A New Van

We got a new wheelchair van! We have been looking for several months because we knew when Ruby started school we would sometimes need to pick her up with her wheelchair. The wheelchair is really heavy and with me being pregnant it is hard to just throw it in the back of the van. Plus, we knew we wouldn't start using the wheelchair on a regular basis until we had a van that could accommodate it. We didn't have much luck looking just around West Michigan because there just aren't that many vans to choose from. The ones that dealers have are usually very expensive because the demand for them isn't as high. So, we turned to ebay and Monday night we found a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country for a good price and we went for it. Unfortunately it is in Florida, but the dealer is having it shipped to us, hopefully next week.

I was kind of dreading getting a van for Ruby because it was expensive and I like the van we have. Also, looking at wheelchair vans was hard because it reminded me of Ruby's needs. I don't like the idea of having to push my daughter up a ramp to get her in the car. I am not looking forward to putting my other two kids way in the backseat of the van, away from me, because of Ruby's wheelchair. I always try to take one day at a time, but this forced me to look into the future with her and that is tough to do.

But, now that the job is done, I feel good about it...maybe even a little excited about the new ride. We have a van (or will have it soon) and she starts school on Monday; we are making the next step with her and we are okay. Once again, God has given us the grace and peace we needed to walk the path He has laid out for us.

Keep praying for that peace though because we are going to need a lot of it on Monday morning when we put our little girl and her hot pink wheelchair on a big yellow school bus.

We did use some money from Ruby's medical fund to pay for the van. This fund holds the money that was raised for Ruby last year at the two fundraisers friends and family held for us. So, thank you to those of you that gave to that fund! Your generosity has once again allowed us to meet Ruby's needs. We could not have taken this next step without you!

The New TenHaken Wheels....