Minivan lessons

So in October we bought a new-to-us minivan. Our 12-year old one had become a money pit, and we knew it wouldn't get us to and from our soldier 3 times in the next 6 months so it was time.

If you know me at all you know how I STRESS about big purchases... (and in Jami-speak a $29.99 Target purse qualifies as a big purchase). So I did my research.... found the best van... then researched for the BEST available version of that model.... drove 60 miles to get it... fought my demons there and back (two different times), and finally, we pulled the trigger.

The monthly payment was a bit more than I could stomach (it's tough going from paid off to car payment)... so I caved and we added in an extended warranty and premium protection so that, should anything crop up with this vehicle, it would be covered under our monthly payment. Because I'm me, I stressed over that too... our previous vehicle had ZERO problems the first 3 or so years we had it... so I worried we were wasting money on a warranty.

Almost immediately I felt something was hinky with the driver's side sliding door.... but I couldn't make the problem reoccur when John was standing next to me so we chalked it up to my lunacy. Then about six weeks into the relationship with our new Dodge it happened again.  We went to get our Christmas tree and that door wouldn't open  automatically. The kids were my witness! It happened! But serious as a heart attack when John walked over the motor kicked in and the door opened. We chalked it up to an intermittent issue we should have looked at "eventually" and moved along. However, I was glad to be vindicated as not crazy (at least on this issue). Well, two weeks ago during the Polar Vortex the intermittent problem became constant, and the door wouldn't work at all. We scheduled a service appointment for our van.

Ewald... Biggest. Mistake. Ever. ABSOLUTE worst service experience in my life!  (But that's a story for another venue - my complaint letter to the general manager) Yesterday they called to tell us that in addition to the broken door, we have a leak in the transmission,  a leak in the back shocks (or struts... to a girl those are basically the same thing) AND we need back brakes and rotors. Oh. My. Brigham. Young! Are you KIDDING me?!?! All of a sudden "Did we waste money on a warranty?" Became "Thank God for Jesus! We got the warranty!" Everything but the brakes, COVERED under our extended warranty.

[Okay Noah... and John... here is the part where you start paying attention.]

Last night and this morning it has been occurring to me... I now stand at a fork in the road. I get to choose which path I walk down. On the right is a beautiful path of rejoicing, "We got the warranty! We got the warranty! Almost everything is covered under the warranty." On the left is a different path. Let's call it the Eeyore path. It looks more like this "we bought a lemon... we haven't even had this car for 5 months... the transmission... the shocks (struts... whatever)... the door... the brakes..." And here it is boys! This is the lesson in this episode of my life: THE. CHOICE. IS. MINE. As I stand at this fork in the road I am the one who gets to choose which way to walk. The circumstance I'm in... it is not gonna budge... I have a minivan at the shop that needs THOUSANDS of dollars in repairs that are COVERED under my warranty. That part is concrete. But will I rejoice in my warranty or lament my repairs THAT is up to me.

Trust me... I'm not having fun being carless for three days. Believe me... I am NOT thrilled with the place in Antioch that sold us this van. BUT! (and that's a mighty big BUT there) I choose how I respond to this situation!

It's like all of life:

*walk down the path of how much your job sucks OR choose to be grateful you have a job

*lament that your lovey is far away OR be grateful you have someone to love this Valentine's Day

*complain about your elderly knees OR be grateful you have the chance to become elderly

These. Are. Your. Choice.

I sure hope that the correct choice seems evident... I used enough caps and bolding to point it out. But one more time here it is: HAPPINESS IS IN OUR CONTROL. Our circumstances do not dictate our happiness.  We do.

Have a brilliant day! I know I will.... because I GOT THE WARRANTY!  and IT IS COVERED!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4