Showing posts with label Life in the Philippines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life in the Philippines. Show all posts
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Holy Week
Easter always sneaks up on me. No matter how hard I try to prepare for it or stop and reflect on the enormity of the cross and resurrection, I am always surprised by Easter. Already Easter is tomorrow and yes we’ve created an Easter garden and we’ve done almost all the Easter story through the Resurrection eggs, and we’re planning on Easter dinner. It’s always a struggle for me to find meaningful Easter traditions that really embody the magnitude of this day, this day that should be the theme of every day.
Because how can you celebrate enough, praise enough, grieve over sin enough? I’m plagued by a sense of shame and guilt…Have I considered Christ enough this special, holy season? Have a used every opportunity to teach my children about what I say is the most important part of my life? Why have I not taken more time to meditate, pray and worship the Lamb that was slain for my sins? Why do I allow everything else to eat away at my time to worship my Savior and Hope…you know the cleaning, the meals, internet, TV, rather than being still before the Lord and remembering?
Holy Week here is so different than anything I’ve ever experienced. Life stops on Maundy Thursday (the day commemorating the Last Supper) and Good Friday – no work is done, malls are closed, people are in mourning. Up in the north, more than 20 men were crucified (one even has done this 20 times), dozens of others beat themselves with whips and razors, still more lined up to rub the feet of an idol hoping to be healed. In our city, we watched the processional of floats depicting different aspects of Christ’s last week and a dramatization of the road to Calvary and the cross. Grief is never turned to joy, penance never turned to atonement, the suffering Lord never emerges the triumphant King of kings,. No life. No Celebration. No hope. The darkest day of the year.
And Sunday as we celebrate and humbly give thanks for the Resurrection, the crux of our faith, most will go along with their day as if nothing happened. The mall is open. There is even a Bunny and egg celebration, but no mention of Jesus, of death being swallowed up in Victory, of our salvation secured FOREVER. How can we show them, show them that the cross fulfilled the sacrifice, but the resurrection means our very life? How can we show them?
1 Corinthians 15:17-19
“And if Christ had not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep (DIED) in Christ have perished. If we hoped in Christ in this life ONLY, we are of all men most to be pitied.”
Because how can you celebrate enough, praise enough, grieve over sin enough? I’m plagued by a sense of shame and guilt…Have I considered Christ enough this special, holy season? Have a used every opportunity to teach my children about what I say is the most important part of my life? Why have I not taken more time to meditate, pray and worship the Lamb that was slain for my sins? Why do I allow everything else to eat away at my time to worship my Savior and Hope…you know the cleaning, the meals, internet, TV, rather than being still before the Lord and remembering?
Holy Week here is so different than anything I’ve ever experienced. Life stops on Maundy Thursday (the day commemorating the Last Supper) and Good Friday – no work is done, malls are closed, people are in mourning. Up in the north, more than 20 men were crucified (one even has done this 20 times), dozens of others beat themselves with whips and razors, still more lined up to rub the feet of an idol hoping to be healed. In our city, we watched the processional of floats depicting different aspects of Christ’s last week and a dramatization of the road to Calvary and the cross. Grief is never turned to joy, penance never turned to atonement, the suffering Lord never emerges the triumphant King of kings,. No life. No Celebration. No hope. The darkest day of the year.
And Sunday as we celebrate and humbly give thanks for the Resurrection, the crux of our faith, most will go along with their day as if nothing happened. The mall is open. There is even a Bunny and egg celebration, but no mention of Jesus, of death being swallowed up in Victory, of our salvation secured FOREVER. How can we show them, show them that the cross fulfilled the sacrifice, but the resurrection means our very life? How can we show them?
1 Corinthians 15:17-19
“And if Christ had not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep (DIED) in Christ have perished. If we hoped in Christ in this life ONLY, we are of all men most to be pitied.”
Sunday, March 18, 2012
A Sweet Reunion!
Ready to go get Daddy!
Wednesday was the day we’ve been waiting for! So all day we prepared for Daddy’s return! We made posters, finished a special scrapbook, made his favorite muffins, and cleaned the house! Then Tanner and I left to go to the airport! He was pumped because we got a special dinner out – McDonald’s! Then it was off to see Daddy! We help up our signs and waved! And we haven’t stopped talking to him since he’s arrived! Even Leighton gets in on the “talking” or babbling in his case!
