I got a free car...

12 days ago I was riding back from Spring Break with a group of my girlfriends... the key here is riding. (Always riding!) I got a weird phone call from a man at CarMax named Steve Watson. I haven't had a car since I was 18 years old. This 4 year time of having to ask people for a ride and knowing I am constrained to the walking distance around me was quite humbling and often times frustrating.

But back to Steve, he calls me and tries to convince me to come in CarMax...

Steve: Hello, Stephanie! My name is Steve from CarMax in Kennesaw and I have something that migh.....
Me: How did you get my number!? I am not buying a car.
Steve: I think you will really be interested in something we have for you...
Me: I'm a poor senior in college, I am sorry you called because I am not at a place to buy a car.

A little bit more of some back and forth and Steve finally convinced me that I needed to pay him a visit.

I walk in CarMax with my mom, sit down across from nice Mr. Steve and he tells me that someone has anonymously bought me a car. It is paid for and ready to drive off the lot.... All I have to do is give it a test drive and sign the title......... and I, Stephanie Hladilek, will be the owner of a car!!!!!

Is this real life?! I have been trying to digest the magnitude of this gift for the last 12 days. I am blessed beyond my wildest imagination by someone that wishes to remain anonymous. This gift has given me the freedom to do things that many of us take for granted. For the first time in 4 years I can go to the store with out asking someone for a ride, I can drive home from college to visit my mom whenever I want, I can drive to my YoungLife school with out having to wait on people always running late! And I get the opportunity to bless other people that do not have a car right now!

I hope I never forget this overwhelming feeling of thankfulness that continues to radiate from the core of me!

Call me if you ever need a ride anywhere,
Stephanie