(We have a van!!!)
When we moved to Taiwan, we had two kids. We got good exercise walking everywhere... including the grocery store & vegetable/fruit markets. When we needed groceries, it was a 15-minute walk to the nearest Wellcome, or a 15-minute walk to the MRT, train ride, then 10-minute walk to the nearest Carrefour. On the way back, we would both be loaded up with groceries -- put in backpacks and bags, plus one kid on the shoulders and one in the umbrella stroller. A bit of effort, but do-able.
Then, we got a motorbike! It was great fun being able to ride around and discover new places that we were not able to walk to, and even more fun to buzz down to the grocery store and not have to carry heavy bags all the way home.
After living in Taiwan nearly a year, someone from our church (whom we didn't even know) gave us their old car. Now we could drive places :-). What a huge huge blessing!
After Anaya joined us, we pretty much maxed out both modes of transportation. It was still possible to run around locally with all 5 of us on the motorbike. (Elise & Kenna standing in front of Michael, and Anaya on Amy's lap.) In the car, we were full-up with 2 car seats and a booster seat.
When Nathan came along however, we thought it might be a good idea to pray for a van :-) We fit all 6 of us on the motorbike occasionally... and in the car we had to have one of the bigger girls always on a lap in the front -- overall a bit crowded... and neither one very safe nor legal...
So, we began praying -- the girls prayed almost every night before they went to sleep, and all of us especially prayed every time we would go somewhere all together in the car!
Several months ago a church in the States that prays for us faithfully every week felt like they wanted to help us get a van!!! We were overwhelmed with their kindness & incredibly generosity! With great excitement, we began to go out looking. We got in lots of Chinese practice while looking too. :-) We searched for awhile, trying to find something that met all of our criteria. We were all hoping and praying for various things...
After 2 months of searching, we finally found "the one". For the year (2003) & mileage (18,000 mi) the price was considerably lower than most of the other vans we had looked at in the same year/with similar mileage. Plus, this one exceeded all of our dreams -- having several extras such as a sunroof, window curtains, DVD player and even karaoke if we want! So, we feel incredibly incredibly and overwhelmingly blessed!! We found the van the day before Thanksgiving, and purchased it on Thanksgiving Day. So, it truly was a Thanksgiving Celebration for us here! We are so thankful to God for His faithful provision and to those who gave so generously towards this wonderful gift! We are more than blessed!!!
Glancing down at the top of Elise's desk, I saw the reason for it: a pair of scissors and a nice chunk of blonde hair. Yep, one pigtail definitely had less hair than the other! 