These last few weeks have been long, because we love having Daddy around, but they have been full of blessing as well! When John left, I thought how am I going to do this every day, all day? The first day, we made a chain to count down the days, and the kids couldn’t even hold it without it dragging on the ground, it was so long! That first day, looking at the links of that chain, I almost cried right there. But, this month has been full of blessings!
My blessing was just being able to be with my boys and enjoy them each day! You know there are days when you struggle to really enjoy your children – you know the days of constant crying, disobedience, and messes. It’s not that my precious guys were any different than they are normally; it was God who gave me a new heart, more patience, in short – more of Him! (And only a few tears on this mama’s part!) We just enjoyed each other and the simple things of life! Each day I collapsed into bed, exhausted, but so thankful and smiling!
And since we presented John with a scrapbook so he could be a part of our life in the last month without him, here’s what we’ve been up to!
Foam Play! And no it does not taste too good!
Bug day!
Wrestling, Spaghetti, and Sundaes!
Many Faces of Fun!
Collapsing each night!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Snow day in the Philippines
In honor of the snow day that our friends in Richmond just had, the kids and I decided to have a snow day of our own! Actually it was more like a snow hour with a little after party after dinner, but hey! We even had two friends join us in our fun...
We threw snowballs...a.k.a cotton balls
We made snow angels
We played a snow game
We ate colored icicles
We made snowmen
Leighton got a beard
And what's better than cuddling in front of the fire, snuggling under a cozy blanket, eating hot chocolate and cookies, and watching a Veggie Tale movie! (with two fans blowing to make us cold enough to stand being under the blankets!)
We threw snowballs...a.k.a cotton balls
We made snow angels
We played a snow game
We ate colored icicles
We made snowmen
Leighton got a beard
And what's better than cuddling in front of the fire, snuggling under a cozy blanket, eating hot chocolate and cookies, and watching a Veggie Tale movie! (with two fans blowing to make us cold enough to stand being under the blankets!)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
My Winter Wonderland
Christmas is over and I may live in the tropics where we’re freezing at 70 degrees, but I just found a the wonderland of the Philippines: DIVISORIA!
Those of you who love a bargain, love the thrill of the hunt, love crafts and fabrics…this place is amazing!! John gave me the day to go and we went from 5:00 until 9:00 at night on an unofficial girls’ day out (a few of us rode along with the camp staff on their purchasing trip). We had so much fun! And I really enjoyed seeing where Filipinos love to shop, not to mention hanging out with the girls!
This is the place where everything comes, then goes throughout the country, so It’s the wholesale price. If fact, the mini-city within Manila never sleeps. We arrived at 7:00 and the streets are full of trash from all the vendors who have come through the night to get their products. And the shoppers are out starting about then!
We got some beautiful deals! Of course I had to get my favorite little guys something fun (you know you dream of a day off, then you get one and all you can think of is things your kids would like) ! A red cowboy hat for Leighton ;-) and a new Thomas umbrella for Tanner. Seriously, ya’ll he LOVES to use his “Hairbrella” when it rains, which was a pink one he found in our house when we got here. And we sure couldn’t let him take that anywhere!
My best, most exciting deal????? Dinique Happy for $3! Yes. You read it right! Sure it’s imitation, but you try to find the difference! I almost hugged the lady!
Those of you who love a bargain, love the thrill of the hunt, love crafts and fabrics…this place is amazing!! John gave me the day to go and we went from 5:00 until 9:00 at night on an unofficial girls’ day out (a few of us rode along with the camp staff on their purchasing trip). We had so much fun! And I really enjoyed seeing where Filipinos love to shop, not to mention hanging out with the girls!
This is the place where everything comes, then goes throughout the country, so It’s the wholesale price. If fact, the mini-city within Manila never sleeps. We arrived at 7:00 and the streets are full of trash from all the vendors who have come through the night to get their products. And the shoppers are out starting about then!
We got some beautiful deals! Of course I had to get my favorite little guys something fun (you know you dream of a day off, then you get one and all you can think of is things your kids would like) ! A red cowboy hat for Leighton ;-) and a new Thomas umbrella for Tanner. Seriously, ya’ll he LOVES to use his “Hairbrella” when it rains, which was a pink one he found in our house when we got here. And we sure couldn’t let him take that anywhere!
