Friday, August 26, 2011

My Gift from God: 2012 Ford Fiesta

Here are some pictures of the wonderful new car God provided for me.
If you haven't yet read the previous post, "Details. It's all in the details." please read it. That post shares some of the specific details which God took care of to provide me with a 2012 Ford Fiesta. 
August 24, 2011 about 7:30 am, dew still on the windows.

Inside front.

Mileage when I arrived home from buying the car.

Front dash board.

Back seats.

Color is Violet-Grey. Depending on the light, it's shades of grey, purple, and even blue.

In this light, you see more of the violet/purple coloring.

In this light, it's more of the violet-grey.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Details. It's all in the Details.

I'm very tired tonight, however, I'm so overwhelmed with joy that I can't sleep. I just keep thinking through all the details God took care of in providing the new car–a 2012 Ford Fiesta.

The Cars God provided over the past 16 years. 2012 Fiesta on the left. 1995 Escort on the right.

Let's look back
at some of the details
God worked out.
If you click on the name of the blog post,
it will take you to the full text of the blog.

1. Back on June 11, 2011, I posted about My Plans vs God's Plan. I was working very hard at getting together a down payment for a newer car, and I was very close. Then it happened, I had to put more money into my old car—new brakes. At the time I didn't understand why God would want to "waste money" in fixing the old car—He knew I was planning on getting a newer car. 
But no detail escapes God. God knew very well, that He had something FAR GREATER planned than just a "newer" car. He wanted to delay my purchase because He had a NEW car which wasn't even built yet—but would be ready at the PERFECT time. 

2. In my search for a newer car, I went online. That seems to be the way to shop these days. I created my "search parameters" on one dealership known for their deals on used cars. Since I bought my Escort from Friendly Ford, I thought I'd contact them too. Over the next few months, I received daily email updates from the Used dealership with cars that matched my parameters. I also received a few phone calls and a few emails from Friendly Ford. 
As I worked back an forth online/phone calls, I realized that I was much more at peace when dealing with Friendly, compared to the other place. God gives peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 So, my first stop was Friendly Ford.

3. I had planned to wait a few more months before actually shopping for a newer car. However, I thought my car had developed another problem. I either had to get things fixed, or get a newer car. So, off to Friendly Ford I went. Looked at several used cars, but nothing I really liked. Then my friend who was with me (it's always more fun to shop with a friend!), asked about the price of a new car. Mark said it would be possible. So, we went back inside to see what might work. I sat in the Focus, which was very nice, but the price was too high. What about the Fiesta? Would have to sit in it, to make sure it would be comfortable for my back. However, they didn't have any in stock. (In fact no dealer in the area did!) Yet there was a rental that would be back in a day or so, I could test drive that. I went back for the test drive and it was perfect. The seat reclines enough and plenty of room for me. Yes, I like this car. 
A 2012 Fiesta was due in to the showroom in a few days. They'd hold it for me. It would be Violet Gray. Uggg a PURPLE car??? I'm not a purple person. But if I didn't like it, then I could wait until the next batch of cars came—perhaps near December. 
Received a call on Monday, Aug 22nd the Fiesta had arrived and would be ready to see on Tuesday, Aug. 23rd. Tuesday morning I was talking with God about a "purple car". I really couldn't see myself in a purple car, but God knows what I like and don't like, He created me! Just as I was discussing this with God I received an email. It was advertising a new shirt: "Real Men Wear Purple" (w/a Purple Heart). It's a shirt honoring the brave Soldiers who have been wounded or killed while serving our Country. Now, I in no way have gone through what those brave Soldiers have! But I think it was God's way of saying, "Hey Rhonda, you have been wounded and have served me faithfully, so I'll give you a "purple heart car". Seeing the "purple heart car" each day would be a great reminder that I have a job to do for God—I'm to be serving Him, and giving Him my all. Maybe having a purple car wouldn't be so bad after all!

