Car Troubles

I must admit, one of the most daunting parts of moving across the country was the car part. Cars inevitably have problems, and I really, really, really liked my mechanic in Indiana. He would tell me what was wrong and explain it in great detail so that I could understand it. Then he would explain the different options for fixing it, and finally how he decided to fix it. He would even show me examples of what he had done! :) And he did it all really inexpensively. I'm really not sure how he makes a living with the prices he charges people! 

While my car was in the shop in Indiana, I always had a way to get around. My family is awesome like that. They are very selfless and give up a car or give rides to other family members who need it. Moving away I knew that I wouldn't have my family to fall back on. I dreaded the inevitable car troubles and how I would deal with them. 

Well, this past week it finally happened. My brakes started acting funny. Or rather I should say that they were getting gradually worse and this week was the point where I was sure that there was a problem. I knew that my brake pads should still be good since I had had them checked at my last oil change, which was only a month ago. So I started paying attention to what exactly they were doing so that I could describe it to the mechanic. Basically, they are not maintaining the pressure when I press down on them. If I pump them, then I can come to a complete stop, but if I just press down gradually on them, the pedal goes all the way to the metal and I'm still not stopped. I seem to get braking power back if I release it and then re-apply. All that to say, my brakes are not in tip top shape right now. 

Now in Indiana this is a problem that should be corrected sooner than later. I could probably get by with caution. In Seattle, with the traffic and the hills, it is not safe at all. I called to make an appointment at the mechanics, but since it's a holiday weekend they couldn't get me in until Tuesday. Of course, I agreed and set up the appointment, but then I had to figure out rides. Asking family for help is one thing, asking other people is a whole different matter. It is so difficult for me to ask people for help! My first plan was to drive super slow and super careful, but the teachers at my school would not hear it. 
--Two different teachers had me talk to their dads who have worked on cars, and both of these men told me I should not drive the car around. 
--Another teacher told me that she was going out of town for the weekend with her family and that she would be much more comfortable if I drove her car for the weekend. 
--One of my students' parents picked me up and took me to school on Friday. 
--Another teacher offered to give me a ride back from the mechanic's on Tuesday. 
--Another teacher is willing to give me a ride to and from school on Wednesday
--Today, my pastor and his wife told me that they really didn't want me driving the car to the mechanic on Tuesday, especially since when I can drop it off it will be rush hour traffic with a lot of starting and stopping. They offered to use their Triple A to tow it to the mechanics.

I am truly blessed. This is a stretching experience. I do not like to ask for help, and feel really bad accepting it when it is offered. I know that this is pride and that I need to work on it! What a gracious God! He gives us lessons in the things that we will not teach ourselves.

Please pray that it is a simple and inexpensive fix! I'm only planning on keeping this car until October. I have been and will continue saving furiously until then so that I can buy a car that is hopefully more reliable. I pray for this car every day... praying that no serious and expensive repairs need to be made. So far God has answered!