My best, most exciting deal????? Dinique Happy for $3! Yes. You read it right! Sure it’s imitation, but you try to find the difference! I almost hugged the lady!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Pumpkin Party
One of the greatest blessings I had living in England was going each week to a Mother/Toddler group. It was a wonderful time each week to get out of the house, give Tanner some time with other kids, and allowed me to meet some friends who were in the same boat I was. In fact I still miss my toddler group girls! It was such a great blessing, I thought why not start one here – aren’t moms’ needs pretty universal?
So we started one a few weeks ago, and God’s been so good as our numbers have grown each week. I’m so thankful for those of you who have been praying for us each week! Last week, we had a special costume harvest party since costumes are everywhere! We had such a great time, I just had to share how cute these kiddos are! All the kids dressed up,
we read “The Pumpkin Patch Parable,” played a number of pumpkin carnival games – pumpkin bowling, ring around the pumpkin, pin the nose on the pumpkin, pumpkin toss, and pumpkin golf. We made pumpkin faces out of triangles and painted pumpkin cookies. We even had face painting! 
It was so much fun! Many of the games and face painting were new to the kids, so it was added fun! The one thing I didn’t count on was ALL the kids were out of school this week, so they ALL showed up! Thankfully we had enough for everyone and the older ones were a huge help in running the games and chasing after children!
Who knows how many children and moms we can bless by this little group? We’re praying we will be able to expand into the community and bless the moms and children, as well as build relationships with those moms. We’re also praying for more toys and center stations to add. So I’d appreciate your prayers greatly!
Here's my little pumpkin! My cowboy wouldn't dress the part for his picture ;-)
So we started one a few weeks ago, and God’s been so good as our numbers have grown each week. I’m so thankful for those of you who have been praying for us each week! Last week, we had a special costume harvest party since costumes are everywhere! We had such a great time, I just had to share how cute these kiddos are! All the kids dressed up,
we read “The Pumpkin Patch Parable,” played a number of pumpkin carnival games – pumpkin bowling, ring around the pumpkin, pin the nose on the pumpkin, pumpkin toss, and pumpkin golf. We made pumpkin faces out of triangles and painted pumpkin cookies. We even had face painting! 
It was so much fun! Many of the games and face painting were new to the kids, so it was added fun! The one thing I didn’t count on was ALL the kids were out of school this week, so they ALL showed up! Thankfully we had enough for everyone and the older ones were a huge help in running the games and chasing after children!
Who knows how many children and moms we can bless by this little group? We’re praying we will be able to expand into the community and bless the moms and children, as well as build relationships with those moms. We’re also praying for more toys and center stations to add. So I’d appreciate your prayers greatly!
Here's my little pumpkin! My cowboy wouldn't dress the part for his picture ;-)
Friday, October 21, 2011
His/Her Ministry
This week while John is roughing it, (Only 2 more days!) I’m getting to put together Powerpoints and class notes for the class he is teaching next week on 1, 2, 3 John. It’s not often that I get to work alongside John and really help with his ministry, especially with all of his recent travels. My ministry is more along the lines chasing after a little Houdini and a lightning fast , crawling, munchkin, cleaning up messes, nursing wounds (and this week there have been more than usual), and about a hundred other things so daddy can work.
So it’s an added bonus to be of use to my hubby in his ministry. My favorite part is sitting down with him and talking about what he’s teaching as we edit and look through his notes. I’ve loved sitting down at night after the kids go to bed and converting his notes into Powerpoint slides and student notes for him to present. What an amazing opportunity to be a part of God’s eternal Word being taught! I love that I get to be ministered to by my husband’s teaching and love for God’s Word, and to be working with him too! Man, I love that guy! I can’t wait to hear how the students are challenged next week in their walk and fellowship with God!
So it’s an added bonus to be of use to my hubby in his ministry. My favorite part is sitting down with him and talking about what he’s teaching as we edit and look through his notes. I’ve loved sitting down at night after the kids go to bed and converting his notes into Powerpoint slides and student notes for him to present. What an amazing opportunity to be a part of God’s eternal Word being taught! I love that I get to be ministered to by my husband’s teaching and love for God’s Word, and to be working with him too! Man, I love that guy! I can’t wait to hear how the students are challenged next week in their walk and fellowship with God!
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