Trial or Lesson?

This past week was a trying week for Lj and me. We were looking into getting a new car- we needed something a bit more efficient on gas and since we were getting a new car we wanted something with a bit more room... gotta have space for the Costco runs! Two weeks ago, Shizuka and Kazuya helped Lj fill out an application to get a loan from the bank we have used for the last 7 years... they even offered to co-sign if needed. We send off the application and waited... finally some paperwork arrived in the mail that said we needed to have a meeting at the bank and please bring all your important papers from 1972 until now. So we prepare for the meeting and are set to go on Saturday... well, Thursday rolls around and the bank calls... not really getting all the guy is saying I tell them to call Lj... They call Lj and then he asks them to call Shizuka. A few minutes pass and Shizuka calls Lj in tears apologizing for the bank... we got turned down for the loan... not because we don’t make enough money- we had a co-signer if needed, not because of our age, not because of our visa status- they never saw our passports, not because of our jobs... we were turned down for no other reason than simply we are gaijin (foreigners). Shizuka told them they would co-sing- they said, "No... They are gaijin... they can't have a loan" end of story... no no no! Not giving up we went to the dealer with Shizuka and Kazuya yesterday and applied for a loan through the dealer... well, after only a few minutes of waiting we were approved for a loan with no co-signer... they even gave us a three year loan... it will go past our actual visa status. So soon so soon we will be in our new car!

Looking back on this whole experience I know God was working... He led us to the van and He blessed us with friends who were willing to help do whatever needed to be done. God continues to teach me and remind me that He is always there blessing me and for that I am thankful.