Buh-bye mini van

It breaks my heart.  Well, kinda.
My mini van is gone.
Gone are the sliding doors.  Gone are the flip down seats, the milk stains, the memories of driving to California and back...

Say hello to my new-to-me SUV.  A rugged, 8 passenger, 2003 Toyota Sequoia.  It's a truck disguised as a family hauler.  The gas mileage is well, not as great as our van, but fine just the same.

We haul around 5-8 people on most trips and with all the extra stuff and the fact that our kids are just getting bigger, we needed to make the change.  Mike was unpleasant on our last camping holiday.  The drive home stressed him out as we attempted to drag our entire camping life and two extra adults down a rough logging road.  But, as we pondered it, we realized that things just were not working for us anymore.  

I don't believe in coincidence. 

I believe in God.

This is where I realize that God cares about me a lot.  He even cares about the car I drive.  He orchestrated this sequence of events in a way that honors him.  

Last year, a co-worker of mine lost her husband. They were selling a truck like the one I was looking for, but had no idea that it was her family.  I "happened" to answer her craigslist ad.  I "happened" to ask her the next day if she was selling a truck.  When the answer was "yes", I just knew it was the one for us. The price was right, we knew the vehicle history, and it was even the colour we wanted.  

Then, my friend P called me.  They "happened" to be looking for a van to replace theirs.  And, they gave their well-loved, "comes with no promises" minivan to my dear friend who was needing a new vehicle.  

You see, my friends needed a new car.  They had been asking God for something, and had just tithed in faith the week before all this vehicle switching went down.  She just "happened" to be here that weekend.  We just "happened" to find the right truck for our family, P "happened" to be looking for a van like ours...  too many coincidences "happened" at the right time to just confirm the fact that God loves his kids.  He gives us more than we can EVER ask for or imagine.  

What would have happened if P hadn't acted in obedience and on the prompting of the Holy Spirit?  

What if K hadn't tithed that week?  

What if I hadn't responded to that ad?  

Would God have done all this any way?? 

I like to think that God really loves his kids and wants the best for them in all circumstances.  

I like to think that God blesses those who earnestly seek his face.  

I like to think that a generous God shows us how to be generous people. 

I am blessed to know that my friend P knows her Father in heaven.  

I am glad to be a part of a story where my God could be honored.  

I'm also glad that the new-to-me truck fits in my garage.

Olympics with Kids... We did it, so can you!

We spent the day in Vancouver on Saturday, and it was a "hoot!" A friend with 5 kids asked how we did it, so here's what I said to her--

If you have tickets to any events, the best way to travel is West Coast Express because it's also your transit pass for the day. If you go, plan to get there by 10 as that's when the pavilions open. We took skytrain from New West, because we parked at a friend's house. With a whole crew, I would start at the "Live Surrey" site, park the car, and get on the skytrain. Be sure to take a stroller or two as there is plenty of walking. Kids 5 and under ride transit for free. I found the hardest part of the day was driving home from New West-- if the ride was even 20 minutes shorter it would have been better.

However, another option is to park in Richmond and take Canada line in the Richmond O-zone. Or, just risk it, take the Cambie Bridge downtown and park somewhere near St. Paul's hospital-- this avoids transit all together, but you may have an issue with the truck in a parking garage. If you do this, you could bring your ice skates and skate at the Robson skating rink.

Free things to see-- Robson square, Science world (Sochi world), Ontario (4-D movie-- kids loved it!!), Granville Street (buskers, street performers, interactive art displays), Live City Yaletown (Live City Downtown is too busy), Aboriginal pavillion... so much more, just start walking!! Don't bother with the torch/cauldron-- too far to walk, and it's behind a fence. We haven't taken it yet, but there is a free streetcar that goes from Science World to Granville Island, and there's a lot to do on Granville Island, too. We ate hotdogs at Costco ($1.99!!) Best deal in town and it's right by the elevator to get to the Dunsmuir Viaduct between GM Place and BC Place. The Art Gallery has been transformed to a BC pavilion with interactive displays. The post office has trampoline stunts everywhere. The best place to pee is Costco or the Library, but there are a lot of portapotties near Robson. Avoid the CTV area-- too busy-- and find the live broadcasts by CBC. They have a great sock puppet display on the second floor. Plus, you may be able to collect a cool toque during their Radio 3 "toque sessions" (It was also my way of boycotting Pamela Martin... blech).

Wear one colour to stick out from the crowd-- we all wore orange-- it's easy to spot because everyone else is wearing red and white. Or, tie a balloon to your kids' belt!

Have fun!

So, the key to "doing this with kids" is-- keep them full of treats, eats, and time to rest! Make sure you have an extra pair of socks for the child who is drawn to puddles... believe me, you'll thank me later.