Maybe this is not a strange as I think it is... in the last 10 years we have received 3 free cars... AND now we are about to receive, for free, our 4th vehicle... is this normal?

True, we are not being given brand new cars that last forever but they have all been great working cars that we have subsequently taken to their grave and then for some reason, others want our near death vehicles and we have given away 3 cars to other people and they attempt to resuscitate them. (True, we "sell" them for 2 lattes, so they aren't technically "free" but hey.)

The camry, we gave to a couple, and it worked for a while then went really bad and they gave it to a nephew who is tearing it apart for fun. The Ranger Truck had a busted head gasket and was in Ames last time we heard, maybe at the junkyard now? The Lincoln is alive and kickin' it here in IC being used by tons of people in need of wheels. (She wasn't so bad I guess.)

So what of this new vehicle?

My sister Leah was given it to use while she is in the states next month and then told to keep it and she is giving it to us. We are trying to secure transport for it from MN and title and insurance, so if that all works it will be here soon.

So what is this new vehicle?

A minivan.

I know, I know... commence with the soccer mom* jokes. Yes, I am the person who has cursed them since we started having kids. Yes, I am the person who proudly toted my very large cars around as a very viable alternative to the minivan. Yes, I can see the logic behind them. Yes, I know many people who have them and love them. Yes, I know you will get used to it and then appreciate it. Yes, I know, I know... but I also know a couple other things...

1. It is free
2. It is a blessing

A free car is a blessing no matter what type or shape or color or style.

I was talking to a friend who had bought a minivan a while ago. I realized talking to her that, yes, all those great things mentioned above about minivans are true but that I was completely content driving the Buick. I was, and am, so thankful for the Buick because she is a great car and is big enough to fit all 3 kids comfortably and since she was free not only does that mean we don't have car payments, we don't have high insurance or taxes or anything. She is truly a blessing to our finances for sure. And I, at the time said something to the effect of, "If someone gave us a minivan, I would drive it happily." Not because it was a minivan but because it was a blessing and since, at the time, no one was offering us a free minivan, it was for the better that I despised them so, why covet?

Here we are on the verge of getting a free minivan... Truth be told, even my cold-hearted, anit-minivan heart is softened and humbled by this wonderful free gift to us. Another friend said that I would not be able to avoid being placed in the soccer mom category. That is still a hard one to swallow. BUT, the thing that overcomes any bad thoughts is thankfulness for God's provision.

God's provision sometimes comes in the form of high paying jobs, but sometimes it is in other forms... free cars, food on the table, food ever, clothes on your back, clean clothes on your back, kids, healthy kids, safe childbirths, hands that work, one good hand that works, family who love you, anyone who loves you, your health - no matter what its ailments, heat in a house, heat in a car, a house, a roof over your head, a car, a car that works with little to no maintenance, gas for the car... job to pay for the gas, any job - good or bad... Who knows, maybe it will die before we even get it, but it still was a blessing to even think that God can provide us with something, anything, a new car, from anywhere.

BUT even if you don't have ANY of those things mentioned above, the one und