Crockpot Mexican Pork Tacos Mishap and Not Finding Pedro

The other day I was trying to make pork street tacos in my crockpot. I thought this would be an awesome dinner to have pretty much done when I got home. I started with my Mexican street taco base of about three tablespoons of your choice of oil (I used avocado) in the bottom of the crockpot. Next I added about a teaspoon of cumin (it should have been a tablespoon!) and a couple of teaspoons of dried oregano. I sliced up a large onion and placed my pork loin on top of that. I lightly salted and peppered the loin (it should have been more vigorously seasoned!) and dumped about three tablespoons of oregano on top. What can I say? I was trying to use up my jar of oregano! Then I squeezed about two lines worth of juice on it from fresh limes.

It smelled fabulous while it was cooking. There were two issues when we went to eat it on some soft tortillas. First, it was dry because you should use pork shoulder, not pork loin. Oops! Also, it didn’t have the flavor because I had not realizing skimped on the cumin and salt. Oops again! Well… nobody’s perfect. We all fail once in a while. It was a good try and I learned a few things. So, all in all, not a complete failure.

Now, the story. As some of you know, my car’s name is Hector. I did not name him this, he came named. In fact I had never had a named car until Hector. Hector has been a pretty decent car, with a few quirks, but then no one (and no car) is perfect. He has quite the personality. I’m pretty sure he’s a cranky old man at this point.

I was parallel parking today (something that I am actually amazingly good at – who would have guessed that?!) and Hector was groaning in his usual cranky way. Child #2 was scrunching down in the passenger seat, horrendously embarrassed by Hector’s noises. I told her that she had no reason to be embarrassed. Embarrassing is being dropped off at high school in a big, 1970’s orange farm truck with a homemade “cab” on the back with a bright blue tarp over said box-cab because, of course, the box-cab leaked! She said that would be fine as long as it didn’t make noises like Hector. Oh yes, I assured her, that truck did that too!!!! Yikes! Mortifying.

Anyhow…I digress. I was looking to replace trusty Hector because he is getting older and less and less things are working as they should. Mmmmhmmmm…just think what fun that is!!! So, I found a vehicle that I absolutely wanted. Pedro (what I have decided to name the next vehicle (Hey! I have to be able to yell at him when things go wrong, don’t I?!!!) The price seemed reasonable and I was having the best time thinking about trips we would take in the new-to-us (since who can afford a new vehicle? I work at a shelter, remember people!) car.

I talked to the credit union with whom I have been working on a loan for the purchase of Pedro. I waited and waited for what seemed like forever, but was in reality about three hours to find out if I was approved. The entire time I was praying. I didn’t ask for the car, well not much anyway. Instead I asked God to do His will. If it was His will that this car was indeed a good vehicle that would serve us well into the future and everything worked out, then fine. However, if it was not His will, I asked for the loan not to be approved, so that I would know for sure.

The loan was not approved. I was so upset. I ranted and raved to my kiddos. I cried. I tried to call the loan officer to ask why. I even wrote her an email! Yikes. Poor woman!

When she returned my call she was very calm and went over the reasons that the loan had been denied. I was still upset, but then something clicked. I had asked Him to do His will and to deny the loan if it wasn’t the right vehicle. And then, here I am so upset. Why?

So I took a deep breath, finished up my phone call with the loan officer and thanked God that He had done exactly as I asked. It was not the right car for us. It would have really stretched my budget (and I’m terrified of not being able to pay my bills!) and who knows but God? Maybe it would have broken down quickly. He has a reason and I’ve got to trust that He has a perfect vehicle in mind just for us!

What do you think? Do you name your vehicles, and if so, what do you name them? Do you want male, female, or what for your car names? Leave your answers in the comments! Happy driving!