Our "New to Us" Car!

As some of you know, we were needing a "new to us" vehicle. Our 2000 Opel Vectra had been a very good car to us ... and considering it was given to us for free ... it was an AMAZING blessing! Unfortunately, after returning from our trip to Canada this summer, we realized that our car was ready to retire! In fact, a few weeks ago while traveling over a bumpy road, the rattle in the roof was even more pronouced, and Emma said from the back seat. "Mummy! Daddy! Our roof is going to fall on our heads!" After we both had a good laugh, Joel & I looked at each other and said "Maybe its time to start looking for a car sooner rather than later!"

So, Joel started looking online at used vehicles. He chatted with the owner of the garage we go to about what kind of car to get. And we started to pray that we would find an affordable 7 seater to purchase. Why 7 seats you might be asking? No, we are not planning to have more children ... although I'm still holding out for that puppy I've wanted for AGES :0) We decided that a 7 seater would be helpful since we are primarily involved in children and youth clubs, and often Joel gives youth lifts to club events or home afterwards. The 2 extra seats are in the "boot" of the car (the smallest window behind Emma in the photo below), and they can fold down when not in use and give you actual "boot" space for important things like Caitlin's buggy!

Here it is ... our "new to us" car ... a 2006 Mazda 5!

We were really blessed to find and to purchase this particular car!  The short version of the whole process of finding it is that we had been looking at 2 other Mazda 5 vehicles before this one.  They both sold and we were disappointed (especially about the second one, but thats another story).  Then Joel found this one and while its not the color we wanted ... "black" with a 3 year old and a newborn!?  Umm, yeah keeping it clean will be impossible a challenge!  It is in fabulous condition and we've been told by the guys at the garage that it is in excellent condition and that we got a very good deal on it :0)

So here is the happy new owner himself!

And his two "back seat drivers" :0)

Thank you to all of you who have been praying with us that we would find an affordable "new to us" car, and thank you as well to those of you who blessed us with your financial contributions that made it possible!