30 feet away!

You can laugh with me or be a little worried for me at this point...I just mapped out the path of the missing glue trap with my trusty tape measure! From the title you probably already know...we found the ratless-trap in the patio area tucked in the center of a potted plants cluster 30 feet {yes, 30 feet} away from it's original position! We placed out new traps, so that may be a story to tell later, hopefully it will be a happy ending {for us, not the rat}! I have to admit that the strength and determination of the little guy kind of worries me a little...he put up a good fight and lost some hair along the way, I am not sure he will go down so easy. Let's just all pray that his power is not a family trait passed on from generation to generation!

~~~~~

On another note, today was just down right weird. Do you ever have those kind of days. I feel that my wheels were turning at lightening speed, yet it seems that nothing was really accomplished. By 10 am we discovered a leak in the gas line to the stove {praise you, Lord}, but we were also made aware of the fact that the tubing needed for replacement of the line is not available here in Iba...through that we learned that it is possible to make chicken quesadillas (lunch) and spaghetti (dinner) in an electric wok as long as it is done in shifts! When I arrived at the school this morning, to deliver Jonah, I found the princess crying at her desk...{Lord, just be strong for her and love her!}. It was upon arriving with my tutor back to the house that I walked into the above mentioned stove situation, and she would have to wait for everything to settle before we could begin. As a result, my lesson was only 30 mins instead of 2 hrs long! I am sure that is why my list of homework makes me nervous just thinking about it! The oldest great dane would be taken to the vet today in Olongapo and we've been told he will be staying for the rest of the week for testing...needless to say the kids have been praying for Tex and grieving his absence. At the end of the school day, Rachel came home with an injury to the inside of her eye. Apparently, she and a friend were playing keep away with a pencil and she got the raw end of the deal. The doctor was kind to meet us after hours back at the clinic to check it out for us & God protected her...it is only a minor scratch and nothing that a few eye drops won't heal! {thank you again Lord}

I do believe that it is high time for me to sit quiet at the feet of Jesus! This one thing I know~in the midst of a crazy day, God is still in control!How I re-act, however, is a reflection of just how much I trust having Him at the wheel. I have to confess my doubt today. There were moments when I felt absolutely stressed out. Why? Because I took my eyes off the Lord and fixed my eyes upon the storm. Once again I am reminded of my frailty and amazed at His Sovereignty! {Praise His name for His never ending mercies!}

...and all that jazz...

There have been so many things running through my mind lately that I have wanted to share, but it seems that time has managed to get away from me in that area. I am going to attempt to be a bit organized in this post so bear with me!

Full Sentences:

God gave me the understanding and the courage to finally speak a full sentence in Tagalog in front of a group of people! What Joy! The best part about it was that I totally surprised Paul with it at the birthday lunch on Friday...the look on his face was priceless!

Sunday Praise:

Paul drove into Manila Saturday evening so that he could have the opportunity to preach at the newest church plant in Cavite City Sunday morning. He called with the results and they had 30 in attendance and 10 visitors accepted the Lord as their Savior! What a blessed day! The church recently had to re-locate; please be in prayer for them, the place is smaller, but has land for building in the future! The kids & I were at the house "transportation-less" so we decided to have a praise day. We took God up on His word when He said that where 2 or more are gathered, He will be in the midst of them...He was here and we had a wonderful time. Rachel insisted that we take up the offering and made sure we had an activity and a snack...one day she will be a wonderful pastor's wife I think! Jonah remained true to himself and had a hard time sitting long enough for the story. Maybe he will make a good preacher so that he can be the one speaking! LOL

Help!:

We have received confirmation of our sweet friend coming for a long stay. Karissa will be staying with us from the end of February until the end of May! We could not be more excited for the help, but are most excited for what God will show her while she's here. We would ask that you would join in praying for her during this time, but also for mom & dad who will send their youngest half way across the globe that day! {Love ya'll!}

Sunday night terror:

Ok, this is really not so bad, but since I haven't shared any critter stories in a while, I thought you might get a kick out of this one. Last night I am sitting in the office alone...it was late and quiet until...Until I hear this crazy sound {why is it that sounds are worse when you're alone?} coming from the patio area. Crackles...banging...scratching! My first thought was that maybe there was a rat digging through the trash can...we had to get a locking lid because they were actually taking the lid off to get to the trash, so this would not be a surprise. Well, I moved into the bedroom to see clearer, you would have just laughed to see me peeking through the curtain with the bedroom light off...ridiculous! No rat!?! Where was that noise coming from then? The kitchen? I went out the door {softly, quietly so as not to scare whatever it was} tip-toed around the corner thinking maybe the rat was up on the counter feasting on my late night snack {bag of chips}. No rat!?! What was that crazy noise that now had my heart pumping? Oh, good grief! It was only the dogs eating! The sound from them chasing their loose food around the inside of their metal bowls and the bowls banging against the wall of the house was echoing through the patio area! What a relief! Heart be still...much laughing at self!