4. On August 22, 2011, I posted Details. I was trying to figure a way to reach the down payment necessary to get the best financing. Things weren't going as I had planned. A few days ago, I had found some old coins and I got them appraised this morning. Did God want me to sell them. As I prayed about it. I had no peace in selling the coins. So, I thought back over the budget and when bills would be due. After crunching the numbers, I learned that yes, I could meet the down payment. Still not sure how that all worked out! All I can say is that God made sure the money was in the bank. He definitely took care of all the details in this area.
Since I am financing the car, I was a bit concerned about the rate. Oh I have great credit, so I wasn't worried about that. It was my income amount which might be a problem. Being on disability does limit the inflow of money. However, God continues to watch over my expenses to make sure each bill is paid. God provided a GREAT rate, even lower than I had thought I'd receive. God doesn't miss a single detail!

5. On August 18, 2011, I posted God-thing, not a Rhonda-thing. "The desires of good people lead straight to the best" Proverbs 11:23a (The Message). Over the past few months I've researched used cars. Even today, I went to a place and checked out their inventory of used cars. One car I looked at, had a detail which I really liked—an arm rest for the drivers right arm. That made sitting so comfortable for me. As I sat in the car I thought over the price/payments, the age of the car, the mileage—no this would not be a wise use of my money—but sure did like that arm rest.
Tonight when I arrived at Friendly Ford to see the Fiesta (it just arrived from the factory the day before!), I liked the color—Violet Grey and all the aspects of the car. It wasn't until on the way home, that I realized that God had a surprise for me! The Fiesta also has an arm rest for the drivers right arm!! Not sure if I just missed that on the test drive of the other Fiesta, or that particular model didn't have it. Doesn't matter–God made sure it was on the specific car He had for me! I'd say, that God led me to the BEST car!

The Details. It's all the details. I'm sure as I think back over the past few months, I'll begin to see even more details which God dealt with regarding this car. All I can say is that my God takes awesome care of me! And that folks, makes each and every day a very positive day!


Check back to see more pictures of the car God so graciously provided for me.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words!

God worked out all the details!

In the picture below:
Eddie and Mark from Friendly Ford
who were a great help with my purchase
of a new 2012 Ford Fiesta!

The white car to the right, is my old 1995 Ford Escort,
which I bought from Friendly on June 2, 1995.

(Will post more pictures of the car in the next few days.)

Monday, August 22, 2011

Details.

Details. I tend to like details—when I can be in control of them. However, when it's a "hands off" situation, I have a tough time sitting back and letting go. God is using my newer car search to teach me that I have to relinquish all the details to Him. He after all, is the Creator and He is the Master of details. 

As I work on the details for buying a newer car—just when I think a detail is taken care of and I can cross it off my list—I learn that it is NOT done. Most often when I think a detail is done, it is me getting ahead of God and thinking I know with how the details should be dealt.

One aspect of getting a newer car is selling my old car. I thought I had a buyer. However, it doesn't look like that will happen. Just as I was getting frustrated, God led me to another place that may buy my car. Will check with them this week.
Since I may not get the amount for my old car as I had planned, I was beginning to fret on how I'd meet the necessary down payment.  
But God had something waiting for me! 
I went to get the car title out of the safe, and came across some coins. One very special coin, I knew was there—at this point, I plan to keep that one. 
But the other coins, I had forgotten about them. I've had them for over 7 years. Does God want me to sell the coins at this point? I have no idea. However, I will take them to a dealer and see what I can get. The coins won't provide the total amount I need, but God knows that too. Perhaps this is how God wants to help meet my need this time. As I've said before, God is VERY creative!

Throughout the Bible God tells us that He will take care of things. We are not to worry. As I said, I like details. However, my attention is NOT to be on the details—rather, my attention is to be on what God is doing! My job is to be a good steward of His provisions, follow His leading, and let Him take care of all the details.

"Give your entire attention
to what God is doing right now,
and don't get worked up
about what may or may not happen tomorrow.
God will help you deal with
whatever hard things come up
when the time comes."
Matthew 6:34 The Message

The day is much more positive when I give my entire attention to God and what He is doing.