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}:

Thoughts from the kids...

I asked the kids to help me with a writing assignment. My voice is heard quite often, but I wanted to share something from them. I asked them to either write a story or a list of their thoughts on their first year in the Philippines.

Jared made a list of the things he has enjoyed about his new life so far:

*Made new friends

*Flew for the first time in an airplane

*Tried new foods

*Learned more Tagalog

*Learned how to drive a tricycle

*Got a great new house

*Learned a little bit about cooking

*Found out that life is not easy. Well, not as easy as it sounds.

*God is faithful

Sarah decided to make hers' more of a categorized list:

*Scary things-

*Filipinos staring at me all the time.

*Things I learned-

*God takes care of me whenever I have a need

*Answered Prayers-

*Friends

*For the kids in the school to not be mean to me anymore

Rachel wrote a short paragraph about her friends {because that is the best part about it all to her}:

I like my friends because they taught me how to speak Tagalog and they care for me and my teacher is nice and everyone is nice to me.

I sat down with Jonah to get his thoughts or ideas and he indicated to me that he is happy that he has his Thomas to play with...Priorities people...priorities!

I am so thrilled that the kids participated in this project...I love how you see the individuality in the way that God met each one of them, yet He also filled the universal need of relationship in all of them. Isn't that just like Him. He is so personal...I am so thankful that the kids are seeing that in their lives as well.

Year in Review

1 year…12 months…365 whole days!

The past year has been filled with:

*Days when the time seemed to just stand still and others that were gone in the blink of an eye. *Times when I have felt so secure that this is my home, yet other times when I have felt that I will never fit in. *Numerous tears {good and bad} *Too many adjustments made to be mentioned. *Face to the floor seeking God’s strength. *Face to the heavens praising my God for that very strength. *Much confusion in conversation. *Transparent facial expressions that give away my total confusion. *Laughter. *Celebrity-status attention while walking through the market. *Being overwhelmed by the expression of respect and gratitude of these dear people. *Lessons learned the hard way. *Smiles. *Comfort that comes in the least expected places. *Survival; though many strange critters have graced our home. *A few cold showers. *Many warm hellos. *Joy in witnessing the transformation of hearts. *Decreasing dollar. *Bargains. *Brown-outs. *New foods. *Good foods. *Amazing sunsets *Gifts from home. *Building new relationships. *Learning a new tongue. *Sickness. *Health restored. *Beaches. *Rainbows. *Much rain. *Much heat. *Growing deeper in faith. *Questioning. *Heartache. *Drawing closer together. *Fear. *Peace. *Learning of God’s mighty providence and provisions. *Discovering the meaning of daily devotion. *Fresh fruit stands on the highway. *Rice. *Interesting smells. *Witnessing true contentment. *Gaining a clearer vision. *Being convicted of great need-daily. *Feeling so helpless and small. *Trusting in a mighty God. *Blessings of modern technology. *Looking forward with excitement to the unknown future with a God who has a plan bigger and better than we could ever imagine!

My favorite verse remains: “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” {Eph 3:20}

“Lord God, You have been faithful to Your word…You have been amazing…You have done more this year than I could have ever imagined. I stand in awe at Your power and glory. There are times, Lord, when I feel so weak and useless, but I know that in those moments, You become stronger through me and it is then that Your power is made known as mine fades away in the back ground. I praise You Lord, for meeting our needs, for not leaving us alone in the place. Thank you for the good, but Lord, thank you also for the moments of trying and testing; You are still worth every bit of the journey. I ask that Your grace would continue to meet us daily as we look forward to the next year with You…I can’t wait to see what is ahead!”

Release Rest and Relaxtion

I am writing as an update that Paul has been released from the hospital! {And the angels sang glory!}. Platelettes are on the rise and everything else is looking well now. He is confined to the bed rest, but it is such a relief to have him in the midst of the family again. It is pretty funny, our bedroom has become somewhat of a "sick ward" in itself. There are 4 beds made...two on the couch, one on the floor, and one on the actual bed. Hopefully 1-by-1 we will move Jared, Sarah, and Jonah out of the ward and back into the world of "healthiness" very soon. Jared is already on the up-swing now, so that is promising.

Karissa and I keep talking to each other about how we are in denial over getting this virus; we are juicing ourselves full of vitamin C and praying that we will somehow be gaurded from contracting the illness that has consumed our household. The idea is that we picked up a virus from someone at the camp last week. My mind is reeling thinking of all the others that could be suffering right now just the same {Lord be with them even now}. We received word this morning that Ptr. Steve Brown has also come down with the virus and we are praying for God to be miraculous for him as they board for their flight home early in the morning. He just doesn't have enough time to recover without the Lord's help...please join with us in prayer for him also.

I will be updating about our Family Camp soon. Until then, we will be rejoicing in Paul's release, resting safely in the comfort of home, and relaxing to our heart's content. We praise the Lord for sending so many wonderful prayer warriors into our lives...the sweet words of encouragement and letters of those who have approached God's throne on our behalf leaves me speechless. Thank you! You have ministered deeply to us.