Monday Mystery:

Ok, here's where the actual critter comes into play. After my excitement searching for strange sounds, I went into the kitchen for a drink before bed; low & behold, there was a little rat stuck on a glue trap {I had just laid it out a few hours earlier}. I tried to ignore the sad struggle; I figured I had had enough drama already, so I went on to bed! [BTW: I dreamed of rats last night!] This morning I went into the kitchen to start breakfast & peeked beside the stove to see if the little guy had given up the fight....NO RAT! NO TRAP! I thought maybe he was a strong one & had maybe dragged the trap as far as he could before getting free, so I checked the hallway, under the cabinets, but nothing! Where in the world is the rat, but the bigger question is where is the trap? If anyone out there has an answer for that one...I would love to hear it!

That's all folks...For now, I believe that I have shared all the latest news in our part of the world...the good, the bad, and the weird! That about sums up our life in just a few words! No wait, there is another word....Blessed! In all of what is handed to us, I can honestly say that we are most blessed! **Thank you Lord, I wouldn't trade this life for any other...thank you for the contentment!

thirty-six

Sunday was officially Paul's birthday, but since we were in Manila and the camp workers were enjoying their day off, they decided to celebrate with him on Monday instead. He didn't know anything had been planned...which was one benefit to him being gone all week last week, but as soon as he opened his office door, he was overwhelmed with balloons. 36 to be exact. He was presented with a name plaque for his desk and a cake. At lunch time, they also prepared a meal for everyone to enjoy. Usually once a month we have a birthday lunch and all who have birthdays that month will be honored...we already have the January lunch planned for Friday, so having one exclusive for "Sir Paul" was very special.

Yesterday's surprise was also special because the kids had their monthly exams and were able to come home at 12, so they got to enjoy the celebration with their daddy...they really liked that part!

There is a running joke about Paul being referred to as "Bishop" instead of "Reverend" so the office staff thought it would be funny to have all the balloons and the cake say "'Bishop Paul J. Ebert". He got a kick out of it as well.

Overall, it was a good day...had the morning walk, birthday surprise, kids came home early, afternoon rest for Paul while the kids went swimming, retired for an early evening together. It always amazes me how God can meet with us in the simplicity of a normal day. We are so blessed!

I feel loved...

There are some days that I feel loved because I feel little hands around me and hear the sweet words of my husband. There are some days I feel loved because I read a love letter from my Savior telling me of His deep love for me. There are some days I feel loved because I open my email inbox to find a sweet note from a distant friend; or recieve an encouraging phone call. Then there are days like this one:

About a month ago I had a friend who sent an email asking for a list of a few things that maybe the kids would like if she wanted to send a box for Christmas. Honored and quite a bit humbled, I managed to throw a few thoughts together & reply to her email. About a month later (a.k.a. last week) we received this gigantic box at the post office.

First blessing was that the box arrived safely without a trace of tampering {thank you Lord}! Words cannot fully express how excited we all were to tear it open, but my heart just broke when I lifted the flaps and saw that each little item was carefully and lovingly wrapped for each family member. Each package was labeled with a name, and as we were handing out the gifts, the bearers of those names squealed in delight over how many they had received; how I wish you were here to share in the moment!

When Jonah opened his stocking he noticed his very own pack of Gummy Worms to which he shouted, "Mommy, it's a WHOLE bag"! We just laughed and laughed.

We have listened to new music from favorite artists, watched some really great movies, worn new clothes, styled hair with new accessories, built robots, played tic tac toe, drawn, read books, colored, and eaten chocolate to our hearts content. I want to say thank you, but somehow, thank you just doesn't seem to be enough. It is amazing how God speaks to the hearts of His people to reach out to others, even more amazing when His people respond.....but oh, it is just ever so amazing when God does all that to meet the needs of the Eberts! We are blessed...we are grateful...we are left with a great feeling of love!

**To see all the photos from our Christmas in January, click here.

"Whew"

Ok, the holidays are over and we're back in action. Things from the first of December till now have not stopped. We have had many wonderful experiences in the past month and we would love to share them all with you. I have just completed the upload of 4 new albums and still have one more on the way. Our December brought with it 2 church anniversaries, 2 Christmas parties, Christmas, Christmas guests, a visit from the President {yes, I said president}, and preparation for our first annual couple's retreat for pastor's and their wives which would take place on Jan 3. The weather has been a little cooler, but still very warm; as a matter of fact, we were able to collect shells at the beach 2 days after Christmas and even went swimming that week twice! One of the definite pluses to living in a tropical environment. The kids enjoyed a wonderful break from school and returned today with much excitement. The decorations have finally found their way back into storage for another year and Paul has resumed his weekly drive for classes at the Seminary. Oh routine, I have missed you!

This year already has great potential and we are looking forward to what we will see God accomplish. It is so amazing to be a part of it all.

Please feel free to click over and view the different albums and share in our first Christmas festivities:

Precious Jewels Academy Christmas Party

Highlands Camp Christmas Party

Fitness First Couple's Retreat

Randomness