Bored?

The other day was a bit of a boring one at the start, so Karissa and I brainstormed a little about what we could be doing other than just sitting staring at each other. This is what we came up with: Make Sarah a shirt out of a piece of material I have held onto for about 5 years now! I just fell in love with it & I really thought we did a great job considering we had no official pattern to follow. There were only scraps left over from the material also, but I just hated to throw them out, so another idea blossomed...make a matching head band! Don't have pics of that one just yet, but the first time she wears them both together, maybe I can get one then.

Upcoming trip:

We are so excited this week because we are preparing to go on a "missions" trip of sorts. Some of you may remember when we travelled to Sorsagon last year to help canvas the area for a new church plant. We have been invited back this year for their 1 year anniversary but in addition to our visit there, we have also been invited to come and celebrate with Pastor Tom Raguirag in Guiuan, Samar in his anniversary as well, and will be taking a tour of 2 other works in Samar that were started by the same pastor. Pastor Raguirag holds a special place in Paul's life as it was a trip with Ptr. Tom that God used to call Paul back to the Philippines. One of the churches we will visit is the one where Paul helped move him and his family to start the work there back in high school.

Last year we took a ride with a group of members from San Juaquin and made the 14 hr drive to Sorsagon. This year, we will have the opportunity of flying into Leyte and driving through Samar and then we will take a bus ride and ferry over into Sorsagon before we fly home from there. What a difference flying makes...we will be in the air for only 1 hour! Praise the Lord for His deliverance! I have included a map to indicate the amount of travel that lies in wait for us. In addition to the many experiences with the churches we will have the opportunity of veiwing the Macarthur Memorial there in Leyte.

We would like for you to be in prayer for us as we make this trip. Paul, his dad, Karissa, and I will be making this trip as well as many others from San Juaquin, however, Paul's mom and the kids will remain here in Iba during that time. Thursday we will hold the BBS graduation in Manila and our flight will leave Friday morning....the trip will total 10 days. We are praying that God would supply all the needs of those who are here at home, that God would protect us in the travel, and that many will be reached with the gospel during our meetings there. This trip is an incredible opportunity and I have to admit that satan is already beginning to start the struggles with fear and doubt...I know that God will do an amazing work and that we will experience life-changing events, so I am also adding to the prayer list that satan would be bound and that God's work would not be hindering in any way....even in the way of attitudes, etc. Thank you for the prayers in advance.

*Updates will follow upon our return as we will not have internet access during our time away*

Introducing.....

I would like to introduce my son, Jared, to the blogworld out there. He is 12 years old and has decided that he would like to start his own blog; a way to portray "life in the Philippines" from his point of view. You can read his first couple of writings here. Also, make sure you add him to your subscription list, I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss anything! {shameless advertising at it's best!}

Thank you for your support!

Family Camp 2008

Each year, just before Easter, the fellowship of churches founded under Paul's dear parents, come together for family camp. It is a real blow-out event. Entire families travel many hours in order to make this annual happening.

The focus this year was "What Matters Most in the Christian Family?" Teachers prepared topical lessons, Choirs and soloists alike present their best specials, Musicians play their hearts out, Preachers preach God's Word with power, Sports teams bring their uniforms for "official" play, Bible school students prepare their thesis presentation, Children come for a week of VBS fun, Trophys are purchased, Hearts are challenged, Souls are saved, Lives are surrendered...God moves in the midst of His people! It is a wonderful experience and we were even more grateful to play a part this year than the last.

This year our special guest speaker would be Pastor Steve Brown and his wife Cathy from 1st Baptist Church of Meadowview. What a hoot! Ptr. Steve was in no lack of excitement and interest from the get go. Oh, we had so much fun watching him with these other pastors. He had developed a plan to surprise the crowd each night as he arrived to preach. He rode in on a motorcycle, he was delivered in a tricycle, he was carried in on a stretcher, then the final night he intended to ride in on a karabou, but the crazy thing ran away on us, so the pastors pulled him in on the work cart instead....like I said, what a hoot! Let's not forget that he challenged dad and, the MC for the week, Ptr. Garcia to go down the mudslide with him on Friday afternoon. And I am happy to say, that yes, they went! I have the pictures to prove it! There was definately not a dull moment.

Aside from his silliness, his messages were wonderfully prepared and God spoke directly through him to the hearts of the people. After each service, there was no lack of bent knees at the altar...what a beautiful sight to behold. 26 became new believers while over 20 surrendered to fulltime service {there were a couple of men ready to start preaching had they been given the chance}! We also witnessed the baptism of 5 on Friday afternoon. Praise the Lord!

I didn't even mention Mrs. Cathy yet....Let me tell you, that lady was a wonderful encouragement to me personally, but from the sounds of our ladies, she blessed their hearts just the same. She brought 3 beautiful lessons to the pastor's wives and graced us with her singing each service. We didn't get her down the mudslide, but it wasn't because we didn't try! She was an overall blessing; we were all so grateful that she was able to accompany Ptr. Steve on his visit.

Photos are in the posting process, so be sure to check back for the mudslide chronicles. Available now are albums for the following {just click on the photo}: