't. I dropped them off and headed on my way.
I was prepared for holes and all sorts of other things with a free seat. When I got there, the grey leather seat was in great condition (the kids will be on grey leather while we are on blue vinyl, haha). I thought that I was going to have to buy and install brackets, but there was a spot for the seat under the rubber floor, so we put it in right away. The guy and I started talking about trucks and looked at my grill and headlights. He looked closer and told me to wait. He came back with three headlights from another truck of his that he didn't have any longer and gave them to me. God is good! Though everything was free, I wanted to bless him in return and I gave him all the cash I had on me, $38. Not much, but all I had in cash. He seemed pleased to get the stuff out of his garage. I was definitely please to have a 3rd row seat - providing for seating for 9 people now.
I have slight concerns that our family of 6 may be a family of more because of this additional seating, but I'll not think about that now... God's grace is sufficient if He chooses to give us more. I certainly don't feel adequate.
